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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, —taken November 1981 by Micah Gampe, and donated to the 374 Pavilion by Roundhouse Dental. Visible from left to right are power car Prince George, Steam #1077 Herb Hawkins, #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 . The Roundhouse will become a feature pavilion at , 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 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 requirements e.g. install cab controls for trailing diesel; install event recorder; change out all brake valves. A meeting will be held with 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 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 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 . 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 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 . • Fund Raising - Eric Anderson donated $62.50 in 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 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. (C.D.)

The 25th ANNUAL WESTERN RAILS SHOW—MARCH 18, 2007

Canada’s Largest Railroadiana Show is coming to the Cameron Rec Centre, 9523 Cameron Street in Burnaby (behind Lougheed Mall). Show date is March 18th 0900k to 1600k.

There is something for everyone whether you’re into Collectables, Model Railroads, hardware or Timetables. It doesn’t matter if you’re Buying, Selling, or just looking. For those who can’t decide -take a ride on the Mini Rail while you think about it. Admission: Families $6.00; Adults $3.00; Seniors & Students $2.00; Children under 6 free. WCRA News, Page 6

Mark Sunday March 18th on your Calendar. The show is supported by the West Coast Railway Association. Further information is available on the WCRA website [use link from News Wire].

WESTERN RAILS - Help Wanted. Have some spare time March 17th or 18th???? Three groups of WCRA members at the show can use your help.

Sunday Mar 18th—WCRA Booth – if you can help staff the booth during the Show, contact Bernie Tully at 604.325.0923 or email btully@.net.

Saturday Mar 17th &/or Sunday Mar 18th—West Coast Mini Rail needs help with: • Setup on Saturday Afternoon; • Running the (if qualified) during the show Sunday • Take down on Sunday at 1600k.

The Western Rails Show Committee needs help with: • Setup on Saturday Afternoon; • General Show duties like Admission Ticket Sales, Raffle Ticket Sales and Site Security all day Sunday; and • Take down 1600k to 1800k Sunday.

If you can help out with Western Rails Show duties or Mini Rail, contact Jeremy Davy at 250.890.3233 (from Vancouver Area 604.484.2791) or email [email protected]. (J.D.)

PACIFIC RAILS 2007

Pacific Rails 2007, the annual convention of the Canadian Railway Historical Association (CRHA) and the Canadian Association of Railway Modellers (CARM) is coming to Victoria, BC May 17 to May 21, 2007. The program will feature three days of clinics, railway history, railway preservation and modeling. The group will visit the Duncan Forestry Museum, ride the Alberni Pacific, and visit the historic E & N Roundhouse.

The main convention location will be the University of Victoria and accommodations are available there as well. For more information visit the convention website www.caorm.org or call Ed Warren at 250-752-4857. West Coast Railway Association will have a booth there, which is being organized by Bernie Tully. WCRA Executive Director Don Evans will be a speaker on Sunday, May 21.

This is a great opportunity to meet with other railway heritage groups and railway modelers, as well as an opportunity to visit several of the excellent steam and railway heritage sites on Vancouver Island. Make plans to attend now.

WCRA News, Page 7 374 PAVILION

It is with sadness that we learned that 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 a member of both West Coast Railway Association and the 374 Station Society. He will be sorely missed.

January visitor attendance is recorded at 665. The nasty weather in early January kept people away with attendance increasing as the weather turned better.

Work continues on the data entry of the 25,000 names of people who purchased bricks as a fund raiser many years ago with over 8000 names now entered. The new computer program will identify the location of the bricks within the Roundhouse for the many requests that are received when guests want to locate their brick. Many thanks go to Len Brown who is heading up this project and the 374 volunteers who are assisting.

Negotiations for a new agreement between the WCRA, Vancouver Parks & Recreation and the Roundhouse Community Centre are continuing and remains on track to be completed by the end of March 2007.

A mini train event at the 374 annual anniversary party scheduled for the long weekend in May is being considered. There will be more information on this in the March Newsletter. (J.B.)

COLLECTION MORE ON STEAM CRANES

Further to our item a couple of months ago about our Ohio Steam Crane, Dave Emmington sends along this photo shot by Arlone’s Uncle Cliff Taylor in 1955 at Pacific Coast Terminals in . The loco is now at WCRA News, Page 8

Heritage Park in Calgary. As for the steam crane, Grant Ferguson reports…..Trackside Guide shows the steam crane at as the former Pacific Coast Terminals crane. They indicate that the crane was built by Brownhoist for Pacific Coast Terminals in 1929. They then show it as going to Koppers International as #6 in 1982 and to BC Transportation Museum in 1991. I recall seeing the crane in New Westminster on the dock before it went to Port Alberni and remember that it had a "cranked" boom that was painted blue.

I think what likely happened here was that Koppers bought the PCT crane as a replacement for the #2055 which shows as out of service and conveyed to Valley Towing. I recall that Hall Mackenzie did have a connection to Koppers at the time in the early 1990s. Can't 100% verify this but perhaps Dave Jackson knows more.

