Toronto's long-awaited direct train to Muskoka is closer than ever to reality

Toronto is officially one step closer to getting a direct train to Muskoka as the long-awaited Northlander prepares to return to Ontario's rail network next year. 

The passenger service was operated by the provincially owned Ontario Northland Railway, but was discontinued back in 2012 and replaced with express buses. 

Now, 13 years later, the reinstatement of the service is just around the corner. In a video uploaded by Ontario Rails on Dec. 21, the new Northlander trainset can be seen arriving at the CN's Aldershot Yard, and is expected to continue on to VIA's Toronto Maintenance Centre in Etobicoke sometime on Monday. 

Once in service, the Nortlander will run a bi-directional route between Union Station in Toronto and Timmins, with a rail connection to Cochrane. The route will include 16 stops in total, including Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and North Bay. 

Earlier this year, we got a closer look at some of the upgraded features onboard the Northlander, including Wi-Fi, galley-style food service, USB charging, wide aisles, adjustable tray tables, and overhead reading lights. 

Construction company EllisDon was awarded a contract by the province in June to reconstruct platforms and install pre-manufactured shelters at stops along the route, from South River to Washago. 

In September, the provincial government also announced that work had been completed on the North Bay Rail Bypass. The 982-metre track is set to improve travel times by 15 minutes to North Bay Station, and will ensure that passenger trains avoid the congested North Bay Rail Yard. 

Once fully in service, the Northlander is expected to transport between 40,000 and 60,000 riders annually by 2041.