Pretty spiffy looking I would say. Looks like the new CEO is doing things!
New program of rebuilt cars for Polar Bear train.
650 first coach rebuilt by ONR.
Interior view reveals modern seats.
651 second car in series.
653 brand new Cochrane March 30, 2018
650-653
AND...of course the New Diesel Paint Scheme....the Ontario Northland needed a woman's touch to revitalize things!
1734 fresh out of the shop! Still with "stylized rivers of the north" logo although much smaller. May 20, 2018 Mike Robin
Looking good, at least someone is committed to Railroading up north!
(okay, I know Moosonee is actually farther south than Edmonton, but you get the point)
When did the ONR start using that goose logo? I have never seen it before.
And no marker lights on the coaches. I know they are not required anymore, but it is a shame to see one more bit of railroad history fading away.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Dude-- don't think you would swap the weather in Moosonee for Edmonton...gargantuan Hudson Bay is like having a monster ice making/air conditioning unit attached to your city...besides NO Chinooks!
...and they do have Polar Bears, don't think Edmonton does!
In any case it has been so long coming for any positive news coming out of the Ontario Northland Railway that it is quite a nice little surprise. The Ontario gov't in Queens Park could give two hoots for the North so I suspect a bit of pandering here and some smart aggressive direction from their new CEO.
Not sure about the Canada Goose logo origin, likely Native, but it's ok with me!
Nope, no polar bears here, not even in the zoo!
Don't think I would swap Edmonton's mosquitoes for Moosonee's either!
To say nothing of blackflies...
Glad to see Ontario Northland has been able to at least partially revive itself over the past few years, compared to its depressed, sorry state not so long ago. I am sure there is much more that could be done, and hope the current "hands off" approach is maintained after the upcoming Provincial election, no matter which bunch of nutjobs is lucky enough to win.
All these coaches started life as the original GO Transit commuter cars.
How many times have they been rebuilt now?
Nobody can say that the Ontario Government isn't getting value for the original investment.
Peter
If only they'd restart service from Toronto to Cochrane.
Last year I saw some of the white coaches at an excursion railway in Stouffville. I wonder why they were there, they looked like the ones in the picture above.
I read the title as new equipment for the Polar Express and was way down the line before something clicked. Either way, this is neat!
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
M636C and all- Yes, originally built by Hawker-Siddeley during 1966 and put into service spring '67. Pretty good record I would say. Between these and VIA Rail original Canadian equipment still in service its rather amazing. Testament to the builders and those that maintained them all.
In 1967, a one-way fare between Oakville and Union Station was 95¢. Fares were created to be competitive with the car.
A return trip for one to Oakville from Union cost less than $10 (for a senior) six weeks ago. Still a good deal IMHO.
Charlie
Built by Hawker-Siddeley? Well, if they came from the fine folks that built the Hurricane, the Tempest, the Typhoon, and the Sea Fury no wonder they're so good!
You could probably mount 20mm cannons on them with no ill-effects!
Nice-lookin' cars by the way, and I like the goose insignia!
Indeed! and let's not forget the Hawker Fury and the other iterations of what for me, are the most beautiful biplanes ever built. Not to change the subject, mind you.
In any event, I live about a 10 minute walk away from where the black and white photo was taken, that's Springhurst avenue just above on the left where the TTC may eventually build a new streetcar line from Queen st just west of Roncesvalles connecting to the one on Queen's Quay.
lenzfamily-- Original fare Oakville-Union Station was 0.65c ...anything past Oakville into Union was 45 cents! Highest fare was 2 bucks and that was the whole darn route Qakville to Pickering. Doubt if anyone went from one end of a commuter line to the extreme end of another commuter community, perhaps railfans just for the trip.
54Light15-- That would be superb if they connected Queens Quay with Queen St/Roncesvalles streetcars...under the Gardiner? Across Lakeshore? Do you know the proposed or discussed route/plan?
Think the train is just called the 'Polar Bear' now but media and the folks still add on 'Express' which of course it is far from being such.
It still stops anywhere long the route by just standing out by the tracks and waving it down, and they will take you, your party, your canoe and your gear no problem. So if you really want to get away from it all, and I really mean 'it all', camping, fishing, survivalist stuff, whatever, thats your ticket to a different world far removed from anything.
Or just go to Moosonee, on James Bay and tidewater and skinny dip in the Arctic waters.
Miningman, the route would be from Queen in front of the streetcar yard, along Springhurst and over the Gardiner where a pedestrian Bailey bridge is now and then along Lakeshore boulevard in it's own right-of-way and connecting to the loop at Exhibition Place. Will I live to see it? Probably not.
Yes, I know that bridge! Interesting, and seems reasonable. Would be something to see streetcars travelling along Lakeshore while the vehicles are jammed bumper to bumper in their ritualistic crawl.
Somewhat like the Go Trains and VIA really ramp up and put on a maximum track speed show for the heavy congestion on the Gardiner/QEW....I loved waving to all those fuming behind the wheel as we whizzed by. Just like a kid!
Thanks for the info 54light15
Per their website;
http://ontarionorthland.ca/en/polar-bear-express-update-june-3-2018
Updated as of 13:50 EDT June 3, 2018
Ontario Northland is pleased to report the Polar Bear Express will operate regular train service effective Monday, June 4, 2018.
Please note there will be no diner car service at this time and we encourage passengers to bring their own snacks/food. We will offer a complimentary mobile cart service through the passenger coaches with light snacks and beverages available. This is a temporary measure until we have Diner 702 (Snack Car) ready to be placed in the consist.
If you are a passenger that requires re-booking, a refund or assistance, please contact us at 1-800-265-2356.
We appreciate your continued support and patience.
These Cars look Nice the coaches . Maybe buy some old dining cars from Amtrak. just the best ones Amtrak have to sale??
Do they have Sleeping Car service on this route Polar Bear Express or any route way up Northern part of Canada??
No sleeping car service on Ontario Northland anymore. Formerly there was a overnight Toronto-Kapuskasing train with with sleepers in partnership with CN and later VIA, but I believe it was cancelled in the VIA cuts of 1990.
VIA's northern Manitoba service is the last with sleepers, the only other VIA trains with sleepers are the Canadian and the Ocean.
Trains did story about the sleeping cars about 15 or 16 years ago. About Ontario Northland have sleeping car service on one of they trains. I forget which trains have them.
Newly refurbished and painted cars keep coming
660 first new car with handicap capabilities.
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