WCRA NEWS

MAY 2006 WCRA CELEBRATES

45 YEARS!

WCRA News, Page 2

GENERAL MEETING NOTICE

The April General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station, Confederation Park in Burnaby.

Entertainment will be the Last Runs on DVD by Hugh Fraser.

ON THE COVER

Inside the boiler of the Royal Hudson, shiny new flues and tubes glow in the light! This photo, taken by Don Evans on March 29, 2006, shows Doyle McCormack, Bob Florence and Trevor Mills as they insert the copper sleeves and roll the new tubes to a perfect fit. The exciting news is that by the time you receive this newsletter, all the tubes and flues should be installed and, perhaps, even hydro tested. The work is progressing too fast for this slow medium—but watch www.wcra.org for details as the work progresses.

MAY CALENDAR

• West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1700k • Monday, May 1—Special salute to the inaugural run of the Whistler Mountaineer, trackside, West Coast Railways Heritage Park, 1000 hours (see page 19) • Thursday, May 4—Deadline for items for the June 2006 WCRA News • Sunday, May 14—Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Heritage Park—cake at noon. • Tuesday, May 16—Tours Committee meets, contact Bernie at 604-325-0923 • Sunday, May 21—Annual Celebration of the arrival of CPR 374 at Vancouver, 374 Pavilion at the Roundhouse in Yaletown, 1200—1400 hours • Tuesday, April 25—WCRA General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek Station

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. New! E Members (electronic newsletter) are $35 individual and $45 family. Other membership categories are: - Junior Member (age 16 and under ) $ 25 - Sustaining Member $100 (tax receipt) plus membership type regular fee - Life Member (one time fee) $700 individual life / $1,200 family life All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Heritage Park admission, mini rail rides and discounts on food and merchandise. The Association holds a monthly meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at 1930 hours in Burnaby at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park. Apply through www.wcra.org or mail to WCRA, PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2. WCRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL

45 YEARS AND COUNTING

The month of May heralds yet another milestone for the West Coast Railway Association, as we celebrate our 45th anniversary. And while 45 years may not be as significant as some in numbers, for example we look forward to our 50th in 2011 which will be a huge splash, 2006 may well prove to be our most exciting year ever.

Headlining the accomplishments planned for this year, the completion and steaming of the Royal Hudson #2860. As we write this newsletter (well ahead of distribution due travel schedules, I’m afraid) we are moving forward at full steam towards completion of the reassembly of the boiler. At the moment, in the early stages of tube and flue installation, we are projecting completion of this work by the end of March and a hydrostatic test of the new installation by mid April. All going well, we may well be ready to announce the first steaming of this classic locomotive for a date in May, 2006!

It’s hard to say exactly where the work will be when you receive this issue of WCRA News— we encourage you to watch www.wcra.org or make sure you are on our electronic distribution list (e mail executivedirector@wcra.,org ) as the work and event scheduling will be quite dynamic.

We welcome back passenger rail to the former BC Rail line and the Sea to Sky corridor as the Whistler Mountaineer takes to the rails, with a new daily service between North Vancouver and Whistler. We are also pleased to be a part of the new operation, with the provision of our heritage open observation car Henry Pickering, which will be part of the train consist. A WCRA Salute to the new train is planned for Squamish on the morning of May 1, to greet the newcomer to the rails that go right by the WCRA’s MP shops and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. We wish our friends at Vacations the best of success with their new services that start May 1 and May 2.

We need to recognize our volunteers and staff at this juncture of the WCRA. 45 years is quite an accomplishment—but think back even just ten years and where we were with one full time staff and a fledgling seasonal attraction. Thanks to all of you for getting us to 2006!

Meanwhile, after a month at home with much catch up time, your editor is off and traveling again in April. The next two months have me scheduled in Shanghai, China for two weeks, then short trips to Kamloops and Denver, and in May to Florida and Toronto. So, we should well have some travels to report on in the next few issues, and some new railway experiences behind us. Don WCRA News, Page 4 ASSOCIATION NEWS

