It’s full steam ahead for efforts aimed at creating unique steam train experiences in the area.
Bill Love, President of the Nipissing Railway Historical Society, says the idea is to attract bus tours to the area for excursions that are more than just a train ride.
“North Bay to Bonfield with the First Spike and a possible cowboy barbecue lunch and train robbery,” says Love. “For one of the experiences it would be elsewhere, maybe the fall foliage. Either going towards Huntsville or Mattawa, certainly in terms of the colours. The other option would be around Christmas.”
Other trains could be fireworks trains on Canada Day, Halloween ghost trains, Mother’s Day events, and more.
Love says twelve-month goals for the society include seeking charitable status, working on track agreements, and creating a business plan.
“I think we’re all in agreement we need to try to negotiate track access and the cost for that,” he says. “Then build a business plan based on those costs because that’ll be a big component of the cost. Then see if the business can make cash.”
An analysis done ten years ago suggested the potential local impact of a steam railway attraction could be $8.2 million a year, including 10,000 overnight visitors annually.
