North of 50 Canada Tour: Day 2

Melfort, SK. to Kamsack, SK (via The Pas) 672km

Still in the land of DUST! (Ie lots of gravel roads in Provence of Saskatchewan)

Melfort has a brand new Tim Horton's which means good wifi, the hotel last night never worked that well. After getting my posting done it was time to head out on what turned out to be a very long dat on 181km of gravel road - disguised as Prov Hwy #55 and #9. The point of this northern route it was the straight line to The Pas, a major junction of the CN and the Hudson Bay Ry, plus the new Keewatin Ry runs it's one any only passenger train from The Pas, plus has a brand new engine shop building.

CN HBR Station, The Pas, MB

This is the 4 car train used on the Keewatin Ry, twice a week passenger service to the remote native community of Pukatawagan, MB and that is north of 55degrees. It is ex VIA equipment, with its own self contained lighting system for stopping at any point on the line, very remote.

Enroute to The Pas, I wanted to visit Nipawin, it has a very interesting joint Railway and highway bridge over the Saskachawan River and they moved the CPR station to the town park, Nipawin was the end of a CPR Division serving a number of grain elevators along the route.

joint Railway and highway bridge over the Saskachawan River

Old CPR Station Nipawin, SK

After spend just enough time in The Pas, to decided that I did not like the place it was time to get out of town, plus I would drive another 167km on a paved road to reach civilization of Swan River, MB. I noticed what I thought was a train parked on the main line, but did not pay too much attention, until I was in KENVILLE, MB, yes there is a town named after me in Manitoba, and while setting up for this shot below heard the sound of a train's horn blowing for the crossing. The chase was on.