Ontario Northland describes the Polar Bear Express as an all-season land link to the James Bay coast: an essential service for the residents of Moosonee and Moose Factory, and the traveller's way into one of the most remote corners of Ontario. Despite the name, this is not primarily a bear-viewing excursion — it is a real northern train that visitors are welcome aboard.
It suits travellers who want to stand at the top of Ontario, explore Moosonee and historic Moose Factory, fish and camp the lowlands, or simply ride a flag-stop train that carries a whole region's life — groceries, vehicles and all.
From the window
North of Cochrane the farmland gives way to boreal forest, then to the vast flat muskeg of the James Bay lowlands — spruce islands, tea-coloured rivers and enormous skies. The train crosses the Moose River country on the approach to Moosonee, a few kilometres from where the river empties into James Bay, with flag stops at small communities and camps along the way.
On board
Ontario Northland's coaches are built for this run: comfortable, spacious seats in pairs and groups of four, generous baggage space (this train carries a community's supplies, not just suitcases), complimentary Wi-Fi and an on-board entertainment system, and the train's beloved feature — a dining car serving breakfast, lunch and dinner freshly prepared on board, with a menu that changes with the season. The same train also carries vehicles on its auto carrier, since Moosonee has no road in.
Before you book
- There is no road to Moosonee — the Polar Bear Express is the all-season land link, so build your trip around its operating days.
- Ontario Northland uses a reservation system with seat selection: print your ticket or have it ready on your phone, with photo ID, for the conductor.
- Checked baggage is generous by rail standards — up to three pieces included — and there is an express freight option for oversized gear.
- The northbound train typically leaves Cochrane in the morning and the return leaves Moosonee the same afternoon, so both a long day trip and a stay of a few nights are possible — confirm the current pattern for your dates.
- In Moosonee, Moose Factory is reached by water taxi in summer or across the ice in winter — arrange local transport after you arrive.
- Plan meals around the dining car — Ontario Northland calls it the train's most popular attraction: breakfast, lunch and dinner options change with the season and are freshly prepared on board. Check the current menu before travelling.
- Download before boarding, then stream on the train's own system: complimentary Wi-Fi and the ON Board entertainment system (movies, TV, podcasts, music, e-books) are provided, but high-speed browsing for third-party streaming and large downloads is unavailable — use the free in-station Wi-Fi to download in advance, and connect on board via "ON Board Wi-Fi".
- Use the baggage car: each ticketed passenger may check three pieces free, up to 23 kg (50 lb) each, plus one carry-on, and bicycles are on the list of articles that may be checked. Pets (dogs, cats, small rodents) travel in the baggage car only, in a rigid hard-plastic or metal carrier supplied by the owner — soft textile carriers are not accepted — checked on the same departure and claimed immediately on arrival.
Gateways
Cochrane is the railhead and the practical base — Ontario Northland's Station Inn sits right at the station, and the town is home to the Polar Bear Habitat. Moosonee has a small range of places to stay; book ahead, and give yourself at least one night to cross to Moose Factory and explore at lowland pace.