Passenger Trains > Trip from Winnipeg to Churchill on VIA693

On 4/16/24, the day after I step off VIA Rail Train # 1 with a friend, the bigger excitement comes. A couple of other friends and I board VIA Rail Train # 693, formerly known as the Hudson Bay, at Winnipeg Union Station for a trip all the way to Churchill and back. We are very excited for this journey, although we do a big part of our homework before boarding the train-that is stocking up basic groceries at a nearby supermarket in Downtown Winnipeg. For those who don't know, the VIA Rail trains that run to Churchill do not have a full service dining car and haven't since the late 2010's. However, in the Skyline Dome Car, there is a little cafe. Here are the pictures of my trip up to Churchill and back. The first group of pictures were taken at Winnipeg Union Station.

1. F40PH-3 # 6428 and 6456 on the head end

2. Looking at the baggage car as well as north toward the rest of the train

3. Chateau Sleeping Car on the rear



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/24 07:58 by Passfanatic.

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4. The main entrance to Union Station

5 and 6. Interior of Winnipeg Union Station at street level



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:46 by Passfanatic.

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The next three pictures are inside the Chateau Sleeping Car

7. Hallway separating the bedrooms.

8. Hallway

9. The lower and upper berth rooms are on the left and right



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:46 by Passfanatic.

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The next couple of images were taken in the Portage La Prairie area

10. Entering the Town of Portage La Prairie

11. Passing underneath an interesting structure

12. Portage La Prairie Station



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:46 by Passfanatic.

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13. Westover-this is where the CN Gladstone Sub leaves the CN River Sub

14. On the right in the background is a Coca Cola can on display. Now we are leaving Portage La Prairie.

15. Interior of cafe seating part of Skyline Car



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:47 by Passfanatic.

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16. Interior of Skyline Car where the hallway is

17. Interior of the Dome Part of the Skyline Car

18. Passing prairieland



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:47 by Passfanatic.

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The next group of pictures were taken at the beautifully made Dauphin, MB Station during a fresh air stop. This is VIA Rail Train # 693, enroute from Winnipeg to Churchill.

19. F40PH-3 # 6428 and 6456 as our leaders

20. CN Caboose # 7927 on display

21. Rear side view of our two F40PH-3 locomotives



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:48 by Passfanatic.

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22. Dauphin Station building

23. Chateau Sleeper Car

24. Skyline Car, the two Economy Class Cars



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:48 by Passfanatic.

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25. Entrance to Dauphin Station building from the platform

26. A view of the rain as we pass an unknown location.

The next group of pictures were taken at Canora Station during a fresh air stop-VIA693 was running a little early into here

27. Former CN Station building, which houses a very small rr museum, and a restored CN caboose

 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:48 by Passfanatic.

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Three views here of VIA Rail

28. Our wonderful service mgr and sleeping car attendant enjoying some fresh air

29. looking toward The Pas, Thompson, and Churchill

30. Looking toward Dauphin and Winnipeg



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/24 16:34 by Passfanatic.

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Oh wow!  Thank you so much for posting!  This train is on my to do list, and you have made me even more excited to ride the Hudson Bay.

Great pics and a useful report for anyone who may make the trip.

 

31. Interior of Economy Class Car-once we get to the Pas, than this car would start to fill up a little bit.
    
     Pictures taken on 4/17/24

32. VIA693 at Wabowden Station-looking south

33. VIA693 laying over at Wabowden Station-looking toward Thompson and Churchill

 



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/24 16:35 by Passfanatic.

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34. Wabowden Station building

35. Thicket Portage Station

36. My Lower Berth Compartment



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:50 by Passfanatic.

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Very nice photos and captions.  Thanks for posting.

37. VIA Rail Train # 690 negotiating the wye in Thompson just east of the Thompson Station

 The next group of pictures were taken at Thompson Station.

38. Chateau Sleeper Car on the rear of VIA693

39. VIA Rail Train # 693 at the station with the Thompson station building in the background



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/24 16:37 by Passfanatic.

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40. Economy Class Cars sit opposite the station building

41. F40PH-3 # 6453 and 6410 are the engines to power VIA Rail Train # 690

42. Thompson MB Station Building



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:51 by Passfanatic.

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Outstanding series of photos.   As the years tick by, these will become treasures!
Thanks,
SR2

43. Interior of Thompson Station

44. A partial side view of VIA Rail Train # 693 just east of Thompson Station

45. VIA693 arriving back into Thompson Station to pick up passengers for the trip northward.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:51 by Passfanatic.

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46-48. These pictures were taken at Pikwitonei station during a fresh air stop. The snow is something up here.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/24 05:49 by Passfanatic.

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49-51. The snow continues to fall as VIA Rail Train # 693 performs a short fresh air stop at Ilford Depot



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/24 19:52 by Passfanatic.

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