Ontario Northland is Dead....along with Ontario, more or less.....

[Puddington]

Strapped for cash and without a plan, the Ontario government is killing the Ontario Northland Railway...(and selling government buildings they just built so they can thrid party lease them back....don't get me started)

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1150988--ontario-budget-buildings-money-losing-railroad-being-sold-to-raise-cash?bn=1

So long Northlander...............

[Dave V]

Sounds a bit like a desperate Pennsy selling air rights over New York Penn Station...

[Bob Bufkin]

Hell, Amtrak still does that.  They got that butt ugy building build over 30th st yard and they are going to do the same thing in DC.  Only problem is I don't think they get a dime when this happens.

[mike in bc]

Maybe they can give alll the good Parts to CN like those weasel in the BC goverment did with BC Rail.

[Guilford Guy]

I guess I should ride the Northlander while I still can... Shucks.

[lock4244]

This is why the tax thing is in my sig. Our moronic Gov't has increased spending about 70% since taking office and increasing taxes with impunity from the voters. All the while the signs are everywhere that the Province is in decline... Nero is fiddling like a mofo. This was inevitable and frankly, anyone that voted for the Liberals is to blame. Nothing like burying your head in the sand and re-electing Dad while they bankrupt the place. Heck, the number of civil servant in Ontario making over $100,000 a year went up 10% in the past year and now stands at 79,000! That is at the very least $7.9 Billion right there.

Mike Harris wanted to Privatize the ONTC and the Lib's used saving it as a campaign promise in 2003. Now it is they who plunge the dagger... irony.

This is why I just can't see the Peterborough GO Train ever coming to fruition. No money.

Ok, enough of that.

I'm not much for actually riding trains as I'd rather shoot them, and you can bet I've just added the Northland to my to do list... that and a trip to see the ONT just might be in order faster than previously planned. I've shot the Northlander quite a bit in the late 1990's, but most recent time was 2008, IIRC. CN wanted the ONT to divert northern Quebec traffic to Toronto via the short route through North Bay as opposed to going the long way via Quebec City. Being CN, they won't add a train, just run longer 450/451's. Since the Newmarket Sub from Washago to North Bay will be down to a train each way per day (as opposed to the 2 per currently), one expects that the line will see some of the sidings come out. Sad day all around.

[wm3798]

Let's see, I've got my can of worms, now where is my opener?

[mike in bc]

i could be wrong but wasnt a big ON facilty in mike harris's riding.

[Scottl]

Sigh, I can't believe I moved to Ontario from Alberta.

[lock4244]

i could be wrong but wasnt a big ON facilty in mike harris's riding.

Yes, and the Conservatives we're going to sell the ONT (to CN) and the Liberals campaigned on stopping it. Libs won, poured hundreds of millions into it, and got to the same place 

To be accurate, the Cons we're going to sell the RR, not the other divisions.

Hey, it's only our money...

[Guilford Guy]

Have they determined yet when train service will cease? I don't believe it possible to book a seat on the train, but am taking the Maple Leaf to Toronto on April 11th to ride the Northlander. I'm assuming they'll be running the train for a few more months, having not seen any specifics yet.

[lock4244]

No official date as of March 30, 2012.

[Guilford Guy]

So I'm coming to you live from the southbound Northlander. Don't let Ed find out about the actual TOFC and COFC (no spine cars or double stacks), and all the other cool equipment, or he may drop his FEC fetish. It seems all their yard power is GP9s, and I watched one drop a car on the fly right in front of Cocrane station. If you don't mind the 11 hour ride through the Wilderness, it's a great trip.

Northern Ontario Railfan: "We might be having 29-30 people coming up to Cochrane for the Ontario Northland Historical Society Annual Event."
Other Ontario Railfan: "Wow!"

Photos so far can be seen here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150627327946734.364780.616291733&type=1&l=6bb9a7ff84

[Puddington]

Glad you're enjoying our Northern scenery and the rail sites.... The John Street Roundhouse is pretty cool too eh ? Nice Northern they have !

[Guilford Guy]

I've had a lot of fun so far. The people of Northern Ontario are all pretty friendly, eh? ;D
I stopped by John St after arriving Wednesday night. They have a pretty good assortment of power displayed, GMDD, FM, and ALCo. It's also nice to see actual trolleys, and not just light rail vehicles.