The Charlevoix tourist train is a passenger rail service planned to operate between Quebec City and La Malbaie, Quebec, with an additional stop in the winter at the Le Massif ski area, a distance of about 140 kilometres (87 mi).[1] It is owned and operated by Le Massif de Charlevoix, which also owns the Le Massif ski area.[1] The train is planned to begin operation on 9 September 2011.[1]
Work on starting the train began in September 2008, when renovation of Charlevoix Railway trackage began, partially funded by grants from the national and provincial governments, and with a total cost of C$18.4 million.[2][3] In April 2010, work began on rebuilding eight railcars at a cost of close to $5 million;[4] the cars were originally built in 1955 and 1956 by the St. Louis Car Company and were previously used in commuter rail service in Chicago.[1] Once refitted, the eight cars have a total capacity of 550 people, and along with two MLW RS-18 locomotives comprise the rolling stock used for the train.[1][4]