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/