WCRA NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2008

SteamFest! September 20 & 21, 2008 WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE

The General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby, Willindon at Penzance. Entertainment will be a story and digital slide tour of the White Pass & Yukon tour, operated by West Coast Rail Tours (and a Feature Article in this issue) by Don Evans.

ON THE COVER

Steam! It’s what our focus is all about as we get set for a great two day SteamFest, September 20 and 21. This steamy shot was taken by Nora McDowall at our March 2008 steam up during the Wild at Art Festival. Come out in September and see the Power of Boiling Water for yourself in this unique presentation of live steam.

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

• West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1700k • Friday, September 5—Deadline for items to be included in the October 2008 edition of WCRA News • Friday, September 5—WCRT’s Two Steam Trains, Fish and Wine tour departs • Tuesday, September 16 —Tours Committee Meeting, call Bernie at 604-325-0923 • Thursday, September 18—WCRT’s Trains of Southwestern BC tour departs • Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21—SteamFest at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Grounds open 0930—1730 each day, events and activities all day. Tickets through TicketMaster, 604-280-4444 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca , prices are $15 adult / $10 child for an all day pass to this great event. • Saturday, September 20—Beer Garden Event and Music show, featuring the Kettle Valley Brakemen and Bluesberry Jam—hours 1800 to midnight. • Tuesday, September 23—WCRT’s Canadian Rockies and Alberta Steam Trains tour goes • Tuesday, September 30 —WCRA General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby, BC The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of British Columbia railway history. Membership is open to all people with an interest in railways past and present. We are a non-profit British Columbia society, registered as a Canadian charity. Individual membership in the WCRA is $50.00 per year, family membership is $60.00. E Members (electronic newsletter, $15 savings) are $35 individual and $45 family. (Outside Canada, please remit US $) Other categories are: - Junior Member (age 18 and under ) $ 25 - Sustaining Member $100 (tax receipt) plus membership type regular fee - Life Member (one time fee) $700 individual life / $1,200 family life All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Heritage Park admission, mini rail rides and discounts on food and merchandise. The Association holds a monthly meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at 1930 hours in Burnaby at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park. Apply through www.wcra.org or mail to WCRA, PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2. WCRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL

STEAMFEST—NEW AND EXCITING—AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

This month, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park hosts its major event for the 2008 year, and we need everyone to come out and support this great event. SteamFest will be a new annual festival marketed to the Metro Vancouver area, and will become a signature event for WCRA for years to come.

SteamFest has something for everyone—from the remarkable and unique use of steam power and all its nostalgia, to the fascination of just what can be done by boiling water! Experience live steam - from our world renowned Royal Hudson #2860 locomotive to steam powered tractors and traction engines to steam powered automobiles, all live for everyone to see.

Not only is the technology unique, but so is the venue and how it is presented. Your All Day Pass to Adventure is good for the entire day at the Heritage Park site, and includes the many rides and attractions—from vintage automobile rides to handcars to mini rail to the train ride itself. Climb aboard and experience all there is to see. In addition, all exhibits are also open for your exploration and enjoyment.

Live entertainment will also be spectacular—the Kettle Valley Brakemen will perform live shows twice each day on the main stage in the CarShop building, and other roving entertainment will add to the atmosphere of the event.

For WCRA, this is a make or break event for our 2008 year. Unable to host Thomas this year due our construction, we instead will hold this major attraction and utilize our space in an effective and efficient way. But we need the crowds. Our financial year depends on a success here, and our target is for at least 6,000 people over the two days.

We need every member to help—make sure your friends and family know about this event and make sure you get your tickets and come out and support it. These two days will showcase many things that are not otherwise available to see, along with great live entertainment and fun activities for everyone. Help us get the crowds out to showcase our Heritage Park and make our targets for the year. Where else can you get a whole day of action and entertainment for just $15?

SteamFest is moving ahead into its critical stage of planning and preparation, we ask every member to help by doing something to make this an outstanding success and the launch of a new annual event that will grow year after year.

All aboard for SteamFest! Don WCRA News, Page 4 ASSOCIATION NEWS

FROM THE JULY GENERAL MEETING

The General Meeting of the West Coast Railway Association was held at 1930 hours on July 29, 2008 with Colin Dathan chairing the meeting and 37 in attendance:

• 1 minute of silence was held for late long time member Ken Moir who passed away late last week. • Don Evans reported that June was a dismal month for non capital fundraising at just $13,000 ,July was better but we are having a very challenging year to date • Project adjustments, Work on Alberta & Royal Hudson progressing, all others on hold pending improved financial situation • SteamFest—Need member support to advertise and as volunteers; Planned as an annual event – BC’s premier steam festival; Tickets will be sold through Ticket Master – Available early August • Finances – Don Evans, We are barely managing to stay afloat at this point and are getting tardy on paying suppliers • Heritage Park – Sue Steen, June visits were down but July is up YTD; BCIT practicum was extremely successful. Thanks to all involved; Kids World brought a great number of families to the Park in July • Peak Potential volunteered time at the Park cleaning & painting, 45 people donated 360 hours over 2 days • The “Gardening Gurus” cleaned up around Eagle View loop at Mason Station. Thanks to all involved. • Garage Sale will be held August 23 - 10am to 3pm, Table Price = $12. You keep proceeds from what you sell; Take home what you don’t – no “donation of leftovers”. • Park MiniRail needs Volunteers to run during September after summer staff leaves. • Heritage Park Construction – Sue Steen ; Still on track for installation of Steel starting mid August • 374 Pavilion – Colin Dathan; Attendance up this year vs. average; Summer Student leaves mid August, Volunteers needed to work shifts Mon to Fri. • MiniRail – Jeremy Davy, Portable MiniRail at S. Delta Baptist Church July 16th/17th. 641 rides in 4 hrs, MiniRail Day Aug 17th at the Heritage Park • Membership – Jeremy Davy , Memberships are showing an upturn. Currently highest since last summer. • Events – Bernie Tully , CN Family Day cancelled Sept 7th, Revelstoke Days Aug 18—24 • Tours – Bill Johnston, White Pass trip was good – 35 people/Profit $8,000. Trip will continue in future;, Direct Mail Shot in June cost $3,000 and resulted in sell out of advertised trips. $3,000 profit each, There is still room on both “Trains” trips.

WCRA News, Page 5

• Entertainment 2009 books now on sale - $46 ea. See Bernie Tully. Take some to sell to friends. • Eric Anderson gave $29.60 Canadian Tire money to Sue Steen. • Ryan Cruickshank gave a Trackside Report. • 3 guests were introduced and welcomed, Out of Town members welcomed: Archie Millar from Vancouver Island and Andrew Moody from the UK. • Raffle paid the rent plus a small donation for WCRA. • Events Calendar – Read & available in the newsletter. • Entertainment - DVD Gears in the Woods featuring North American logging railways both past & surviving (incl BC) with lots of Shays, Heislers, Climaxes, Articulated rod and Rigid frame Engines.

WCRA TRIVIA # 236 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank

What railroad movie was based in part on the books "The Road" by Jack London and "From Coast to Coast with Jack London" by "A-No.-1", the pen name of Leon Ray Livingston? (for answer, see Credit Lines) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Memberships dated 08/31/2008 have now expired, and if your membership expired 06/30/2008, this will be your last issue. Please check the label on your newsletter and renew today. Remember that renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter—check page 2 for current membership rates.

Is your email address current???? It is particularly important that those of you who have registered for access to the Members Only area keep your email address current in the Server. Each time a new issue is posted the Server sends a notice to the email address you supplied when you requested access. Because the undeliverable messages from a Server do not bounce back to it I have no way to be proactive.

If you have changed your email address, or think the one we have is out of date because you do not receive notices, please send your current email address to Jeremy at [email protected] and the server will be updated as required. (J.D.)

NEW MEMBERS

The WCRA welcomes new members Don and Donna Balanecki & family of North Vancouver, Cory Donner of Squamish, and Kam and Sara Shinkaruk & family of Squamish. Also, a correction to our welcome to Dennis Bartlett & family of Garibaldi Highlands from last month, and a welcome back to Richard Tubbesing & family of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Nelson and Coleen Winterburn & family of Garibaldi Highlands and Robert Wittow & family of Brackendale. (J.D.) WCRA News, Page 6 MEMBER NEWS

Long time WCRA member Ken Moir (86 years old) passed away peacefully around 9 AM Thursday July 24, 2008 at George Derby Center in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Ken is survived by his two boys Bill and Jim and his late wife Peggy. Ken has three grandchildren. His fourth grand child is expected in August 2008. A memorial service was held in North Vancouver Wednesday August 6, 2008 in the afternoon.

RECIPROCAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH BC MUSEUM OF MINING FOR WCRA

Your WCRA membership just got better! A new reciprocal membership agreement between West Coast Railway Association and the BC Museum of Mining has been put in place, and your membership privileges just Doubled! By being a WCRA member, you now get the membership admission and gift shop discounts of both great organizations.

Specifically, your WCRA membership now gets you complimentary admission to the BC Museum of Mining during regular operating hours, two guest tickets at $5 off when you visit with guests, 15% off in the Chatterbox Gift Shop, newsletter and invitations to special events such as “Copper and Fire”. BC Museum of Mining members get similar benefits consistent with WCRA membership, including electronic newsletter access through the website.

NOTE: you must have your WCRA Membership card for admissions to the BC Museum of Mining and shop discounts there (as you need it for admission to our Heritage Park).

So by being a member in either organization, you are helping to build strong heritage attractions in both Squamish and Britannia Beach and you get twice the value from your membership dollars. Together, we are the Two to Do on the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Call Susan Steen 604-898-9336 if you require more details. (S.S.)

ENTERTAINMENT 2009 BOOKS ARE HERE

Can it be that time again already? It is—as Entertainment 2009 books are now available. These great coupon books are a good fundraiser for WCRA, and a great benefit in discounts at hotels, restaurants, movie theatres and other places to the purchaser. Once again, the price is just $46 for the book, and WCRA has them available at our general meetings, the Heritage Park in Squamish, the 374 Pavilion in Vancouver, or by calling Bernie Tully at 604-325-0923. These also make great gifts! (B.T.)

BCSME CELEBRATES 80 YEARS

Congratulations to the BC Society of Model Engineers on its 80th birthday as a club, and also the 15th anniversary of its move to its current site at Confederation Park. WCRA News, Page 7 COLLECTION

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND

We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbesing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood . Our total now is now $638,554. Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org , and we still need your help as we have spent more than $100,000 in excess of funds donated so far. We continue to improve #2860 for future operations.

ROYAL HUDSON PHOTO ON DAVE BAKER WEBSITE

The Royal Hudson photo that is becoming our signature shot of the restored locomotive is now also on country artist and long time friend of WCRA Dave Baker’s website. Dave’s song about the Royal Hudson has been a classic now for years, and has also been done by other groups. Check out http://homepage.mac.com/larrynickel/DB.html and have a look!

BUSINESS CAR #8 ALBERTA

The inside of the Alberta has been cleaned out in preparation of painting inside steelwork Outside of the Alberta is nearing completion of the body preparation. Once headers have been completed that should be the end of any welding on the, or what would affect the, external carbody. Re prime and painting will then take place, planned to start August 18th. Randy has started building the vestibule doors.

With the help of Manus Abrasives in Coquitlam we are putting together a supplied air system for 2 employees. It has the ability to be expanded to 4 employees. It will be required for painting the Alberta. (R.J.) FP7A #4069

Magnetic covers with Whistler Mountaineer have been made to be installed over the Canadian Pacific on the sides of the locomotive when it goes out on lease. There was a chance that Whistler WCRA News, Page 8

Mountaineer was going to run a train to Pemberton for the music festival using the 4069. Unfortunately it didn't happen. Maybe next year, it sure would have reduced some of the traffic problems! This solves the identity problem when the locomotive goes out on lease, and leaves it proper historical appearance while on display at the Heritage Park. (R.J.)

TRACK IMPROVEMENTS

Thanks to Peak Potential for a great job of track improvement including the following:

• Tracks north of the north gate have been cleared of brush, it was quite a jungle • Tracks south of south gate have been cleared of brush • Area west of Locomotive #2 has been cleared of brush, you can now see #2 clearly from the station and other viewing points • The area in front of Speeder Boxcar has been cleared of brush

For two afternoons, the organization Peak Potential supplied 40 volunteers per afternoon to assist with cleanup and other projects at the site. These were just some of the areas that my group of 10 - 12 volunteers and I worked on, others improved many areas of the Heritage Park.

FUNDRAISING

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – JULY 2008

July was an better month than June for fundraising by a considerable amount, thanks to our donors and those of you who kicked in with debentures.

However, this year continues to be a challenging one for us, as our major capital construction chokes off the ability to do many things at the Heritage Park, and is not producing revenue for us yet. We have to work hard just to survive right now, and that will not ease until we are into 2009. Please help us in any way you can through this period of expansion.

Funding Asks Made • More Roundhouse work and asks—this is our major project

Major Funding Received • Gaming Grant for BC 150 event $7,960 • General Donations $8,600 • Sun Life matching donation $500 • Armstrong Group donation $2,000 • PGE / BC Rail SIG wrap up donation $100 • New debentures $20,000 WCRA News, Page 9 • Tour donations $540 • Telus Foundation matching donation $12,034 • In Kind donation $1,693

• Roundhouse donation $150,000 (capital)

Month Total $ 203,427 Year to Date Total $ 1,661,923 • General purposes $511,923 • WCR Endowment Fund $700,000 • Roundhouse $450,000

Other Significant Activities • Meetings re the roundhouse with both private prospects and Fed. Gov’t • Meetings with BCRP re MP 1 and MP 2

TELUS FOUNDATION MATCHES MEMBER DONATIONS

The Telus Foundation has kicked in matching funds to donations from four WCRA members. This program allows BC Tel and TELUS staff and retirees to contribute to charitable causes through payroll or pension slip deductions, then the Telus Foundation matches them dollar for dollar to the charity of choice. This year four WCRA members participated—Howie Biehl, Don Evans, Elaine Hansen and John Page, resulting in a cheque n the amount of $12,034 to support WCRA’s activities. Thanks to those members for their participation.

DEBENTURES AVAILABLE, GREAT INTEREST RATE

The West Coast Railway Association continues to offer a series of debentures to members to help fund the installation of the vintage turntable at the Heritage Park and our operations in this challenging year. The costs of servicing and preparing the site have been higher than expected, and we need to make unexpected repairs to the turntable bridge structure itself. We are wanting to complete the installation of the turntable and open up CN Turntable Plaza in fall 2008. We really need your help here.

The next few months are critical to our being able to achieve our major goals—your help is needed now and will really make a difference.

Debentures are offered in the same terms as previous offerings—a three year term to maturity, annual interest rate of 5%, and multiples of $500. Given the falling interest rates on savings these days, 5% is a very good rate. Here is a way that you can get involved and help, as well as see a good return on your investment. For more information contact Jim Brown at 604-681- 4403 or Don Evans at 604-988-3435.

WCRA News, Page 10 WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

THE 2008 TOUR PROGRAM

Most of our 2008 tours are now close to sell out, which is good news. However, there are often cancellations so don’t hesitate to call about any of them. If we can not accommodate you immediately, we will wait list you and do our best to get you on the tour of your choice.

Apart from the tours shown in these pages please remember that our tours office is available weekdays to book independent trips. For example we issue tickets for VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and the Alaska Railroad as full-service agents for those lines. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations new 2008 brochure is now available; call for your copy and book with us. We also have the 2008 Trafalgar Tours brochures ready to send. They include the following destinations: Europe & Britain, Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada, and River Cruises.

New with this issue are the California Zephyr Railcar Charter itineraries—call us for more info. We will pop the brochure of your choice in the mail as soon as you make the call to 604- 524-1011 or toll free 1-800-722-1233. You can also e-mail us on [email protected]

We also combine air, coach, ferry and cruise ships with rail services to customize itineraries throughout the USA and Canada. Flying east or south? Let us book you on WestJet, our preferred air carrier. For trips of 4 days or more we offer free home pickups and drop-offs in the Vancouver area. (B.J.)

MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR - Daily except Saturday - all year – 2 days

Depart from Pacific Central Station at a time of your choosing aboard Pacific Coach Lines scheduled service to Victoria. We supply vouchers to take you to the Queen Victoria Hotel— a few steps from the bus depot. You are on your own for dinner. Breakfast is served at 7:00AM in the hotel’s restaurant, then their van shuttles you to the VIA Rail station at 7:30 AM. Board the train for an 8:00 AM departure to Qualicum Beach where it arrives before noon. Enjoy this quaint town with its interesting beaches and restaurants. After lunch (on your own) we ask you to board the southbound train at 2:00 PM and get off at Nanaimo at about 3:00 PM. A waiting, pre-booked taxi takes you to Nanaimo’s bus depot for the 4:30 PM departure of Greyhound’s scheduled service to Vancouver. Dinner on the ferry is available. Arrive at Pacific Central Station at 7:15 PM.

