‘We’re free’: Churchill rocks as first passenger train in 18 months rolls in By: Ashley Prest Posted: 7:00 PM CST Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 Last Modified: 11:15 PM CST Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 Updates

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A passenger train rolled into town for the first time in 18 months and that, by itself, would be a reason enough to celebrate. But Churchill’s party Tuesday was as much about the community’s resilience as it was for the resumption of rail service.

The Via Rail train that left Winnipeg Sunday made stops in Dauphin, The Pas, Thompson and Gillam to help fill its 162 seats and sleeper cars for the monumental — some might say miraculous — 48-hour journey.

The town siren blared and grateful residents lined the track at the Via Rail Station to greet the passengers just after noon.

"It was great, and we had a lot of people turn out," Mayor Mike Spence said. "People were just excited and people are relieved. It feels really good. Some people were emotional.

"We’re free now."

In May 2017, flooding washed out several parts of the rail line south of Churchill. The community on Hudson Bay was looking at economic devastation from the damage to the tourism industry and from skyrocketing prices for already-expensive food and household goods.

Plans for repairs dragged, and at times seemed hopeless, as the rail line’s owner at the time, Omnitrax, refused to pay to fix the track.

In September this year, the new ownership coalition, Arctic Gateway Group, took over the rail line and port and completed all of the repairs to get trains running again before residents had to face a second winter with no land link in or out.

Murad Al-Katib of the Arctic Gateway Group — a partnership among several First Nations communities, Fairfax Financial Holdings in Toronto and Regina-based AGT Food — told The Canadian Press that 29 washouts were repaired in just 35 days.

In a private-public partnership, the federal government chipped in $74 million to help fix the track and purchase the Hudson Bay Rail Co., the Hudson Bay Port Co. and the Churchill Marine Tank Farm. It has promised an additional $43 million over 10 years to help subsidize operations.

"There’s just so many smiling faces," Spence said. "It took longer (to fix) but it came together, thanks to… many, many supporters along the way that kept our spirits lifted."

“@VIA_Rail #693 has arrived on platform 1!”

People cheering, crying, screaming in joy… what a day to be from Churchill! pic.twitter.com/FIe8jNOZfr

— ᔫ ᔅᑐᕖᕐ Joe Stover (@joechurchill) December 4, 2018

The Town Centre Complex was party-central Tuesday, with food and children’s activity throughout the afternoon and evening. A 7 p.m. fireworks display closed out the day.

Tuesday’s party was the second in just over a month; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the festivities organized to celebrate the return of rail service on Nov. 1 when the first freight train rolled in.

Spence said tourists are expected to begin arriving shortly.

"We are known for our polar bears and beluga whales, but Churchill also offers world-class year-round tourism opportunities," he said. "This week, a tourist operator informed me they have guests that still held on to their deposit for two years waiting for the train’s return. We look forward to welcoming them here."

Spence said he expects it will take some time for the community to build some of its businesses back up again after many were forced to lay off employees.

"There were some missed opportunities, overall. Some of those things, you don’t get them back. But it’s all about looking ahead now, so people are looking ahead," he said.

Via Rail’s passenger service to Churchill is scheduled three times a week.

Residents are looking forward to the arrival of a freight train next week loaded with groceries.

"We’re still paying high prices for food products," Spence said.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca