A train journey taking nearly two days can transport travellers to the polar bear capital of the world, venturing through lush forests and past wild animals.
An incredible 1,697 kilometres train journey continues for 45 hours stopping at only 10 listed stations with some just for a few minutes and others a few hours.
Travellers can settle in for hours worth of northern Canadian countryside views as the train takes you between Churchill, Manitoba, Canada and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The leisurely pace of the train allows for people onboard to witness an array of pine trees, scenic backdrops and even herds of elk viewed through a glass-enclosed upper deck of a special observation car.
With no working wifi to interrupt emails or social media demanding your attention, two or three hours can pass peacefully without notice.
The 45-hour journey will set you back just $200 (£153). It offers a journey like few others, billed by Canada’s VIA railroad as a “scenic adventure”.
When night comes it holds the hope of a Northern Lights sighting stretching all around. But the vast darkness in the countryside with only the train lights to illuminate is magical enough to experience.
The train is also a lifeline for the town of Churchill. The community has roads inside town and for a few miles to the outskirts, but no roads lead to other cities. With extortionate flight prices, the overnight train ride is the best option for locals.
The semi-weekly trains bring tourists, residents, mail, food, fuel and other necessities.
On the train, sleeper berths are available alongside shower cubicles for longer and more luxurious trips. For those travelling more cheaply or booking late, there are standard seats in the cabin that recline.
Food is available, however, options are limited.
For more frequent commuters, it is known for them to bring their own snacks on board. For people making longer journeys, they are advised to pop into the restaurants at longer stops in towns en route.
Stations along the way vary greatly: in Dauphin, passengers wait outside a historic brick station built in 1912, but in Wabowden, a single yellow sign nailed to a pole near the track that reads “Muster Point” alerts passengers to the stop.
Many people ride the train weekly, commuting to and from Thompson. At about 13,600 residents, it’s the biggest community the train stops at, besides Winnipeg.
Thompson – just under halfway between Churchill and Winnipeg – is where many Churchill residents’ train journey comes to an end.
