WCRA NEWS

JUNE 2007

ROYAL HUDSON STEAMS

TO WHITE ROCK

THOMAS UP NEXT

WCRA News, Page 2

GENERAL MEETING NOTICE

The May General Meeting of the WCRA will be held Tuesday, May 29 at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park in Burnaby at 1930 hours.

Entertainment will be announced at the meeting.

ON THE COVER

What else could we headline this issue with other than the Royal Hudson with throngs of people out to see her at White Rock on Sunday, April 15, 2007. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people were on hand on a beautiful day to see the train arrive right on time at 1200. Photo taken just after arrival by Deb Sankey.

JUNE CALENDAR

• West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1700k • June 1,2,3 and June 8,9,10—Day out With Thomas at the Heritage Park—0800 to 1800 each day, special event admission applies • Saturday, June 9—deadline for items for the July 2007 WCRA News • Tuesday, June 12—Tours Committee Meeting • Thursday, June 21—WCRT Coastal Circle Tour departs • Tuesday, June 26, 2007—WCRA General Meeting, Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park, Burnaby, 1930 hours.

The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of 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 , please remit US $) Other 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., , B.C., V6B 3X2. WCRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL

STEAM TRIP DOWN, NOW—ON TO THOMAS

It seems as if there is no end to the work to be done, but when we have significant accomplishment we just get spurred on to do more. Such has been the situation at WCRA over the past few months, as the incredible job to complete the Royal Hudson project—and to get her out for the White Rock 50th birthday party on April 15th—consumed so many of us and our resources.

But, as you know by now, the April 15th trip we talked about in our last issue came and was carried off successfully, as #2860 made her triumphant return to steam on the mainlines of both CN and BNSF. The trip showcased the Hudson's new role, that of a tremendous and popular special event and marketing machine. Steam draws crowds—and we saw that all the way from Vancouver to White Rock and back.

Now that 2860 is safely back in Squamish, we must turn our attention to yet another major special event. This time the audience is very different—the younger and family set. Day Out With Thomas is nearly here, with six days set for June 1,2,3 and June 8, 9, and 10 at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Once again we will corral legions of our wonderful volunteers as we host as many as 20,000 guests at this great event.

These two examples of major projects have become the hallmark of our organization, in demonstrating that we can be creative to see British Columbia’s railway heritage preserved— and demonstrated—for all of our citizens of all ages. Whether you were a tour host on the April 15 trip, worked on the return of the Hudson to steam project, or help guide visitors around the Heritage Park at Thomas, your role and your contributions are of great value.

Thanks to all of you, WCRA continues to garner wide attention as an organization that can accomplish what it sets out to do with both determination and professionalism. Thanks to all of you for your part in our success. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS

FROM THE APRIL GENERAL MEETING

Chair Jeremy Davy called the meeting to order at 19:35k with a 38 members and guests present, recording secretary was Bill Johnston: • Minutes of the meeting of the March 27th meeting – Acceptance moved George Blakely - Carried WCRA News, Page 4

• Thanks to all for their efforts in the successful running of the Royal Hudson to White Rock on April 15th. • Executive Director Don Evans – absent, no report • Heritage Park, Jim Brown—Roundhouse preparation for foundations proceeding well. Compaction is under way. 303 visitors for Easter Egg hunt. Focus is now on mini-rail to get it up and running. Volunteers are need for the Day Out With Thomas event. If you volunteered in past years, you will be called. If not, please contact Jim Brown. • Finances – Jim Brown, First quarter results were highlighted. • 374 Pavilion – Jim Brown, Volunteers are needed, especially Sundays and Fridays. Agreement with Park Board imminent. May 20th is the 110th Anniversary event. • Mini-Rail – Jeremy Davy, Volunteers needed and much work to be done on sub grade and retaining wall improvements. Mechanical skills also needed. A member commented that a volunteer resource is the Police department who has lists of offenders requiring community service hours to be carried out. • Events – Bernie Tully, CRHA Convention in Victoria. Victoria Day weekend. Forms in the newsletter. 374’s 110th Anniversary event, May 20th. • Collection. Question about our passenger train in . Is it being actively worked on to get it ready for a possible Peace Country tour? • Tours – Bill Johnston, Apart from the June 21st tour to Bella Coola all tours are filling well. The May 4th trip to Sprit of Washington Dinner train was revised due to Amtrak overbooking. Fifty dollar discount offered to anyone getting a booking for the June 21st trip. Peace Country tour has many interested participants. • Day Out With Thomas – Craig McDowall reported sales ahead of previous events for this time. Train ride is now 45 minutes and it leaves the site, a major improvement. • Trackside reports from Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant. • Eric Anderson donated Canadian Tire money in the amount of $16.45. • Calendar of Events. Jeremy reviewed them from the Newsletter. • Entertainment was a DVD of Harry Home and locomotive 6060.

WCRA TRIVIA # 221 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank

What were the four railways jointly acquired by the CPR and CNR that then operated under the newly incorporated company Northern Alberta Railway starting June 26, 1929? (for answer, see Credit Lines) NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to new member Derek Duval of Surrey, BC. (J.D.)

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Memberships dated 4/30/2007 have now expired, and if your membership expired 02/28/2007 WCRA News, Page 5 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

We would appreciate your renewing your membership without waiting for the final notice. This not only improves the Association’s cash flow during the tight winter months but also helps spread the membership processing work load.

Renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter Option. The current fees can be found in the box at the bottom of page 2 of every Newsletter. Thank you. (J.D.)

MEMBER NEWS

Our thoughts are with long time member Grant Ferguson who remains in Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver in grave condition.

COLLECTION

COACHES WORK PREPARES FOR MAINLINE OPERATIONS

In preparation for mainline operations, our coaches Paul D Roy and Capilano received water system flushes, sterilizations and upgrades to have everything serviceable for the April 15th trip to White Rock. An all day job April 9 on the Paul D Roy revealed many challenges— including popped cold solder past repairs and a pop bottle neatly stuffed into one of the toilet drains. These were all resolved, and the coach had running water, operating toilets and hot water by the end of the day. But it wasn’t over yet—and after the trip more work was done to fix a problem caused by train line pressure—now all working correctly. (R.S.)

