5 Bucket List Train Experiences in Ontario

Northern Ontario is a landscape that is a traditional image of Canada: rugged mountains and boreal forests, maple trees, and thousands of lakes and rivers. Much of the landscape remains rural and access to remote areas may be limited—but the adventure is limitless! 

In this article, we’re sharing 5 bucket list train experiences in Ontario that you can take to explore the landscape, reminiscent of the days of settlers, prospectors, miners and adventurers. 

1. Agawa Canyon Tour Train – A Canadian Signature Experience

The Agawa Canyon is a world-famous attraction in the Algoma region, welcoming visitors worldwide annually. In fact, since 1952 over 3 million people have visited the Agawa Canyon. The one-day rail excursion to the Agawa Canyon begins from the train station in Sault Ste. Marie and follows 114 miles of track through pristine Canadian wilderness. It begins its descent into the canyon, formed over 1.2 billion years ago, the track winding alongside the Agawa River. The original track was laid by the Algoma Central Railway for passengers and freight, and the beauty of the canyon quickly became a much-sought attraction for tourists.

Visitors see views of rugged mountainous landscapes, lakes and rivers, views of Lake Superior, and the remnants of railway towns. Once you arrive in the Agawa Canyon, explore on foot to see Bridal Veil Falls, Black Beaver Falls, and the panoramic view of the canyon from the top of the Lookout Trail (a 300-stair climb!). Two interpretive panels in the canyon are dedicated to members of the Group of Seven who took the ACR passenger train over 100 years ago and stayed in the canyon to paint the wilderness, including Bridal Veil Falls. GPS-triggered commentary tells this story and more throughout the journey.

The newest edition to the tour train is The Stone Gardner, a historic wood-panelled business car with theatre-style seating and luxury. The plate glass windows offer expansive views of the natural beauty as the train journeys to and from the Agawa Canyon. A private full-service kitchen and facilities tend to passengers in this exclusive coach.

Quick Facts:

1. The season for the tour train is August to October.
2. Fall tour train tickets are popular, so we encourage visitors to book early.
3. Passengers can bring their lunches, or order from the menu. Both breakfast and lunch are served (there's a kids' menu too).
4. Book your stay in Sault Ste. Marie at one of the many accommodations or campgrounds.

2. VIA Rail Budd Car – A Canadian Wilderness Vacation

The Budd Car remains a nostalgic experience when train travel was the only way to cross Canada. Lodges and resorts along this rail line cater to those who love the outdoors. Generations of anglers have ridden the line to fish for trophy walleye and northern pike still teeming in lakes today, on the ready for a hook and rod. If fishing is not your true interest, you’ll find rest and relaxation amongst the pines to kayak and canoe, beaches to swim or picnic, hike and birdwatch. 

The Budd Car, or the Sudbury-White River Train, and for some, the former Lake Superior, is operated by VIA Rail and serves these northern communities and tourism businesses between Northeastern Ontario and Algoma Country. The train provides flag stop service which means the train stops only on request. There are three main stations along this line: Sudbury, Chapleau and White River with the remaining flag stops assigned by Mile number or a named destination. The train is comfortable provides a comfortable journey with views of vast wilderness, through abandoned mining and logging towns, and past pristine lakes and rivers.

Quick Facts:

1. Bring a packed lunch for the train ride as the snack service is limited.
2. Purchasing train tickets before your remote lodge trip is advised. This can be done on the Via Rail website.
3. Carry-on baggage includes 1 personal item and 1 large item (or 2 small). Checked baggage is available but fees may apply on types and weights of items.

3. The Polar Bear Express – An Excursion Steeped In Heritage And History

Operated by Ontario Northland, The Polar Bear Express Passenger Train is an essential service for Moosonee and Moose Factory residents and allows access to visitors who love to fish, camp and want to visit the most northern parts of Northeastern Ontario.

The Polar Bear Express train service began in 1964 as a link to serve remote communities bringing essential supplies, services and connections for passengers. The train journey starts in the town of Cochrane, and there are several flag stops in between before reaching its final destination, Moosonee, one of Ontario's northernmost communities.

The train cars have panoramic windows, large seating areas, and dining car services. 

Quick Facts:

1. The Polar Bear Express dining car offers a broad menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner changes with the season, and is freshly prepared on board.
2. Free WiFi and on board entertainment is provided.

4. CPKC Holiday Train – Bringing Holiday Cheer Across Canada

The CPKC Holiday Train rolls into the holiday spirit one community at a time across Canada! Decorated with thousands of Christmas lights, the CPKC Holiday Train travels nationwide collecting money and food donations for its annual Food Bank fundraising program. In Northern Ontario, the Holiday Train makes stops in communities where a modified railcar transforms into a stage for live musical performances in a mix of original, traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. There are over 190 stops on this train in both Canada and the United States with a fleet of 14 railcars measuring about 1,000 feet long. 

Quick Facts:

1. Since 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $22.4 million and 5.15 million pounds of food for community food banks.
2. CPKC asks for donations of food and money for your local food bank in place of admission fees
3. You can find the November and December schedule for stops on the CPKC Holiday Train website 
4. Find more CPKC Holiday Train FAQs
5. Stops in Northern Ontario are: Sudbury, Cartier, Chapleau, White River, Pic Mobert, Heron Bay, Marathon, Schreiber, Nipigon, Thunder Bay, Ignace, Dryden, Vermillion Bay, and Kenora.

5. Superior Fall Colours & Northern Ontario By Rail

The Superior Fall Colours & Northern Ontario by Rail is a group travel trip allows visitors to see the breathtaking fall colours of Northern Ontario by rail from Toronto to Sudbury and Train #185 (Sudbury to White River). This 5-day - 4 nights group tour sees you meeting at Toronto's Union Station to meet the guide and fellow travellers. Once aboard, the train heads north through the Muskoka area to Sudbury, with the guide pointing out interesting scenery and highlights. You'll enjoy a full day enjoying Sudbury attractions like Science North, the R & R Restored Classic Cars and the Northern Ontario Railway Museum. From Sudbury to White River, you'll travel aboard the VIA Rail (Budd Car) through rugged wilderness, past pristine inland lakes and historic places like Biscotasing, Chapleau and White River. On the return trip to Sudbury, you'll have the opposite view and a chance to see local wildlife and enjoy the nostalgic train travel once used by prospectors, miners and adventurers along this historic rail line. 

Quick Facts:

1. A motorcoach transports visitors around communities and to attractions.
2. Round trip includes some meals and overnight stays.
3. The train travels along the South border of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve - the largest in the world.
4. VIA Rail’s dome car train The Canadian

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