Tatamagouche public transit road train first of its kind in Canada

You might call it a locomobile.

A Nova Scotia village is expecting the delivery of a custom-built road trainfor use as public and tourism transportation some time this month.

Tatamagouche, already known for its heritage Train Station Innwith railcar accommodations, will be the first community in Canada with a road train, said David Gunn, head of the TatamagoucheRoad Train Society.

The group began working on theidea for the unusual form of public transit about four years ago.

The society has been told the 28-passenger vehicle, which isabout two metres wide and more than ninemetres long, was shipped from China earlier this week.

The diesel-powered train, painted green and yellow like the Canadian National trains in the 1950s,looks like a steam engine with a passenger car. It has no doors and will be used between April and October, saidGunn, a railroad buff.

"The intention is to act as a transit system for the village," he said.

The route will include seniors' apartments, shopping areas, parks and the local farmers' market.

Unique form of transit

Road trains are typically found in theme parks and used for shuttle services. They areoccasionally used for public transitin parts of Europe, Florida and Cuba.

Gunn said the service will run during the daylight hours. The society has already advertised to fill the drivers' positions.

Tatamagouche resident and supporter JimmyLe Fresnesaid he's "more than excited" about the road train's arrival.

"We haveno taxis or buses in our area. It does pose a problem for people who don't have cars."

He said he expects the vehicle to attract tourists as well.

Public and private funding

The $80,000 cost of the train was paid for by public and private funding.Gunn could not say what the vehicle's operating budget will be.

The next step will be to test the vehicle, which will be licensed under Transport Canada, he said.

Village commission chairman Jim Baird said the community has no financial involvement with the train but is eagerly anticipating its arrival.

"It's a real novelty. We're looking forward to it."