Northlander trains are poised to make a return — and will offer travel to cottage country and beyond. Here's what you need to know

Northerners say they are now beginning to believe the rail service — which they'd relied on for 110 years before it was cut more than a decade ago — will actually return, after years of empty promises from politicians.

The sessions were "an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas and show excitement about the train coming back," said Lucille Frith of the Northeastern Ontario Rail Network, an advocacy group, who attended three.

“I think they brought home to people — basically it’s sounding real," she said. However, "there’s still lot of skepticism because the government is responsible for everything that's gone on … and promises and promises and promises" in the past that never materialized, she added.

The Northlander route was axed in 2012 by the former Liberal government, a decision that left those in the north fuming about the loss of a reliable link to the south to see family or friends or attend medical appointments — especially in winter.

Every municipality in northern Ontario had passed a resolution urging its revival, and that became a part of all four provincial parties' campaign platforms in either 2018 or 2022.

Then, last year, the Ontario PCs made good on their pre-election pledge, spending $140 million to purchase three new train sets — which each include a locomotive and three passenger cars — and say service is expected to resume in 2026.

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• Dec 31, 1969
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New Associate Minister of Transportation Vijay Thanigasalam recently travelled to North Bay to talk about the train's return and see the potential station.

“A lot of good things are going on," he told the Star in an interview. "I think the message is very clear — they are very excited that finally, after a decade, the Northlander is going to come back.”

Some stations along the line from Toronto to Cochrane will need to be refurbished or built, he said, and there are "very positive" feelings about the new trains themselves, which are state-of-the-art, the most environmentally friendly diesel available, fully accessible with Wi-Fi and charging stations.

There will be a number of job opportunities and the service is expected to boost tourism.

Live testing will begin in 2025 and "everything will be ready for 2026," Thanigasalam said.

“It’s about generations who are going to get on this train after a decade of disconnect … I imagine a family of three generations getting on the train, coming to Toronto to see their families — I picture that (since) we are near Christmas in the holiday season, that’s what comes to my mind."

Frith said the consultation meetings she attended — in Bracebridge, Huntsville and South River — were well attended and set up like a trade show, with tables to look at fabric samples, vote on a design of the exterior trademark blue-and-yellow, or offer suggestions for amenities.

“One of the things that they wanted to know was, 'Is there anything you would like to see on the train?' In other words, what does your community offer that we should know about?" Frith said.

Suggestions included local roasteries in Huntsville or Bracebridge to supply coffee, cranberry muffins from Bala, goods from a chocolatier in Englehart or butter tarts from a Temagami bakery, as well as craft beer from a number of area breweries.

Chris James Drew, a Toronto-based urban planning expert who took part in a virtual session with participants from across the province, said requests were made for Indigenous food offerings on board.

He also likes the idea of promoting tourism opportunities along the line, partnering with local businesses to offer discounts if customers took the Northlander to get there.

Beyond the trains, planners are now looking at what transportation is available once people reach their destination up north, given public buses may not run as early or late as needed. 

Ontario Northland will also conduct some community outreach to discuss safety with increased use of railway tracks.

Frith said “this is becoming a big issue because when you go north, you have people riding snowmobiles down the tracks, they use the tracks to access their camps.”

One area of concern is fares — "we are not a cash cow, and should be treated equally" like those in southern Ontario — and that the trains must be co-ordinated with CN freight so they run on schedule "or people won't get on the train," she said. "They will once again say, 'I can't be sure that it's going to get me there on time for my meeting.'"

The train will run both ways from Toronto to Timmins, starting at Union Station and stopping in Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake/Swastika, Matheson, Timmins, and Cochrane.

In Timmins, there will be layover before the train heads to Cochrane, but riders will have the option of switching to an express bus.

It will be a 10 hour, 40-minute ride each way from Toronto to Timmins and the train is expected to leave the north in the evening so riders can get to the city for morning medical or business appointments, with the return trip also into the evening and overnight. 

Rebecca McGlynn, chief marketing and communications officer for Ontario Northland, said the old Northlander had a dining car, but the new one will have seat service, much like on an airplane.

"I think people really envision themselves sitting on the Northlander, looking out the window and then food being delivered directly at their seat," she said.

"We really want the people of Northern Ontario to see themselves within the service and the train itself," she added. "Incorporating those local suggestions and menu options is really important to us."

McGlynn said while "ticket prices have not been confirmed at this time, we recognize the need to keep it affordable for passengers and the cost of fares are being examined as part of the preparation for this service. So that work is ongoing right now."

Yearly ridership is expected to hit about 60,000 by 2041.

As for Frith, she's just waiting for 2026.

“I'm guessing we are well on the way to success … and I say that with a certain feeling in my body, because it's an election year. I have a feeling that in 2026, you're going to see the Premier of Ontario on the train. I mean, it would be a great election opportunity for him, even if it's a test train."