VIA Rail passengers will now have a warm place to wait for the train in Dauphin thanks to a new partnership between the City of Dauphin and the Dauphin Rail Museum.
Beginning earlier this week, Dauphin Rail Museum extended its operating hours to ensure rail passengers, whether they are boarding in Dauphin or stopping while en route elsewhere, will have access to washrooms, a warm waiting space, and the opportunity to explore Dauphin’s rail heritage.
The Rail Museum will open its doors approximately 30 minutes before each scheduled VIA Rail arrival and remain open until departure.
Museum president Jason Gilmore came up with the idea last winter as he was clearing a path from the platform to the tracks so passengers could make their way to the train.
“Over the last two or three years ridership has been going up quite a bit comparatively and especially during the colder months, there is nowhere for people to sit, stand, use a bathroom facility, so on and so forth,” Gilmore said.
“I was out there shoveling and there was a woman with two small children, a stroller, a blind guy, some elderly people, and I did a social media post - and it wasn’t blaming - it was just we need to do better as a community. We should be welcoming, especially for travelers.”
When he approached Dauphin mayor David Bosiak about his ideas, he was strongly on board.
“Just in passing on the street, we talked about it a little bit and he was encouraging and so we are just seeing how it goes, the dynamics of it,” Gilmore said.
Bosiak said the program is about partnership, hospitality and heritage.
“We want visitors arriving by train to feel welcome in Dauphin, and this program also shines a light on the important work of the Rail Museum in preserving our community’s history,” said Bosiak.
And Gilmore hopes the partnership will not go unnoticed as VIA Rail implements its 2030 strategic plan, which includes replacement of its the entire fleet.
“I just foresee amazing opportunities for Dauphin, if and when that occurs,” Gilmore said.
“So it’s trying to show the initiative on a community level with VIA saying, ‘Yeah, we’re serious about this. Help us out. Let’s go’.
“I’m working with Dan Mazier’s office, trying to get a meeting with VIiareps in regards to the strategic plan. I have letters from all levels of government, Travel Manitoba, all the major stakeholders here that would benefit like the festivals and Northgate Trails. I’m really excited about the potential and I think this is a good first step.”
The Dauphin Rail Museum will share VIA Rail arrival and departure updates for Dauphin through its official Facebook page. Passengers and residents are encouraged to follow the Museum on social media for these updates.
The pilot program will be evaluated in spring 2026 to determine future opportunities.