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND

ROYAL HUDSON FINAL WORK UNDERWAY

Work is underway in earnest at the WCRA’s Squamish shop as we work to complete the needed items to be ready for the April 15, 2007 trip to White Rock. In the cab are new digital electronics consisting of digital speedometer, digital event recorder, MU controls for trailing diesels, and a rear end brake detector reader unit. Also underway as we go to press is the needed rebuild of the brake valve unit. Transport Canada did an inspection visit at the site on February 2, 2007 and we are working with CN as well on operational specs and details. We plan to get her out testing in March in preparation for her April outing.

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND

We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbessing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood, as well as donors “In Memory of Harold Holtby” $500, Richard Harvey $100, C & S McFayden $2,000, Don Evans $49, Timothy Ryan $40, Graham Stokes $40, and Allan Eckersley $100.

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 $604,028.

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 $630,000 and we expect to need another $50,000 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. WCRA News, Page 9 FUNDRAISING

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – JANUARY 2007

January was a very busy month, but relatively lean on the fundraising side. Much work was done regarding getting the Royal Hudson out for the planned April 15, 2007 trip to White Rock, as well as lots of work in planning for future years with several groups and agencies in Victoria. Getting 2860 out is a mammoth task of detail work and constant leverage, but we are progressing along and confident that we will achieve our goal. But, never underestimate the hurdles to put mainline steam out on the tracks—even if just for a very few trips in 2007.

Funding Asks Made · A new major ask for the Royal Hudson

Major Funding Received · General Donations $600 · Telus donation (for Bill Marchant volunteer hours) $200 · Direct Mail $1,170 · Nita Lake Lodge coach sponsorship $15,000

Month Total $16,970 Year to Date Total $432,168

Other Significant Activities · Preparation for AGM and Board meeting · Work with District of Squamish on flood plain issues for Roundhouse · Work with BNSF and others for White Rock April trip · Meet with BCIT re 2007 possibilities for Squamish · Meetings in Victoria re the Royal Hudson future operations

DEBENTURES STILL AVAILABLE TO HELP US OVER THE FUNDING HUMP

The WCRA’s Board of Directors has approved a new issue of debentures available to members and friends who would like to make an investment in the WCRA. These will also help us over our current funding hump of need and assist us with some of the bills we need to pay. 2006 has been a very exciting year in terms of accomplishment, but also a very expensive one as major projects, such as the 2860, have consumed more than available funding. We really need your help now as we still work to cover the Hudson's bills we encourage you to make an investment. Debentures are available in sizes from a minimum of $500 to the thousands of dollars, and pay 5% per annum on a standard three year term. An investment by our members is a preferred source of funding the projects (outright donations are, of course, always sought and welcome). Your help is really needed right now—and we offer our thanks to those who took advantage of this opportunity since we started this note a month or two ago. WCRA News, Page 10

Debenture details and application forms are easily available, just call Jim Brown at the Hastings office 604-681-4403 or at home 604-985-7249, or Don Evans at 604-988-3435. Either of us would be pleased to provide details and assist in any way we can.

WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

2007 TOURS—ANNOUNCED AND PLANNED

West Coast Rail Tours is pleased to announce our tours for 2007. The following outlines our planned first Royal Hudson trip for 2007, to White Rock on April 15th, as well as other tours set or planned for the year. We also hope for some additional Royal Hudson trips on the former BC Rail line this spring; watch this space or www.wcra.org for firm announcements as we work with our railway partners to get things ready to go. Our tours office is also available to book independent trips. For example we now issue tickets for the White Pass and 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 Canada. Rocky Vacations’ 2007 brochure is now available. We also have the latest 2007 Trafalgar Tours brochures. They include the following destinations and features: & Britain, Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada, River Cruises in Europe, Cost Saver Europe, and for the under 40 crowd, “Breakaway”. 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. The new Vacations brochure is also available. Call soon for your copy on 604-524-1011 or toll free 1-800-722- 1233. (B.J.) Here are our tours for 2007:

MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR - Daily except Saturday - all year

Depart from 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 WCRA News, Page 11

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.

Sunday April 15th WHITE ROCK FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY RAIL EXCURSION

VANCOUVER TO WHITE ROCK – RETURN

Plans are to depart the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Station, Vancouver at 10:00 AM. (on Cottrell Street, off Terminal Ave. behind The Home Depot), and arrive at the White Rock Station Museum at Noon. Enjoy sunny White Rock, partake the 50th Anniversary celebrations and have lunch in one of many fine restaurants or walk the boardwalk. Depart White Rock Station Museum at 3:00 PM and arrive back at the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Station, Vancouver at about 5:00 PM. This is the first planned public trip with the Royal Hudson since 1999— should the Hudson not be able to make the trip for any reason, the train will operate with our vintage diesel F units. Consist will include coaches and open Henry Pickering. FARES: Train both ways $99, Train one way, chartered motorcoach opposite direction $75 Train one way only: $50. Children under 2 years on parent’s lap: Free. Souvenirs and snacks available on board. Limited number of tickets available — so please book as soon as possible

Friday May 4th “Cascades” Train, Seattle Overnight, & the “Spirit of Washington” LUNCHEON TRAINEXPERIENCE — LAST RUN!

