WINNIPEG - VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise customers that the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) track near Thompson, Manitoba, has been cleared for all regular train operations to resume. VIA was forced to suspend regular train service between Winnipeg and Thompson, in both directions, on Friday, July 27, 2007, following a derailment near Thompson, Manitoba.

VIA had been busing passengers between Winnipeg and Thompson in both directions.

VIA was unable to get its equipment back to Winnipeg for regular train cycling. As a result no equipment is currently available in Winnipeg, forcing VIA to cancel the following departures:

• Train #693 - Winnipeg - Churchill (northbound), cancelled. Regular service will resume on Thursday, August 2 - departing 8:13 p.m.
  
  
• Train #692 - Churchill - Winnipeg (southbound), cancelled, Thursday, August 2. VIA are making alternate travel arrangements for customers holding reservations for this departure.

Additionally:

• Train #692 - Churchill - Winnipeg (southbound), regularly scheduled to depart Tuesday, July 31, at 8:30 p.m. is estimated to depart at 11p.m. due to the arrival of equipment delayed from the derailment.

VIA train #693 operates from Winnipeg to Churchill, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Southbound train #692 operates from Churchill to Winnipeg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

VIA wishes to remind its Manitoba customers that a toll-free number has been set up to provide up-to-date information regarding VIA's Hudson Bay service between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba. The number was established to ensure communities, particularly in Northern Manitoba, have access to timely information regarding any delays or disruptions to service along the Winnipeg to Churchill route.

VIA wishes to apologize for any inconvenience and for the expected delays this disruption had caused to its passengers. Customers wishing further information may call 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245) or 888-842-6348.