Agawa Canyon Tour Train is a Moving Experience

All four waterfalls in the park can be seen during the tour stop. The 225 ft (68.5 metre) Bridal Veil Falls are the highest. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

All aboard! Final weeks are fast approaching for the Agawa Canyon fall foliage train tour north of Sault Ste. Marie. Vistas painted by members of the group of Seven landscape painters are beautiful year-round but spectacular in autumn.

Looking for a counterbalance to the horrors of World War I, these adventuresome artists lived in a boxcar outfitted as a bunkhouse while painting the canyon with vibrant personal styles that pioneered a new Canadian genre.

For over a century the Algoma Central Railway has run freight trains between “the Soo” through beautiful Agawa Canyon 114 miles / 183 km to mining and logging operations further north. The daily passenger train takes visitors into the canyon for a 1 ½ hour walkabout before returning to the city in early evening.

Despite the sometimes cantankerous vintage rolling stock, these day trips have become enormously popular since being introduced in 1952.

Honouring the 100th anniversary of the Group of Seven formation in 1920, the ride has been dubbed the ‘Group of Seven’ train. Agawa Canyon takes its name from native Ojibway which means ‘shelter’.

GALLERY

The train backs along the downtown station platform in Sault Ste. Marie station to load passengers for a daily 8AM departure. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

Basic breakfasts are served onboard, just in case you woke up late.

 

The train is a familiar sight to owners of wilderness homes near the tracks.

A curve on the Montreal River trestle, longest on the route. allows a glimpse of the entire train. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

Splendid views are well worth the climb to the viewing platform high above the canyon during the train’s stop. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

Algoma Region has set up easels with Group of Seven paintings where members painted. This park’s Bridal Veil Falls (higher than Niagara!) were a subject for both Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

An echoing blast from a diesel’s horn signals he return journey after the one and a half hour break. (Gary Crallé photo for Vacay.ca)

 

MORE ABOUT AGAWA CANYON TOUR TRAIN

Website: www.agawatrain.com

Sault Ste, Marie Tourism: www.saulttourism.com

Ontario Tourism: www.ontariotravel.net/

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