'Our hearts are just filled with joy': 1st train in over a year arrives in Churchill

A train rolled into Churchill, Man., on Wednesday evening for the first time in more than a year after spring flooding damaged the tracks and severed the town's only land link to the rest of the province.

The train pulled in just before 6:45 p.m. CT on Wednesday ahead ofa photo-op with government officials and media. Freight and passenger service is expected to resume to the northern community later this fall, with heavier loads beginning in the spring.

Still, its arrivalsurprisedmany of the residents, who hadn't expected it to arrive until the next day.

People, including many kids in Halloween costumes, rushed down to the tracks to watch the arrival.Many smiled and took pictures, while others hugged each other.

Rhoda de Meulleswas handing out candy to trick-or-treaters at her home when she heard the blast of the train's horn.

"Our hearts are just filled with joy right now," she said.

So many people left the small northern community because having no rail servicemade it too challenging for them, de Meulles said.

"We just want them to come home," she said.

"Everybody's very close. This is where I am. I love this town."

To celebrate on Thursday, the community is planning a street party and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to attend. Jim Carr, federal minister of international trade diversification, is also scheduled to announce support for business development in northern Manitoba later in theafternoon.

The train that rolled inWednesdaynight was a locomotive and caboose for light freightand passenger traffic, with heavier loads expected forthe spring.

Prices for basic necessities in the town such as groceries and fuel have soared because planes were needed to bring supplies to the town of about 900 people. The lack of train access has also cut down on the number of tourists.

Many people in the community are already planning trips south or to host family from out of town.

"I can't put it into words. It's an overwhelming feeling, it's definitely what we've all been waiting for," said Adelia Spence, holding her baby daughter. "She'll be able to have her family from Norway House come in from south so it will be good to bring them to recreate home."

Georgina Oman lives in Churchill with her husband.

"It's so exciting, awesome feeling, that I could just cry, you know, joy," she said. "It means we're alive. We'll be able to go on a train, take our grandkidsto see their other grandparents, which they haven't seen in 2years."

Earlier this month, rail inspection vehicles arrived after the last of the washed-out portions of the track were repaired. It marked the first rail traffic to arrive in the town since May 2017.

The community has endured soaring costs and economic uncertainty as the federal government and an assortment of interested buyers wrangled a deal to buy the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill from Denver-based company Omnitrax.

A deal was finalized in late August by Arctic Gateway Group Limited Partnership, a private-public partnership that includes Missinippi Rail Limited Partnership, Fairfax Financial Holdings and AGT Limited Partnership.

1st train in over a year arrives in Churchill

6 years ago

Duration 1:09

Residents rejoiced as a train rolled into Churchill, Man., for the first time in more than a year after spring flooding damaged the tracks and severed the town's only land link to the rest of the province.

With files from Patrick Foucault and Information Radio