March 2007 News.Pub
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WCRA NEWS MARCH 2007 AGM FEB. 27, 2007 WESTERN RAILS SHOW MARCH 18, 2007 WCRA News, Page 2 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting of the West Coast Railway Association will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 1930 hours at Rainbow Creek Station. The February General Meeting of the WCRA will be held at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park in Burnaby following the AGM. ON THE COVER Drake Street Roundhouse, Vancouver—taken November 1981 by Micah Gampe, and donated to the 374 Pavilion by Roundhouse Dental. Visible from left to right are British Columbia power car Prince George, Steam locomotive #1077 Herb Hawkins, Royal Hudson #2860’s tender, and CP Rail S-2 #7042 coming onto the turntable. In 1981, the roundhouse will soon be vacated by the railway, and the Provincial collection will move to BC Rail at North Vancouver. The Roundhouse will become a feature pavilion at Expo 86, and then be developed into today’s Roundhouse Community Centre and 374 Pavilion. Thanks to Len Brown for facilitating the donation of the picture to the Pavilion. MARCH CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1700k • Wednesday, March 7—deadline for items for the April 2007 WCRA News • Saturday, March 17 through Sunday, March 25—Spring Break Week celebrations at the Heritage Park, 1000—1700 daily • Tuesday, March 20—Tours Committee Meeting • Tuesday, March 27, 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 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. 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 AWAY AGAIN After a relatively quiet time through January, your editor is on the road again. This issue of WCRA News is being written and edited in Northern Ireland. Speaking of traveling, I hope you enjoy the Feature Article this month covering some of my travels in the second half of 2006. It is always marvelous to try out rail services, whether heritage or current passenger rail, in different parts of the world. A second installment will follow next month. Please remember to come to the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, February 27th. This past year and the one just starting are ushering another era of change for us, and we need all of our members to understand where we are heading. See you Feb. 27th. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM WCRA’S JANUARY MEETING 47 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan; • Colin Dathan announced that it is no longer necessary to hold an election for WCRA Directors. Craig McDowall has accepted a paid position – DOWT Event Manager therefore he has resigned from the Board. This leaves 2 positions vacant to be filled by the 2 members nominated Keith Anderson and Howie Biehl. • Executive Director—There was no ED report as Don Evans is traveling. • Jim Brown reported that things are tight but we are holding our own and keeping up with the payables. This years Direct Mail campaign is the most successful ever raising between $26 and $27 Thousand. Jim gave a snapshot of the 2006 financials. Revenue $1,350,000 Expenses $1,256,000. The Collection Assets have increased by $1.4 million. • Jim assured members that they are covered by Volunteer Insurance and explained the types of insurance the Association carries. • Jim Brown reported on the collection: Royal Hudson – Update. Work is being done to meet Transport Canada requirements e.g. install cab controls for trailing diesel; install event recorder; change out all brake valves. A meeting will be held with Transport Canada to review progress on Feb. 2, Steam-up for testing in mid-March. We have a new feedwater pump from 2850 on 5 yr. lease from Exporail, it is now in Calgary being overhauled as it has not been used in years. It should be in Squamish shortly. We are on schedule for what we have to do. • The ex Waterloo & St. Jacobs trainset is still in Toronto awaiting arrival/attaching of AEI tags to be done next week. We are negotiating the move with CN. Questions from floor – is work needed on equipment?– No it was inspected before agreement signed. WCRA News, Page 4 • Day Out With Thomas 2007 – Jim reported for Craig McDowall and confirmed that Craig has been named the Event Manager. Tickets will go on sale mid February. Members will get a 3-day advance access. Of interest, Calgary (first year) put tickets on sale last weekend and has already sold out 8 trains. Jim Brown is Event Volunteer Coordinator • Mini-Rail – Jeremy Davy gave an update on 374 mini-rail operations at 374. Things went well considering no advertising. Community Centre staff sees value of including Mini Rail at some events. We will be exploring options. Local residents really supportive of our being there and want us back! • Membership – Jeremy Davy reviewed our position. Numbers are staying stable. There are now about 180 individuals with access to the electronic version • Events—Bernie Tully reported on upcoming events WCRA is attending – Mt Pleasant Lions Club Show Feb 11th 10AM to 3PM; Western Rails March 18th 9AM to 4PM; and CRHA Show in Victoria May 19/20. • Tours—Bill Johnston updated 2007 tours program – in place. April 15 Royal Hudson trip to White Rock. He noted that Apr 15 is Sun Run. Will look at having shuttle between Pac Central Stun and RMV Station to permit use of public transit. Only about 100 seats left. Taking bookings at meeting. • New Business - Colin Dathan - Reminded all of AGM Feb 27; - Again asked for volunteer hours for 2006 in time for AGM. Has only about one half of normal so far. - Ron Pajala explained where the Trolleys/Barn have gone from False Creek. • Fund Raising - Eric Anderson donated $62.50 in Canadian Tire money; - Bob Hunter noted they are selling some surplus books at the Archives - Gordon Hall selling 2816 DVD’s @ $20 proceeds to R/H Fund. • Trackside Reports – were presented by Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant. • Calendar of Events - for February was read out. • 50/50 Raffle – was won by Jeremy Davy, who donated back to Royal Hudson • Entertainment – Bob Hunter presented slides of his time on Vancouver Island including E&N, Rail America, SVI and CN. Artfully inserted were numerous David Wilkie Collection pictures taken at the same location years earlier WCRA TRIVIA # 218 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank What was the name of the Railway Association of Canada prior to 1919? (for answer, see Credit Lines) NEW MEMBERS Welcome to new members Eric Anderson of Coquitlam, Patricia Lussier & Alex Ross & family of Brackendale, Bill Henderson of Morrison, CO, and Beryl Preston of Ladysmith. WCRA News, Page 5 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Memberships dated 1/31/2007 have now expired, and if your membership expired 11/30/2006 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, fees are - for an E-Individual membership $35.00, and an E-Family $45.00 (J.D.) Does your mailing label show 11/30/2006 or 12/31/2006 as the last item on the top line? This is your membership expiry date … These 2 months account for almost 25% of the renewals in the year – As I write this in early January there are still 15 memberships that expired in November and 65 that expired in December that have not been renewed. 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 It is with sadness that we report this month on the passing on of another of our members. Alex Miller passed away January 30, 2007. Alex was an active 374 volunteer showing up every Thursday at the 374 Pavilion. He was good friend to many people and organizations and will be sorely missed. At his request a private memorial was held with family and friends. VOLUNTEER HOURS NEEDED It’s year end once again, time for all our volunteers to submit their hours for the year. Please get them to Colin Dathan by phone at 604-298-3734 or by e mail [email protected] Every hour volunteered counts, and a solid tally of hours for the year is of direct assistance in terms of grant applications and community contribution.