Depart Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station, by Amtrak’s “Cascades” 6:00 PM service for Seattle, (checking in before 5:00 PM.) No border hassles on this trip as you clear USA Customs & Immigration before boarding! Enjoy comfortable seating, entertainment, a snack in the Bistro car or “dinner in the diner” before arriving in Seattle at about 10:00 PM. You are transferred to accommodation in a comfortable downtown hotel. Saturday morning is free to shop or sightsee. Depart hotel at 10:50 AM for Renton where you board the “Spirit of Washington” Dinner train for a noon departure. A gourmet lunch is served while the train skirts Lake Washington's scenic eastern shoreline en route to the Woodinville area. On arrival the Columbia Winery offers a tour and tasting before the train departs for its return trip - when coffee and dessert are served. Leave Renton at about 4:00 PM when your chartered motorcoach takes you back to Vancouver. FARE: $269 Cdn including all taxes.

Thursday, June 21st TWO TRAINS & TWO FERRIES COASTAL CIRCLE TOUR Whistler, The Cariboo & Regions, The Discovery Coast and most of Vancouver Island

You are picked up in time to get you to the Whistler Mountaineer boarding platform in North Vancouver. Follow the scenic railway route along Howe Sound, then Squamish and the WCRA News, Page 12 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 Nimpo Lake 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 Bella Coola River 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 Heritage here. On Monday you board M.V. “Queen of ” 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 Burke Channel, Fitz Hugh Sound and Queen Strait. 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 Alaska 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 transfer you to Whitehorse Airport where you may take dinner. There should be time to visit WCRA News, Page 13 the and the famous Beringia Centre near the airport before boarding the evening 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 . 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 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 in the region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning

You leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered coach picking up guests in the then take Highway no. 7 on the scenic north side of the from Mission to downtown Agassiz and the museum housed in the oldest wooden railroad station WCRA News, Page 14 in B.C. You then follow the and stop for lunch at the Hells Gate Air . 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 . 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 and on to 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 , 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 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 Peace River 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 schedule and overnight locations have yet to be confirmed, late August being considered. WCRA News, Page 15

Early Summer from Kamloops to Vancouver and on to Whistler

This special excursion of 4 or 5 days will include entertainment and overnight stops in small communities along the route. Vintage locomotives will be used for all or part of this tour.

CPR “Empress” - Steam Through the Rockies 2007. A steam lover’s delight, our Steam Express tours feature the ’s heritage steam engine, the 2816 “Empress” on itineraries of your choice:

Vancouver – Calgary. Eastbound via Crowsnest, Departing: 2007 : July 8th – 14th (Calgary Stampede) 2008 : July 21st – 27th

Day 1. Vancouver Guests arriving in by air in Vancouver are met and transferred to a central hotel for a one night stay and welcome dinner. D. Day 2. Vancouver – Kamloops - The Canyons Mid morning we depart Vancouver’s Waterfront Station, beneath the original CP Terminal, for Kamloops, some 250 miles away. We follow Burrard Inlet then enter the Lower Fraser River and later Thompson River Canyons before our evening arrival in Kamloops. Transfer to the Executive Inn for dinner and overnight. B.L.D. Day 3. Kamloops – Golden – The Lakes After breakfast join the Spirit of Kamloops Heritage train for a short journey. On returning to Kamloops rejoin our CPR train and continue our journey into the Rockies, pausing at Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans-Continental rail link on the 7th of November, 1885. We have a private visit to the CPR Railway museum in Revelstoke before ending our day at the important junction of Golden, where we have dinner and stay overnight. B,L,D. Day 4. Golden – Fort Steele. - Columbia River Valley From Golden the train diverges from the CPR mail line and takes the former Kootenay Railway line (now CPR's Windermere subdivision), south along the Columbia River Valley towards the US border. In the afternoon pull into Fort Steele where we visit Heritage Town, which has its own steam railway, the stock of which includes 0-4-4T 'Dunrobin' formerly owned by the Duke of Sutherland who used it to haul his private saloon around the Scottish highlands. Overnight in Cranbrook. B,L,D. Day 5. Cranbrook – – - The Rockies In the morning we have a private visit to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel (www. trainsdeluxe.com) before tackling the spectacular line through the Crowsnest pass, where we cross the continental divide. If possible, this line is even more spectacular than the main line through Banff to the north. Overnight in Lethbridge. Not included – Optional visit to the excellent Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO World Heritage Site (Passengers for this excursion leave the train in Cowley and rejoin the group for dinner in Lethbridge). B,L,D. WCRA News, Page 16

Day 6. Lethbridge – Calgary. - The In the morning a photo-shoot will be staged with our train on the spectacular 1 mile long and 314 feet high Lethbridge trestle bridge, the largest in before we wind our way north to Calgary, where we arrive at the CPR Pavilion mid afternoon. The Pavilion is attached to the five-star , where we will transfer for one night. B,L. Day 7. Calgary After breakfast in the hotel’s Rimrock Room our tour ends. Airport transfers arranged for those leaving from Calgary airport today. Those with free time to explore the cowboy town of Calgary can visit the local attractions, including the fascinating Grain Academy, the Calgary Tower, the Stampede Showgrounds and Calgary’s large Heritage Park (www.heritagepark. ca). B.