FROM THE MARCH GENERAL MEETING

40 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • The meeting opened with a moment’s silence in honour of member Tony Fedyna who passed away recently • Don Evans provided a number of updates, including the Executive Director’s report, noting several new grant submissions and asks made during March. He also reported on the Heritage Park, noting the success of the first week of Speeder rides and other current improvements and activities. The start of work on the turntable construction is imminent now that the District of Squamish has given the go ahead for this part of the project. • Don reported also re the collection, noting the RDC-1 BC 21 has now been returned to service. Next up for the Budds will be the repainting to PGE, although some funds will be needed before this progresses. • Jeremy Davy reported on mini rail, noting that improvements in the trackage at the Heritage Park have been made. It was also noted that Canada Place has requested mini rail for Canada Day this year, plans are being made and the times will be 1000—1900 on July 1, 2006. Plans are also being made for both mini rail and speeders at CN Family Days in September. • Bernie Tully reported on Western Rails, noting that WCRA was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for their work and display on the Royal Hudson. Bernie thanked those who helped, Ryan Cruickshank, Lisa Flatla, Jim Saunders, Bill Marchant, Bernie Tully and Lee Holtby (who sold some of her late husband Harold’s memorabilia to benefit the Royal Hudson). We all thank Jeremy for a great organizing job of this event. • Bill Johnston gave a tours update, noting good sales on the Spirit of Washington and White Pass tours (both sold out) as well as the West Coast Vancouver Island and Fall Steam / Okanagan trips. Changes have been made to some other itineraries—see Tours Section of this issue, page 11. • Bob Hunter reported on the work in the archives being done by he and Bill Marchant, as they sort and organize the David Wilkie Collection. He also offered the DVD Last Runs on Vancouver Island for sale to members. • Colin Dathan noted that the latest edition of the Heritage Park’s Inside Track newsletter was available. • Howie Biehl showed the recent Canadian Rail magazine, which headlines an article on CPR’s Royal Hudsons and WCRA’s #2860. He had several copies available which he offered for a $20 donation, which Howie matched personally. • Bill Marchant gave his Trackside Report • Guests and Visitors were welcomed • The raffle was held • Entertainment was a great slide show by Bill Johnston of his years doing civil work on the CN during the late 1950’s and 1960’s. WCRA News, Page 5 WCRA TRIVIA # 208 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank

During October 3-4, 1873 the converted track gauge of its line between Stratford and Montreal from 5’ 6” to standard gauge 4’ 8 1/2” in 24 hours with only a 16 hour interruption to the mainline service. How many miles of track were changed over? (for answer, see Credit Lines) YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RAILFAN WHEN……. ………..you say you’re going for a drink with the guys, when really you’re going to your favorite railfanning spot.

NEW MEMBERS

The WCRA welcomes new members Don Behmer & family of Squamish, George Bergson of Penticton, Daniel Campbell & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Hugh Collett & family of Squamish, Jeff Corness & family of Vancouver, Jack Fieldhouse & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Mardi Maynard & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Tracy Pascuzzi & family of Squamish, David Price & family of Squamish, Brian Rode & family of Whistler, Ross Sherlock & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Nelson Winterburn & family of Garibaldi Highlands, David Sochowski of Vancouver, and Janna Woodard & family of Squamish.

We welcome back David Cox & family of Squamish, Mike and Marg Cleaver of Maple Ridge, Pat and Roz Gilbert of Squamish, Jeff Heikoop & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Elisa Ogura & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Bruno Orlandi & family of Port Coquitlam, and Heather Parker & family of Squamish. (J.D.)

MEMBER NEWS

Congratulations to Director Grant Ferguson ( and Marilyn) on the birth of their Granddaughter Danika on January 19, 2006.

It is with sadness that we report the passing on of Life Member Tony Fedyna, on March 25, 2006 in the Abbotsford Hospital. Tony was a regular helper with our Mini Rail activities and often came in from Abbotsford by bus in order to participate. He will be missed by us all.

Sad news also comes from Squamish with word that Ray Peters, Squamish Councillor and long time WCRA supporter, passed away on March 29th.

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Memberships dated 3/31/2006 have now expired, and if your membership expired January 31, 2006 this will be your last issue. Please check the label on your newsletter and renew today. Remember that renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter Option. Those fees are - for an E-Individual membership $35.00, and an E-Family $45.00 (J.D.) WCRA News, Page 6 A MEMBER WRITES FROM SCOTLAND

Greetings from Elgin in Scotland's North East:

I am interested as to what lies ahead in planning for the great beast #2860 returning to run on the main line. Are there plans to so do and what are they prey tell ?? I am probably one of the few who has been on the 'Hudson footplate from North Vancouver to the Squamish Y and return with engineer Mr Black I think his name was, through a chance chat at North Van Station one fine day prior to the departure of the great beast for Howe Sound, I getting the experience some time after that. You will no doubt deduce from that , I have an extra interest in this particular steam loco, it passing by my tree-top abode in West Van on hundreds of occasions through the years.

