Source: Ontario Northland website
Ontario’s long-awaited Northlander passenger train is moving closer to carrying riders once again, as the province begins a critical testing phase ahead of its return later this year.
The service, which was cancelled more than a decade ago, is now undergoing extensive “burn-in” testing along the full route between Timmins, Cochrane, and Toronto. Officials say the first trainset has already travelled more than 1,600 kilometres under conditions designed to simulate real service.
The next stage, known as Revenue Service Demonstration, will test operations in a real-world setting. That includes training staff, running emergency exercises, and simulating full trips with station stops and onboard systems.
A second trainset has also arrived in Ontario and will begin its own testing soon, helping prepare the service for launch.
When it returns, the Northlander will travel roughly 740 kilometres between Timmins and Toronto, with a total of 16 stops along the corridor including Stouffville and Muskoka.
The province says the restored service is intended to improve transportation options for northern communities, many of which have limited access to public transit.
While no exact launch date has been confirmed, officials say the service remains on track to return later in 2026.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
