August 2006 News.Pub
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WCRA NEWS AUGUST 2006 MINI RAIL DAY AND MEMBERS PICNIC AUG. 20 WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE The July General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station, Confederation Park in Burnaby. Entertainment will be another slide show of treasures from the David Wilkie Collection, likely to include 3716 and 1077 in the filming of Natty Gann on BCR and more. Thanks to the hard work by Bob Hunter and Bill Marchant for putting these together. ON THE COVER Kamloops Heritage Railway’s ex CN 2-8-0 #2141 simmers at Campbell Creek BC, readying to depart with the June 17, 2006 Armstrong Explorer. You will find full coverage of this great ride starting on page 23. (Don Evans photo) AUGUST CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1700k, Speeder Rides every Wed., Thurs, and Friday, Budd Car / Shop tours every Saturday and Sunday. • Sunday, August 6—WCRHP participates in the annual Squamish Days parade with our 1934 Chrysler Airflow and the 1937 Ford • Friday, August 11—Deadline for items for the September 2006 WCRA News • Friday, August 11—Steam Engine 374 Community Luncheon & Social event at the 374 Pavilion / Roundhouse Courtyard, 1230 to 1430 hours, $5 for lunch. • Thursday, August 17—Tours Committee meets, contact Bernie at 604-325-0923 • Tuesday, August 15—WCRT’s Vancouver Island West Coast tour departs • Sunday August 20—Annual Mini Rail Days and Members’ Picnic at the Heritage Park, mini rail all day, picnic at 1730k • Tuesday, August 29—WCRA General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek Station • 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. New! E Members (electronic newsletter) are $35 individual and $45 family. Other membership categories are: - Junior Member (age 16 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 ON THE ROAD AGAIN A combination of both business and pleasure has taken me away again, and with the travels a chance to enjoy some railroading as well. As I work on the close of this newsletter, we are in Boston and you will read the story (at least part of it) of our journey to the Northeast, including riding the Amtrak Acela Express between Boston and New York City. Prior to that, we had a chance to enjoy the wonderful hospitality and steam train travel on the Armstrong Explorer. This trip is a great exploration—and the operation is run first class all the way. I hope you enjoy reading the stories of these trips in this issue. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM THE JUNE GENERAL MEETING 34 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • Jim Brown presented the Executive Director’s Report for Don Evans (see page 9) • Jim Brown reported on WCRA’s finances: · New accountant engaged – Bill Dauphinee. Should result in more timely statements. · Income $407,000, down $72,000 as no Thomas or Excursion Train this year · Assets in first 4 months have increased by $346,000 ($109,000 for Roundhouse). · Collect expenses - $67,000 - for 6503/Alberta/BC 33/Henry Pickering/Marjatta Roof · Royal Hudson expenses in last 3 months- $107,000 • Jim Brown provided the Heritage Park report: · June had many events – Garage Sale/Teddy Bear Picnic/Fathers Day · Feature of Fathers Day was introduction of the 1934 Chrysler Airflow · School Programs are finished in June. Will restart in fall with projected strong interest. · Canada Day will see introduction of: o Budd car rides including behind scenes tours of MP1 (Sat/Sun) o Speeder Rides (Wed/Thu/Fri) Jul 5 to Sep 1 · Upcoming Special Events: o BC Rail Pioneers Picnic – Jul 20 o Mini-Rail Days and WCRA Members Picnic – Aug 20 o Attendance is up over last year’s “Less Thomas” numbers WCRA News, Page 4 • Collection – Jim Brown reported · Excursion Trainset o 4069 still out with RMV. Possibly for 1 more week. o Chasm & Capilano – Windows to be resealed; Cars to be painted & lettered and professionally cleaned inside. · 2860 Restoration. o Have conducted low pressure Hydro test. Some leaks but should be fixed this week. o Boiler barrel is being repainted. o Boiler brick is being renewed. o Contractor supplying Super-heaters is doing Hydro tests on them before delivery. o Planning Full Hydro test shortly o Projected Operational Test Week of Aug 7. · BC 33. • Has had engine change out but transmission leaks to fix. • Roundhouse/Turntable