FARES: $224; Children 2-11 $186; BC Seniors (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) $186. (Otherwise, $224). Ask about special pricing if couples travel together. Single supplement $71. GST extra. Low season and budget hotel bookings save you more. WCRA News, Page 11

THE GREAT PLAINS and ROCKIES by TWO NAME TRAINS — 6 days

A unique chance to travel on two great “name” trains to visit the centre of the North American Continent from the comfort of your private sleeping compartments, dining cars, lounges and scenic domes. Enjoy the Canadian Rockies and the vast Prairies to Winnipeg then America’s Northern States and Mountain Parks. Departures: Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays - from Vancouver Day 1: Check in at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station to board The Canadian eastbound through Vancouver’s eastern suburbs and the lower Fraser Valley. Take dinner in the diner and retire for the night in your choice of sleeping accommodation. Day 2: Before breakfast you are in the heart of the Rockies. Stop in Jasper for a break off the train. Re-board the train and you are on your way out of the mountains and into Alberta’s verdant foothills. After a stop in Edmonton you are on your way east across the prairies crossing Saskatchewan overnight in your comfortable bed. Day 3: By breakfast time you are in Manitoba and late in the morning arrive in Winnipeg. After a transfer to a beautiful old railway hotel you have the afternoon free to visit local sights. Day 4: Breakfast is available in the dining room of your hotel before you check out and take a taxi for the short ride to the Greyhound depot. Here you board a modern motorcoach for Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A. (passport required.) Once there you transfer to the Amtrak station across the mighty Mississippi River to neighbouring St. Paul and board The Empire Builder. Once aboard you settle into your sleeping room for the start of your westbound journey. Day 5: Breakfast is available in the dining car as your train heads west across sparsely populated North Dakota. You are in Montana by noon and by dinnertime are skirting the Rockies’ famous Glacier National Park. Day 6: You can expect arrival in Seattle mid-morning. Our Amtrak connecting Thruway motorcoach leaves at 1:15 PM for Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver arriving back at Pacific Central Station, the starting point, at 5 PM.

FARE: The 6-Day Tour, based on shared accommodation. From Cdn $1295 per person. Single fares start at Cdn $1495. Price depends on age of guests, number traveling together, type of sleeping accommodation on the trains, date of booking, date of travel, and US$ exchange rate. Our price will be cheaper than doing this on your own. Add a night in Seattle and take the morning “Cascades” train service to Vancouver for an extra $99 per person including your hotel.

TWO STEAM TRAINS, FISH and WINE PLUS CASINO FUN - Friday, September 5th A great opportunity to ride behind two steam locomotives in the Okanagan region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning - 4 days

Leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered motorcoach for highway no. 7 on the WCRA News, Page 12 scenic north side of the Fraser River from Mission to downtown Agassiz and the museum housed in the oldest wooden railroad station in B.C. Follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hell’s Gate Air Tram. Then it’s on to Skihist Park overlooking Rainbow Canyon of the Thompson River and the railways operating through this most difficult part of the river valley. You overnight in Kamloops after a welcome dinner. Next morning your coach will transfer you to the Kamloops Heritage Railway’s train with steam locomotive #2141. The train climbs from Campbell Creek up into ranching country en route to Armstrong.

Continuing by motorcoach you visit O'Keefe Ranch for lunch and proceed on to Penticton with a stop to view spawning fish at Peachland’s Hardy Creek Park. You stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on Okanagan Lake’s south shore for 2 nights. If you like casinos this is an excellent one. Next morning leave for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. The train takes you along the hills overlooking Summerland and on to the Trout Creek Bridge, the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway line. You will then have lunch on board the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer on the beach in Penticton. This is followed by a tour to a local winery after which you will return to your hotel for the evening. The next morning your group will depart for Osoyoos where you will see one of the best model railroads anywhere (Osoyoos Desert Railroad). Then it’s off to the Grist Mill at Keremeos for a tour and lunch. You then take the Crowsnest Route, back to the coast with stops at a fruit stand and Manning Park Lodge. This ends a great circle tour through BC’s most interesting highlights.

FARES: $787 each based shared accommodation; Single Supplement: $ 183

TRAINS OF SOUTHWESTERN BC Departure Thursday, September 18th, 2008 Circle the region of South-Western BC by train and see the Royal Hudson in steam at the WCRA Heritage Park. - six days (Tour TSB) NEW TOUR! Meals included in packages are shown thus: B = breakfast, CB = continental breakfast, L = lunch, S = morning or afternoon snack or tea, D = dinner (All other meals are on your own)

Day 1 - Thursday, September 18th Upon independent arrival in Vancouver, British Columbia, you check-in to your downtown hotel. We have a welcome to Canada dinner at 6:00pm. D Day 2 - Friday, September 19th Today we travel north onboard the new "Whistler Mountaineer" train over the former British Columbia Railroad from North Vancouver to Whistler. You have two options: Option 1: Depart by motorcoach for Squamish to visit the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. We take a ride on one of the former BCR Budd RDC railcars to the workshops. Late afternoon we return to Whistler for hotel check-in. Option 2: Spend the rest of the day exploring the Whistler Ski Resort Village; this resort operates both summer and winter. There are many interesting shops and pleasant walks to occupy your time. CB WCRA News, Page 13

Day 3 - Saturday, September 20th Morning charter motorcoach from Whistler to Squamish with another stop at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park to see the Royal Hudson, steam locomotive No. 2860 in operation. The classic 4-6-2 will be operating all day in and around Squamish. If time permits, we will stop at the Britannia Mining Museum for an underground tour into the mine. We then continue on to Vancouver and board the late afternoon ferry for Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. There is a restaurant onboard and you can have dinner as we sail to the island. Upon arrival in Nanaimo, we continue north to Parksville and check-in at the Quality Resort Bayside Hotel.

Day 4 - Sunday, September 21st In the morning we travel from Parksville to Port Alberni which is nestled in the Alberni Valley and provides a wide variety of unique attractions. Browse through the many galleries and shops at the Alberni Harbor Quay Park and Market Place on harbor front. In the afternoon we will visit the Alberni Valley Museum, a treasure trove of local history, Folk art, and First Nations culture. We will also visit the Alberni Pacific Railway station and engine shop. One highlight will be a walking tour of the old McLean Saw Mill which is steam powered and we have arranged with the Alberni Pacific Railway to run our own private charter pulled by an ex- 1929 Baldwin logging steam locomotive with photo run-bys. We then return to the east side of Vancouver Island to Courtney to catch the southbound "Malahat" passenger train on the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railroad. This E&N Railliner uses the classic Budd RDC railcars for equipment and in fact very few of these RDC rail cars are left in operation in North America. Enjoy views of charming communities and scenic sights that you can only see from the train. Upon arrival in Victoria we transfer to the nearby Queen Victoria Hotel & Suites for check- in. B

Day 5 - Monday, September 22nd We depart from our downtown hotel in Victoria and visit the famous Butchart Gardens which offers one spectacular sight after another. In 1904, the gardens began with a effort to beautify an old quarry site. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming English Rose Garden, this 50 acre showplace today maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners of the world. We then take an afternoon Victoria city tour and there is some free time to explore this colorful city. We spend the night at the Queen Victoria Hotel & Suites. B

Day 6 - Tuesday, September 23rd We depart in the morning on the return ferry to the mainland and Vancouver. We will then take you on a Vancouver city tour to include Stanley Park, Gastown District, China Town, CPR Roundhouse, Lonsdale Quay Market, SeaBus across the harbor, The waterfront district, and Vancouver's SkyTrain. You could depart for home tonight or stay an extra day. B

Fare: $849.00 plus GST (per person sharing); and $398.00 (single supplement) WCRA News, Page 14 THE CANADIAN ROCKIES AND ALBERTA’S STEAM TRAINS Tuesday, September 23rd – 5 days

Depart on VIA Rail’s Canadian at 5:30 PM in your comfortable sleeper. Meals included. Day 2: Wake up this morning in the heart of the Canadian Rockies following raging rivers and with any luck a view of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. At 11 AM you arrive in Jasper where you will have an hour to walk around, photograph a Mountain type steam engine and explore the visitor’s center and historic railway station. We arrive in Edmonton at 5:30 PM where we transfer to our hotel next to the West Edmonton Mall. Day 3: You will tour Edmonton today riding the impressive Light Rail system and later visit the West Edmonton Mall, the world's largest entertainment and shopping centre and Alberta's number one tourist attraction. At 2:30 PM you are bused to the Alberta Railway Museum which houses a collection of various railway equipment and buildings. Their emphasis is on cars and locomotives from the Canadian National Railways (CNR) and Northern Alberta Railways (NAR). At 4:30 PM you depart for an overnight stop in Red Deer, Alberta.

