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Surprise, Surprise After arriving in Churchill and having a hearty breakfast at The Seaport Hotel I started my day of photography back at the station platform capturing the consist of VIA 693 and several pieces of equipment in the yard while awaiting the arrival of the HBR way freight. A headlight finally came into view at the south end of the yard, but it was not the standard triangle of headlight and ditch lights I was expecting. As the movement got closer, and much to my surprise, I could see the lead equipment on the way freight was HBRY 55376 (ex-CN 55376) mainline snowplow. The deceiving headlight turned out to be a standard locomotive headlight with only one functioning bulb, and an L.E.D. light bar. While the overcast skies were not the best light conditions, I think the subject matter more than made up for it. The two-man crew of the way freight was very cooperative in my picture taking efforts that morning. What a great way to start the day in Churchill!
Copyright Notice: This image ©Paul O'Shell all rights reserved.



Caption: Surprise, Surprise
After arriving in Churchill and having a hearty breakfast at The Seaport Hotel I started my day of photography back at the station platform capturing the consist of VIA 693 and several pieces of equipment in the yard while awaiting the arrival of the HBR way freight.
A headlight finally came into view at the south end of the yard, but it was not the standard triangle of headlight and ditch lights I was expecting.
As the movement got closer, and much to my surprise, I could see the lead equipment on the way freight was HBRY 55376 (ex-CN 55376) mainline snowplow.
The deceiving headlight turned out to be a standard locomotive headlight with only one functioning bulb, and an L.E.D. light bar.
While the overcast skies were not the best light conditions, I think the subject matter more than made up for it.
The two-man crew of the way freight was very cooperative in my picture taking efforts that morning.
What a great way to start the day in Churchill!

Photographer:
Paul O'Shell [527] (more) (contact)
Date: 04/30/2026 (search)
Railway: Hudson Bay Railway (search)
Reporting Marks: HBRY 55376 (search)
Train Symbol: HBR Way Freight (search)
Subdivision/SNS: Churchill Yard, Herchmer Sub., Mile 509.8 (search)
City/Town: Churchill (search)
Province: Manitoba (search)
Share Link: http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=58982
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Photo ID: 57647
Map courtesy of Open Street Map

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9 Comments
  1. terry.oshell
    May 9, 2026 at 8:50 pm

    Nice catch. Congratulations on #500.

  2. First954
    May 9, 2026 at 9:02 pm

    Congratulations on #500!!

    This is definitely out of the ordinary, especially for the end of April.

  3. Stephen C. Host
    May 10, 2026 at 12:57 pm

    Perfect. A great unexpected find and #500! Congrats

  4. awmooney
    May 10, 2026 at 2:39 pm

    Not our every day sighting, thats for sure. Happy 500, Sir. (not age…not yet)

  5. jknott86
    May 10, 2026 at 7:23 pm

    That’s awesome. Would love to get up there one day.

  6. Jacob Patterson
    May 10, 2026 at 9:27 pm

    Nice catch, Paul. Congrats on 500!

  7. Paul O'Shell
    May 11, 2026 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks for all the comments guys! They are very much appreciated.
    Glad I was able to have some Engineering Equipment in my 500th post. :-)

  8. Ian Malenfant-Picard
    May 15, 2026 at 1:13 pm

    Great capture Paul! We don’t see enough of that part of the country!

  9. Paul O'Shell
    May 15, 2026 at 1:16 pm

    Thanks Ian. :-) I have a few more gems from my recent trip that I will try to get posted in the days to come.
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