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND

ROYAL HUDSON TO WHITE ROCK—APRIL 15, 2007

April 15, 2007 goes down in history as a banner day for the WCRA, as we operated our first trip with Royal Hudson #2860 since the boiler rebuild was completed. The sold out trip hosted 814 guests, as the train made its way from Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ Vancouver station to White Rock and return. The trip capped a couple of years of hard work, the investment of almost $700,000 from our fundraising, and lots of volunteer, staff and contractor work to put things all together—and a legion of supporters.

The 2860 was test steamed for several days at Squamish in preparation for the trip, and made several trips up and down the Squamish yards tracks to verify all was ready. WCRA News, Page 6

Saturday, April 14 was the day for the move of the Royal Hudson and the WCXX equipment south to Vancouver to ready for the passenger trip on Sunday. Crews were ready to go in the morning when a brake valve glitch occurred, delaying the start time. That was looked after, and at 1400 approx. the train steamed out of Squamish on CN—on the mainline under steam for the first time since 1999. Some wonderful photos by Christian Vassaz follow here…

Above—train departs Squamish— 2860, FP7A 4069, Generator car Macdonald Creek, Open Car Henry Pickering, Coaches Paul D Roy and Capilano.

Left, train passes through Britannia Beach. WCRA News, Page 7

Above, North Vancouver—Below, dramatic skies as train approaches 2nd Narrows Bridge WCRA News, Page 8

The trip south was made at a good pace, a stop along the way confirmed all was running right and there were no hot bearings or problems of any sort, so it was straight through North Vancouver, across the 2nd Narrows rail bridge and through the tunnel to Willington Junction. From here, the train reversed and backed through East Vancouver and down “the cut” to the Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver station. Weather was gray with rain showers.

Once here, there was some switching to do as the train consist was assembled for the big day to come. Consist was Royal Hudson 2860, FP7A 4069, Generator car WCXX 9622 MacDonald Creek, Rocky Mountaineer lounge car 3030 (VIP car), Rocky Mountaineer Red Leaf coaches 3240, 3251, 3237, 3219, Open car WCXX 598 Henry Pickering, WCXX 5596 coach Paul D Roy, WCXX coach 5652 Capilano, and Kamloops Heritage Railway coaches 404 and 405 (ex Waterloo & St. Jacobs / now RMV owned). (Photo below, Don Evans) At the station the crowds started to gather in anticipation of boarding and a great day. The

weather cooperated and we ended up with a picture perfect sunny day, much to the relief of the crowd and us! While the crew serviced the locomotive and got steam up, a crowd assembled to watch the proceedings. Media were out as well, with Global TV filming the departure preparations and interviewing WCRA’s Executive Director for a segment that ran on the noon news—while the trip was on route to White Rock. The engine was polished up as well as lubricated by the crew and the 2860 support crew. WCRA News, Page 9

0900 arrived—it was time to start boarding the passengers. Bill Johnson and his tours committee had all in hand, and boarding went smoothly despite a couple of glitches that had forced a change in consist from what had been originally envisioned—we were one coach short due the fact WCRA’s three ex Waterloo & St. Jacobs coaches were still in the East, so the borrowed two Kamloops coaches and the centre closed section of the Henry Pickering substituted. All worked out, and we accommodated all of the 814 ticketed passengers.

On board, Bill Johnston acted as Train Manager with Dave Emmington the lead hand for the legion of car hosts who handled the capacity crowd and got everyone seated and comfortable. Up at the VIP car, we welcomed aboard several special guests, including Mayor Judy Forster of White Rock, MP Russ Hiebert, Miss White Rock and her attendants, members of White Rock Council and others. Also aboard for the trip were BNSF’s Gus Melonas and Clayton Jones, and CN’s Kelli Svendsen.

To cap off the on board activities Gordon Hall and family handled the snacks and drinks for the passengers, with a snack station set up in one coach and also coming through the train “Newsie style” with goodies. Craig McDowall and his family / helpers sold merchandise on board as well as at White Rock while the train was there. All was set to go as 1000 approached, the safety instructions were given the passengers, and the doors closed. WCRA News, Page 10

We were off shortly after 1000, reversing away from the Rocky Mountaineer station, waved off by a good crowd including Peter Armstrong who came down to see us depart. The trip was underway. Up front, a BNSF SD9 had been added to the motive power to fly the colours as a major sponsor of the trip.

Pausing at the bottom of “The Cut” we awaited the signal, and were off. The diesels were put into run 1 to help us up the grade, and #2860 got down to work with her train. The sound of the Royal Hudson working full out on the grade was incredible— half way up the diesels were cut out and #2860 barked up the grade, lifting the two units and 11 cars with ease. A crowd was lineside as she crested the hill at Still Creek (photo, Christian Vassaz)

On board, the open car and the vestibule doors were popular for photographers as

everyone tried to get a chance to listen to and photograph the train.

We chugged through Burnaby with clean steam and the sound of the melodic whistle (which Burnaby Council had declared exempt from the normal no whistle by law for trains in the City)

(Don Evans photo) WCRA News, Page 11

We continued along to New Westminster where we curved under the SkyTrain on the passing track (photo below, Christian Vassaz) and paused for a meet with Amtrak (F59PHI and three Superliners today).

After Amtrak passed we were under way again, heading back onto the main and across the CN bridge. CTV’s traffic helicopter hovered over the river and filmed our passing here, and we eased south off the bridge and onto BNSF tracks for the remainder of the trip to White Rock. The lineside crowds grew as we headed south, with traffic jams on River Road and through Delta along paralleling Highway 91.

Approaching Colebrook we slowed to traverse the Junction with the BC Railway Port Sub, then switched south again on BNSF tracks to cross the Mud Bay trestle and head for Crescent Beach.

