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Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in Canada. For specific railroad questions, see Fallen Flags and Active Railroads categories.

Moderator: Ken V

 #1450781  by mdvle
 
XC Tower wrote:Any further word on possible repairs and resumption of service?
Thank you for any information.
XC
Best way is to search "news churchill rail line" in a search engine.

Things did however progress with counter claims this week with the Government of Canada filing its threatened lawsuit, and Omnitrax filing an arbitration claim under NAFTA.

http://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/nic ... 1.23095943
 #1451348  by Gilbert B Norman
 
One could say that the community of Churchill is landlocked. They have no rail access, they have no highways, air costs "too much" for the populace, the maritime port is a "fizzle".

What on earth has the community to offer?

If wealthy Polar Bear hunters/watchers whatever want to go up there, pay what they must to fly in and what they must for lodging and their guides. Otherwise, the place is bust.

But something tells me the "Libby gang" holding power in Ottawa "don't exactly" see things that way.

Prediction: "Help is on the way".
 #1451370  by NS VIA FAN
 
Churchill is no different than any other town across the north. Even if shipping from the port is gone....it is still a service community and requires access from the surrounding areas. It is expensive to live there but just the way of life in the north and if the Government has to subsidize travel and living expenses....so be it!

Iqaluit (pop 6,700)....

https://www.city.iqaluit.nu.ca/visitors/explore-iqaluit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

.......is the capital city of Nunavut. It has no road or rail access. Just marine..... and a big new airport terminal:

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/a ... beautiful/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And for the ‘Airfan’ out there.....this is the airport (formerly Frobisher Bay) where Airbus comes to do there cold weather testing (including the A380)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0QY6CbIXhw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Look at these airline route maps and the only way in/out for most is by air (Some do have marine access for short periods)

http://www.canadiannorth.com/sites/defa ... 3AUG17.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://firstair.ca/book/routemap/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I travel for work to a community along the Labrador coast and it is farther south than Churchill. Again, the only way in and out is by air or coastal boat (which was once operated by CN)

http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopi ... #p13121781" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1453574  by mtuandrew
 
Not without a functional railroad! (Or a highway, or suitable land for development. Tough to build on soggy muskeg.) I’m still looking for most Canadian overseas-bound grain to go via Thunder Bay, Duluth, Vancouver, or Prince Rupert, even with higher seas.
 #1473934  by Jeff Smith
 
Purchase now in doubt due to lack of flood repair funds: ProgressiveRailroading.com
iChurchill calls off Hudson Bay Railway acquisition

iChurchill Inc. is stepping away from its plan to acquire the flood-damaged Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada, the private company announced yesterday.

Earlier this month, a group of Manitoba First Nations and iChurchill announced they had reached an agreement to buy the rail line, port and associated assets, which are owned by OmniTRAX Inc.

The rail line, which operates between Gillam and Churchill, has been inoperable since portions of it were washed out by floods in May 2017. OmniTRAX has declined to make the repairs related to the flooding, claiming they were "not economically feasible" and that the Canadian government should cover the cost.

In a statement released yesterday, iChurchill officials said they've halted negotiations to finalize the purchase due to the Canadian government's "unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue."
...
 #1474652  by Ken V
 
There's another tentative agreement for Omnitrax to sell the HBR to native groups.
The tracks have sat flood-damaged and idle for more than a year, but now a tentative deal has been struck to bring ownership of the Port of Churchill and the rail line to the northern Manitoba community on the shore of Hudson Bay back into Canadian hands.

Two groups representing northern communities and First Nations — One North and Missinippi Rail LP — joined forces with Fairfax Financial Holdings and now have an agreement in principle to buy the beleaguered assets from American company Omnitrax, the federal government announced Wednesday afternoon.
Full story at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ ... -1.4683786" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
 #1474657  by Ken V
 
There's another tentative agreement for Omnitrax to sell the HBR to native groups.
The tracks have sat flood-damaged and idle for more than a year, but now a tentative deal has been struck to bring ownership of the Port of Churchill and the rail line to the northern Manitoba community on the shore of Hudson Bay back into Canadian hands.

Two groups representing northern communities and First Nations — One North and Missinippi Rail LP — joined forces with Fairfax Financial Holdings and now have an agreement in principle to buy the beleaguered assets from American company Omnitrax, the federal government announced Wednesday afternoon.
Full story at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ ... -1.4683786" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Moderators note: cross posted from Canadian Passenger Operations forum.
 #1478628  by Ken V
 
Here we go again...
An anticipated purchase deal for the Hudson Bay Railway line from The Pas., Man., to Churchill appears to have broken down.

"Over the past several months we have been working with the consortium to finalize the sale of the HBR. Despite our best efforts to find common ground on certain key issues, it now appears that this transaction has fallen apart and that a sale of the HBR to this group may not be possible," said a news release from Omnitrax, which currently owns the rail and port.

"This outcome is unexpected and very unfortunate. We offer our apologies to all those who depend on the line."
Full story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba ... -1.4732123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1481729  by XC Tower
 
Is there a possibility of repairs being paid by the Canadian government to reopen this line before winter, with a law suit pending against Omnitrax for financial recompense in the future? How quickly the track can be repaired I do not know nor how long the weather window lasts to do so, I do not know, but one thing for sure is my feeling for the folks living in Churchill.....



XC
 #1481733  by electricron
 
Omnitrax asked for financial aid to repair the tracks in this corridor, and no government wished to do so. Why would they now wish to?

The simplest solution for long term economic development of the Churchill area is to build a road to it, even a gravel road would be better than a washed out railroad, and cheaper to repair when the need arises.
 #1481936  by XC Tower
 
I understand the “gravel road” economics, but how much is there a save “our railway” mentality in Churchill?…………To this day, some 30 years later, I imagine that there may be a degree of this still be remembered in Newfoundland after CN decided to yank their narrow-gauge railway....Of course, these situations are completely different...


XC
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