Construction o Construction has district approval. o Turntable Pit will be dug first. • ·MP 1 7 spaces leased – Revenue now at $4,400/mo. • Mini Rail – Jeremy Davy reported on upcoming locations. · Canada Day - Canada Place and Castle Park in Pt Coquitlam · CN Family Days (Thornton) – Sept 10 · Art Knapp’s -Thomas Day Oct 21 · Washington Group Picnic - still on the schedule but no new date has been set • Events – Bernie Tully reported, Canada Day events were noted. • Tours – Bill Johnston reported · White Pass & Yukon just returned – very successful · Discovery Coast/Chilcotin (Jul 5) – closed with 35 booked ($11k profit). Direct Mail = Good results. · Lady Rose (Aug 15) – Sold out - 5 wait listed · Two Fish/Wine (Sep 15) – 29 bookings 10 Seats left. Dave/Arlone Emmington to guide · Spirit of Washington (Sep 16) – Red Hat Ladies exclusive – Ron Pajala to guide. · Royal Hudson Tours – taking Bookings – now have 200 waitlisted for s first trip · FIT Business is very good • Other Business · Matt is leaving us as his visa has expired. He has to be outside country to reapply. To cover is duties: o 374 Pavilion will be staffed by 2 students giving 7 day opening during summer o Michelle Hall joins us for the summer and will divide time between 374 Pavilion and Tours Office. o Lynne Kinnell joins us and will work in the Burnaby Office • Trackside Reports – Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant once again presented reports on the domestic & International scene. Spiced with humor from both WCRA News, Page 5 • Last-minute Business · Gord Hall noted the Golden - Revelstoke leg of the July 16 trip with 2816 is a fundraiser for the Revelstoke Railway Museum. · Paul Roy presented a picture of CP train on the Stoney Creek Bridge to WCRA. It was donated by an ex CP Dispatcher from Toronto. It will go to Squamish. • Guests/Calendar of Events – Colin Dathan noted the July Calendar can be read in the July newsletter. • 50/50 Raffle – paid the rent with something left over for the Royal Hudson Fund. Bob Spencer also donated $30.00 of his winnings back to the Royal Hudson Fund • Entertainment – Personal 1990’s video by member Joe Antonelli (thank you Joe) featuring Opening Day of WCRHP, 2860, 3716, BCR Budds and other BCR footage. WCRA TRIVIA # 211 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank During August 1877, the first use of a telephone was used to dispatch trains. Where did this take place? (for answer, see Credit Lines) YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RAILFAN WHEN……. ……..your refrigerator holds more film than it does food (Wonder what effect digital has on that!?) NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes new members Mattias Christianson of North Vancouver, Stephen Hann and family of Squamish, Dan Jacobson of Lumby, Louise Lebrun-Stori & family of Squamish, Fred Robson of Vancouver, and Pat Webster of Crossfield, Alberta. We welcome back Larry Marshall & family of Squamish and Michelle Robson & family of Garibaldi Highlands. Lastly, a warm welcome aboard to new Corporate Club Member Garibaldi Graphics of Squamish. (J.D.) PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP Memberships dated 6/30/2006 have now expired, and if your membership expired April 30, 2006 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 Option. Those fees are - for an E-Individual membership $35.00, and an E-Family $45.00 (J.D.) MEMBER NEWS Please continue your thoughts for long time member Bruce Mackay who remains ill and in the hospital as we go to press. WCRA News, Page 6 MINI RAIL DAYS AND MEMBERS’ PICNIC AUGUST 20 The 2006 Annual Mini Rail Days and Members’ Picnic will take place at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park on Sunday, August 20th. Come out for this fabulous event that will once again see many guest engines operating on the West Coast Mini Rail line. To delight and fascinate you, judging by the enquiries that Jeremy Davy and Paul Roy have received from live steam engine owners, we should also have several attending this year. Members’ picnic starts at 5:30PM and is free for members. We’ll look forward to seeing all of you - but please let us know you are coming (plus the number of family and friends you are bringing) so we have enough food for all. You know the food will be good – it’s being done by Donna Fourchalk and Donna Simon assisted by Mary Roy.