Day 4: You depart the hotel at 8:30 AM for the Alberta Prairie Railway at Stettler, Alberta. Dramatic excitement behind a steam loco awaits you. All excursions include a full course buffet meal which is included in the fare, on board entertainment and maybe even a train robbery. During your journey on board the train to Big Valley you will travel through the beautiful rolling and treed countryside of Alberta's Parkland. Overnight in Drumheller.

Day 5: An outstanding day today as you visit The Royal Tyrrell Museum celebrating the long history and spectacular diversity of life - from the tiniest grains of pollen to the mightiest dinosaurs. Set in the Alberta badlands, the Museum opened in September, 1985. About half a million people per year come to experience the power and excitement of some of the most remarkable fossil displays anywhere in the world, in Canada’s only institution devoted entirely to paleontology. At 11:15 AM you head for Calgary’s Heritage Park arriving shortly after lunch. This renowned park features street car and steam train rides, roundhouse and railway exhibits as well as a complete town site with buildings from the early days of Calgary. At 4 PM depart by bus to Light Rail (C-Train) to downtown Calgary then bus to hotel or local Hobby shop. (Options: Continue tour with Steam train to Vancouver below, fly out this evening from Calgary or take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver.

FARE: call for details.

CPR STEAM THROUGH THE ROCKIES

Westbound from Calgary September 28th or Eastbound from Vancouver on October 5th on WCRA News, Page 15 6-day itineraries. These tours are once-in-a-lifetime escapes behind CPR Steam Locomotive Empress no. 2816 crossing British Columbia’s many mountain ranges in classic transcontinental coaches. Westbound overnight stops are made in Lake Louise, Revelstoke, and Kamloops. Eastbound is a “rare mileage” adventure with stops in Kamloops, Golden, Cranbrook and Lethbridge traversing the Crowsnest Pass.

FARE: from $3995. Includes hotels, meals, transfers, one-way airfare to/from Calgary, admissions, and entertainment. Call for a detailed itinerary.

CALIFORNA ZEPHYR RAILCARS—SPECIAL ITINERARIES

How does Christmastime in Santa Fe, New Mexico sound? Better yet, how does it sound when you get there by private railcar with domes, fine dining, overnight sleeping accommodation, travel behind both Amtrak and private railroad?

This is just one such itinerary offered by California Zephyr Railcars, a group that has four private cars that can travel together and a set of itineraries for winter 2008 and through 2009. WCRT is now working with this group to offer you the unique experience of travel in a small group aboard beautifully restored private railcars, and all-inclusive packages to special destinations. Check www wcra.org/tours for more information or call us.

While the price is not cheap, the value is great. Imagine travelling aboard restored ex California Zephyr cars—including meals with all the trimmings and services one could want for. The four cars (not all four are always used together) consist of Colonial Crafts, a former Pennsylvania Railroad sleeper-lounge; Silver Rapids, a roomette bedroom sleeper from the California Zephyr; Silver Lariat, a vista-dome diner lounge, also from the California Zephyr; and Silver Solarium, a vista-dome sleeper-lounge-observation car from the California Zephyr. Accommodations aboard the train include roomettes, each sleeping 1 person; bedrooms, accommodating 2 people, and drawing rooms, accommodating up to 3 people. Each sleeper is equipped with one or more guest showers. All meals are prepared fresh on board and service is attentively exquisite.

Watch for more information next month.

Remember: West Coast Rail Tours travel agency has IATA status so we can handle all your bookings for air travel as well as cruises, motorcoaches, hotel accommodations, ferries and — our specialty - rail. We ask you to choose us as your travel agent, as all of our tours serve as fundraisers for WCRA projects. Contact the tours office toll free at 1-800-722- 1233, or locally at 604-524-1011. Better yet e-mail us at [email protected] (B.J.)

West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way To Go WCRA News, Page 16 374 PAVILION

The number of visitors recorded for July was 1,970 as compared to 1,429 for the same period last year. Year to date visitors at 9,274 remains well ahead of the 7,409 recorded visitors for the previous year. The increase in visitors (1,865 or 26.5%) so far this year continues to set a good trend for 2008.

During the month of August engine 374 received a good clean up. Attention was paid to the driving rods and brass couplings which had become dull and rusty. The rods and brass now shine and look like new and a fresh coat of white paint was applied to the driving wheels. The work was completed by Jakub Vincalek, a summer student on a two week contract.

Turntable Plaza Project

The Vancouver Parks Board has approved an innovative plan called Turntable Plaza This plan will transform the area and create a more dynamic, people place. The plaza has the potential to be a gathering place, a space for performances and a neighborhood hub. It will change the historic Turntable so it becomes a vital urban Plaza in the heart of the neighborhood. For additional information please visit www.Roundhouse.ca and click on turntable project for a briefing report.

Volunteer’s Required for the 374 Pavilion

Please consider becoming a volunteer at the 374 pavilion. There are openings available on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Volunteers are the backbone of the 374 Pavilion. We would not be able to open and present the 374 pavilion without the help of our caring and enthusiastic volunteers. As volunteers you will have the opportunity to greet guests who come from all over the world to see the CPR 374 engine. Duties include: opening, closing the building and most important of all presenting the historical background of the 374 to visitors. Last year over 21,000 visitors came to the “374” and only through the efforts and dedication of our volunteer group were we able to accommodate them. We offer free parking and a very flexible schedule, either one day a week or two days a month whichever works best for you. If you are interested in assisting us and greeting a wide range of visitors please contact Jim Brown at 604-681-4403 or 604-985-7249 or e-mail at [email protected]

WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

BCIT CONDUCTOR PRACTICUM HELD IN JULY

Another BCIT Railway Conductor class has been held at the West Coast Railway facilities WCRA News, Page 17

in Squamish. A class of 13 arrived on Monday, July 14 and spent the week working with our crews on their practical work to continue towards graduation and employment with the railways.

In the photo left, Rod Jenkins has the class aboard for their traditional practicum completion mini rail trip.

We has a most successful training week. Heartfelt thanks to Rod Jenkins, John Jellis, Roy Crowston, Derek Stockley, Robert MacBeth, Rob Payette and Andy Faris, who all gave their best to ensure the students had a professional and valuable experience. The evaluations reflected the staff’s commitment to excellence, and it was much appreciated. (R.J., S.S.)

YOUNG PEOPLE LOVE THE HERITAGE PARK

July saw Kids World once again bring a great number of young people and their families to the Park, in spite of hitting a rainy day for their visit.

Right after that, we welcomed an incredible group from “Peak Potential” who provided us with 45 people for 2 days who tackled the most awesome jobs at the Park- from painting, cleaning, gardening, land clearing, sanding and trail making, the total person-power for the two days equaled 360 hours of labour and it was magical to see these folks work. We are fortunate indeed that we are one of the few organizations they have chosen for this “gift of time”. They will be back next year, and we’ll be ready with more projects to be done. (S.S.)

GARDENING GURUS

Another note of sincere thanks goes to our ‘gardening gurus’ – a group of wonderful ladies who provided a gardening day at Mason Station – Beth Fitzpatrick, Marian Mills, Karen Moodie, Carman Peterson, Barb Stover and of course, Donna Fourchalk. Thank you all for making sure this area of the Park looks great, and for knowing which is a weed and which is a flower! WCRA News, Page 18

VISITORS DOWN THIS YEAR

July saw a total of 1,889 visitors, which is an improvement over previous months, but we still have work to do to get our visitor numbers up for the balance of the year. The Park is having its lowest attendance in some years as a number of factors negatively influence visitors, including our own construction, highway 99 construction, loss of highway signs to construction, and the generally slower travel year.

Thanks to Paul and Mary Roy for their help with mini-rail for the BC 150 event and others who I had forgotten to mention were the Shaws, Lavinia and Earl as our wonderful telegraphers for the whole day! (S.S.)

GIANT GARAGE SALE AUGUST 23

August 23 is the date for our Garage Sale at the Park, we are hoping to sell 30 tables at a cost of $12. per table which includes a 6’ table and two chairs. The Garage Sale will be in the “village area” and should attract a good number of people. So if you want to get a jump on Fall clean up, this may be an incentive…all items must be removed by close of business on August 23.

MINI RAIL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are in real need of volunteer mini-rail engineers for September particularly for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so if any one can volunteer for any of those days throughout September it would be much appreciated. (S.S.)

