Ontario ties track purchase to Northlander passenger train service

Northlander passenger train service is central to Ontario’s purchase of CN’s Newmarket Subdivision. The 205 km line runs between North Bay and Washago.

Also, the deal forms part of the provincial plan to restore operations. The route covers 740 km. It runs between Toronto Union and Timmins-Porcupine. Separately, Railway Supply covered the deal.

Northlander passenger train service and the C$138m deal

In addition, the province said the acquisition was completed in late February. It put the figure at C$138m. In an Ontario Newsroom release, the province made that point. It said the purchase would allow it to maintain the infrastructure. At the same time, that would help ensure punctuality and reliability. The point applies to both passenger and freight services. Meanwhile, passenger services will be prioritised. Freight revenues will go back to the province’s Ontario Northland business.

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On March 13, Dave Plourde, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, said: ‘For many years, the Northlander operated on rail lines owned by others, which meant passenger service often had to give way to freight traffic’. He added: ‘That made schedules difficult to maintain and reduced reliability for people depending on the train to travel north or south. By securing this corridor, the province is helping ensure that passenger service can be planned and delivered with greater dependability. For northern Ontario residents, businesses and visitors, that reliability will make a real difference.’

CN agreement, Ontario Northland and rolling stock

CN EVP & CFO Ghislain Houle said the railway ‘was pleased to work with the government of Ontario and Ontario Northland on this agreement’. He added that ‘CN remains committed to working collaboratively with partners to support reliable passenger service while continuing to deliver safe, efficient freight transportation for our customers’.

Northlander passenger services are planned to start this year. For example, Ontario Northland said the first trainset was delivered in January. The trainsets are from Siemens Mobility. There will be three push-pull trainsets. Still, more than C$100m of infrastructure upgrades have been completed.

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