{"id":105745,"date":"2021-11-30T10:30:24","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T15:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=105745"},"modified":"2021-11-30T12:05:22","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T17:05:22","slug":"ontario-northland-test-train-rumbled-through-muskoka-last-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/ontario-northland-test-train-rumbled-through-muskoka-last-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario Northland test train rumbled through Muskoka last week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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If you thought you saw the Northlander gliding through Huntsville last week, you weren’t mistaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The return of passenger train service to Muskoka is one tiny step closer following a test run on the track between North Bay and Toronto’s Union Station on Monday, Nov. 22.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The “purpose of the test train was to validate the times in between stops as well as evaluate the track conditions,” said Rebecca McGlynn, spokesperson for Ontario Northland. A test of the northern part of the route had been completed in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Overall it was successful,” added McGlynn. “We got the information that we needed. Our employees from the rail side were very happy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn’t entirely smooth rolling, though. Track repairs south of Gravenhurst caused a significant delay in the train’s return trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s a good indication of the work that needs to be done going forward,” said McGlynn. “Going into an agreement with CN and sorting out those rights and scheduling would be part of the next phase.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train would run on CN rails, as it did before the service was <\/strong>cancelled in 2012. That means that the tracks need to be suitable for both freight and passenger trains, and that Ontario Northland and CN would need to coordinate schedules to ensure reliability of the passenger service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The information that was gathered [during the test run] was part of the updated business case that will go to government. This is still very much in an approval stage and the work that we did is being put toward finalizing that business case,” said McGlynn. “The next step is it goes to the Ministry for consideration.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ontario government had committed $5 million in its 2021 budget for planning and design work for the return of passenger service. In May, an initial business case was released along with proposed service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A map of the proposed route for northeast passenger rail showing stops at Union Station (Toronto), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, North Bay, Temagami, Timiskaming Shores, Englehart, Matheson and Timmins (South Porcupine) or Cochrane. (ontario.ca)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The train used for the test, which carried Ontario Northland staff, some of the mayors from towns along the route, and MPP Norm Miller, is stock from the company’s Polar Bear Express line. If train service between Cochrane and Toronto resumes, new rolling stock would have to be procured, a process that would likely take several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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