Field Trip: Algoma Central's Canyon Tour Train

The Agawa Canyon is a shallow canyon located deep in the sparsely populated Algoma District in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was created 1.2 billion years ago by faulting along the Canadian Shield and then enlarged by the erosive action of the Agawa River. The Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park is only accessible by hiking trail or the Algoma Central Railway, and is located 114 rail miles north west of Sault Ste. Marie.  At their highest point, the walls of the canyon rise 175.2 meters (575 ft) above the river. 

The first track in the Agawa Canyon was laid during the winter of 1911. The Algoma Central Railway began development of the park in 1952 with the clearing of a picnic area. In 1952, they als were the first railway in Canada to full dieselize. The Canyon Tour Train takes advantage of the area's natural beauty, making it a popular tourist stop. Since 1952, over three million people have visited the canyon. 

Recently, Stephen Gardiner, a TRHA volunteer, traveled on this train and shares the pictures below with us.

For a longer description of the train experience, click here.

Posting by Russ Milland; Photos by Stephen Gardiner

Click on each image for a closer look!