Recent content by NorthernTracks

I'm going by what a spokesperson from the MTO responded to me via email. I don't know anything else.

Correct, shunt enhancers were added to the train sets. However I wanted to keep the column easy to understand for the average person, hence the term equipment. Durham Region put together and submitted a feasibility study to the province requesting a stop in Beaverton. Details are here...

Restoring passenger rail services in an area like Northern Ontario is not as simple as flipping a switch. Think about the years of hounding politicians, getting buy-in from MPPs, and following up with them to ensure it gets done. I've written nearly 30 columns and sent countless letters to the...

Delays are accepted ... up to a point. As a regular traveler between Thunder Bay & North Bay who uses passenger trains, I don't want the Northlander to flop as a result of the same issues plaguing the Canadian or the Sud-WR trains. Twice this year, I had my travel plans upended because VIA...

Success or failure depends how the Northlander is reintroduced https://northerntracks.blog/2026/01/16/success-or-failure-depends-how-the-northlander-is-reintroduced/

‘Random’ OPP drug sweeps on Ontario Northland buses should never have happened, judge rules, tossing cocaine case https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/random-opp-drug-sweeps-on-ontario-northland-buses-should-never-have-happened-judge-rules-tossing/article_49f4b7c5-393d-4a00-9f99-da9500fb8336.html

Speaking of Washago, will the existing passenger facility at Washago be replaced with the one proposed by Ontario Northland? Will passengers boarding or transfering between the Northlander and the Canadian (or vice versa) have access to this new shelter?

The shelters will be more than plenty for most stops along the route. They are certainly an improvement compared to what VIA Rails provides here in Northern Ontario. The waiting facilities in White River, Longlac, Nakina, Parry Sound, Minaki, and other intermediate stops are all closed to the...

Intermediate stations will more or less have the same design. They include: Bracebridge Gravenhurst Huntsville Matheson Kirkland Lake (Swastika) South River Temagami Temiskaming Shores (New Liskeard) Washago It remains to be seen when the ones on the Newmarket Subdivision will be...

My latest column: https://northerntracks.blog/2025/10/05/resolving-problems-with-northern-transportation-requires-real-conversations/

My latest column: Resolving problems with northern transportation requires real conversations https://northerntracks.blog/2025/10/05/resolving-problems-with-northern-transportation-requires-real-conversations/

You ever ride a bus for 12+ hours, overnight no less? Not only is bus travel uncomfortable for longer distances, but it's subject to the same highway closures as cars are. As mentioned in the UIBC for the Northlander, highways in this region are subject to regular closures due to collisions...

Thanks for noticing the typo. It doesn't help that ONR didn't have annual ridership data per station at that time. VIA Rail presents it's data differently, which explains the mix-up. Regardless, it's fixed. What metrics are you using to determine what is poor ridership? If you're comparing it...

There's a government commissioned report that contradicts the narrative the Northlander was cancelled due to poor ridership. https://allaboardnorthernontariocom.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2009-ontc-ibi-northlander.jpg The annual passenger counts and on time performance data is...

My two cents: The Northlander needs to be in service before entertaining any other provincial passenger rail proposals. It's far too easy for governments and politicians to get distracted by this, that and the other. An initial business case (similar to the one completed for the Northlander)...