ROUNDHOUSE STEEL ERECTION SET TO START

An exciting next step in the construction of our Roundhouse and Conference Centre, and a very visible one, is about to get underway. Canron steel crews will arrive August 18th and start the project to put up the steel structure of the building. The six week period August 18 through end September will be exciting, as not only will the structure go up and the roof go on, but Canron will also upgraded the turntable bridge structure and then lift it into the pit while their cranes are on site. Watch the webcam through this period, or—better yet—come and visit and see the work underway. (R.A.)

BEER GARDEN AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVENING SEPTEMBER 20

A great evening of fun and live entertainment is set for Saturday, September 20, following our first day of SteamFest. Everyone is welcome to attend our Beer Garden event, which will feature a special performance of the Kettle Valley Brakemen as well as the exciting Page 19 band Bluesberry Jam. The bands will play away from 6:00PM until midnight, and the fun and refreshments will go on as well. Admission is available at the gate or ahead of time at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park call 604-898-9336 for info. (S.S.)

FEATURE ARTICLES

STEAMFEST—THE POWER OF BOILING WATER!

Get your tickets now for our new premier annual event, built around steam. The Power of Boiling Water—see how it moves everything from automobiles to large traction engines that used to work the fields to massive locomotives like our world famous Royal Hudson #2860.

All these will be operating and on display at SteamFest 2008, set for Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21 at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.

Confirmed participants as we go to press include: • Steam traction engines in steam • A Stanley Steamer automobile in steam • WCRA’s Royal Hudson steam locomotive • Steam locos on the West Coast Mini Rail line

The sights, sounds and motion will prevail in a unique Symphony of Steam, a great time of whistles, hissing, chugging and the unique sounds that are unlike anything else. Bring your cameras and grab photos of these machines of days past as they perform just for you!

In addition, there will be other steam locomotion on display, including our Ohio steam railway crane and a steam stationery boiler unit.

All tickets are on a presales basis through TicketMaster, but what a bargain they will be. Tickets are a Day Pass To Adventure and include all rides and attractions—a short train ride on the Royal Hudson train, vintage car rides on the site, rides on the West Coast mini rail behind a variety of engines, and the pump car will also be operating if you want to try out your arms and propel yourself down the tracks.

There are also lots of special activities for all family members, including children’s activities and great live entertainment headlining the Kettle Valley Brakemen, a great quartet singing group who will perform twice each day on the Main Stage in the PGE Carshop building.

The Heritage Park’s regular exhibits will also be open, including the new model railway coach and the Garden Railway when you ride on the mini rail WCRA News, Page 20

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WHITE PASS & YUKON ADVENTURE -story & photos by Don Evans

It was long overdue for sure—after living on the West Coast for all of my years, I had never yet seen or ridden the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. All that was about to change, however, as

I had my ticket on West Coast Rail Tours White Pass & Yukon Route Steam Spectacular tour. I was ready to go!

Friday, July 11 Off to the airport, ticket pouch in hand, where I am met (as are all our tour guests) by WCR Tours Manager Bill Johnston. He directs me to the Air North check in where all proceeds smoothly. I find my seat and we are off on schedule aboard our B 737-200 aircraft, one of two in the fleet. We arrive at Whitehorse, Yukon on time and collect our bags.

Outside, our guides Dave and Arlone Emmington, along with Lisa Flatla, get our charter coach organized and we climb aboard to start our adventure. We are a group of 30 in total, many friends and members are along plus a great contingent of guests from many parts of the world, the farthest afield being a couple from Northern Ireland.

We head out of the airport, where a rather large weathervane stands at the entrance—a Canadian Pacific Airlines DC-3 that rotates in the wind! Our first stop is at Miles Canyon, where we are introduced to the Yukon River as it flows through a narrow rock lined gorge. There is great walking and a suspension bridge over the gorge, a nice first stop and place to relax and stretch our legs. Back aboard the coach, we head for Whitehorse, past the retired steamboat Klondike (below), and have a short tour around town before arriving at the Gold Rush Inn where we will over night. Most of us then head to the Klondike Salmon and Rib House, where we enjoy a terrific (and it was highly recommended) dinner. After dinner, the Frantic Follies show provides great entertainment—and after dinner and the show I really feel like I am now in the Yukon. WCRA News, Page 22

Saturday, July 12 A free morning in Whitehorse, and I know my targets for this portion of time. I start with a walk around town, then head along the Riverfront walkway and enjoy the

Yukon River, ending up at the Parks Canada Klondike historic site to tour the retired steamboat. The tour of the steamboat is fascinating and well conducted by my tour guide Jen (I

am the only guest for this first 0900 tour!)

The restoration of the ship is first rate, and the interpretation very good. You can only tour with a guide, this keeps tours on course and provides a good deal of information. Being very naive about the history here, I am fascinated to learn that this is the second “Klondike”, built right here in Whitehorse in 1937, and serving the river to Dawson City. Whitehorse was the transfer point from rail to steamboat for the short season when ice was not on the river. Vintage video of the steamboat tackling the current and the ice was amazing—a trip downstream to Dawson could take as little as a day, while the return journey could take as much as 4 days!

Having enjoyed the steamboat tour, I now needed to warm up (it was a cool morning) so I headed to a nearby Starbucks (no, not much heritage here!) and then walked back to the Rotary Peace Park near the boat to take a ride on the Whitehorse Waterfront Trolley. The sign said that operating hours were 1100—1700 daily, with departure on the hour. When the trolley hadn’t shown up at 1115 I was ready to give up, but then it suddenly appeared around the curve.

I boarded the single truck car #531 (Lisbon, Portugal heritage, built 1925) and we were off for a 2.5 mile ride on the former WP & Y narrow gauge tracks. The trolley is powered by a generator car which tags along and generates the electricity to power the car. The ride was quite fun and ends up near the shopping centre at the north end of town, I then returned to the

WP & Y depot at town centre (original building, built 1900) where I got off and walked back to the hotel. It was time to board the bus and continue our adventure.

We were on our way west at 1330, with all present and accounted for. Dave did a good job of hosting, and we made some scenic stops at Emerald lake and Carcross desert, before arriving at historic Carcross, YT. Here we saw our first White Pass & Yukon station (built 1910) and train—the depot is the centre of this small community on the east end of Lake Bennett. Parked on the tracks was the Carcross train (which operates 6 days a week, not Saturdays) headed by GE shovel nose unit #97 (I would get to know her well in a couple of days!), a flatcar, and three coaches. After photographs, we headed to the ice cream store which was in the oldest continuing operated general store in the Yukon!

Departing Carcross, we headed south and down the spectacular White Pass, across the Yukon / BC border and then the BC / Alaska border and into Skagway. We disembarked at the Westmark Hotel, and settled in to our rooms, The evening was free, so there was time to explore the Skagway waterfront, see the W P & Y Rotary snow plow #1 which was on display, and then go for a nice dinner. We met up with Dave and Arlone, Lisa, guests Ernie & Lynne Page 24

Ledgerwood , and were joined by long time WCRA member and now 7 year WP & Y

employee Phil Bruehler. It was great to see Phil again—this writer had tour guided some BC Rail System Tours with Phil back in the early 1990’s—there was lots of catching up to do over seafood on the dock!

Sunday, July 13 Up early and a free morning to explore Skagway. I had several targets in mind for the morning, started with the docks to see the cruise ships arrive. There were two in this morning—the Seven Seas Mariner and the Carnival Spirit. Now I decided to head up to the railroad shops and see just how WP & Y handles the cruise ship business.

The shops were an easy walk, about 15 blocks uptown and you are there. There was lots going on as two long trains were being made up for morning departures (they repeat in the afternoon) to the summit. The trains each had a three unit set of motive power, with GE’s bracketing and MLW units on the head end and then 12 cars and 15 cars respectively. I watched them back off towards the docks, then discovered a roadway signed to the Gold Rush cemetery, which went right through the shops area and further to the north. The crews were steaming up #69 for our afternoon run, and another shorter consist positioned onto the main line. Should be good action this morning.

I reached the Gold Rush Cemetery and found a delightful place. Located in the woods were many old gravestones dating to 1898 and the gold rush, all maintained as a park. It was immediately alongside the WP & Y mainline, a perfect photo spot. By now I had determined that the train on the main was the train to Carcross, and it would obviously be first out ahead of the cruise ship trains to White Pass Summit. Sure enough, buses were now alongside in the distance, trans-loading passengers for this “most of a day” ride.

Shortly, two blasts of the air horn were heard, the headlight came on, and up she came—GE 84 ton locomotive #96 in fresh paint followed by a consist of six coaches .(photo, back cover) She roared by at a good clip—I can hardly wait for our rides! I walk back to the shops and catch the two “Summit” trains heading up the line, first one headed by GE #94 / MLW #101 / GE #99 sounded great as she paraded 12 cars up the hill, next by was the other train lead by GE #100 / MLW 104 / GE 99 and 15 cars at full throttle! Great show! Time now to walk back to town and explore the shops, as well as the station and the station gift shop.