As an aside, you may be interested to know that I own a 107 ton Class 31 Diesel Electric locomotive based in Scotland on the Preserved Strathspey Railway, in the Scottish Highlands, the Loco based at Boat of Garten, the mid station on this preserved Scottish railway between Aviemore and Broomhill, some 10 + miles long. My loco is responsible for hauling the luxury train, The Royal Scotsman, from the main Highland line, Perth to Inverness at Aviemore on to Boat of Garten then Boat back to Aviemore the next morning, once or twice per week during the 'Trains season from May 'till the end of October. You can look in on the STRATHSPEY RAILWAY web site by simply entering these words.

Perhaps you would like to know of this little bit about a West Coast Railway Association member abroad, and his continued interest in preserving a working BR Class locomotive --- Original number ex Brush Works - 5862 - BR No 31327. This locomotive is the last of her Class ever built, out of 263 off the Brush assembly line between 1957 and 1962. Unbeknownst to me at the time of being the successful bidder, the loco is now known in the UK preservation world as a 'Celebrity locomotive'. The first of this Class resides in the National Railway Museum at York. Am unaware at this moment if 5000 is in main line running order. I will send on an e-mail photo of 31327 at some time in the future.

Always nice to hear of the tremendous progress up at Squamish, and now especially that the old PGE Works has been leased, that will no doubt create more interest in that extra volunteers will come on board to help rebuild, preserve and hopefully run the rolling stock on a stretch of private line that the WCRA will advance for build in future years.

George P Littlejohn. ELGIN , Scotland.

ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF 374’S ARRIVAL IN VANCOUVER MAY 21

The 119th annual celebration of the arrival of CPR locomotive #374 with the first passenger train into Vancouver will be held Sunday, May 21 at the 374 Pavilion at the Roundhouse, in Yaletown. Around 1000 the historic locomotive will be pulled out of the Pavilion onto the WCRA News, Page 7 plaza, and at 1200 the official ceremonies start. There will be speeches of commemoration, entertainment, and cake / coffee for all. Come out for a wonderful and historic Sunday afternoon. (M.C., B.T.))

BCIT RAILFAN ENGINEER’S WEB LINK

Want more information on the BCIT Railfan Engineer’s program—now there is a website link, check out www.bcit.ca/study/courses/rail0103 - more information awaits you there.

THANKS

• To ABBARCH Partnership Architects for the donation of surplus furniture to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, including a boardroom table, file cabinets, a steel cabinet and track lighting which will be of great assistance in equipping our facilities in Squamish.

COLLECTION

HENRY PICKERING PREPARED FOR WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER SERVICE

As we go to press, work is underway on the WCRA’s open observation car WCXX 598 Henry Pickering, to prepare it for service on the new daily train, the Whistler Mountaineer. The car is expected to join the consist of the new train mid April, in time for the planned crew familiarization trip, and then operate daily with the train from May 1 through October 15, 2006. It will be located mid train, with access to passengers in both Coast Classic and Glacier Dome classes of service.

In preparation for the service, our painter Chuck May is giving the car a thorough polish on the exterior so that she gleams like new. The paint had begun chalking, however the polishing and buffing process will set things anew for the 2006 season. Plans will then be to repaint the car and clear coat it over the next winter for its long term appearance and preservation.

Another modification is being made in the open sections of the car—the heritage walkover wood seats have been removed and are being replaced with clear open area and stanchions. This allows better access for photographers to the car railings and is deemed more appropriate for the short 3 hour trip each way. Also inside, new permanent plaques carrying the story of Henry Pickering (the name the car carries) will be installed.