Westbound via Banff, departing: 2007: July 1st – 7th 2008: June 29th – July 5th, July 14th – 19th (Calgary Stampede) Day 1. Calgary Guests arriving by air are met at Calgary Airport and transferred to the 5* Fairmont Palliser Hotel for a one night stay and welcome dinner. D. Day 2. Calgary–Banff- . The Prairies We depart the CPR Pavillion (which is attached to the Palliser Hotel) in the morning and head through the suburbs of Calgary on our way to Banff, where we stop around lunchtime. This afternoon we are treated to a tour of the outstanding beauty that surrounds us. We also visit the stunning , situated at the head of Lake Louise, facing the 11,250ft Mount Victoria. From here the noise of cracking glaciers can often be heard as huge chunks of ice crash into the lake. We spend two nights in a hotel at Lake Louise B.L. Day 3. Lake Louise. Icefields Parkway Today we take the Icefields Parkway. Considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway offers an ever-changing view of waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. At the boundary of the Banff and Jasper national Parks lies the Columbia Icefield. . One of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, it covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres. And has eight major glaciers including the Athabasca, Dome, and Stutfield Glaciers, all visible from the Icefields Parkway. We will take Brewster's Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier before returning to Lake Louse late afternoon. B,L. Day 4. Lake Louise – Revelstoke The Rockies On leaving Lake Louise we start the steepest part of our climb through the Rockies. On reaching the Continental Divide, we pass from into British Columbia and change to Pacific Time. From here we descend past Lake Wapata into two tunnels down to . We pause at Golden before continuing through in Glacier National Park. We arrive in Revelstoke, where we visit the CP Railway Museum, and stay overnight. B,L,D.

WCRA News, Page 17

Day 5. Revelstoke – Kamloops The Lakes An early run down to Kamloops, passing Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans-Continental rail link on the 7th of November, 1885. We have arranged an excursion with the ‘Spirit of Kamloops’ heritage train and Canadian Northern 2-8-0 number 2141. We return to Kamloops for an overnight stay. B.L.D. Day 6. Kamloops – Vancouver. The Canyons Early morning we depart for Vancouver, some 250 miles away, and travel along the Thompson River then Fraser River canyons. Exiting the lower Fraser River valley we run along Burrard Inlet into Vancouver’s Waterfront Station, beneath the original CP Terminal. We then transfer to a central hotel for a one-night stay and our farewell dinner. B,L,D. Day 7. Vancouver After breakfast in the hotel, free time to explore this vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Transfers to Vancouver airport for guests leaving today by air. WCRT supplies one-way plane fare to / from Calgary.

NEW—RAILTOURS FROM

West Coast Rail Tours is pleased to offer four 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 ’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.

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. This also applies to commissions earned on all travel bookings for making your travel bookings!

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 18

WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

FROM THE AIR

Thanks to Mark Dowling for a couple of great aerial shots of the West Coast Railway Heritage Park complex, taken when he went flying in January 2007.

In the photo above, we see the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in the centre. The Squamish River borders the park on the left (west), and you can clearly see the triangular shape of the Heritage Park’s core 12 acre site. CN’s mainline curves through the upper centre of the photo, then heads south crossing Government Road. The construction area for the Roundhouse and Turntable is clearly visible in the front area of the Heritage Park. Patches of snow still on the ground account for the white highlights.

The former BC Rail Motive Power shop #2 is visible to the bottom right of the photo, with several pieces of the WCRA unrestored collection on the tracks leading to the shop, as well as some of our excursion train equipment. This is the shop where we are doing maintenance work on the Whistler Mountaineer train, motive power shop 1 is behind MP2, out of photo. WCRA News, Page 19

Here’s a little closer view of the West Coast Railway Heritage Park itself. You can see more clearly the turntable pit concrete which has been completed, awaiting weather breaks before we next install the turntable bridge. The massive construction zone on our front entrance also shows visibly; when completed the new Roundhouse and Conference centre will be larger than the existing PGE CarShop building. It will sure be great to get this all done—2008 can’t come fast enough!

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2007— TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets for Day Out With Thomas 2007 at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park are now on sale through www.ticketweb.ca (1-877-222-6608) 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 departure 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 in 2005—$18 per person. WCRA News, Page 20 FEATURE ARTICLES

TRAVEL TALES—PART ONE - by Don Evans

It’s been some time since I wrote of my rail experiences on my travels, so here is the start of a great catch up. Riding the rails is always a highlight that I manage to fit into my trips, be they for business or pleasure. So, come along with me for some highlights from California, Italy, the ARM 2006 Conference, and the UK from the second half of 2006.

SAN JOSE - ROARING CAMP AND BIG TREES

Since my son Chris moved to San Jose, California in May it has become a place to visit more frequently than in the past. And so it was that I set out for my second visit on Friday, September 8th. Air Canada got me to San Francisco airport, and then it was onto the rails to head south to the San Jose area. The route – BART train from the airport to the Cal Train station at Millbrae, where I was able to take CalTrain south to San Jose.

