ONTARIO NORTHLAND BUYS 200 KMS OF CN TRAIN TRACK BETWEEN WASHAGO AND NORTH BAY FOR $138 MILLION TO RUN NORTHLANDER TRAIN
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Whenever the Northlander train returns to the rails, it will be running on a stretch track it owns locally.
Last Friday the provincial transportation agency announced it had bought the CN track between Washago and North Bay.
Local MPP Graydon Smith told Probus members this morning, in Gravenhurst, that Ontario Northland Corporation will be “the ones leasing the track to CN” for their freight trains.
“So the track in Gravenhurst is going to have a new owner soon.
“I’m pretty excited about that.”
Asked afterwards by MuskokaTODAY.com to expand a little, he dug out his phone and provided the two pertinent figures:
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200 kms of track
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$138 million
He told Probus members that “Not only does it mean that passenger rail will get priority and not be bumped on the sidings — and off schedule — as it was in the past.
“As a former municipal official I can tell you I thought CN stunk to work with.
“They rode that old Crown corporation rail back high horse in such a way that it was almost disrespectful at times — personal opinion.
“And I think this is are some real opportunities for Ontario Northland being the owner of that track, again well and beyond the Northlander they’ll be the ones leasing it out to CN to carry trade. They’re the ones that might be able to develop some business opportunities for our local businesses here to help expand rail use and shipping. And get some transports off the road and use the train more.
“So I am very bullish about that. I’m very excited about that.”
He added afterwards he thinks Ontario Northland believes it can make money. He said previously Northlander train service was so poor no one would use it.
Even though he said they may actually running fewer trains through towns. However, he said they may still be carrying as much rail goods.
He also confirmed that the province has taken possession of one Northlander train, with a second one to come; and ordered a third one.
The route is currently served by CN trains 450 and 451, as well as local train 595, operated out of Huntsville.
Ontario Northland will handle the freight traffic going forward.
But the sale means ONR’s parent, the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, to upgrade the line’s track and infrastructure.
Which may or may not delay this summer’s return of the Northlander as Premier Doug Ford recently told MuskokaTODAY.com.
The announcement also comes as Northland CEO Chad Evans will be at Gravenhurst town council this afternoon (Tuesday) at 2 p.m. (new time) to provide an update on its Northlander plans.
And address citizen concerns there about using its former Train Station as the stop rather than a glass shelter 100 metres north of the heritage building.
Resident Bob Barnes will also be making a deputation to supporting use of the Train Station by Ontario Northland.
See last week’s story about that below:
ONTARIO NORTHLAND’S CEO BEING HAULED BEFORE GRAVENHURST COUNCIL TUESDAY TO EXPLAIN WHY TOWN’S TRAIN STATION WON’T BE NEXT STOP FOR THE ‘SUMMER’S’ RETURN OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE https://muskokatoday.com/2026/03/ontario-northlands-ceo-being-hauled-before-gravenhurst-council-tuesday-to-explain-why-towns-train-station-wont-be-next-stop-for-this-summer-return-of-passenger-ra/
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