Now the crowds were huge as all parking areas along the tracks were filled to over flowing, the dyke tops were lined with waving and clapping people, and cameras galore were in evidence. The reception for the return of the Royal Hudson was overwhelming in many regards, an estimated 5,000 viewed and waved at us on our southbound trip. Steve Brown captured the scene at Colebrook, and Christian Vassaz on the Mud Bay bridge (Page 12) WCRA News, Page 12 WCRA News, Page 13

The whole community of Crescent Beach must have been out as we whistled through the centre of town—no protests today, just smiling waving people. Now on our last leg into White Rock, we were right on time for our scheduled 1200 arrival, running along the seashore (Steve Brown photo)

The train arrived on schedule to a crowd estimated at 8,000 to 10,000 strong—out in the beautiful sunshine to witness the arrival of the Royal Hudson train (we were last here ten years before in 1997). WCRA News, Page 14

The scene at White Rock was awesome (cover photo). Disembarking was a little off plan (the extra BNSF loco added a carlength to the planned layout, but that was solved by easing the train ahead a bit from the pre-positioning stop location). It took a bit to get all the passengers off, but that accomplished we prepared for the 50th birthday ceremonies. Meanwhile, a huge crowd looked over the locomotive, and #2860 responded by repeatedly popping her safety valve and shooting steam up into the air. (the new boiler was indeed tight and able to keep full steam up with even the lowest of fire!)

The official celebrations started after the train moved away south, and a rousing O Canada was sung followed by speeches by MP Russ Hiebert, MLA Gordon Hogg, WCRA’s Don Evans, then Mayor Judy Forster and White Rock Council gathered to celebrate the 50th birthday and cut a huge cake.

Down at Blaine, the motive power of Royal Hudson 2860 and FP7A #4069 switched ends of the train, aided by BNSF’s SD9 unit. As the US Federal Railroad Administration had declined an exemption request by BNSF to allow the locomotives to run south of the border to the wye at Intalco, the motive power would have to head the train back to Vancouver with the F unit leading and the Hudson operating in reverse. We departed right on time at 1500 and were treated to an on time operation once again, as the train performed flawlessly even in the changed direction. (Christian Vassaz photo at North Colebrook) WCRA News, Page 15

Arrival at the Rocky Mountaineer station in Vancouver was on the scheduled at 1700 hours, and the passengers and crew were able to celebrate a perfect day for the Royal Hudson's first outing since her boiler rebuild. (Crew photo, Deb Sankey)

Our next issue will feature an article on the people behind the trip and a full listing of crew and all others who deserve thanks for making the April 15 trip the success that it was.

Thanks go to the railways and other who made the trip possible—first, we need to acknowledge the City of White Rock for the invitation for the Royal Hudson to make the trip and headline the celebration of their 50th anniversary. To Mayor Forster and Council, to White Rock Leisure services Megan Blaker and staff, to Rene Duson for his work, and to Bill Watson and Bill Johnston of WCRA who worked with the planning committee, thanks.

Sincere thanks also to Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ Ian Robertson and many others for the use of their Vancouver station as our departure and arrival site for passengers, and the use of the Lounge car 3030 ands four Red Leaf coaches. We also thank BNSF Railway’s Gus Melonas, Clayton Jones and Rich Wessler for their sponsorship and operations support. Thanks to CN’s Kirk Carroll, Kelli Svendsen, Don Phillips and others for their assistance in bringing the train Squamish to Vancouver and back, and to Kamloops Heritage Railway. WCRA News, Page 16

Media coverage was very good as well, with coverage on news broadcasts throughout April 15 and April 16 by both CTV Channel 9 and Global TV Channel 11. The Globe and Mail Newspaper gave a Catherine Atkinson article written aboard the train during the day a full cover spread on the Monday, April 16 BC News section, and Vivian Moreau did her usual superb job with two articles in the Whistler Pique. There was extensive coverage in the local Peace Arch News, and a great supplement produced for the occasion with a feature on the Royal Hudson. Thanks to all the media for the great coverage.

Other coverage emerged on the internet from several great photographers and can be found on many rail photo sites, there are also many video postings on “You Tube” - go to www.youtube.com and enter Royal Hudson 2860 in the search field—more than 20 video segments will come up.

We also received many notes and letters of thanks and appreciation for seeing the 2860 returned to steam…...a sampling of some follows:

To Don Evans and everyone in the 2860 Restoration Project:

I wanted to pass along my sincere congratulations on the return of 2860 to mainline service. WCRA deserves enormous credit for taking on this project and completing it so successfully. It really is a great credit to all those involved. I appreciate how much planning, work and worry goes into these big projects. I hope this will be the beginning of a long and successful new phase of engine's career and that it will also help WCRA in its long term goals. Perhaps, compared to its former service, it will be more along the lines of the heritage steam in the UK where many of the engines travel extensively on charters, guest appearances and other events that give people in many areas a chance to ride and photograph them. In any case I'm sure it will be rewarding and successful, you all deserve a warm thank you and sincerest congratulations! With very best wishes,

Bob Turner

Dear Don (and WCRA):

I just wanted to say thank you.

I am one of those dreadful, dirty English 'boys' who spent his youth on BR Railway Stations in York, Doncaster, Crewe, all the London Stations (travelling on a One Penny Platform Ticket from Leeds) West Country, South East and not least the Scottish Highlands. My brother and I were such avid Train Spotters (Steam of course) we were off at twelve years of age all over the country, often at 5.30am on a Saturday or Sunday Morning visiting the 'sheds' crawling all over the place to escape detection, as members of the Ian Allen Club the major 'works' at Doncaster, York and Crewe. Without doubt they were the very best and carefree WCRA News, Page 17 days of my life. One could not do what we did today (safety reasons) and that is a great, great pity because it was certainly the most wonderful experience and quite definitely a good part of our make up today.

That's what came back to me in White Rock as the Royal Hudson steamed in, unforgettable, so again my thanks to all who worked on this project, to bring this Canadian piece of history to life, long may she steam. Richard Winn, Trainspotter.

And another note…...

I just found your website. It brought tears to my eyes. My Dad was with the CPR from age 16 as a telegraph delivery boy then car checker (Medicine Hat) until his retirement as Director of Transportation (). He met my mother when he was station agent in Banff. I was a 9 year old pupil from the Kitchener school in Medicine Hat, bused to the station to cheer the King and Queen as the Royal Train stopped briefly.

Being a kid of a railway man, the Royal Hudson locomotive impressed me as much as the King. During my years growing up I found it exiting to go with my Dad to derailments when he was Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent. Dad had a particularly fine private car while working as Superintendent at Regina. I have traveled the entire main line of the CPR from Nanaimo to Halifax, the Crows Nest line and many other lines in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The Royal Hudsons and the Selkirks are the most beautiful steam locomotives. I never worked on the railroad but as a designer of special computer controlled instruments I built ultrasonic tunnel calliper machines that were used in Italy to survey about 250 KM of tunnels. The instrument provided dimensionally accurate cross sections of a tunnel at typically 0.5 meter intervals.

