The iconic steam train at the Port Elgin beach may be de-railed this summer.
Saugeen Shores council was informed by CAO David Smith that negotiations between the municipality and Andy Hess, who owns the Port Elgin and North Shore Railroad, have broken off. Hess' lawyer has informed the municipality that the business and its assets are for sale.
Smith says the five-year lease proposed by the municipality was similar to recent agreements, but with an added capital improvement plan to bring the property to minimum standards.
He adds it's currently unknown if Hess plans to operate the business in the meantime, but says council hopes the train will continue to operate.
"Certainly, the waterfront master plan anchors that the train and that business is important to our community, that's been our position all along," says Smith. "If there is a new owner, we certainly would be willing to work with them."
Smith says the current arrangement is that Hess owns the miniature steam train and the 1.6 km of track that has shuttled tourists around the waterfront for decades, as well as The Station store, while the municipality owns the land.