Train time approaches, and we head down to Long Siding (near the cruise ship dock) to board our steam train for an afternoon adventure. Sitting on the siding is 2-8-0 #69 (Baldwin, 1907) and a five car consist, the maximum she can pull herself up the grades to White Pass summit. Thanks to the fine work of Phil, we are assigned the tail end car #258 Lake Kuane, and we climb aboard. We have lots of room and a great rear platform to enjoy for the duration of the trip. A cruise train arrives and backs past us taking up position on the dock for another summit trip, and we are set to go. Page 25

The little 2-8-0 digs in and gets right to work. There is nothing easy about this line out of Skagway, as the grades are continuous to the summit, only variance is the steepness (up to 3.9%!) on each section. Black smoke and incredible stack talk are the order of the day, as she tackles the grades (photo, back cover) and vista after vista unfold for us as passengers. Mile 5.8 is Denver, where a donated caboose now serves as a hiker’s cabin, continuing up following the Skagway River to Glacier (mile 14), where we stop for water and to build steam back up.

Then we’re at it again with the awesome climb along the rock’s edge, through Tunnel Mountain to Inspiration Point (mile 17) where we get a view all the way back to Skagway. On we climb, past the abandoned cantilever steel bridge at mile 18.6 to White Pass summit, mile 20.4 and 2,865 feet in elevation. We have climbed from sea level to almost 3,000 feet in just 20 rail miles! What a show #69 puts on.

Now we are in a very different world, basically above the tree line with lots of rock, water and scrub trees the rest of the way to Fraser, BC where we will water the engine again and turn back for Skagway. Although we have crossed the Alaska / BC border, this service does not require customs work as all are kept aboard and return to the starting point.

Page 26

After watering the locomotive, we proceed around a complete loop and are now headed back for Skagway. (The WP & Y also has loops at Skagway shops and Bennett, BC, and a wye at Carcross YT for turning trains and locomotives). The return trip scenery is a second treat—one cannot take it all in on just one pass by. However, this time #69 gets it easier and it is the brakes that keep us under control most of the return, no water or steam up stops required! We arrive back at Skagway at 1550 after a fantastic steam trip.

A particular point of interest is the Trail of 98 marker along the way, where one can clearly see the narrow trail that the gold seekers climbed during the gold rush days of 1898—99, before the railway came to the aid. Starting out from San Francisco, the gold seekers came by ship to Skagway, then had to set out on foot climbing this narrow trail to the summit (and the Canadian border). The border required them to carry one ton of supplies in order to ensure they could sustain for a year in the gold fields, taking them several trips up and down the pass before they could move on. This history—brief as it was—is clearly played out from the windows of the train today. How they did it is beyond apprehension, but their route was up the pass, along the White Pass or Chilkoot trails to Lake Bennett where they built rafts and continued by water (when the lake wasn’t frozen) to the Yukon River system and on to the gold fields. By 1900, they could take a train to Whitehorse and a steamboat on to Dawson City!

Monday, July 14 Today it is our turn to ride the train to Carcross and enjoy the entire length of the track in service. We check out of our hotel and motorcoach up to the railroad shops, where our train awaits us. (below, fresh paint on MLW #103)

The consist is GE locomotive #97, a box car (for our luggage) and four coaches. Thanks to the fine work of Phil (who is on duty today as lead tour guide), the WCRT group is assigned the rear coach 338 Lake McQuestin. Tagging along behind us as far as Bennett is a flat car.

We await the organization of three cruise ship trains for this morning ( a busy day), and once Page 27

they have headed off for the docks, we back onto the mainline and prepare to depart. Our crew is engineer Brian, conductor David, brakeman Paul and guides Phil and helper. We are clear to depart at 0750 and head off up the grade. The little GE gets a good workout climbing to White Pass, but does the job handily—#97 has served the line since 1963.

At Fraser, BC we stop and Canada Border Services does an efficient sweep of the train and its passengers. We are just about to depart for Bennett when your editor is summoned over the PA system to report to Customs with my belongings. What is Phil up to now? Climbing off the coach, with passengers staring, I am met by the conductor and brakeman and escorted alongside the entire train to the cab of #97, where I join Brian for the trip to Bennett!

The cab is like a small F unit to me, similar vintage, and we roll along through the incredible scenery of mountains, lakes, rivers and colour. There are few locations to sound the horn, save one major crossing of the Klondike highway, protected only by cross bucks. This is cause for great caution and much sound—adding a little drama to the otherwise calm journey. We meet a work train on a siding shortly after; there is a huge tie replacement program in evidence on this stretch of line. We arrive Bennett, BC at 1020—a little early due our shorter than usual stop at Fraser, and a spectacular site of lake and mountains as we roll to a stop at the depot. I bid goodbye and thank Brian, and climb down to rejoin the group for lunch.

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Hot lunch is served as it has been for years—family style in the depot dining room. It is hearty and good, then we have ample free time to explore the area as we will not leave until the westbound train arrives (and its passengers have their turn for lunch). Parks Canada has an interpretive centre here on the Chilkoot Trail, and the old log church and other buildings are still here from 1899. Walking a section of the trail is also possible, and yields a spectacular vista of the lake and mountains on this crystal clear day. Returning to the station, we watch as the southbound appears up the lake and pulls to the station with GE #96 and six coaches (the train we saw leave Skagway yesterday).

It adds the flat car we dropped to its consist and we ready to depart. Underway at 1215, we spend the remainder of the ride along the shores of Lake Bennett, crossing into the Yukon along the way, and pull into Carcross at 1400 Alaska time (1500 BC time) We unload the boxcar and put our bags into the waiting motor coach, have time to visit the general store, then are off on our way to Whitehorse and our flight home on Air Canada.

This has been a spectacular four days, and is recommended to anyone to take. The tour offers a nice blend of organized and free time for everyone’s individual tastes, and assembles the very best that the unique White Pass & Yukon Railroad has to offer. The scenery is spectacular from start to finish with never a dull moment. Our guides did a superb job and looked after us well. Consider it for 2009 when it is sure to repeat.

White Pass & Yukon Route Sets Historic New Daily Ridership Record! July 24, 2008

SKAGWAY, AK - The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (WP&YR) proudly announced Page 29

that it carried 7,009 passengers on Wednesday July 23, 2008 setting a new daily ridership record. Gary C. Danielson, President of the WP&YR enthusiastically commented, "This historic milestone - breaking the 7,000 passengers in one day threshold - is truly symbolic for us. This milestone is testament to our brand, our people and our industry partners. This milestone celebrates our investment in infrastructure, service and systems." "It was just a week ago that we dared think about a 7,000 passenger day. Yesterday's feat was accomplished with all trains being on time and without any sense that it was going to be a record day. Maybe it was the horrible weather, but it didn't feel like a record day until it was all over. I'm very proud of our people and this achievement. To grow the business to this level is very rewarding for all of us here at White Pass", Gary added. (forwarded by J.D.)

FROM WCRA NEWS AUGUST 1980 - by Craig McDowall WCRA (Club) News The July member's meeting set a record as MCM chaired the meeting which started at 19:45 and was deemed adjourned at 19:59 hours due to a much anticipated slide presentation (no record of the details other than Larry Russell won the quiz after the slide show!!).

The final date of discovery in the ongoing Locomotive #16 Terry Ferguson legal saga has been set for August 9th.

Final approval for the steam trip up B.C. Hydro's valley line in September have been obtained.

BC Rail Construction of the new highway between Lillooet and Pavilion (the Cache Creek bypass) has resulted in two new highway overpasses over BC Rail tracks. One at MP 172 (Glen Fraser) and one at Pavilion itself.

BCR actually admitted discouraging passenger service when BCR Chair Norm Hyland came right out and said "we're discouraging it because it provides no positive revenues for the railway". The line loses about $1 million a year on passenger service but the railway hasn't advertised it's appeal since 1956!!

CP E & N update: Member Robert "Bobby" Hunter recently visited the E & N line on Vancouver Island and found things humming along nicely. . Power at the Wellcox yard in Nanaimo were Baldwin DS4-4-1000's #7070 & 7072 together with GP 9's #8663, 8670, 8646 & 8502. RDC -1's #9067 & 9064 continue to operate the daily passenger run. Freight schedules include TR#71 runs from Wellcox to Port Alberni & return on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. TR#51 Victoria to Welcox & return on Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays but no heavy loads with speed restrictions of 15 mph. An extra runs once a week from Wellcox to Courtenay & Page 30

return, generally on Tuesdays and precedes the VIA RDC's northbound and follows VIA southbound. Extra runs from both Victoria & Wellcox (on days other than TR#51 runs), operate north & southbound to Hayward (near Duncan), where they meet and exchange loads and return to their originating points.

