Murray's Bay Sub spotting from the road

I am headed up to Maine and Quebec this week. I was wondering if the tracks for Chemin de fer de Charlevoix inc.'s Murray's Bay Sub is visible from RT 138 or if Canadien National's Montmagny Sub is visible from Trans-Canadian Highway? Trying to figure out which route is better to take to see trains. I do understand that the CFC may have less trains, but runs GP15s but CN may have more trains. Just wondering for suggestions.

The Chemin de fer Charlevoix is parallel to Route 138 between Beauport (Quebec City) and just east of the Shrine at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. After that the railway follows the shoreline and the highway goes over the hills reaching nearly 2000' in places. Highway and railway come together again at Baie-Saint-Paul. From there to La Malbaie, follow Route 362 as 138 heads inland. The railway still follows the shoreline but is visible in a couple of places. This is very scenic country. There’s a couple of trains a day and track speed is probably around 40mph so easy to follow.

The Trans-Canada (Autoroute 20) is parallel to CN’s Montmagny Subdivision from exit 356 (St. Vallier) to exit 474 at Sainte-Helene. Tracks are adjacent to the highway or within a KM or two and visible most of the way. This line is a lot busier that the Chemin de fer Charlevoix. It’s fast and CTC.

Why not cover both line? There’s a nice ferry crossing from Saint Simeon, about 35Km east of La Malbaie that will get you back to the south shore of the St. Lawrence at Riviere-du-Loup which is about 35Km from Sainte Helene.

Also check out the CN line west of Quebec City which is right next to the Trans-Canada from exit 278 at Laurier to exit 311 at Charney. Even busier than the Montmagny Sub with 100mph VIA trains.

Here’s links to maps of the area.

http://www.inforoutiere.qc.ca/images/fr ... l_nord.pdf
http://www.inforoutiere.qc.ca/images/fr ... ix_est.pdf
http://www.inforoutiere.qc.ca/images/fr ... al_sud.pdf

And the ferry schedule:

http://www.travrdlstsim.com/

La Pocatiere on the Montmagny Sub is the location of Bombardier’s rail car plant. I believe they are currently working on an order for NJT or MTA. When Amtrak’s second batch of Superliners were constructed they were initially assembled here then sent Bombardier’s US plants for finishing. I remember seeing the Superliners moving along the Montmagny Sub in CN freights. The plant is located just off the Trans-Canada (Autoroute 20) exit 439 but you have to go in behind on some town streets to get any view of the facility. They have a test track with overhead catenary strung so you might see some of the new equipment.

Here's a photo at La Pocatiere taken back in the winter of 2004. I believe this was an order of New York's MTA.

Thanks for the feedback. My family wanted to see the Saguenay Fjord so we did take the ferry to St. Simeon from Rivere-du-luop. We drove the Chemin de fer Charlevoix line. I saw 1509 and 1511 right outside of Quebec City. Also I took the trans canadian from Charny to mid way between montreal. I saw 2 CN trains. So thanks for the advice.