New Northlander paint scheme unveiled
Government of Ontario also awards contract for station work for Toronto-Timmins route
TIMMINS, Ontario — The Government of Ontario has released the exterior design for the new Northlander passenger trains being built by Siemens Mobility, and awarded a contract for construction of new platforms and installation of shelters at stops along the train’s route.
Provincial Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria unveiled the design and announced the contracts today (Dec. 6) during a visit to Timmins, the northern terminus of the planned service to and from Toronto.
The three four-car trainsets were ordered by the province two years ago [see “Ontario government orders equipment …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 15, 2022]. They will wear a paint scheme at least somewhat reminiscent of the blue-and-yellow design worn by the former Trans-Europe Express equipment purchased from Swiss and Dutch operators in 1977. That equipment — with F-unit diesels eventually replacing the original European power cars — operated on the Ontario Northland service until 1992; the train then ran with more conventional rolling stock until its cancellation in 2012.
The new equipment is expected to be delivered in 2026. No date has yet been set for the return of the Northlander.
Ontario construction firm EllisDon has been awarded the contract to build new platforms in North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Engelhart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Cochrane, Ont., and to install pre-manufactured shelters at Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores, and Temagami. The province had previously awarded contract for design and construction of the shelters [see “Ontario awards three contracts …,” News Wire, June 4, 2024]. Still to come is a contract to build a new Timmons-Porcupine station.
“The construction now taking place will ensure the Northlander stops are safe, reliable and welcoming for all passengers,” Chad Evans, Ontario Northland CEO, said in a press release. “We are excited to see this work being delivered and to showcase the exterior design of the trainset. These are critical milestones as we prepare for the new era of the Northlander.”
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