Transport Canada has signed off on the car for this service, so once this work is done and we complete the regulatory inspections she will be set to go. The prep work will have cost around $5,000 and we are pleased to let you know that the car’s sponsors, Margaret Hope and Carl Vanderspek, have donated funds to cover these costs. Thanks Carl and Marg. WCRA News, Page 8

WILKIE COLLECTION WORK TO YIELD A GREAT SLIDE NIGHT

Watch for a General Meeting entertainment slide night featuring slides from the David Wilkie Collection. Bill Marchant and Bob Hunter have started sorting work on this fabulous collection and are putting together a show with treasure such as CNR steam (#2141) on Vancouver Island, GN in the Midway area, Royal Hudson 2860 in the snow and more!

RDC-1 BC 21 OPERATING!

Good news as the BC-21 repairs are nearing completion on time and under budget. As of March 24, all burnt wiring, piping components etc. that were damaged in the fuel fire have been replaced. The APU and one engine have been started; the second engine being freed (it was water logged but not damaged) and will be started soon. It appears that only minimal other minor parts will be required for full service. By March 27, all was ready.

On March 29th a two car operational test and demo was operated (photo below, Don Evans). Now that BC 21 is fully operational, BC 33 will go into the shop to have the one seized engine changed out and we will have our RDC-3 / RDC_1 set ready to go mechanically. The final touch will be to repaint both cars into the Pacific Great Eastern orange and green paint scheme. RDC-3 BC 33 will be lettered Pacific Great Eastern BC 33 as delivered in 1956, RDC-1 BC 21 will be painted to match, but lettered West Coast Railway BC 21 as she was a 1962 built Reading Railroad car. (S.B.)

WCRA News, Page 9 NORTHERN SUMMIT CORRECTION

A correction to the Northern Summit history in our last issue is that the car did not operate with the Royal Hudson to Los Angeles due its friction bearings—instead the former Spokane Portland & Seattle car Mt. Hood made that trip. Ed Immell was the Trainmaster.

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND

ROYAL HUDSON PROJECT PROGRESS

The project to repair the Royal Hudson #2860 is on track as we go to press here at the end of March. By the time you read this article, several of the milestones noted here will have passed—hope fully you keep up to date by watching the progress at www.wcra.org

Singh Biln provides the following report and work plan: • All but 9 small tubes that require swaging are installed (photo below taken March 20 by Trevor Mills shows the first of the new flues in place in the boiler) WCRA News, Page 10

- All 171 large tubes were cut and installed week of March 20 - Doyle here week of March 27 to help with rolling and beading (cover photo) - Seal weld of tubes, complete staybolts and installation of arch tubes week of April 3 - Hydro test week of April 10; install firebricks by end of week April 17 - Super-heater, cab and electrical installation week of April 24th - Piping, pumps and fitting installed week of May 1; First fire up - Install insulation and jacket week May 8 - Test runs and official steam up event week May 22

Watch the electronic distribution, www.wcra.org and keep your ears tuned for the announcement of the Grand Steam Up date for the locomotive, at this point being planned for May 2006. You will want to be there to see the Royal Hudson steam up to the Mac Norris Station for the first time! (S.B.)

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND

We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbessing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood, as well as donors Deforest Bullock $17, James Van Doren $200, Art Hamilton $25, William Davies $80, G.S. MacFarlane $50, Jeff Veniot $25, In memory of Harold Holtby $360, Kiwanis via Marg Hope Speaker’s Gift $200, Don Patrick $100, Howie Biehl $500 through sale of Canadian Rail magazines donated by Peter Murphy and Nini & Dave Durward $500 bringing our total to $125,321 raised to date. Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org .

Add in the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant and the Province of BC $100,000 TFA grant, Westran’s $50,000 and our total now leaps forward to $385,321.

FUNDRAISING

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – MARCH 2006

March has been a busy month for fundraising with a number of new grant applications and asks made, hopefully to yield some results in the fairly near future.

Funding Asks Made

• Ask made for sponsorship of PGE Car 710 • Completed and submitted Heritage Legacy Fund grant request for turntable conservation • Completed and submitted Gaming Direct Access grant request • Several asks for Royal Hudson final “over the top” funding made of both individuals and foundations WCRA News, Page 11 Major Funding Received • New Debentures $30,000 • Hudson donations $3,003 • General Donation – newsletter $100 • Henry Pickering donation $5,000 • $10,000 donation – MP Shops

Month Total $48,104 Year to Date Total $ $295,831

Other Significant Activities • Meetings with CN’s GM Kirk Carroll and toured Heritage Park / MP 1 with him • Meeting in Squamish with Pridham Group (developers) • Squamish Community Evening at Heritage Park • Squamish as a Learning Community meeting

ANNUAL AUCTION SET FOR MAY 12

Mark the date of Friday, May 12 on your calendars. That’s the date for the annual West Coast Railway Association / Rotary Club of Vancouver auction. The format will be familiar as we work to raise funds for both organizations, but the location will change. This year it will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver.

