Comments on: A winter street view. It’s 12 noon on March 14, 2023 in Churchill, MB. The sky is clear, the sun is bright, but it’s -27C feeling like -36C!!! But, on the positive side, it’s warmer than my arrival earlier in the morning at 08:30 when it was -31C feeling like -43C!!! VIA’s 693 The Hudson Bay consist is parked on the station track in front of the stately station/Parks Canada building. As I was only staying the day, my next 10 hours in Churchill would alternate from 1/2 hour outside taking photos, to 1/2 hour in a restaurant, or the community center, or a store, then back out again for more pics. With the light breeze, and ice crystals in the air it was a bit challenging at times, but overall, a very enjoyable day walking around the station, yard, and town. Travelling to, and spending time in Churchill is a great experience. I’m so glad I have been able to do this trip in both summer and winter, and would highly recommend it to everyone. :-)

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:53:07 +0000

Hi John. Thanks for the kind comment.
I flew to Winnipeg from Toronto on March 11th & stayed at an airport hotel the night before boarding VIA 693 for Churchill.
A quick cab ride to the VIA station in the morning & I boarded VIA 693 Sunday March 12th at noon. I had a bedroom and slept on the train for 2 nights arriving in Churchill on Tuesday morning the 14th.
Since I was re-boarding VIA 690 that same evening, I was able to leave my carry-on bag and backpack with camera gear in the VIA ticket agents area. The station would be closed and locked for the day until 18:30 hrs. (1 hr. before 690′s departure). The Parks Canada Museum in the station was also closed that day.
I departed from Churchill on VIA 690 at 19:30 in the same bedroom I had on the journey north.
Arrived in The Pas at 23:30 the 15th and stayed at the Anderson Inn for 2 nights. The Inn was about a mile from the VIA station (there are other hotels right next to the station).
After my 2 full days wandering around the HBR yard, terminal, and station area, I boarded VIA 692 at 23:30 on the 17th (in a different bedroom) for 1 more night on the train, arriving in Winnipeg at 16:45 on the 18th.
The trip from Winnipeg to Churchill and return is a total of 4 nights on board. There is no kitchen/dining car at this time, so all food is microwave prepared. Not the most appetizing, but part of the adventure.
I was fortunate to have clear skies, bright warm sunshine, and minimal breeze on the day I walked around Churchill. Had it been any other weather the day would have turned out a lot different.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:36:50 +0000

Very nice picture of this stately passenger train station. So glad it is preserved , continuing to be used by VIA and Parks Canada. Paul, you are very hardy, staying outside in those freezing temperatures for half-hour at a time ! I would be lucky to last 5 or 10 minutes. Hopefully by the time the sun was setting the station would be open for departing passengers. Am I correct in assuming that you spent six nights in a sleeping car (Winnipeg-Churchill-The Pas- Churchill-Winnipeg) ? Could you reserve the same roomette for all 6 nights ? For me, this would be a wonderful way to spend the week. Thanks for your caption and posting, John

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:22:39 +0000

Quite the contrast in weather from my visit last August! Instead of bugs in the air, it was ice crystals on this trip.
http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=49580

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:16:49 +0000

A beautiful sunny day, and no black flies to annoy you.