We have the official word on how Cochrane fits into the plans for the revived Northlander passenger train service. It comes from Timmins MPP and Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth George Pirie.
He says the train will arrive at and depart from the new station being built in Porcupine… and the train will shuttle people back and forth to and from Cochrane.
“So yeah, there will be connections from Cochrane into Timmins but the terminus is in Timmins,” he states. Pirie admits that’s not much different from the former Northlander.
He says the new trainsets delivered last week will be more comfortable and reliable than the old ones, which often had mechanical problems and would freeze up in the winter.
He reports that construction on the new station in Porcupine, just north of Hwy. 101, is progressing.
“I think it’s going well. The weather hasn’t cooperated, but there’s still a lot of action out there.”
The target to put Northlander service on the tracks is still mid-2026.