A friend and neighbour, Nick Edwards, has built a model railroad having over two miles of track that the calls the Wimberley, Blanco & Southern Rail Road. Knowing him has prompted me to search the internet for steam rail information - hence to your site.

Regards and good fortune in your conservation efforts. Glenn Fryer , Wimberley, Texas

A passenger writes, Thank you for putting this trip on, the Royal Hudson looked really good and did the job. Please thank all the crews for their time. The young person with me had never been on a train trip, and she had so much fun and enjoyed everything very much. You even arranged for a warm day and great photo ops. Thanks for a wonderful day on the train.

Alex Little. WCRA News, Page 18 To wrap up, there are many photos posted on the WCRA website, check it out at www.wcra.org and be sure to watch for coverage continuing on websites and other media.

Thanks to all who participated or helped in any way, more next month on some of the people and the behind the scenes activities. Well done!

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND

We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbessing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood, as well as donors Karen (Gordon) Hall $5,000, Iona Bird $50, Derosa Automotive $25 and a correction that last month’s Mary Roy donation should have been shown as $450.

Add in the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant of $110,000 and the Province of BC $100,000 TFA grant, Westran’s $50,000, the John Hardie Mitchell family foundation’s $20,000 and our total now leaps forward to $610,700.

A hearty thank you to all of our donors to date—without you we wouldn’t be where we are. But, we still have lots to fund—our bills to date have now passed $640,000 and we expect to need another $30,000 or so before completion is fully covered. Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org . If any of you have been contemplating helping out, now is the time to consider it as we get down to the final months in one of WCRA’s biggest and most exciting projects. The Royal Hudson Preservation Fund still needs your support.

FUNDRAISING

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – APRIL 2007

April was a crazy month with many activities going on at the same time as final details for the Royal Hudson April 15th trip were happening. Watch for new exciting news next month.

Funding Asks Made · District of Squamish for rebate of fees for roundhouse development permit and building permit. Major Funding Received · Troop Sleeper donation $300 · Telus Volunteer donation $200 · Deposit on major future event $250,000 · Royal Hudson donations $5,075

Month Total $ 255,575 Year to Date Total $791,212 WCRA News, Page 19 WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

2007 TOURS

West Coast Rail Tours gets underway with tours for 2007. Following our April 15th Royal Hudson trip to White Rock, we will now get focused on some additional trips for 2007, watch this space for details or keep in touch with www.wcra.org/tours Our tours office is also available to book independent trips. For example we now issue tickets for the and Yukon Route Railroad as full-service agents for that line. The timetable for 2007 is now available and includes a new service Skagway to and from Carcross, YT. Ask us about specialized itineraries using the WP&YR service combined with air, coach, ferry and other rail services such as VIA Rail Canada. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ 2007 brochure is also available. We also have the latest 2007 Trafalgar Tours brochures. They include the following destinations and features: Europe & Britain, Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada, River Cruises in Europe, Cost Saver Europe, and for the under 40 crowd, “Breakaway”. We now are also official agents for Amtrak, and can earn commissions on bookings with the US carrier due this new relationship. As agents we have special deals for WCRA members. We will pop the brochure of your choice in the mail as soon as you make the call. Call soon on 604-524-1011 or toll free 1-800- 722-1233 and we’ll get you on the rails in 2007. (B.J.)

MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR - Daily except Saturday - all year

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 7:00 AM 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. Fare: $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.

Thursday, June 21st TWO TRAINS & TWO FERRIES COASTAL CIRCLE TOUR Whistler, The Cariboo & Chilcotin Regions, The Discovery Coast /

You are picked up in time to get you to the Whistler Mountaineer boarding platform in North WCRA News, Page 20

Vancouver. Follow the scenic railway route along , then Squamish and the outstanding Cheakamus Canyon. Breakfast is served on board before arrival in Whistler and a transfer to your hotel at about noon. Enjoy Whistler. You leave Whistler the next day and travel through the Pemberton Valley before tackling the amazing Duffey Lake road to Lillooet and beyond to a lunch stop in Clinton, the 108 Mile Heritage site, and the evening in Williams Lake. On Saturday you depart for the Chilcotin region and stop at Bull Canyon for a break, then continue on to for lunch. After lunch you traverse Heckman Pass (5000’ above sea level) and enter Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. From here it is down hill, terminating with the spectacular hairpins descent, (“The Hill”), to the Valley and on to Hagensborg where you will spend two nights. On Sunday your coach will take a pre-arranged tour of the area with a local guide soaking up the Norwegian and First Nations Heritage here. On Monday you board M.V. “Queen of Chilliwack” for departure at 8:00 AM. This unique ferry will surprise you with its friendly crew and various shipboard activities. For the next 13 hours you wind your way through , and . Sea life is often spotted. Upon arrival at Bear Cove you are transferred to Port McNeill for the night. On day 6 you will visit Woss Camp (logging railway) and the Ripple Rock overlook. Lunch is available at about noon at Courtenay station where you then board VIA Rail’s Malahat Dayliner for the 1:00 PM departure for Nanaimo. Your coach meets you here for the transfer to BC Ferries sailing to Horseshoe Bay with an early evening arrival in Vancouver. Fares: The 6-Day Tour, Thursday to Tuesday is $1465 based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $1385). Single Supplement - $495. A 7-Day Tour including full E&N Railway, Victoria hotel and return transportation to Vancouver, is $1645, (BC Seniors $1565). Single Supplement - $555.

