Canadian Railroads > Basic questions about Churchill train

If you have answers, they would be much appreciated!

1. Does the Churchill train (692/693) regulary carry a Skyline Dome? Planning to travel next April.

2. Does anyone have a picture or some other form of the "menu" available in the food service car? I understand it's pretty minimal.

3. Does the sleeping car normally operate with the vestibule at the rear?

Thanks for any help.
 

I just looked at Trip advisor for Churchill trains.  It seems to answer most of your questions

Thanks. What I found there seemed a bit dated and there was informnation I'm pretty sure is not correct, so thought I'd turn to the real experts here.

milepost180 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just looked at Trip advisor for Churchill
> trains.  It seems to answer most of your
> questions

I saw the Churchill train a few weeks ago and it did have a Skyline.  

The vestibule is usually towards the rear account reversing on the wye at Thompson and maybe other reasons.  At times there has been a Park car but not with bar service.

Info on food service can be found on the VIA website.

If you stay over in Churchill I suggest the Polar Inn.  Don't know if Tundra Inn is open in April but if so, they have great local food.  

Be aware that by next April things could change regarding the train.  But it is a great wilderness trip.  Enjoy but don't expect high speed rail!!  Also be aware that in April it still may be winter at Churchill.  I would delay until May or June.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/23 07:43 by viatrainrider.

Thank you!
I really appreciate the eyes-on update. Our little group is going primarily for the train ride and will turn around the same day (a Thursday) in Churchill, so the propect of winter conditions is actually kind of appealing.
I looked at the VIA site, but the information about the food service for this particular train is minimal to non-existent.

viatrainrider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I saw the Churchill train a few weeks ago and it
> did have a Skyline.  
>
> The vestibule is usually towards the rear account
> reversing on the wye at Thompson and maybe other
> reasons.  At times there has been a Park car but
> not with bar service.
>
> Info on food service can be found on the VIA
> website.
>
> If you stay over in Churchill I suggest the Polar
> Inn.  Don't know if Tundra Inn is open in April
> but if so, they have great local food.  
>
> Be aware that by next April things could change
> regarding the train.  But it is a great
> wilderness trip.  Enjoy but don't expect high
> speed rail!!  Also be aware that in April it
> still may be winter at Churchill.  I would delay
> until May or June.

See. my answers embedded below
stuporchief Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you have answers, they would be much
> appreciated!
>
> 1. Does the Churchill train (692/693) regulary
> carry a Skyline Dome? Planning to travel next
> April.

Let me elaborate with a bit of history. The Churchill train typically ran with a full dining car unitl shortly before the 2017 flooding. Around then VIA rehabbed several diners and replaced the full diner on the Churhill train with a Skyline car. AFAIK the train still runs with a Skyline car but it's possible a full diner could return in place of the Skyline car. Caveat emptor. Below is a shot (in Vancouver in Nov 2019) of one of the former Churchill diners in a special wrap.
>
> 2. Does anyone have a picture or some other form
> of the "menu" available in the food service car? I
> understand it's pretty minimal.

I rode the train in Sept 2019 and I don't have a photo of the menu but my recollection is that the food was definitely more than minimal. Breakfasts were fresh cooked on board.
>
> 3. Does the sleeping car normally operate with the
> vestibule at the rear?

The train uses Chateau series sleepers and operate with the roomettes facing foward so the vestibule will be at the rear of the car.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>  
Hope this helps
WP17



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/23 09:06 by WP17.

---

Yes, pre pamdemic food on board was great.  Full course meals.  But it is my understanding that has changed.

Rode The Canadian a few weeks ago and the crew was beside themselves over how bad the food is on the Churchill trian. The word "atrocious" was used.


viatrainrider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, pre pamdemic food on board was great.  Full
> course meals.  But it is my understanding that
> has changed.

VIA booking site currently has these advisories:

Travel Advisory! Meals for the Sleeper Class are not included, however can be purchased from the Economy class menu. The Winnipeg-Churchill route in Economy class provides at seat and snack/lounge car service that offers a selection of beverages, snacks and sandwiches at affordable prices. We will not be able to accommodate special dietary needs at this time and passengers with food restrictions are asked to plan accordingly.

! Unfortunately access to the Park car with dome and panoramic view will be temporarily suspended.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/23 07:12 by TomPittsfieldMA.

 I just made a round trip last week.
I rode north on the 30 of June.
1) yes
2) I forgot to get this. Really crappy food!!! sandwiches were $8 / meals like Stouffer frozen ones $10 a total rip off.!!! Hamburgher was so/so
yogurt.
Buy some food in Winnipeg before you leave. If the train is on time it sits in Thompson from 12:00 noon till 17:00 if its on time . 
I ordered a pizza from Boston pizza it was good. There are all the usual fast food joints there. There is also a Walmart...
3)yes
There were two F-40's 1 bag, 2 coaches, skyline and one sleeper (Chateau)
Seaport hotel is the place to stay at !!! It's the only hotel open "year round" nice rooms, nice bar and restaurant...


stuporchief Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you have answers, they would be much
> appreciated!
>
> 1. Does the Churchill train (692/693) regulary
> carry a Skyline Dome? Planning to travel next
> April.
>
> 2. Does anyone have a picture or some other form
> of the "menu" available in the food service car? I
> understand it's pretty minimal.
>
> 3. Does the sleeping car normally operate with the
> vestibule at the rear?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>  

Stupendously helpful. THANKS

gaspeamtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>  I just made a round trip last week.
> I rode north on the 30 of June.
> 1) yes
> 2) I forgot to get this. Really crappy food!!!
> sandwiches were $8 / meals like Stouffer frozen
> ones $10 a total rip off.!!! Hamburgher was so/so
> yogurt.
> Buy some food in Winnipeg before you leave. If the
> train is on time it sits in Thompson from 12:00
> noon till 17:00 if its on time . 
> I ordered a pizza from Boston pizza it was good.
> There are all the usual fast food joints there.
> There is also a Walmart...
> 3)yes
> There were two F-40's 1 bag, 2 coaches, skyline
> and one sleeper (Chateau)
> Seaport hotel is the place to stay at !!! It's the
> only hotel open "year round" nice rooms, nice bar
> and restaurant...
>
>
> stuporchief Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If you have answers, they would be much
> > appreciated!
> >
> > 1. Does the Churchill train (692/693) regulary
> > carry a Skyline Dome? Planning to travel next
> > April.
> >
> > 2. Does anyone have a picture or some other
> form
> > of the "menu" available in the food service car?
> I
> > understand it's pretty minimal.
> >
> > 3. Does the sleeping car normally operate with
> the
> > vestibule at the rear?
> >
> > Thanks for any help.
> >