In the March 1980 WCRA newsletter, we ran a photo of a small six wheel outside rod gas switcher photographed outside the Ogden shops circa 1937, with a request for further information from Omer Lavalee, CP's corporate archivist on it's purpose and build info. We were successful in identifying it as a 25 ton, 135 HP gas mechanical unit, built by Baldwin in April, 1920 and sold to the Dydney Junkins Co. who used it on concrete lining work in the Connaught Tunnel during the construction of the 5.3 mile long bore. It was acquired by CP in the 30's for use by its construction department and was later stored at Ogden shops by the late 1930's. It was later sold to MacBlo for logging operations on Vancouver Island working as 350 until retired in 1958 and presumably scrapped.

The CP station at Abbotsford is being demolished as it hasn't been used for years and was boarded up when it was closed.

The E & N station at Parksville has been repaired and repainted by CP Rail.

Baldwin switcher DS4-4-1000 #7067 went east for scrapping after being cannibalized at Vancouver for parts.

Crown Zellerbach has purchased CP RS-3 #8427 for use on its logging line out of Ladysmith.

For reasons unknown, BN remote Control Car 106, purchased recently by BCR is at CP's Coquitlam shops still in Cascade Green.

CN A great example of SW1200 RS's capabilities occurred on July 24th when train #411 arrived at Kipling, Saskatchewan with three SW1200's pulling 13 loads and 105 empties weighing in at 3808 tons and was 2.17 km long (that's 1.35 miles for you non-metrics)!!

CN 4-8-2 6060 ran an excursion on July 26th with an FPA-4 as part of the NRHS convention in Toronto with a baggage car and 12 coaches. The trip ran from Toronto to Washago and return.

After the above excursion, 6060 began her trek west to her new home to the Alberta Pioneer Railway Museum on August 2nd from Toronto and arrived August 8th in Edmonton. The decision was made to steam her on the transcontinental trip and run her with two diesels assigned to regular freight trains. From Edmonton's Calder yard, #6060 went with GP9 #4118 Page 31

and a caboose to her destination at mile 7.2 of the Coronado sub. Her boiler certificate expires on Sept. 10th, so the APRA jumped on the opportunity and leased ten CP Rail Montreal commuter coaches to run with their two coaches, the Redvers and Westlock, and a CN Rules Instruction car. They set up a very busy five excursion schedule to run between Aug. 23rd

and Sept 1st. In addition, the APRA is having their Canadian Northern 4-6-0 #1392's boiler repaired so had the CN GP9 which bought 6060 to the park site return to Edmonton with #1392 in tow.

CN's subsidiary Grand Trunk Western has bought the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton railroad for $25.2 million. The purchase adds a major line from Detroit to Cincinnati, allowing GTW to run traffic through the Cincinnati gateway. In addition to the trackage, GTW acquires 12 locos and 700 freight cars.

VIA For the third straight year since VIA started running passenger trains, there has been an increase in ridership. Year end 1979 showed an increase of 300,000 passengers over 1978.

VIA F9B #6610 (ex CN) has just passed the 5 million mile mark as of mid July. #6610 went into service in January, 1955.

Passengers on VIA's Super Continental eastbound train on Friday August 8th were awakened abruptly at 03:55 hours when the train derailed at Thunder River, MP 125.4 of the Alberta sub (7 miles east of Blue River). Six passengers were treated for minor injuries at the hospital in Jasper. The lead unit stayed on the rails but the trailing two units (an F9B & a GP9) derailed and the following 14 coaches also derailed. The last five coaches stayed on the rails. None of the derailed units or coaches overturned. An extra was called using two SD 40-2's to return the five coaches which remained on the rails and towed them back to Port Mann VIA cancelled the August 9th eastbound departure and turned the westbound train #3 at Edmonton on August 8th. The only freight traffic affected was an express freight which detoured through Prince George and down the BCR main line to Vancouver. Cause of the derailment was a suspected broken rail.

Misc Four tank cars, each carrying 88 tons of liquid caustic soda, derailed on the National Harbours Board property at the Lynn terminal in North Van. No injuries nor spillage and damage was confined to the track bed.

The diamond near Powell and Heatley streets in Vancouver, where the CP and CN/BN intersect, was replaced on Sunday, July 27th. A large crew and a BN crane were utilized for the job.

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The axe has finally fallen on the Kettle Valley Railway Heritage Society's fight to save the

Kettle Valley line through the Myra Canyon. The group was unable to raise the necessary capital and CP Rail has told Pacific Northern Rail Contractors to go ahead and start removing the rails. Rail had already been removed from the section below Myra Canyon from Chute

Lade to Penticton. The rails in the Myra Canyon should all be removed by September to be re- used by CP on prairie branch lines. A last minute reprieve was offered by PNR Contractors to the KVRHS by offering the society light weight rail replacement rail at $50,000 per mile. This was $1 million less than any previous proposal but a $150,000 down payment was required within a week. Under the scheme, the total cost of replacing the 30 miles of track would be $1.5 million. The society could come up with the deposit required. The line was originally opened in 1915 and climbs 3000 feet north east and then south out of Penticton in the first 76 kilometers. Included in this distance is the spectacular Myra Canyon where the 8 km of track include 16 wooden trestles, two steel bridges and two tunnels. One of the last movements on the line before closing was the filming of CBC's "National Dream" railway segments to duplicate rail construction through the Rockies. The Myra Canyon section was re-opened a month ago after the trestles, destroyed by the disastrous forest fires in 2003, have all been rebuilt to look like the original structures. The Canyon is part of the Trans Canada trail.

RAILWAY NEWS

AMTRAK

SECOND AMTRAK VANCOUVER TRAIN HELD UP BY CUSTOMS

The Canadian Border Services Agency is now holding up the start of the second Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Vancouver, BC reports the group Transport 2000 Canada. CBSA is classifying the new train as “new facility” and demanding a fee for screening the arriving passengers at Vancouver in the evening. This is most confusing as new international flights into Vancouver do not incur such fees. The start of the new service, which was planned for August, is now delayed until this issue can be resolved. (D.Sh.)

NO FAMILY DAYS THIS YEAR

CN has announced that it will not hold its usual Family Days at Thornton yard this year due budget considerations. WCRA members have always helped out with this event, and we were thanked for our help in past years with hopes it will be back again in 2009. Page 33

MOTIVE POWER OBSERVATIONS

19June, EMD #9044 “Oakway” at Thornton, 2 July Soo #6032 at Thornton, 5 July CPR #8861 (in 2010 paint) at Lynn Creek, 15 July EMD #9013 “Oakway” on BNSF southbound, 22 July WC #6005 at Thornton, 24 July WC #6006 at Thornton, also on 24th

UP #9436 on BNSF northbound and AMT private car tail end southbound "Northern Railway Charters". (R.C.)

TOUGH WINTER HITS RESULTS

A tough winter 2007—2008 has hit CN’s financial and operating results, as CN posted a 4% decline in profit compared to last year, and an increase in Operating ratio to 72.9% (up 2.3 basis points). The railway is maintaining its outlook for the year, however, as revenue did grow in the period and is expected to remain strong. (BL)

CP AND CN CREATE TERMINAL SWITCHING ROAD FOR DELTAPORT

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National have jointly announced that they have created a terminal railroad at the DeltaPort terminal. The railways expect the new operation to streamline operations there. The new railway will be known as the DeltaPort Division, and is expected to move around 70,000 TEV’s of railcar monthly, positioning them for loading and making up trains for departure. (TOL) The new Deltaport Division ends the need for Omnitrax’s Trans Canada Switching operations, which has handled switching under contract to date. CP RESULTS ALSO HIT

It was not just CN that dealt with the tough winter, CP also reported challenges as a result of the weather at the start of 2008. CP reported a 29% decline in first quarter profits and reduced its outlook for 2008 results, citing not just weather but also fuel costs and the overall economy situation. (BL)

SLIDE IMPACTS WHISTLER SERVICE

That massive slide that happened on July 28 near Porteau severed the CN mainline as well as the highway, wreaking havoc on many services through the BC Day weekend. The Whistler Mountaineer was halted effective Wednesday, July 29 and stayed out of service until the rail line was restored to service August 4. Meanwhile, besides lost revenue from the cancellation of the train, Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery passengers who rode into Whistler from the north on that service had to be bused to Vancouver around the slide. The company said that the disruption cost them over $100,000 . (S.S.) WCRA News, Page 34

6148 RETURNS

VIA RDC-1 #6148 is back and available as a third Budd car for E & N service. The car was out of Vancouver on July 19 and

transferred by CP to Tilbury on July 20. It joins RDC-1’s 6135 and 6133 in service for Vancouver Island service, and is expected to do some further commuter demonstration runs in August as part of the annual E & N Days event. (J.M.)

