April 29, 2026

NORTHLANDER TRAIN PASSES THROUGH GRAVENHURST MONDAY ON SOUTHBOUND TEST RUN

GRAVENHURST — Bob Barnes couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The Train Station rail advocate was stunned.

Parked behind a couple of pickups, when the wigwags went down on the main street crossing, he caught a fleeting glimpse of the Northlander Train gliding southbound through town. Destined hopefully for Toronto and back to North Bay.

Its brilliant new gold and blue colours gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Startled, he quickly went for his phone and snapped a couple of quick photos of the four cars whizzing before his eyes.

Proof passenger rail is coming and going in Muskoka.

Then is was gone in a flash — hopefully to return soon this summer as predicted.

He didn’t see if it stopped or even paused at the Train Station — but possibly as CN workers were at the Brock Street and Bethune Drive intersection doing work and where they no doubt noticed and at least nodded and waved at the not likely new sight to them.

The province is testing the track for its return to service maybe this summer.

Though there are not yet any of the glass passenger kiosk waiting rooms built in Muskoka.