Friday, July 13th WHITE PASS and YUKON ROUTE STEAM SPECTACULAR Visiting Whitehorse, Yukon, and vintage train (NEW Service!) all the way from Skagway to Carcross, YT, plus hours of Impressive Mountain Steam Railroading

Free pickup at your Lower Mainland area home or hotel is organized for departure from Vancouver’s International Airport by Air North’’s morning departure for Whitehorse. Upon arrival you take a scenic tour along the Highway to Miles Canyon and then check in at your hotel for the afternoon and evening. Visit the restored “Klondike” river boat and ride the riverfront trolley. We also recommend the “Frantic Follies” revue, for great entertainment and fun. You have the next morning free to visit the attractions in Whitehorse before a mid-day departure by chartered motorcoach on the South Klondike Highway to Skagway. Rest stops will be made in Carcross and scenic overlooks. You have next morning free in Skagway to explore this historic village. Walk to the WP&YR depot for loading at 11:30 AM and depart at noon behind #73 (or #69) spending the afternoon soaking up spectacular mountain steam railroading. Run-bys for the rail-fans are performed. This 85 km round trip terminates at Fraser Meadows, BC, 10 km north of White Pass. On our last day you will board the special “Yukon Adventure” train for Carcross. Awaiting you at Lake Bennett will be a hot meal. You arrive in Carcross at 2:30 PM (3:30 PM, BC time) where your motorcoach will WCRA News, Page 21 transfer you to Whitehorse Airport where you may take dinner. There should be time to visit the Museum of Transportation and the famous Beringia Centre near the airport before boarding the evening Air Canada flight to Vancouver. We arrange transportation to your home in the lower mainland. FARE: The 4-Day Tour, Friday to Monday is only $1394 each. Based on shared accommodation. Single Supplement - $346. Included in the price: All trains, airfares, and buses, local guides, tour director, hotels, most gratuities, breakfasts & 2 lunches, museum admissions. GST (only on Canadian portions of this tour) is extra (equivalent to just 4% of the total). Ask about extra days and more Alaska sightseeing.

Tuesday, August 14th VANCOUVER ISLAND’S WEST COAST ……….via Coastal Supply Vessel, E&N Train, & Port Alberni Steam Mill & Railway

Your free pickup gets you to the 8:30 AM sailing by BC Ferries to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay. Upon leaving Departure Bay you will go to the E&N rail station and board the Malahat Dayliner. Lunch will be served on the train prior to arrival in Courtenay. Your coach meets you for a stop at Coombs Junction Market and Cathedral Grove, time permitting. Then it’s off to Port Alberni for a visit to the top rated Alberni Valley Museum. You will have time to relax before a buffet dinner in the hotel. Next morning you leave the hotel for the short trip to the dock to board the “Frances Barkley“ coastal supply vessel that services Alberni Inlet stopping briefly at Sechart in the Broken Islands group and continues to Ucluelet. You then proceed north by coach to Tofino for a tour of that area and end up at your luxury seaside resort hotel. A gourmet dinner is included here. Wake up and relax on the beautiful Pacific Coast. You leave late next morning for the Wickaninnish Visitor Centre (and restaurant if desired). At 2:00 PM leave the Long Beach unit of Pacific Rim National Park for Port Alberni. Stops will be made at scenic overlooks. You check in to the Port Alberni Hotel and relax before dinner at a nice seaside restaurant. After breakfast you depart for the railway station where you will board the Alberni Pacific Railway train for its 10:00 AM departure for the McLean Mill National Historic site, (the only steam operated sawmill in Canada). Upon arrival take a tour of the mill, and have a light lunch. You leave at about 1:30 PM for the eastern side of the Island (Departure Bay) to catch the 4:30 PM sailing for Vancouver. (A stop at a rail station for those returning to Victoria on the Dayliner is possible). FARES: The 4-Day Tour, Tuesday to Friday is $788 each based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $765). Single Supplement - $232. The 5-Day Tour including the train to Victoria, hotel and return transportation to Vancouver is $868, (BC Seniors $845). Single Supplement - $292.

Friday, September 14th TWO STEAM TRAINS, FISH and WINE

A great opportunity to ride behind two steam locomotives in the Okanagan region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning

You leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered coach picking up guests in the Fraser Valley then take Highway no. 7 on the scenic north side of the Fraser River from WCRA News, Page 22

Mission to downtown Agassiz and the museum housed in the oldest wooden railroad station in B.C. You then follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hells Gate Air Tram. Then it’s on to Skihist Park overlooking Rainbow Canyon of the and the railways operating through this most difficult part of the river valley. You overnight in Kamloops. 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 enroute to Armstrong for lunch. You then visit O'Keefe Ranch followed by a tour through Kelowna and on to Penticton with a stop to view spawning fish at Hardy Creek. You stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the south beach of for 2 nights.

You can sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast before leaving for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and on to the Trout Creek Bridge, the highest on the former . You will then have lunch and tour a local winery followed by a tour of the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer on the beach. You are then returned to the Lakeside Resort 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. We take the Crowsnest Route, highway no. 3, 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 interior highlights. FARE: Per person sharing: $697 Single Supplement: $163

Sunday, October 14th WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER RAIL-FAN SPECIAL —Last Run

Depart Vancouver in your chartered motorcoach and make interesting stops on route to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park where you will enjoy many rail-fan activities. Refreshments and a snack will be available here. You depart the Railway Park at about noon and head to Whistler where there will be time for a short tour. You arrive at the Whistler Mountaineer station at 2:15 PM for boarding at 2:30 PM. Your train departs at 3:00 PM and arrives in North Vancouver at 6:00 PM where a coach will transfer you to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. SPECIAL FARE: $150.00. Limited seating

SPECIAL TOURS IN PLANNING FOR WCRT’s VINTAGE PRIVATE TRAIN

Call us to put your name on the waitlist for more information when these become available. We are in early stages of planning to operate a couple of special tours this summer, these are subject to securing approvals for operation and logistics…..

Early Fall to the Country on the former BC Rail lines

This is a 9 day tour being considered on the former BC Rail Lines from Squamish to Fort St. John and Dawson Creek and return. Connections to and from Vancouver are included. The WCRA News, Page 23 schedule and overnight locations have yet to be confirmed, late August or September are being considered.

NEW—RAILTOURS FROM

West Coast Rail Tours is pleased to offer four railfan tour itineraries from Winnipeg. • Hudson Bay, Belugas and Boats is a 7 day - 6 night independent your from Winnipeg departing Sundays and Tuesdays on VIA’s Hudson Bay to Churchill, several options available to see whales and other local wildlife • Hudson Bay, Buggies and Bears departs Sunday, October 7 on a similar route to see the Polar Bears and ride the ice buggies • Northwestern Ontario’s Fall Colours departs Winnipeg on VIA’s Canadian on a four • day tour at the height of the colours • The Superior Colours of Ontario departs Toronto and rides both the Canadian and the VIA Budd RDC’s en route Winnipeg

More details and colour brochures are available from West Coast Rail Tours.

