The Ontario government is marking a major milestone in its commitment to bring back the Northlander with the arrival of the first of three new Northlander trainsets in Ontario, according to a media release issued by the province on Jan. 8, 2025.
One operational, the Northlander will span 740 kilometres with 16 stops between Timmins and Toronto, with a connection to Cochrane, and is part of the government’s stated goal to protect Ontario’s economy by connecting northern communities, creating good-paying jobs, supporting local industries, and driving economic growth across the north.
“Today is a great day for the people of Northern Ontario as we move another step closer to bringing the Northlander back into service, so families and workers can travel conveniently from Union Station all the way to Timmins and Cochrane,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government will continue to invest in the largest public transit expansion in Canadian history as part of our plan to create jobs, tackle gridlock and protect workers and businesses.”
The trainset is currently undergoing testing and commissioning work in Toronto before moving north, where Ontario Northland will begin testing the train along the Northlander corridor to ensure all systems function correctly and meet safety, performance and operating requirements. The Northlander is expected to return to service this year, in 2026.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is delivering on its promise to bring back the Northlander,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The Northlander is a key part of our $100 billion plan to build transit and highways so we can protect Ontario and connect families to good jobs, housing and the services they rely on.”
In 2025, the province began construction of Timmins-Porcupine Station, awarded the contract to reconstruct platforms and install shelters along the Northlander corridor and completed the North Bay Rail Bypass, which will cut travel times by 15 minutes.
Once complete, the Northlander will offer rail service from Toronto to Timmins, with a connection to Cochrane. Service will strengthen northern industries and the resource sector while improving access to good-paying jobs and essential services, including health care and education.
“Restoring Northlander passenger rail service is a clear sign of our government’s steadfast commitment to delivering greater affordability, economic opportunity and everyday convenience for the people and communities of Parry Sound—Muskoka. We’re taking action to strengthen regional connections, support local businesses and create more reliable travel options across northern and central Ontario. I look forward to riding the new Northlander trains, and I’m excited about the many opportunities this service will bring for residents, workers, students and visitors throughout Parry Sound—Muskoka,” said MPP for Parry Sound—Muskoka, Graydon Smith.
Quick Facts
- Northern Ontario is an economic engine, home to more than 65,000 local businesses and contributing over $55.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP in 2024.
- Ontario has purchased three new Northlander trainsets from Siemens. Each trainset consists of one locomotive and three passenger cars.
- Northlander rail cars were designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Each trainset has 169 seats, including accessible seating, wide aisles, accessible washrooms, charging ports, Wi-Fi and LED lighting.
- The Northlander will enhance Ontario’s integrated transportation network and advance work on the province’s Draft Transportation Plan for the North.
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This will be very positive. forall the communities on this route from Toronto to Timmins.
Siemens is a reputable supplier of trainsets.
We sell the Americans our Canadair CL-515 waterbombers; we buy their trainsets. Everybody wins!
Is the new Northlaner going to pull over and stop on a siding to let freight trains go by like the old Northlander did? Sometimes multiple 20 minute stops were needed. It was still better than driving but not faster. Freight trains are far too long for the siding.
The return of the #Northlander train will be excellent.
As a former, regular rider & a #Northlander bus rider, to be off the congested accident filled roads nearer to Toronto will be a sigh of relief!
Travelling to Union Station, or Cochrane/Moosonee by train ( in 2026) is a positive transportation concept in Ontario, in Canada.
The initial schedule works. Time will tell the fare structure: (adult bus fare Huntsville-407 $65.00). Will pay a fare that arrives safe, in comfort & efficiently.
Imagine increased service as ridership rises. Imagine the local “Muskoka” rail service connecting Gravenhurst, Bracebridge & Huntsville 3 times a day.
A passenger rail resurgence is 100% required in Ontario in Canada.
Housing is a separate, but connected concept.
CN freight & passenger rail can work together – we may need AI to help guide us 😄
More track improvements are required. Station & deck works required.
Awaiting the Northlander.
When you see false statements like this, get out your grains of salt: “largest public transit expansion in Canadian history”.
The concept of again having the train as an available public transit option between Huntsville (starting at Timmins) and Union Station is terrific. The success will lie in the practice. Will the schedule be practical? Will the running time be reliable? Will the price be competitive?
Hoping for the best; ready to ride.
Thank you Mr Austin for your thoughts……One thing that taxpayers rarely do is to question how government money can be best spent (especially when handed a gift)
I have done some calculations (back of the envelope type) I estimate the catchment population of the revived Northlander to be 145,000 in the area north of Washago ( I chose Washago as I believe that areas south of Washago are already well served by public transport) As such, Huntsville represent about 15% of that population.
So the thought experiment becomes….If the government of Ontario offered Huntsville $32 million now and $21 million a year or the Northlander, I believe that they would take the cash….no doubt.
As housing represents over 40% of an Ontario household’s budget, housing remains the key driver of affordability. Huntsville could build 150 new rentals now and 71 new rentals a year (all at a long term profit, I might add using the REIT model)..
Barring a serious miscalculation on my part, I fail to see why the Northlander (a luxury vis a vis buses) would even be consider over the thing that Huntsville needs most.
To respond to Paul,
Your points on affordability are not lost, and I see it – Honest ! … BUT, did you know that every taxpayer in Ontario supports public transportation in the GTHA.? Some old research I did about 10 years ago, found that every one in Ontario from Kenora to Cornwall paid, $165.00 per year in taxes to run the GTHA public transportation and what benefit do I get in Muskoka ? None.
We don’t live in a ‘We can do everything’ world. My hope is the jobs and spin off employment help people to become self reliant. No transportation system pays for it’s self, from Road to Rail to Air, the public purse – yours and my taxes make things work.
And yes, getting folks an affordable home and food is very inportant.
I see your heart in your comments and thank you for your input to the conversation. !!
Extra note: I rode the Northlander several time prior to 2012 as well, a few times the passengers were lower but most times there were not a lot of empty seats.
Really looking forward to getting our train service back.
It is a matter of government priorities…There is after all only one tax payer. As such this is a “Fordnation” vanity project
The cost to set this up is $214M and an annual loss expect of $142 M…. That amount would create 1000 affordable rental apartments now and 700 affordable rental apartments per year for years….If asked which the locales serviced would rather have, I have no doubt it would be “affordability”……
While to be fair, Ford et al had made this a campaign promise….but then so was affordable housing. Which promise then should be a priority?
.As a side note, I took the Northlander pre 2012, and I saw that the ridership was non existent.. Always there will be those who say “Love it”; “I want to take it to Toronto etc” And they will, maybe once or twice a year. And how many times will that poor sucker in Timmins travel to Toronto for his medical appointment when a two way trip takes 30 hours.
The government anticipates annual revenues of $93 million with operating costs being the $235.5 million. First I doubt that the government will see $93 million (unless the cost of tickets is entirely out of reach). But certainly the $142 annual subsidy could be better spent on healthcare; affordability etc……especially if the money is dedicated to the corridor the Northlander is to service
Lastly for those who would say….”Shouldn’t northerners get this service that is so readily available in the south?” I would just answer that the bus service is just fine for the size of the ridership involved.While certainly less romantic than a train, bus service is just as convenient as the Northlander for conducting business in Toronto
As I suggested, the revival of the Northlander is simply a vanity project of this government….with money better spent on the most vulnerable in our society..
I am looking forward to having the Northlander back.
I do not hear anything about CN Freight Trains having priority over Passenger Trains.
Are we going to have the same delays and missed Scheduled stops? It was very significant.