Sunday, September 10th was our rails day, as we headed west to the town of Felton, California – home to the Roaring Camp Railroads. After exploring the lovely grounds, we boarded the first departure of the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad train, bound for Santa Cruz. The train was an eclectic consist of CF7 locomotive #2600 running long hood WCRA News, Page 21 forward, a truss rod wooden combine, two open cars (flat car conversions) and a wooden coach with green plush seats.

We departed on time at 1030 and headed off on a wonderful ride to the coast. The first segment was through towering redwood trees, which I hadn’t expected this far south, travelling through a State Park and following a river canyon. The view from the open cars was spectacular as we made our way downgrade To Santa Cruz. Here there was more fun, as the Union Pacific line runs along the street, dealing with vehicle traffic and crossing streets protected with genuine still operational wigwag signals!

On arrival at the waterfront, the train operates around the wye and backs along the Embarcadero alongside the boardwalk. Here we got off for a one-hour stopover and enjoyed the boardwalk, art deco casino and the beach scenes for which Southern California is famous.

All aboard to the blast of the monotone air horn, and we were off for the one-hour ride back to the “Camp”. The weather was WCRA News, Page 22 pleasant and the locomotive worked upgrade in this direction, making for a fine rail ride experience. We arrived back at Roaring Camp at 1330, time for a short stroll, a look at the vintage cars show in progress, and time to board the narrow gauge steam train for the 1400 departure.

The Roaring Camp & Big Trees narrow gauge train was a real surprise. Motive power was lovely 2 truck Shay locomotive “Dixiana” (built 1912), which arrived with a trainload at 1345 and took on water at the water tank. A huge crowd was awaiting the train – how would they all be accommodated? The answer, add cars and soon #1 headed up a ten car train – all cars open wooden cars except the last car. This required the addition of diesel #40 on the rear – we thought just for pushing, but as it turned out it was also needed for the switchbacks as the tail tracks wouldn’t accommodate the whole train. So, at each switchback, the train was broken in two with the Shay handling the front and the diesel handling the rear – then reassembling the train after the switchbacks were done.

Away we went, Shay #1 going all out as we climbed grades of 8% and curved across towering wooden trestles. The Big Trees were big, all right, and the sights, sounds and experience spectacular. One wonders when this was all originally built – and the answer is that it was built WCRA News, Page 23 as a tourist railroad in the 1970’s and has been hauling great, loads of passengers ever since. Reaching the summit of Bear Mountain, we had a short time to relax, and then we started back downgrade. The extra time at the switchbacks to break and reassemble the train put us off schedule – but who cared. Arrival was around 1615, and the final glory occurred as a boiler blow down was performed just before arriving at the station.

If you have never stopped here, and are travelling in the San Jose / Santa Cruz area, the Roaring Camp Railroads are well worth a visit. Both the standard gauge and narrow gauge operations offer unique and exciting rail action in a very spectacular scenic setting.

VENICE, ITALY—TRAINS AND BOATS, LOTS & LOTS OF BOATS...

September 15, 2006 – We were on our way to Venice – a snap vacation decision, somewhere we had always wanted to go. An early start and a long three segment flight was ahead – Air Canada to Toronto on an A 320, then Air Canada Toronto to Frankfurt on an A 340, and lastly a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Venice. We landed at Venice airport late in the afternoon on September 16th, and caught a cab to our hotel – a Holiday Inn at Q’uarto d’Altino. Why there?, - well it was available on points, looked nice and new, and was directly connected to the Q’uarto d”Altino train station according to the website.

And, it was perfect in every way. The room was new and very nice, with a view of the double track mainline that saw passenger and freight, and local commuter trains to Italian WCRA News, Page 24

Eurostars. The lobby sold train tickets to downtown Venice, just a 4 euro fare and a 30 minute or less ride. The station was out the door, and through a tunnel to the platforms. What more could one ask?

September 17 – Our first trip into Venice. We head to platform 3 for the 0714 train into Venice, and are treated to a show right away as northbound regional train with electric loco 464 253 pulls in with six single level coaches (below).

A good crowd boards and disembarks at the stop, and then it is off on its way. Must be ours next – but wait, the crossing signals clang, the comes from the station to the platform (as he does for every train movement), and a freight train of containers behind electric loco 657 122 roars through. (Page 25) Next up is our train—you get lots of warning as the crossing signals close the road well before the train is even in view in the distance.

We climb aboard the busy train and manage to find seats, and we are off. This is an express, so it quickly gets up to speed (around 70 mph) and makes only one stop on the way. Venice is reached via a long causeway across the harbour that carries both road and rail services, WCRA News, Page 25

surrounded by water in all directions. We arrive Venice Santa Lucia Station on time at 0740 and check out this busy place. There are 12 active tracks and trains of all sorts coming and going constantly. Walking though the station and out the front brings us to Venice’s busiest “street”, the Grand Canal!

What a sight! The waterway is jammed with moving watercraft of every description, including their version of the transit bus – watercraft called Vaporettos. (photo below, Santa Lucia station and Vaporettos). The network of transit routes on these craft is tremendous, and they navigate in and out of stops along the canals with aplomb. Time to climb aboard – we hop onto a #1 – the local Vaporetto bound for Lido, and make our way to San Marco Square. These ships seat around 150 people, and there are literally hundreds of them on about 25 different routes. We purchased a “Venice Card” at WCRA News, Page 26 the airport for 70 euros – this gives us seven days unlimited use of the transport system plus admission to 20 churches and ten museums. A great bargain! The views from the Vaporettos as you navigate the Grand canal are superb (below).