CHEHALIS STEAM TRAIN TRIP

I am unable to put a package together with Elbe at this time, however we do have something scheduled for the Chehalis-Centralia Steam Train on June 23rd at 5PM. This is also the same weekend the Vietnam Wall will be at the Veterans Museum, right next door to the steam train, which will be a busy weekend here. We have 115 seats available and will BB-Q polish dogs and hamburgers on the train. The trip will be about two hours long and the cost is 35.00 per person. I can arrange for a hotel as well. If your group would like to go let me know as soon as possible as i need to start advertising this soon to the public here if you are unable to attend. Perhaps the group would like to see the wall and tour the Veterans Museum. Debbie Knapp, Lewis County Historical Museum, Chehalis WA ph 360-748-0831, fax 360-740-5646

CPR Empress Steam Train—watch Canadian Pacific's website at www.cpr.ca

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 Bill toll free at 1-800-722-1233, or locally at 604-524-1011 or by e-mail at [email protected] (B.J.)

West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way To Go WCRA News, Page 24

374 PAVILION

Visitor attendance for April was recorded at 1,020 visitors slightly down 1,135 from the same period last year. Year to date visitors are at 3,204, down from the 3,875 visitors for the same period last year The drop in attendance can be attributed to the poor weather experienced since the beginning of the year and the shortage of volunteers required to open the building and to greet guests.

Welcome new Volunteers

I am pleased to announce that Chuck and Lynn Dick have joined our key group of volunteers starting Tuesday April 24th and are scheduled for every second Tuesday. Chuck’s dad was a locomotive engineer in the logging industry for 47 years and as Chuck stated, he grew up eating and sleeping engines. Chuck’s dad is on the wall of fame at the Heritage Park along a few of his artifacts. Welcome aboard Chuck and Lynn!

Volunteers still needed for the 374 Pavilion

Once again I’m asking that you consider becoming a volunteer at the 374 pavilion. There are several openings available. Volunteers are the backbone of the 374 Pavilion operations. We would not be able to open and present the 374 Pavilion without the help of the caring and enthusiastic volunteers.

The 374 Pavilion is looking for Volunteers to great 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 a very flexible schedule, either one day a week or two days a month or what ever 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]

Summer activities at the 374 Pavilion

The summer of 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the Roundhouse Community Centre. Several celebrations will be held from May through to October which includes outdoor performances. Four outdoor performances or events will be held on the turntable each weekend during the summer months. All members and guests are invited to join the celebrations. (J.B.)

WCRA News, Page 25 WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

7th ANNUAL EASTER SCAVENGER HUNT

We held a successful 7th Annual Easter Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, April 8th. It was well attended with over 303 in less than 3 hours! The weather cooperated and mini rail was in operation.

Thanks to the hard work of Tomo’o Oshikawa and his helper Kevin Smith and the excavation work by our wonderful contractor, Ueli Liechti and his crew from Duro Construction. We would not be back in operation if it was not for his ongoing support!

Special thanks to volunteers: D’Arcy & Megan Nelson, Ernie and Lynne Ledgerwood, Aaron Gruber, Chris Forget, John Jellis, Bill Hales, Candi Lockhart, and also to staff: Olga & Wendy Junkin, Barb Stover, Karen Moodie and Sherry Elchuk. (S.E.)

HERITAGE PARK HAPPENINGS

We hosted two classes from Brackendale Elementary on April 4th and both of them enjoyed a special Easter themed tour. The Squamish Gardeners held their annual perennial exchange and meeting on April 16th. (S.E.)

MINI RAIL WORK PARTIES

A major project to rehab the West Coast Mini Rail tracks at the Heritage Park is now underway, in an effort to get the line fully operational again by the Day Out With Thomas event. The construction work has impacted the line significantly, but now work is underway to repair sections removed or damaged during the heavy work that has been going on at the site. Work parties are set for May 5, May 6, and May 12 (and some stared in April as well).

Work to be done includes: • Replacing sections of track removed for heavy construction access • Rebuilding part of the retaining wall along the slough • Cleaning the right of way of leaves and branches • Washing and painting structures and buildings • Leveling track and ballasting • Greasing and checking all rail expansion joints and switches • Painting the bridge and cleaning the pond / waterfall • Replacing all the little critters and animals that go along the right of way • Checking and repainting cars (J.D.) WCRA News, Page 26 DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2007

Tickets for Day Out With Thomas 2007 at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park remain on sale through www. ticketweb.ca (1-888-222-6608) and a good selection of train times are available on all dates. The event comes to the Heritage Park for six great days—June 1, 2, 3 and June 8, 9, 10. Get your tickets now for best selection of train times.

More information is available on our web site at www.wcra.org under the blue Thomas tab as well as in the members only section. We plan for a sell out event and the dates will come up really fast, so get your tickets today. Price is the same as 2005—$18 per person (+ taxes)

First, the ride will be longer than in past years as we are able to leave the Heritage Park site and travel across Government Road. We also will have increased capacity on each train due the new coaches in our collection, and this year we will have power for lights and ventilation in the coaches, something we were not able to provide in 2004 and 2005. Train departures will be hourly in 2007, making the time on the train longer and the pace less hectic.

All the regular Day Out With Thomas features will be there, including storytelling, video entertainment, live entertainment in the Imagination Station, visits with Sir Topham Hatt and more. We will also have the very popular Letters to Thomas and Friends in the post office car, and viewing of the famous Royal Hudson locomotive and more.

Reserve your tickets now through Ticketweb and get your first choices of available train departures. Your ticket is good for the whole day and includes all activities except the mini rail train rides, which have limited capacity.

Special thanks to our event sponsors West Coast Families, CTV, CFUN 1410 Radio, The Province Newspaper, Van Net Community Newspapers, and 103.5 QM FM. (M.C.M.)

FEATURE ARTICLES

FROM WCRA NEWS JUNE 1979

MCM Note: (this was the 1st issue edited by Don Evans when MCM officially retired as editor due to frequently being out of town ‘on the road’ with his concert tours)

Amtrak The westbound Empire Builder derailed at 70 mph about 20 miles west of Pasco WA on WCRA News, Page 27

May 6th due to a washout and seriously injuring 5 passengers of the 100 on board. Only the leading F40 and the last coach in the consist were not derailed, with two coaches ending up on their side (a coach dorm and mail car).

