NORTHLANDER TRAIN WOULD PUT MUSKOKA PASSENGERS THREE HOURS TO UNION STATION TORONTO
Tentative Ontario Northland schedule
suggests same-day return trips to Union
Station once service resumes in 2026
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — A long-anticipated passenger train linking Muskoka to downtown Toronto could put residents just three hours from Union Station, according to a tentative schedule quietly posted online by Ontario Northland after Christmas.
While no firm launch date has been announced, the provincial rail agency says the Northlander passenger service — discontinued in 2012 — is expected to return sometime in 2026.
A one-way trip downtown to Union Station will take about three hours each way to and include three stops in Muskoka, according to a tentative schedule quietly released by Ontario Northland after Christmas this week on their website.
Roughly the same distance and time as driving 200 kms from Bracebridge to Toronto in two hours and 10 minutes. Travelling downtown may take another hour.
Under the proposed schedule, the Northlander would arrive at Toronto’s Union Station from the north at 10:55 a.m., then depart northbound passengers back north at 6:30 p.m., — allowing Muskoka riders just over seven hours in the city before returning home the same evening.
If the schedule holds and the train runs on time, southbound passengers would board the train in Muskoka beginning shortly before 8 a.m., with stops in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Washago.
Ontario Northland says service is expected to operate four to seven days per week, with schedules adjusted seasonally based on travel demand.
“The Northlander is designed to restore a vital transportation link between Northern Ontario and Toronto,” Ontario Northland said in previous service updates, noting affordability will be a key factor when fares are finalized.
Last week, MuskokaTODAY.com reported that winter “testing” of one of the new train sets took place near Copetown, outside Hamilton, on Dec. 21 — a sign preparations are advancing.
Ed. note: Adam Wills writes to clarify that: “The train wasnt being ‘tested’ (officially, even as it was technically on track in Canada.)” He says “the photo by Joseph Bishop shows the set being delivered. The new set is currently at the VIA Rail facility in Toronto.”
See that story here:
NORTHLANDER SPOTTED TESTING ON TRACK DEC. 19, MAYBE MAKING ‘CHRISTMAS WISHES’ COME TRUE FOR MANY IN 2026 https://muskokatoday.com/2025/12/northlander-spotted-testing-on-track-dec-19-maybe-making-christmas-wishes-come-true-for-many-in-2026/
Tentative Southbound departures (Muskoka to Toronto):
- Huntsville — 7:50 a.m.
- Bracebridge — 8:25 a.m.
- Gravenhurst — 8:40 a.m.
- Washago — 9:05 a.m.
- Union Station — 10:55 a.m.
Northbound return (same day):
- Union Station — 6:30 p.m.
- Washago — 8:20 p.m.
- Gravenhurst — 8:45 p.m.
- Bracebridge — 9:00 p.m.
- Huntsville — 9:35 p.m.
Once fully operational, the Northlander would travel approximately 706 kilometres from Toronto to Timmins, continuing north overnight and connecting farther to Cochrane by early morning.
The same trip to Timmins by car typically takes about seven hours and 20 minutes.
Stops along the route will include Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Kirkland Lake (Swastika) and Matheson, among others — 16 stops in total.
Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but Ontario Northland says fares will be released before service resumes.
“We understand the importance of affordability for passengers across the region,” the agency has stated in past and current planning documents.
According to Ontario Northland’s 2025–26 business plan, service on the line is targeted to begin in 2026. In a 2022 release announcing the purchase of new train sets, the Ontario government projected annual ridership of 40,000 to 60,000 passengers by 2041.
Fact Box:
Northlander Passenger Service (Proposed)
Route: Toronto to Timmins (with connection to Cochrane)
Total distance: Approx. 706 km
Expected start: 2026
Frequency: 4–7 days per week (seasonal adjustments)
Ticket prices: Not yet announced
Last operated: 2012 (replaced by bus service)
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January 3, 2026 @ 3:12 pm
But will we be able to get to Haliburton?
January 5, 2026 @ 7:21 am
Have you considered that this is for more than just wealthy cottage owners? The people of northern Ontario, many of whom are not financially well-off, currently have no way – other than a lengthy car trip – to get to and from Toronto for medical appointments, etc.
