ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The Government of Ontario today celebrated the arrival of the first of three new Siemens trainsets built for the revival of Northlander passenger service, introducing the equipment at a press conference featuring Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria.
“The Northlander is more than a train,” Ford said during the event at VIA Rail Canada’s Toronto Maintenance Centre. “It’s a lifeline to jobs, education, family and friends, and so much more. … That’s why we are bringing it back into service later this year, and that’s why I am thrilled to welcome the first of three new Northlander trainsets.” Said Sarkaria in a press release, “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.”
The first trainset is undergoing testing and commissioning work in Toronto before moving north for extensive Ontario Northland testing along the 740-kilometer (460-mile), 16-station Northlander route. Preparations for the return of the service included completion last year of the North Bay Rail Bypass, a 982-meter connection between Canadian National’s Newmarket Subdivision and Ontarion Northland’s Temagami Subdivision; the government, which provided Ca$5.7 million for that project, says it will cut 15 minutes off the train’s travel time.
The new trainsets of one locomotive and three passenger cars, are being built by Siemens under a Ca$139.5 contract announced in 2022 [see “Ontario government orders equipment …,” Trains.com, Dec. 15, 2022]. Features include wheelchair lifts, fully accessible restrooms, and galley-style food service. The proposed Northlander schedule, calling for 10-hour, 40-minute travel times between Toronto and Timmons, Ont., was released last month [see “Proposed schedule released …,” Trains.com, Jan. 2, 2026].
The Northlander’s return will come more than 13 years after it was discontinued in September 2012.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
