Caption: The morning fog has just lifted in the village of South River, Ontario on the CN Newmarket Subdivision. The old CN station, constructed during 1884 by the Northern and Pacific Junction Railway, is viewed sitting boarded-up with the “Save our Station” sign affixed to the one end over its windows. Situated at Mile 188 of the line, the village’s railway history was deemed to important to be lost. In turn the village was able to see that the station was saved, and it was cosmetically restored in later years.
Presently, work began this spring to prepare it for the resumption of Ontario Northland passenger rail service sometime during 2026. The current Ontario government is following through with a commitment to re-introduce passenger service from Timmins to Toronto and South River is one of the stops. Reportedly, it will be the only scheduled stop between North Bay and Huntsville on the re-introduced ONR passenger service. An article in the North Bay Nugget had said that renovating the former train station back to life again was estimated to cost $414,000.
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Very interesting picture Carl, and thanks for the update on this station and its preparation for reintroduction of ONR Northland. Drove by Gravenhurst station last week, but no evidence of repair work to station platform or installation of new platform waiting shelter. According to earlier ONR news releases, this work was scheduled for be underway summer of 2024, so guess things are behind schedule – same situation at Washago, John
Great photo. I’m sure I have a time machine photo to use somewhere, from my only trip to South River from 16 years ago….!
Thanks for the comments John and Todd.
Todd looking forward to seeing your photo from 16 years ago of the station.