The first train arrives in Churchill on the eve of the Prime Minister's visit

The residents of Churchill have welcomed the first train Wednesday in a year and a half and are eager to hear the news that the Prime Minister will convey in the northern city today.

Justin Trudeau will announce the reinstatement of Churchill's rail service at Arctic Gateway Group at 10 am The first train arrived Wednesday night.

The northern community, located approximately 1,000 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, has been landlocked since May 2017, when portions of the railway were washed away by the floods en route to Gillam, Manitoba.

The northern community, located approximately 1,000 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, has been landlocked since May 2017, when portions of the railway were washed away by the floods en route to Gillam, Manitoba.

Trudeau will announce $ 3.8 million in funding for 40 projects focused on tourism and vocational training. help offset freight costs related to rail closure; and open the door to other investments in Churchill.

He then goes to a street party with members of the community, along with Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr.

It is unclear when VIA Rail's first pbadenger train will arrive at Churchill, although some sources have announced it soon.

Heard a familiar whistle (unknown?) … reserved for the station, and here it is! The first train to arrive in Churchill in 17 months!

We are again a railway city !! pic.twitter.com/RBxBdiLhQ7

– Joe Stover (@joechurchill) November 1, 2018

Since losing access to train service, the city of about 900 has had to cope with an increase in the cost of living because the objects were brought by boat or plane. Tourism has also declined in the north without any access point for VIA Rail.

On August 31, Arctic Gateway Group acquired the Denver-based Omnitrax rail line and immediately began making repairs.

Churchill Mayor Mike Spence did not give interviews before Trudeau's announcement, but said the community was "vibrating" by e-mail on Wednesday.

"It's another important milestone and everyone is excited," Spence said.

During the Prime Minister's call, Patricia Kandiurin, a resident of Churchill, plans to wear a hoodie adorned with the mantra she has adopted since the closure of the railway: "Know that I am here."

She is happy to learn that the railway line will soon be operational again, but hopes it will soon be back on track.

"It's a bit late, but it's exciting for us to recognize it," Kandiurin said of Trudeau's visit. "Better late than never."

"I do not want to sound rude or anything like that, but we should not have waited so long, I mean, they are eating money … but that should have happened in the future. 39, last year, "she added.

<img src = "https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/NEP4983885.jpg" alt = "THE CANADIAN PRESS / Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make a funding announcement for Churchill in person during his city visit.

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Kandiurin said many people had left Churchill since the closure of the railway and she did not know if they would come back.

Others can not afford to fly and miss marriages, funerals and holidays with their loved ones, she said.

Nevertheless, the city plans to celebrate the good news, organize a feast, make bonfires and make many signs "I am here".

"For me, (the mantra) means we are here, we are citizens of Churchill, the citizens of Churchill are going nowhere, we will not remain silent until we have won what we are fighting for", said Kandiurin. I said.

"And I guess we won," she added. "We recovered our railway line and recovered our lifeline."

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Twitter: @_jessbu