January 3, 2026 @ 4:04 pm
What’s wrong with the beautiful train station Gravenhurst already has?
January 3, 2026 @ 8:09 pm
What about stop in Parry Sound???
January 3, 2026 @ 10:40 pm
So will there a northlander express train, and will it only cover the Muskoka area?.
Shame that there won’t be a northbound train in the morning, from Union to the Muskoka area.
Hmm guess I’ll have to plan a hotel stay if I want to stay in Huntsville for a couple days.
I’m glad this rail service is coming back, it’s definitely much needed both in terms of tourism and economy
January 3, 2026 @ 11:28 pm
It should stop somewhere in the north part of Toronto. If it wants to encourage torontonians to go up North. Would be very inconvenient if you live up near Finch or Steeles to have to Subway at all the way to Union and then back up on the train.
January 4, 2026 @ 3:01 am
The Northlander will suffer the same fate as it did when it was still running with the TEE sets. Not enough ridership, too much overhead with the current state of running the trains along with employee wages. All of that combined doesn’t justify another round of trips both ways from Cochrane to Toronto. The people screamed for years to have the train return but at what cost! The ONR should have just bought 2 sets of the VIA RDC2 and been done with it. The bus functioned for this role for years and didn’t have a problem as ridership was only a partial bus load anyway. Now they have purchased 3 new multi million dollar train sets to go bankrupt with again!
January 4, 2026 @ 6:57 am
What about that time for the North bay stops
January 4, 2026 @ 10:18 am
The public should not be paying 1 dime to make this wealthy land more accessible. This plan is only so the wealthy can rent out there cottages, not for single home owners! And at the cost of all ontarians ! NO Thanks !
January 4, 2026 @ 11:55 am
The schedule should be reversed to allow day tourists 7 hours in Muskoka then an evening trip back to Toronto. Better for small northern towns businesses, even tourists planning overnight stays don’t wanna arrive in evening
January 4, 2026 @ 12:03 pm
Our cottage is just south of Parry Sound. No train ever stops in Parry Sound…just buses. The new transport line doesn’t help Parry Sound much.
January 4, 2026 @ 7:10 pm
The train should extend to Kapuskasing from Cochrane as well as Timmins as this Highway 11 is always shutting down do often during storms.
January 5, 2026 @ 10:40 pm
Isn’t there a VIA Rail Train to Parry Sound?
January 4, 2026 @ 2:34 pm
Fantastic!!
January 4, 2026 @ 4:01 pm
Any chance the train would make some stops in York Region (ie. Newmarket) ?
January 4, 2026 @ 5:04 pm
I agree with the comment about reversing the times of the trains (there should be a morning train north & a late afternoon train south). Morning trains from Union would work better for tourism in Muskoka & would also work better for people travelling to North Bay & farther north.
I know a couple of other people who have commented that there should also be a freight car (or a couple of cars) to help pay the cost of the train.
January 4, 2026 @ 5:38 pm
I WANT TO TAKE GRANKIDS NORTH FROM TORONTO EARLY SPEND DAY IN NORTH ((SPENDING MONEY) AND RETURN SAME DAY ,LATE AS YOU LIKE. LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL DO THIS ITS A PERFECT LONG SUMMER DAY FOR US. TORONTO HAS THE “MONEY” AND THEY LIKE TO SPEND.
January 4, 2026 @ 7:25 pm
Here we go again, can’t go North for a day trip and return to TO same day..great to have the train back, but no cigars.
January 5, 2026 @ 5:40 am
I’ve always wanted to see the north, now is the time.
January 5, 2026 @ 10:37 am
I don’t understand why the train goes south, then sits all day until an evening return. Why is it not going back up and down twice in a day?
January 5, 2026 @ 12:41 pm
Toronto to Muskoka in 3 hours? that’s slower than by car… It literally takes me 1.5 hours from Toronto to Midland. In 3 hours I’ll get past Huntsville… What’s the point of this?
January 5, 2026 @ 8:05 pm
Will there be a car for snowmobiles to load to go to Northern Ontario Stops ?