(from the official HCW Steam Train website...)
The tourist train project was born out of the community’s will to preserve the region’s railroad heritage. Therefore, the railway tracks from the former city of Hull to the village of Wakefield, considered by many as one of eastern Canada’s most scenic rail lines, was restored to welcome a steam train dedicated to tourist excursions.
In 1992, a private and public consortium managed the tourist train, but lived a difficult start. In 1994, the steam train was bought by a single shareholder, which made it the only privately owned and operated tourist train company in Canada at the time. Thus, Mr. Jean Gauthier, a local businessman convinced of the steam train’s potential, bought the company and revived the tourist attraction with a strong restructuring plan.
Since then, thousands have traveled to the quaint and picturesque village of Wakefield. The Gauthier’s have transformed the H.C.W. Stream Train into a successful industry leading company and one of the most popular tourist attractions of the National Capital region.