History

For over 100 years, the Algoma passenger train provided safe, reliable, all-season transportation to and through Algoma’s remote wilderness. This service allowed Indigenous rights-holders, businesses, landowners and tourists access to the most beautiful wilderness areas in Ontario.

The Algoma region is a distressed area for employment and economic opportunity. The $40 – $50M in economic activity and the hundreds of jobs the Algoma passenger train supported directly and indirectly are vital to the region’s economic sustainability.

Beyond the economic impact, there is a huge demand for unique tourism experiences that our rail corridor can offer, including Indigenous tourism, eco-tourism, Group of Seven and other culture/heritage tourism opportunities on the rail corridor.

Recent Developments (2025)

The Mask-wa Transportation Association (MTA) Inc. Board has been working to reinstate the passenger train service from Sault Ste. Marie to the south-end of Oba Lake. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Missanabie Cree First Nation and Watco has been signed. MTA Inc. is approaching both governments to obtain start-up and annual operational funding for the Bear Train and other funding will be sought once this is in place.

Watco, who owns the Agawa Canyon Railroad line between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba, has agreed to be the operator of the Bear Train once all necessary funding is in place. MTA Inc. has developed a comprehensive business case and marketing plan and hired transportation consulting firm CPCS to update financial projections.