BC Hydro Heavier traffic for interchange at Sumas with both BN and Milwaukee has resulted in frequent use of 4 units on the afternoon eastbound freight (using SD38-2’s and MP15’s).

BCR

Net loss for 1978 was $48 million, $12 million less than 1977 but the railway reported an operating profit of $6.3 million. Interest costs were the biggest cause of the loss. A new record for carloadings was set in 1978 of 154,850.

During the past three months, BC Rail has received 500 new 52 foot box cars, bringing its total fleet to 2719. The boxcars were built by National Steel in Hamilton and transferred by CN through Prince George and Vancouver.

BN Seven cars of a BN wayfreight derailed near Ymir, BC in the Kootenays on April 26th. At least two of the cars fell into the Salmon River

CP Rail

Four cars loaded with sulfur derailed 40 km north of Hope in the Lower Fraser Canyon on May 20th and caught fire, causing both the mainline and the highway to be closed for most of the day while the fire was extinguished. Cause of the derailment was attributed to a faulty wheel bearing.

More of those chop-nosed GP9’s have shown up here - #8530 & 8619 around Port Coquitlam and #8504 at Courtenay.

CP Business Car (ex Cape Ray) was in the Drake Street roundhouse receiving the “arch roof treatment”. This might be the first of the Cape cars to receive the rounded roofline. No car body worked is planned (although needed -some rust is showing and a paint job is required). Work was stopped due to space needed in the roundhouse for the steam locomotives (2860 etc). Rules Instruction Car #59 is also scheduled for the round roof treatment.

As of next month, CP will commence utilizing reduced operating crews - engineer, conductor and only one trainman on some of its subdivisions. All cabooses will carry new radios which will be sealed in a rack and conductors will carry portable ones. WCRA News, Page 28

CN

CN’s last operating steam locomotive #6060 has apparently been bought by the Alberta government due to CN’s decision not to continue allocating funds for continued excursion service.

CN has announced purchase of 30 new loco’s from GM Diesel Division and 100 newsprint boxcars from Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton Wa. Total cost will be $33 million.

The Moncton hump yard has been renamed Donald Gordon Yard after CN’s former president (MCM note: nothing like having a hump yard named after you !)

Via Recently, the Canadian’s standard crew dormitory/baggage cars on the head end (CP600 series) have been frequently replaced with Via “I” series all-roomette sleepers as crew accommodations. This practice is apparently to become standard.

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY 5326 -by Bill Yeats

This photograph is of the CPR’s class P2c Mikado #5326, that was built in October 1923 by Montreal Locomotive Works. The name of the photographer is not known, but the photo is from the Lance Camp collection. Lance and I agree that this picture was taken at the Divisional point of North Bend, BC, but the date is unknown. WCRA News, Page 29

This is the locomotive on which my father and I made our first trip together as Engineer and Fireman. The date of that run was May 10, 1943 when I was only 18 years of age, and dad was to retire in three and a half years at the age of 65.

These were very popular mainline freight locomotives, and 162 of this class were built between 1919 and 1944. They hauled freight trains at all points in Canada except for Vancouver Island and some light rail branch lines such as the Kettle Valley. They were also used extensively in pusher service in places like North Bend and the Field Hill. The only places that I recall them being used regularly in passenger service was on the CPR’s summer train “The Mountaineer”, which connected with their Soo Line and operated between Vancouver and Chicago. The trip between Field, BC and , Alberta of this train was handled by P2’s.

Watch for the full story of “Working With Dad” coming up in a future issue of WCRA News.

RAILWAY NEWS

MOTIVE POWER NOTES

April 22, UP 3294 (SD40R) just went by EB on 302 at 1425 (was WB here on 301 at 0705). That means the shop had it for about 5 hours - almost twice the norm lately!. Unit was trailing CN 2682…….DMIR 406 is on grain train G 89741 22 behind CN 5272 and may make it out to Thornton/N. Vancouver on the 25th of April…..SAR 8606 worked on CN for a month. It passed Kamloops EB on its way home to Swan Landing: with train M 30051 10 Time 2007-04-10 at 14.38 in a motive power consist of CN 2689, CN 6019, CN 5242 and SAR 8606 (J.M.)

Feb. 27 saw UP SD60 #2234 at Lynn Creek, FURX 7935 in BN green and Ferromex 3188 at Thornton…….March 10 saw Illinois Central 6128 and Union Pacific 6775 at Thornton, …...March 14 saw ATSF 6358 in blue / yellow at Thornton, March 15—16 saw Norfolk Southern Dash 9-40CW 9211 and Illinois Central 6259 at Thornton, March 21 saw Norfolk Southern 2515 at Thornton, March 23 saw Wisconsin Central 6002 and 2004 on separate trains at Thornton, On March 26 VIA RDC-1 #6133 was at Thornton, as was Illinois Central “Operation Lifesaver” unit 6052, CSX 4742 was seen on BNSF in New Westminster, March 27 saw Ferromex 4522 in New Westminster and Norfolk Southern 2541 at Thornton, April 22 saw Union Pacific 3294 at Thornton. (R.C.) WCRA News, Page 30

CN Dash 9-44CW #2687, which was involved in the derailment near Lytton in March, was rescued from the bottom of the bank of the Thompson River, placed onto rebuilt trucks, and is now in Winnipeg shop. (D.E., J.M.)

TRACK EVALUATION CARS

Observed in Kamloops around April 1st was a CP Track Evaluation train. Consist was an SD40-2 for motive power, then CP boxcar 424994 in tuscan red, and lettered “Investing in the Future”, CP troop sleeper style car #65, and stainless steel with tuscan letter board #64 lettered Engineering Services with a track theatre seating rear end. (D.Sh.)

SEASON OFF AND RUNNING

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations season is off and running in full service as you receive this issue. The Rocky Mountaineer traditional routes to Jasper and Banff/ Calgary started off in April, and the Whistler Mountaineer was off with a May 1 inaugural run from North Vancouver. The Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery route started shortly after.

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations is developing two new tour itineraries for 2008 that will benefit Prince George and other regional communities. The new tours will be based on extending the overnight stay in Quesnel to three days, and offering tour options during the stay. Thus Prince George and resort operators could conceivably offer creative tours to guests who choose to take these packages. One tour will be a 12 day package that includes Whistler and Jasper, the other a seven day package that runs to Quesnel with a return flight from Prince George, Bella Coola or Williams Lake. These will be developed over the next months.

