I’ve often thought of taking the passenger service to Churchill, Manitoba. Has anyone here taken the trip and what did you think of it? What is frieght service often and is it primarily wheat? Is it limited by winter conditions? Enough of the questions and I look forward to any answers that pop up.[:)]
A little over a year ago things weren’t going too good on that particular line. Following is a Trains News Wire article from Sept. 19, 2008. I have no idea how things are at present.
Delays on Churchill line may cause food shortages
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Published: Friday, September 19, 2008
Great train, lots of fun. Just don’t expect perfect timekeeping. However, the train is a great way to see the country, meet locals, and really get lost for a while.
At Churchill, many spend the day and then catch the train back that night. However, if the weather is decent, stay several days until the next train heads south. A crew should switch the yard sometime during the layover as a freight normally follows the passenger train northbound. The station also houses a nice small museum. The port is just a bit to the north.
Bart
1962 I helped close up Churchill Air Base. It was an air refueling base back then. Got to know about the railroad because we drove all the vehicles from the base into Churchill. They were all loaded on flat cars and shipped south. My biggest thrill was in transporting an aircraft towing tractor and then putting it on a flat car. Only problem was that it was so big, that the tires, were so large that they only half fit on the car. Recall it took many of us at least a week to get it all tied down to ship out. When the shipment left, I have no idea. This was the first of many years with railroading, the end result being I had 33 years working for one. Have always had a desire to take the trip up by rail to Churchill, then stick around to see the place again. Who knows what the future holds. Pistol Pete
Made the trip out of Winnipeg around 1980 as part of a VIA tour. Very interesting country. Nice ride as I recall. Trip was in July and we saw the last of the ice leaving the bay around Churchill. A tour is a nice way to go if you can afford it as you get to see things an individual might not be able to see. If you go this far, you should take some time to see the area. Don’t know how far the roads go now but we added TOFC cars to train at Thompson. Don’t forget the mosquito repellant!
Lots of grain moves but navigation season only a few months. Inbound freight consists of everything needed to survive in Churchill plus that which is shipped to settlements around the bay when the water is open.
I wonder if the canines still meet the train at Thicket Portage.
Hi Doc - I have been to Churchill BOTH directions by rail many times and it’s well worth it. Certainly the line has changed dramatically over the years - most markedly after CN sold it. The first time I went there was in the late 80’s. Most recently Oct 07.
of course, the time that most tourists venture aboard is during the so-called Polar Bear Season - Oct - Nov. I hesitate to recommend that time as it is a tourist frenzy and a definite money-making frenzy for the locals too … tho to see a polar bear up close is a wonderful experience even tho it’s become a glorified outdoor zoo - I mean, the bears are seeking out and licking the waste pipes from the galleys on those questionable tundra buggy camps - it’s pretty sad. Our fav time is early-mid August. I’ve seen bears during that time (from a distance) and certainly arctic fox, hare, lots of birds and wild flowers and beluga whales, and the fort which is amazing. That is my fav time, Aug - plus not as many tourists.
A person I would for sure contact is Mike Macri in Churchill. I believe he still operates the whale watching boat and is one of the reputable sightseeing operators who has always conducted his business with integrity. I also liked the dog sled people who are called Gerald and … can’t remember, I think it’s Dave. I do recall that one of the men worked out at the airport, and is Metis. Very interesting and they are for sure the people I would contact about seeing a dog “tie down” – and from what I understand, they are NOT the people who tempt the bears with the food - you have seen those silly email photos I’m sure that show the husky dogs and the bears? wrong.
The train trip used to be in the CN days pretty quick esp compared to now - but now it is very very VERY slow and for sure unreliable. The joke on board is the know-it-all train fan tourists who have foolishly booked a “day tour” in Churchill – yeah right! Armchair