On July 14, the Ontario government announced that it had awarded a contract to build the Timmins-Porcupine Station, marking a significant step in the province’s work to bring back Northlander passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto.
“Our government is getting shovels in the ground on this critical station, delivering on our promise to bring back the Northlander and better connect northern communities to jobs, health care and opportunity,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation in a press release. “It’s all part of our plan to protect Ontario in the face of unprecedented U.S. tariffs. We’re supporting northern industries and the resource sector, unlocking economic growth and investing in infrastructure that builds a stronger, more resilient future for Ontario.”
The northeastern passenger rail service will provide service from Toronto to Timmins. It will include a rail connection to Cochrane. The route identified to date includes 16 stops: Toronto (Union Station), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake (Swastika), Matheson, Timmins, and Cochrane.
Huntsville’s train station was sold in 2017 for $2 to a private group by the council of the time under then-Mayor Scott Aitchison, despite fierce opposition. (See related stories below.) Consequently, out of 16 stops, the train will stop at nine train shelters along the route, not just in Huntsville but in Matheson, Kirkland Lake (Swastika), Temiskaming Shores (New Liskeard), Temagami, South River, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Washago.
According to the Ontario Northlander website, the shelters will provide passengers with a safe and accessible space to wait for the train. The shelters will be equipped with ample lighting, real-time train arrival updates, CCTV security cameras, and Wi-Fi access.
Construction has started at Northlander stop locations north of North Bay, with work continuing on the remaining stop locations, including South River, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, and Huntsville in 2025.
Although there is no exact date, Ontario Northland plans to resume passenger train operations sometime in 2026, following the completion of infrastructure upgrades and successful train testing.
“The Northlander will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating more connections to the province’s integrated transportation network,” stated Chad Evans, Chief Executive Officer at Ontario Northland, on July 14. “The Northlander will provide improved access to essential services, such as health care and education, while supporting economic prosperity and tourism in the region, strengthening the connection between the north and the south.”
Work is also underway along the Northlander track to adjust curves to ensure the train runs at higher speeds and with fewer disruptions. Once reinstated, the Northlander will provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, up to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands, states the release.
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Welcome when it arrives to the Northlander Train but can someone explain why in this article it referes to building a passenger Shelter in Gravenhurst when we have a wonderful Train station in existence with modern washrooms and a delightful waiting room.