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Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) |
It is a beautiful day for the start of our All Aboard train adventure and we had a great turnout!
Support for All Aboard event started with a full-to-capacity train on our journey to Hearst from Sault Ste. Marie, the first leg of the rail journey to Toronto. Everyone coming out at Sault Ste Marie, including MP's Tony Martin and Brent St Denis. The people who went to Searchmont had a really great trip and went back to Sault Ste Marie by bus, bike, or cars supplied by family and friends.
We continued our journey up past the Montreal River Trestle and through Agawa Canyon. Many of the lakes were clear , or nearly clear of ice. The Cree Soul Singers entertained us along the way and people talked about their cabins, tourism businesses and adventures along the Algoma Central Railway.
Mayor Howard Whent from Wawa and Mayor Rejean Raymond from Dubreuilville came on board at Hawk Junction and joined us all the way to Dubreuilville. Both Howard and Raymond have been strong supporters and advisors from the early stages of our movement.
We continued on past the many lakes along the north end of the rail line where the ice is just starting to break up and got to Hearst around 7:00 pm. Shana, from the Hearst Economic Development Corporation greeted us when we got off the train and we walked over to the Companion hotel.
Later in the evening we were treated to a French Canadian banquet where we met the mayor of Hearst, Roger Sigouin, a number of Hearst City Councillors, a representative from Constance Lake First Nation and others from Hearst who support our trains. We had a great evening discussing the values of passenger trains to Hearst and strategies for educating government on those values. The evening was topped by more performances by the Cree Soul Singers. What a really great day.
Tomorrow we are going to tour the sites and attractions around Hearst and Cochrane and make a presentation to Cochrane City Council.
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