The new Fraser Discovery Route handled 4,500 guests in its inaugural season—900 more than anticipated. Target for 2007 season on this service is for growth to 6,000, making 2006 the Rail Tour operator’s best season yet. WCRA News, Page 31

PARK CARS

VIA’s westbound Canadian was spotted April 22 on its way to Vancouver with three “Park” observation cars—Banff Park, Tweedsmuir Park and Kokanee Park. (R.C.)

SNOW TRAIN EXPRESS DEBUTS

VIA’s new Snow Train Express—operating weekends between Edmonton and Jasper— debuted with an inaugural run on January 12, 2007. The train operates as Train 7 westbound departing Edmonton at 1600 on Fridays, arriving Jasper at 2200. The return departs jasper Sundays at 1730, arriving Edmonton at 2330.

Consist was VIA F40PH-2, #6436, baggage car 8616, and the three former BC Rail single level dome cars 1722, 1721 and 1720. These three cars, built by Colorado Railcar, received extensive winterization upgrades as well as galley modifications for the new service carried out at Southern Railway of BC’s shops over several months last year.

The new service includes a meal on board, and also connections with VIA’s Canadian. Fares are $123 for adults one way with discounts for seniors, students and children. (VL)

VIA HOTEL

VIA is designing a new high end sleeper accommodation and plans to retrofit them into existing HEP 1 sleeper cars. VIA Hotel is the proposed brand, and mock ups have been built. The new class would include a sleeper with seven of the new Hotel bedrooms, and a Park car with a deluxe bedroom and an accessible bedroom, plus a redesigned lounge area and storage. Funding is in VIA’s capital plan request to build a prototype car for market and operational testing. (VL)

OTHER NEWS

BCER #1223 MOVED TO NEW HOME AT BURNABY VILLAGE

BC Electric interurban car #1223 is now safe in its new home at Burnaby Heritage Village WCRA News, Page 32

Museum after a major restoration by the Friends of the 1223 in a warehouse near the Royal Oak SkyTrain station in Burnaby. The new building and a replica interurban station were opened in February, 2007. (B.W.) Photo below by Robert Ashton.

SASKATCHEWAN GRAIN CARS TO GET REPAINT

The Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation (SGCC) is refurbishing approximately 100 of its hopper cars this year, to ensure they remain operational over the next 23 years. “Farmers do not pay any lease fees to the SGCC for use of its hopper cars when exporting statutory grain to Western Canadian ports,” Minister responsible for the SGCC Eldon Lautermilch said. “Providing the government hopper cars free, saves farmers an estimated $4.50 per tonne, for every tonne shipped in SGCC hopper cars. As a result, it is extremely important that we make sure the hopper cars are maintained for future use.”

In September 2004 the SGCC commissioned a report from AllTranstek L.L.C (AllTranstek), the largest railroad management and consulting firm in , to do an inspection of the mechanical condition of the SGCC hopper car fleet. It was recommended by WCRA News, Page 33

All Transtek that the SGCC consider repainting the hopper cars in the next five years, due to corrosion. Half way through a car’s lifespan is the optimal time to repaint. “The government hopper cars are now 26 years old and a recent mechanical assessment of their condition has concluded that repainting the SGCC hopper cars is needed to ensure that the cars are preserved to the end of their 50 year life span,” Lautermilch said.

This is the first time the cars have been repainted since the SGCC hopper car fleet was built in 1981. Work on the $1 million dollar project will be complete by July 31, 2007. The tender for painting the hopper cars has been awarded to GE Railcar Repair Service Company of Regina and the contract for the decals has been awarded to Arco Graphics Inc. of Saskatoon. “GE was very pleased to be awarded work under this tender and to perform the work here in Saskatchewan,” Plant Manager for GE Railcar Repair Services Regina Rick Campbell said. “The new design of the hopper cars was a challenging and exciting job and we are proud to be part of the overall revitalization of the SGCC hopper car fleet.”

The hopper cars are being painted green. Decals include a golden yellow stripe representing the wheat and canola fields of Saskatchewan, and the province’s floral emblem, the prairie lily. The Saskatchewan! wordmark runs across the length of the car. “The repainting of the hopper cars will insure that farmers will continue to benefit from the Saskatchewan hopper cars for years to come,” Lautermilch said. (D.E., Sask. Gov’t. website)

KINSOL TRESTLE STUDY

The provincial government recently contributed an additional $1.6M for the reconstruction of a bridge to replace the historic Kinsol trestle with a new pedestrian bridge to complete the Trans Canada Trail through the Cowichan Valley. This funding is in addition to the $1.5M already allocated by the provincial Ministry of Transportation.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District must make the decision whether to: demolish and reconstruct or to assess and possibly restore this unique landmark. This debate is on now and will be discussed at a CVRD meeting on August 25, 2007.

The Kinsol Trestle is on Vancouver Island and was part of the CN line there. It is 145' high & 614' long, and is a significant landmark and definitely part of B.C.'s rail heritage. This trestle is said to be the largest wooden rail bridge in the British Commonwealth.

WEST COAST EXPRESS

The West Coast Express ran a special service on Sunday, April 15 for the Vancouver Sun Run. It departed Mission at 0700, arriving Vancouver at 0815. Return trip left Vancouver at 1300, arriving Mission at 1415. WCRA News, Page 34

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS JUNE 1, 2, 3 AND JUNE 8, 9, 10

INSULATORS WANTED BY COLLECTOR

Insulators wanted, telegraph, tele- phone, or power varieties.

FAIR prices paid, willing to trade or simply talk about history surrounding insulators.

Contact Dave (604) 708-9332 or e mail [email protected]

CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 46 Issue 6

Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon

Contributors: J.B. Jim Brown R.C. Ryan Cruickshank J.D. Jeremy Davy D.E. Dave Emmington S.E. Sherry Elchuk B.J. Bill Johnston J.M. Jim McPherson MCM Craig McDowall D. Sh. David Shore R.S. Randy Shimell B.W. Bill Watson

VL ViaLogue

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

The four were 1. Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Railway (447 miles), 2. Alberta & Great Waterways Railway (286 miles), 3. Central Canada Railway (98 miles) and 4. Pembina Valley Railway (26 miles).—total route miles for the NAR was 857 miles.