OTHER NEWS

NEW! STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

While admittedly a few thousand miles away, it's wonderful to hear that the first new British steam locomotive for about 45 years has just been completed! It's called "Tornado" and has been built exactly to the design of the old London & North Eastern Railway's A1 class of Pacific's designed by the then chief mechanical engineer, A.H. Peppercorn, back in the late 1940s. This clip on the BBC website makes interesting viewing . . . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ sci/tech/7537462.stm (R.W.)

PRINCE RUPERT STATION TO BE RENOVATED

The old CN station on the Prince Rupert waterfront is to be completely renovated back to it's original form over the next two years. The property is currently owned by the City of Prince Rupert but is in the process of being sold to a firm by the name of FER Building Solutions. Evidently this company has had considerable success in restoring heritage buildings around the world from Venice and Rome to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This firm plans to restore the heritage station structure to Heritage Canada standards. They plan to put a bistro downstairs with commercial office space upstairs. There is no mention in the article about the possibility of Via Rail Canada returning to this location. Sure hope so, as do a lot of other people in Prince Rupert. The current location at the BC Ferries Terminal at Fairview is not the greatest, believe me. The original design drawings for the old station go back to 1906, with construction being completed in1922. They will be replacing the old canopies on both sides of the station. With this being done, I hope indicates the possibilities of Via Rails return to this location. (D.W.)

EX BCR BUDDS LIVE ON IN RHODE ISLAND

Former BC Rail Budd RDC’s BC-30 and BC-15 are operating between Newport and Portsmouth RI, a trip of about 9 miles and called the Island Touring Train.. The photo, taken by my friend Sam Lepore, shows the RDC's coming into Newport Station. They are both WCRA News, Page 35

operating, and BC-30 has been refurbished inside and now has moveable tables and chairs like

a dining car. BC-15 still has the BCR long distance seats. (J.Ba.)

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ISSUES ROYAL HUDSON COIN

The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a new $20 coin, featuring Royal Hudson #2850, the locomotive that hauled the Royal Train in 1939 and an earlier sister to our Royal Hudson #2860. It can be viewed on the mint’s website.

60 YEARS OF TROLLEY BUS SERVICE IN VANCOUVER

August 2008 marked 60 years of trolley bus services in Vancouver, and some special events were organized to mark the occasion. On Saturday, August 16 a parade of five trolleys of various vintages left Marpole at 1000 and proceeded to Stanley Park for a public display, returning to Marpole from the park at 1400k. Fan trips with various vintage trolleys then operated both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. (J.M.)

WCRA News, Page 36

VICTORIA ROUNDHOUSE PRESERVATION

A new chapter was written last night for the historic railway roundhouse site in Victoria, BC's, Vic West neighbourhood. Victoria city council okayed far-reaching development plans for the brownfield site that will save one of Canada's last railway roundhouses and a railway corridor in exchange for the right to build a hotel, condominium and a suite of retail services on the 4.25-hectare site.

Plans for the site owned by CP have been in the works for years, beginning with developer Ken Mariash taking an option to buy the property in 2003 and followed by rounds of community meetings and at least 17 studies. The project is expected to take 10 years to build.

In exchange for being able to develop the site, Roundhouse Properties Limited Partnership has agreed to a long list of public amenities in the area. The costliest amenities include remediation of contaminated soil and refurbishing five heritage buildings on the site - some built in 1913 - that include the roundhouse, boiler house and car shop along with the turntable. Other amenities include historic interpretive features, public space, a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly greenway adjacent to the rail line, community space in a historic building and space for artisans.

They also include retention of the rail corridor in perpetuity for rail or transit use, provision of a transit pass to every residence for three years and change and shower facilities for employees who cycle or walk to work. (Victoria Times-Colonist 080725)

THE HISTORIC RED BRIDGE (KEREMEOS) 1908

The Red Bridge, spanning the Similkameen River west of Keremeos was 100 years old on July 26, 2008. The bridge is likely the only surviving covered bridge in western Canada. It was built in 1907-1908 by the Victoria, Vancouver and Eastern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Great Northern Railroad to serve the gold mining in the Hedley-Princeton area. The rail line was abandoned in 1954 and as weather conditions began to take a toll the bridge was restored in 2006. Metal cladding replaced the aging wood siding. The present structure provides access to the Cathedral Lakes and the Ashnola Valley. (D.E.)

NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM COMPLETES TRAINSHED DESIGN

The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington is off on another major building effort—this time a large exhibit building “loosely modeled after a trainshed”. The 24,000 square foot building with be adjacent to the new Conservation and Restoration Center on the new railway history campus that was acquired last year through a land swap with the city. The projected cost of the new building comes in at $3.6 million. (SDR)

SteamFest

A Unique New Festival for Southwest British Columbia

Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2008 West Coast Railway Heritage Park - Squamish, B.C.

Your Day Pass to Adventure includes live steam in action: • The spectacular Royal Hudson locomotive presents a “Symphony in Steam” • Steam traction engines put on a show and demonstrate early power • Stanley Steamer and other vintage automobiles • Steam railway crane and logging engine on display • Model steam locomotives operate on the miniature railway

Things to ride (all included in ticket price): • Climb into a vintage 1930’s auto for a ride around the Park • Hop aboard a railway coach and take a short ride behind the Royal Hudson • Try your arms out and pump the handcar along the track • Ride the 3km Mini Railway around the Heritage Park – see the Garden Railway

Live entertainment (also included in ticket price): • Main stage in the PGE Carshop featuring the fabulous Kettle Valley Brakemen and their music and stories about the railways for all ages (2 performances daily) • Museum exhibits, model trains, children’s shows, activities and lots of fun for everyone

In Addition to add to your day (extra charge activities) • Royal Hudson cab rides (limited availability)

Gift shop, and much, much more! Cameras and recorders welcome.

Bring the family; bring the grandkids - nostalgia, drama and fun for everyone.

All Day Adventure Tickets (hours 9:30AM to 5:50PM) TicketMaster 604-280-4444 or on line at www.ticketmaster.ca $15 adult, $10 child, Free Parking

Watch www.wcra.org for more information

Page 38

HERITAGE PARK EXTRAS

Thanks go out to Fred Dannells and his crew of volunteers from the Canada Post Heritage

Club for the great work they did on the Railway Post Office car #3704 and the Kids Kaboose. The Kaboose is going to get a new paint job, and the interior of the RPO received some paint touch ups and detailing.

Heritage Park guests will be treated to a won- derful new colour map of the Park, thanks to the art work of member Nick Monkhouse and the ingenuity of Nick, Susan and others to re- design our guide. The new guide is more visual than the previous computer map, and has the identity of the artifacts by reference number which will make it easier to find what they are when they change locations at the site.

The map also has a history of the Heritage Park, a nice welcome to the site and a member- ship panel. (S.S.) WCRA News, Page 39

CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X

Vol. 47 Issue 9 Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon

Contributors:

R.A. Ron Anstey J.B. Jim Brown J Ba. John Baxter R.C. Ryan Cruickshank J.D. Jeremy Davy D.E. Dave Emmington B.J. Bill Johnston R.J. Rod Jenkins J.M. Jim McPherson S.S. Susan Steen D.Sh. David Shore B.T. Bernie Tully D.W. David Walker R.W. Roger Watt

BL Branchline SDR Sounder

Send contributions to the WCRA PO Box, direct to the editor at #28 - 2133 St. Georges Ave., North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 3K5, on the Internet to , phone news to (604)988-3435(res) or fax to (604) 986-7660. Check us out on the Internet at

Contact us: Tours 604-524-1011 / 800-722-1233 Heritage Park 604-898-9336 Office 604-681-4403

TRIVIA ANSWER

20th Century Fox's 1973 film "Emperor of the North" (aka "Emperor of the North Pole"). Di- rected by Robert Aldrich and starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine. Additional trivia: Keith Carradine's character "Cigaret" is named after the moniker that Jack London adopted on the road. Willis Kyle, President of the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern allowed the film company unlimited access to his entire company's rolling stock. Published monthly by West Coast Railway Association ISSN 1204-072X PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2 Vol. 47 Issue 9

Canada Post, Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40007853