The Train
The 186 mile trip between Cochrane, ON and Moosonee, ON requires passage on the Polar Bear Express. We already have reservations. The MINIs will travel with us, on special rail cars.
This is one of the few remaining flagstop trains in North America. In winter, the train is often stopped by snowmobilers and hunters. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to exit the train during these stops.
After about 40 miles, the train will leave the farmlands and enter the Hudson Bay Lowlands. The Lowlands are largely muskeg (aka bog or fen). The track on muskeg is malleable, making the last couple cars of the train quite bouncy. The train spends much of its time running near or along the Abitibi and Moose Rivers. The large Otter Rapids dam is visible after Fraserdale, and the train slows to enjoy the 1/2 mile Moose River crossing around mile 140.
The northbound train departs at 9am Friday morning, and will arrive in Moosonee around 1:45pm.
The southbound train departs at 5pm Monday afternoon, and will arrive in Cochrane around 9:45pm.
Reservations
Please do NOT make your own reservation. A single group reservation has already been made.
Preparations and Departures
PLEASE pack carefully. Only a single carry-on bag is allowed. Other bags may be checked at the Station, or left in your MINI. Although casual clothes are best during travel, you must bring winter clothing onboard for use after departing the train.
You must be at the station with your MINI 2 hours prior to departure (e.g. at 7am, Friday morning). On Monday, we will drive directly in Moosonee from the ice road terminus to the train station for boarding.
The train will pull up to the station about 8am. Passenger boarding will begin at 8:30am, 2 coach cars at a time. There is plenty of time to walk the tracks and take pictures before boarding, but be aware of the time and back at the platform at 8:30am.
Arrivals
Upon arrival, your checked luggage will be unloaded onto the platform. The MINIs will likely take an hour or so to be unloaded.
Group Meeting
If we haven't had a group meeting in Cochrane the night before, we will have one at 10am Friday onboard, in the bar car.
Fees (round trip, US$)
Vehicle: $180
Passenger: $81.00
Total round trip per person cost, for double occupancy MINI: US$171.
Motion Sickness
The train motion, especially when crossing the muskeg, is more vigorous than trains in the south. Motion sickness medication is not available on board. Please bring your own Gravol and/or SeaBands.
Onboard Meal Times
Meals are served onboard in the dining car, but are NOT included in your ticket price. You will be asked for a seating time, we should all take the first seating tme, if possible. There is also a snack and bar car.
Dome Car
There is usually a dome car at the end of the train.
Misc Info
Drinking age onboard is is 19, same as in most Canadian provinces.
Smoking is prohibited onboard. You may not exit the train at any stop along the way.
More detailed information on train policies is available here.