Comments on: It’s pouring rain in Thompson, MB on this dreary August day but, with a photo op calling I stepped off my sleeper VIA 8229 Chateau Viger on the tail end of VIA #692 (Churchill to Winnipeg), to snap VIA #693 (Winnipeg to Churchill) headed up by VIA 6443 which had backed up the Thompson Sub. just minutes ahead of us. The two passenger trains sat about one car length apart, with VIA #692 in front of the station building.

By: harricottbay

harricottbay — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:09:24 +0000

Paul, I had originally planned to do the Hudson Bay as part on my 1988 VIA cross country tour which included the Canadian, Super Continental, Atlantic and the Ocean plus an LRC and some RDC’s but ran out of time! (you can see some of those shots in my profile) I also missed the Skeena for the same reason but am going to catch that one too! – Ken

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 21:02:54 +0000

It was certainly one of my more enjoyable trips of recent times. So much so that I plan to do it again in March next year during the peak of winter so I can experience the extremes of that season. The train trip, scenery, and overall feel of the trip will be quite different from my early August experience. Glad I have motivated you to experience the Winnipeg/Churchill train trip experience. ????

By: harricottbay

harricottbay — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 20:23:01 +0000

Great capture Paul! Thanks to you I am really looking forward to this run one of these days!

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 17:36:41 +0000

Well, I was completely wrong in my guess of crew change information for VIA 692/693.

From a friend and SME (Subject Matter Expert), I have confirmed the following;

VIA crews handle VIA 692/693 from Winnipeg to Churchill & return.

Canora, SK crews handle the work on 693 between Winnipeg and The Pas with a crew change in Canora, Sk.
Once in The Pas, MB there is another crew change where The Pas crews run between The Pas, MB and Thompson, MB.
Thompson crews take over in Thompson, MB and run to Gillam, MB.
Gillam crews then take over and run from Gillam, MB to Churchill, MB.
Once in Churchill the engine crew then gets their rest and return to Gillam, MB on 692 and the crew changes happen the same in reverse.
The Pas crews will Deadhead from The Pas to Thompson the day of and return back to The Pas on 692.
Canora Crews will also deadhead up to The Pas the day of and return to Canora on 692.
There they will trade off with another Canora crew who will take the train to Winnipeg where they will layover and take 693 North again.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 15:44:10 +0000

I may be incorrect on the VIA engineman crew change from The Pas to Thompson. Would welcome corrected information.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 15:21:16 +0000

Good morning John, and thanks for the comment. Yes, VIA 692 & 693 took turns at the platform at Thompson. On the way up to Churchill, the two VIA passenger trains met at The Pas, MB. Thompson is a headend crew change point. I believe the crew change points from Winnipeg to Churchill (and return) are;

For VIA enginemen:

Winnipeg to Dauphin MB
Dauphin to Canora SK
Canora to The Pas MB
The Pas to Thompson MB

For HBR enginemen:

Thompson to Gillam MB
Gillam to Churchill MB

Yes, in today’s VIA world, there would be an empty ‘buffer’ car tacked on behind the last occupied car on 692 & 693.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:28:04 +0000

Very nice picture Paul, thanks for braving the rain – always wondered how and where 692 & 693 met. Question, do these take turn using the Thompson station platform to entrain/detrain passengers ? Is this an engine crew change point for both trains ? Am guessing today there would be an empty “buffer” Chateau sleeper or Park car on the end of both of these trains. Thanks for posting , John