We explore Venice by foot and Vaporetto all day, then take the train back to the hotel exhausted but excited by all we have seen in our first day.

September 18 – a very rainy day! Once again we head into Venice early, this time carrying umbrellas. Little do we know the excitement that awaits us. We hop the Vaporetto #1 back to San Marco square, this time determined to tour the palace (it was too busy yesterday by the time we got there). This time we get in without too much delay when it opens at 1000, and really enjoy the tour of the rooms, the prison and the famous Bridge of Sighs.

The rain continues and falls hard. By the time we come out at 1130 the courtyard is almost underwater. We slog across to the other side and take refuge under a covered walkway, now crowded with people. We notice that raised platforms are being rolled out – we are getting to see Venice flood!

By 1230, the entire piazza is under water, and we navigate on now installed raised WCRA News, Page 27 walkways. It is very crowded and people jostle for position. Many just take off their shoes and wade across on the regular walks. We find signage that explains all this – apparently this is a regular occurrence as Venice slowly slips below the waterline. When it rains, or when there is an exceptionally high tide, the walkways near the canals slip underwater!

We now elect for one of the pedestrian streets a couple of blocks in from the Grand Canal (turns out to be a good decision) and walk back through Venice on wet (but not submerged) walks to the train station area. Everything continues as normal, so we elect a covered canal side patio restaurant and sit down for an early dinner. The rows closest to the water are closed, but other outdoor (undercover) tables are open. We enjoy a great meal to the sound of rain on the roof, and waves from the canal lapping under the floor and causing wave action on the carpet from beneath! This is truly unique!

September 19 – off to Verona. Time for a train ride inland, and we start with the usual regional service into Venice Santa Lucia. Here we buy our tickets to Verona, and board a nice new double deck regional train (below).

The ride is very nice, and in a little under two hours we are in Verona. Verona is a nice town, centred with an intact circular Roman Amphitheatre that still hosts performances. We enjoy the next two days there, staying in a 14th century hotel in the centre of town, and walking the historic place that is home to the balcony made famous by Romeo and Juliet. A business associate of mine links up with us and we have a couple of wonderful local dinners, WCRA News, Page 28 one in town and one in nearby Italian wine country!

September 21 – Back to Venice. We start today with some platform train watching at Verona station (Italian Eurostar above), then enjoy a repeat trip on the double-decker regional train service gets us back to Venice We make good use of the days remaining to walk all areas of the city, visit the Lido and the Island of Murano, famous for its wonderful glass (yes, we bring a piece home with us). It’s hard to describe just how unique and beautiful this place is.

September 24 – Heading home to Vancouver. A long day ahead as we repeat the three flights back to Vancouver, Venice to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Toronto, and Toronto to Vancouver. And, all in one day as we travel with the 9 time zones! We arrive back tired but happy to have made the trip, and to have experienced this great part of the world.

Coming in Part 2 next month…..

• ARM 2006 CONFERENCE, Sacramento November 2006 • SOUTHERN ENGLAND AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT, December 2006 • SAN DIEGO—SURFLINER TO DISNEY AND (ALMOST) BACK, December 2006 WCRA News, Page 29 FROM FEBRUARY / MARCH 1977 WCRA NEWS - by Craig McDowall

MCM note: 1977 was truly the ‘Spring of Steam’ in the west (as many of you will fondly remember) as indicated by the following two major items in our newsletter. Just wanted to give us all a ‘taste of things to come’ !!

Royal Hudson

Royal Hudson #2860 and the museum train consist departed Vancouver March 19th for a three week tour of Washington, Oregon and California to promote tourism for BC and to honour the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

The train left BC Hydro’s Yards in Vancouver at 9:30 AM running via Arbutus Street, West Boulevard and through to New Westminster. A press event was held a couple of days earlier at CPR Station with many political dignitaries in attendance including the Hon. Grace McCarthy. #2860 and its two tenders ran light over the Kitsilano trestle where the tenders were refilled. In preparation for the trip, the Hudson’s booster truck wheels were turned on the new lathe at BCH’s Trapp Road shops. The loco also received seven new stay bolts and new fire bricks installed by Robert Swanson’s “steam team”. 2860 was also repainted and had a ‘Canada’ brass plaque installed beneath the existing ‘British Columbia’ plaque below the headlight (which is still on the locomotive today).

The train was assisted up the to 37th Ave. from King Edward by two BCH pushers: SW 900’s #900 & 903. At New West, a BN pilot crew and Amtrak personnel boarded the train for the run to Seattle. The train stopped at Blaine for water and US Customs and at Everett to entrain dignitaries and arrived in Seattle half an hour late at 16:30 PM.

After an overnight at King Street Station, it departed at 8:50 for the run to using a second BN crew. The train was originally scheduled to use the freight bypass line at Tacoma, but that was changed to allow it to run through the trackage.