The event will open at 6:00 PM, and will feature a wonderful gourmet dinner with wine, silent and live auctions, and lots of fun for all. Tickets are just $50 per person / $100 per couple, and we hope you bring friends and guests with you to make it a great night out. Some new and great auction items this year for the railfan as well.

Get started on planning your tables as well as any auction items for the event.

WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

2006 TOURS UNDERWAY

Our Tours Committee now has its program of tours for 2006 underway. The new Whistler Mountaineer services to Whistler are incorporated into our program and we will continue with the popular White Pass & package as well. Members are reminded that we have new 2006 brochures now available, including Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, , Trafalgar Tours to Hawaii, across North America and to Australia / New Zealand as well as major cruise lines. There have been some changes to itineraries that are noted this issue, so have a scan and see where you might like to travel with us this year. Plan now to get aboard this year for some great rail travel. (B.J.) WCRA News, Page 12

MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR (RVI) Daily except Saturday - throughout the 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 station at 7:40 AM. Board the train for an 8:15 am departure to Qualicum Beach where it arrives at about noon. Enjoy this quaint town with its interesting beaches and restaurants. After lunch (on your own) we ask you to board the train at 2:30 pm and get off at Nanaimo at 3:45 pm. A waiting 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. Arrive at Pacific Central Station at 7:15 pm.

$224; Children 2-11 $186; BC Seniors (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) $186. (Otherwise $224) Single supplement $71

Vancouver Island Rail & Sail By E&N Rail, coach and Ferry…..

Note—due the accident with the Queen of the North this tour is under review and subject to changes at BC Ferries. This is our popular itinerary featuring the repositioning of the North Coast Ferry at the end of its “Inside Passage” season. (Tour VRS-2)

Day 1 - Friday, September 29th From Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, we go to Victoria before noon and spend the evening in a comfortable hotel. Includes “welcome dinner” in a good restaurant. D Day 2 - Saturday, September 30th After breakfast we leave by transfer bus at 7:45 AM for the VIA Rail Station and board the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway’s “Malahat Dayliner”. Arrival in Courtenay is at 12:50 PM. Brief stops will be made at Sayward, and at Woss Camp to see the logging railway there. We arrive in Port Hardy at about 6:00 PM and stay in the Port Hardy Inn. B, L Day 3 - Sunday, October 1st We depart our hotel early for the ferry, which sails at 7:30 AM from nearby Bear Cove. Arrival in Tsawwassen is scheduled for 8:30 PM with arrival back into Vancouver about 9:30 PM. We transfer you to locations as close to your home as possible.

FARE: Per person sharing: $495; BC Seniors only $475; Single Supplement: $125

Part of a group? Let us quote special pricing for groups of 15 or more and enjoy a mini- cruise with your friends at a very affordable price. We also offer customized itineraries to other destinations, so give us your thoughts and let us organize it for you.

WCRA News, Page 13

Whitehorse, Yukon and the White Pass & Yukon Route Steam Spectacular! (Note, Sold Out—Wait List being accepted)

Visit Canada’s Yukon and “The Scenic Railway of the World”, one of the world‘s most notable civil engineering feats. (Tour WPS-3)

Day 1 - Thursday, June 22 Our group departs Vancouver by Air North at 11:30 AM for Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, on this, the longest day of the year. Flying time is 2-1/2 hours. Upon arrival we are transferred to a downtown hotel for the afternoon and evening. There is much to see and do in this northern capital of 23,000 people. L

Day 2 - Friday, June 23 You have the morning free in Whitehorse to visit the many local museums and historical sites. We then leave by motorcoach from the old WP&YR depot for Fraser, BC. Departure is at 1:30 PM (Yukon Time). At Fraser, we board the diesel-hauled passenger service through the White Pass and down to Skagway, Alaska arriving at about 4:30 PM (Alaska time). Our hotel is a short walk from the station. B

