Doing it’s best impression of the Polar Bear Express, test train P300 speeds south from Novar as the sunrise casts an orange glow on the fringes of the tall northern Ontario forestry. The train ... (more)

In May of 2021 the Ontario government outlined an initial plan for the ONR to resume the “Northlander” rail service with 13 proposed stops between Toronto and Timmins (in place of Cochrane). R... (more)

The Polar Bear Express cruises through the pristine winter wilderness north of Cochrane crossing the mighty Abitibi River as the snow sparkles in the early morning sun. This train is incredibly un... (more)

ONR unexpectedly ran a passenger train south of Cochrane for the first time since the demise of the Northlander (Sept 28, 2012) in the form of “test” train 999. The consist was made up of thre... (more)

A very sunny Sunday April 19, 2020 finds GP38-2's 1809 & 1802, and GP9 1601, ready to roll at Cochrane Shops.

GP38-2 1809 and GP40-2 2202 are seen teamed up on Track 3 at Cochrane Shops December 14, 2019.

Once more down Memory Lane: A pair of equine pals graze contentedly as the southbound Northlander blasts by, blissfully unaware that in less than a month the train they had become so accust... (more)

Moment of Impact: ON 698 bears down on the Old Muskoka Road crossing in Allensville, blasting the snow bank left by the road plow earlier in the day. Click Railroad: Ontario Northland
Locomotive: GMD GP38-2
Location: Allensville, Ontario, Canada
Locomotive #: ONR 1809
Train ID: ONR 698
Photo Date: January 19, 2012

ON 698 bears down on the Old Muskoka Road crossing in Allensville, kicking up accumulated snow along the right of way.

Ontario Northland's 2013 Christmas Train delights the crowd at North Bay Station on a chilly December evening.

The caboose of the 2013 Ontario Northland Christmas Train, all decked out with moving, flashing lights.

With the cancellation of the Northlander passenger train service last year we don't ever get to see ONR 1809, one of our favorite locomotives any more, unless we decide to drive up to North Bay, w... (more)

The last sunset for the Northlander. This last run on September 28, 2012, marked the end of an era for Ontario railfans. A year later and it's hard to believe how much I had relied on this daily (... (more)

A year ago today the Northlander made its final runs. It has been sorely missed by those it served. This is the final southbound Northlander pulling into Huntsville Station.