The tourism special stopped at Centralia for water. And then the train moved a mile or so down the line to Chehalis where former NP and Inland Paper Co. loco #924 (a 0-6-0 switcher) was steamed up to meet the train. It ran along side 2860 on a parallel track for 1500 feet with much whistling and clanging of bells as it departed.

When the track paralleled Interstate 5 south of Kelso, three cars paced the train in all three lanes of traffic southbound. A subsequent line up of two miles of traffic ensued and didn’t break up until 20 minutes after the train turned away from the interstate !

The train was supposed to be restricted to a 45 mph schedule but the BN crews wanted to WCRA News, Page 30 make up for some lost time at water stops and so it ran at regular passenger speeds in the 65- 75 mph range (MCM note: I can attest to this as it blew past us at a crossing south of Mount Vernon!). And this plan worked as the train then pulled into Portland right on the advertised at 14:30.

Late News Flash !! Apparently a controversy erupted on where Southern Pacific would place their diesel helper departing Portland. SP wanted the helper on the point and the RHT folks insisted it be placed behind the Royal Hudson. ‘Her Majesty’ won.

American Freedom Train

SP Daylight loco #4449 will return to Portland after completing its US Bicentennial Tour in 1976 and being stored over the winter in Birmingham Alabama. The loco will depart April 13th under the auspices of Amtrak which will operate a special day coach train that the public may ride between stops en route for the entire trip. Overnight accommodation is the responsibility of the traveler. The route will run via Jackson , New Orleans, Houston, El Paso, Tucson, Los Angeles, Oakland, Dunsmuir, Eugene and Portland. Fares between various towns on the West Coast section of the trip range from $6 (Oakland to Martinez) to $129 (LA to Portland). The schedule is set up to meet with various regular Amtrak schedules for return trips to point of departure. Bus service from Portland to Seattle on 4449’s Sunday arrival in Portland will allow Vancouverites to return to Vancouver via Seattle’s departure of the Pacific International.

RAILWAY NEWS

SIGHTINGS

Noted at Thornton Yard, Jan. 11 LLPX #2267 (Locomotive Leasing Partners) in blue and white scheme; Jan. 14 NREX #5467 which is an ex SD50; Jan. 14 BNSF #7787—a brand new GE ES44DC; Jan. 24 Illinois Central #6260. (R.C.)

CONTAINER RECORD

CN’s Vancouver Intermodal Terminal is believed to have set a one day record on February 8th when 293 containers were loaded for trains #112 and #106. Both trains were released for on time departures. (J.M.) WCRA News, Page 31

CANADIAN PACIFIC’S “NEW” FP9A’s

Here is the lineage of Canadian Pacific's two “new” FP9A units acquired from the Ohio Central Railroad, which will be used on the …

CP #4106 - ex OHCR 6307 - exx VIA 6307 - exxx - CN 6515- nee VIA 6515 CP #4107 - ex OHCR 6313 - exx VIA 6313 - exxx - CN 6526 -nee VIA 6526 (J.D.)

RDC DONATED

CPR rail diesel car number 91, ex - RDC2 #9108, long stored at Alyth Yard, has apparently been donated to the in . (J.D.)

CANADIAN HOLIDAY TRAIN CONSIST 2006

CP 9714 - AC4400CW Locomotive CP 220031 - 220 series box car CP 220332 - 220 series box car CP 220037 - 220 series box car CP 220476 - 220 series box car CP 507163 - Flat Car with Genset (CPPU 900057) CP 220225 - 220 series box car CP 401753 - Box Car (re-configured as a STAGE for entertainment) CP 220451 - 220 series box car CP 96 - Auxiliary Power Unit CP 102 Business Car - Smokey Smith CP 79 Business Car - N.R. Crump CP 73 Business Car - Mt. Royal CP 82 Business Car - Strathcona

Brian D. Switzer posted a video of the CP US Holiday Train to Youtube. It’s a daylight shot taken 06/12/06 at Kay Drage Park in Hamilton, Ontario when the train was leaving Hamilton for Cambridge. You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B-atDpNbe4 (J.D.)

CANADIAN PACIFIC BECOMES AN OLYMPIC SPONSOR

January 25, 2007, Calgary, Alberta

Canadian Pacific (CP) and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and WCRA News, Page 32

Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today Canadian Pacific as the Official Rail Freight Services Provider. Canadian Pacific Railway has been moving Canada's commerce over the past 126 years and is now positioned to help bring the 2010 Winter Games to all .

"Canadian Pacific has a historic connection with Vancouver that includes the naming of the city and an Olympic history that dates back to the 1924 Winter Games in France", said Canadian Pacific's President and CEO Fred Green. "This is the right fit for Canadian Pacific and our employees as we continue our strong support for local amateur sports and national teams in communities across the country."

The six-year partnership designates CP as an Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games, including sponsorship rights for the Canadian teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

"The railway has played a fundamental role in building this country by connecting Canadians from coast to coast," said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. "Canadian Pacific's long- standing commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic movement is once again being demonstrated through this partnership as we work together to bring the spirit of the Games to all Canadians from now through 2010."

Canadian Pacific's commitment provides for cash and in-kind logistics, freight rail service and truck service as well as support of special community events across the country. The community events are being developed and will be announced in the coming months.

VIA 6400 UPGRADE

The major upgrade to VIA F40PH-2 #6400 is complete, Rebuilt VIA F40PH-2 6400 arrived in on the rear of #35 on January 14th. VIA then used the same equipment for #49 without 6400 which remained at . VIA will under go testing of the unit on the Alexandria sub before being released to roam the system. Word is that VIA will be testing it with 6 or 7 cars to see how it handles wheel slip and to test its acceleration. Not sure if they will be run as a scheduled trains or extra moves. (J.D.)

Photo of VIA 6400 is available at http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g199/viahogger/CIMG2836.jpg WCRA News, Page 33 OTHER NEWS

BNSF SIGHTINGS

On January 11 #4655 was at New Westminster, on January 16th FURX #3017 was southbound in a consist, on January 29 CSX #7861 was northbound and on January 30, Railink #1700 was at New Westminster. (R.C.)

SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON DINNER TRAIN TO CLOSE JULY 31

The popular Spirit of Washington Dinner Train will make its last run on July 31, 2007. The train has operated for more than 15 years out of Renton, WA along the BNSF’s former Pacific Coast Railroad to the Columbia Winery in Woodinville. But a major rebuild of Interstate 405 will cut the line in half and neither the State nor the railway want to spend the money to construct a new line over the freeway.

Efforts have been underway to find a new route for the train, but have not been successful so the owner is now resigned to the fact that the train will end.

Since its inception, the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train has served more than 1.4 million customers, brought more than 600,000 visitors to the State, and generated $140 million to the local economies. WCRA will run its last tour to ride the train on Friday, May 4th—call WCR Tours now to reserve your spot. (D.Sh., TOL)

UNION PACIFIC TO IMPLEMENT NEW CBTC SYSTEM

Union Pacific Corp. says it plans to implement an up to $1 billion technological system that will revolutionize the way it operates its locomotives, and has chosen a route that runs between Spokane and Cranbrook, British Columbia, as one of two testing sites for that cutting edge technology. The big Omaha, Neb.-based railway company will spend about $20 million to implement and test the system, called communication-based train control (CBTC), on the 140-mile route between here and Cranbrook, called the Spokane Sub, and a 193-mile route, called the South Morrill Sub, which runs through parts of and .

Jeff Young, Union Pacific's assistant vice president of transportation systems, says the tests on both routes are expected to launch by August and take about two years to complete. For the Spokane Sub test, Union Pacific will train 55 employees and equip 15 locomotives with the CBTC system, while Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Pacific Railway, which interchanges with Union Pacific along the track at Eastport, , will install the CBTC on 15 of its locomotives. WCRA News, Page 34

Union Pacific plans to apply by early 2009 to the Federal Railroad Administration for approval to operate the system company wide, and expects that implementing the system will take about five years to complete and will cost between $600 million and $1 billion, says Young, who was in Spokane last week.

The CBTC software, which is being developed by Union Pacific; Watertown, N.Y.-based New York Air Brake Corp.; and Wabtec Railway Electronic, a subsidiary of Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp., will change the way Union Pacific operates its locomotives after more than a century of using older technology. Under the new system, an on-board computer will be placed in the cab of a locomotive. That computer, using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and other technologies, will display and update constantly on a monitor a train's weight, geographical location, velocity, mileage, and details about the surrounding topology, or elevation gains and losses. It also will collect information sent from wireless radio devices installed on each wayside traffic signal or switch that calculate and transmit to the engineer the stopping distance between the train and those devices, Young says. Currently, the only information that's displayed on board is the train's speed.

The computer sends the information via wireless radio through the system to a dispatcher at the company's headquarters in Omaha, who then sends a command to the train's engineer to proceed, increase speed, slow, stop, or move to another track or siding, he says. The system then monitors the engineer's compliance, and if the engineer doesn't follow instructions in time, the system automatically takes the required action. Likewise, an engineer can override the system if it fails, he says.

There are two collision-avoidance systems under which Union Pacific locomotives currently operate. In areas called dark territories, where track doesn't have wayside signals to direct traffic, an engineer relies on verbal or written communication from a dispatcher, who has been communicating with other engineers on the track, to know when to stop the train or pull onto another track or siding, Young says. The Spokane Sub is an example of such a territory. The system also has a significant fuel savings potential, UP says. (J.M. / Spokane Journal)

BC FOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE SEEKS STEAM ENGINEER

The British Columbia Forest Discovery Centre at Duncan, BC is seeking a steam locomotive engineer for its 2007 season. The job description and application information are at their web site: http://www.bcforestmuseum.com/centre_jobs.htm

If you are interested and qualified and can help them out, here is a grand opportunity to operate steam for the season of 2007 at their great operation in Duncan, running trains on their narrow gauge railway. WCRA News, Page 35 THOMAS RETURNS IN JUNE!

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 3

Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon

Contributors:

J.B. Jim Brown R.C. Ryan Cruickshank C.D. Colin Dathan J.D. Jeremy Davy B.J. Bill Johnston J.M. Jim McPherson D.Sh. David Shore

TOL Trains On Line

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

Answer misplaced by your editor, check next month.