Day 3 – Saturday, June 24 We leave the WP&YR depot at 8:00 AM behind #73 and spend the day soaking up spectacular mountain railroading. Run-bys and other treats for rail-fans are performed. Return to Skagway is scheduled for about 5:00 PM. This 80 mile round trip includes a 2-hour layover in Bennett, BC, the end of the Chilkoot Trail, where you can participate in a walking tour with a Parks Canada Historian, explore the area’s artifacts and tour the displays in the historic 1903 train station. B, L

Day 4 – Sunday, June 25 We leave Skagway at 8:45 AM by motorcoach and climb up from the coast via the South Klondike Highway – a different route up to the White Pass. Our coach drops us in Whitehorse where we have a couple of hours of free time before going to the airport at 2:30 PM for a 3:30 PM Air Canada flight to Vancouver. We also arrange connections to all Canadian cities served by Air Canada, Air North or WestJet Airlines. All times shown are local; Pacific & Yukon times are one hour later than Alaska time. Passengers are reminded that they should have correct citizenship documentation and sufficient medical insurance to cover any emergency when traveling in the U.S.A. This tour also runs weekly (Thursdays) from June 1st until August 24th as an independent, non-escorted tour.

FARE: Per person sharing, $1295. Single Supplement $215. (subject to availability of discounted airfares). WCRA News, Page 14

Vancouver Island, Discovery Coast, Chilcotin, Cariboo & Whistler Circle Tour by Discovery Coast Ferry, Motorcoach and 2 Trains

This is a new itinerary using some familiar services combined with a new passenger rail experience from Whistler to Vancouver. Tour DCW-R

Meals included in the package are shown thus: B = breakfast, CB = continental breakfast, L = lunch, S = morning or afternoon snack or tea, D = dinner (All other meals are on your own)

Day 1 - Wednesday, July 5th After pickups in the Vancouver area we make our way in our chartered coach to Vancouver Island via the 8:30 AM sailing at Horseshoe Bay for Nanaimo. We go to the VIA Rail station and board the E&N Dayliner for Courtenay. Lunch is supplied on the train. After leaving Courtenay our motorcoach takes us to a new hotel in Port McNeill for the night. Frequent stops for sightseeing are made along the way. A “welcome dinner” is supplied tonight. L, D If interested in leaving a day earlier for Victoria we can arrange a hotel for you, and transfers to the VIA Rail station to ride the E&N Dayliner north to meet our group in Nanaimo. See note re “Option “V” below.

Day 2 - Thursday, July 6th After an early breakfast we board our motorcoach for Bear Cove where we embark on the “Queen of Chilliwack” Discovery Coast ferry. For the next 13 hours we wind our way through Queen Charlotte Strait, Fitz Hugh Sound, and Burke Channel. Whales and other sea life are sometimes spotted. Arrival at Bella Coola is before 10:30 PM. We go to nearby Hagensborg for two nights. CB

Day 3 - Friday, July 7th The day is spent soaking up the area’s history and First Nations culture, predominant in the area - as well as the outstanding natural beauty of the region – interpreted by a local guide. B, L, D

Day 4 - Saturday, July 8th We traverse the wild Chilcotin region after a climb up the infamous “Big Hill” that takes us from the coastal rain forest over the rugged Coastal Mountains. We spend the night in Williams Lake. B, L, S

Day 5 - Sunday, July 9th Today we travel through the south Cariboo region, Lillooet and over the incredible Duffy Lake Road to the mountain village of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. B, L WCRA News, Page 15 Day 6 - Monday, July 10th We have a chance to sleep in an enjoy this beautiful mountain village. After lunch we get a coach transfer to the “Whistler Mountaineer” train service for our return to the coast via Howe Sound and Squamish. Tea and a snack are served at your seat. We leave the train in North Vancouver and are transferred to downtown Vancouver ending the tour. Home drop-off included. B, S

FARE: Per person sharing: $1292; BC Seniors only, $1252; Single Supplement: $438. GST extra. OPTION “V”. Go to Victoria on Tuesday July 4th and take the E&N Malahat Dayliner the next morning. We meet you on the train in Nanaimo on Wednesday to continue the tour. Add $168

Two Steam Trains, Fish and Wine We offer two versions and two dates for these popular trips riding behind steam locomotives in the Okanagan region (Tour OKS-6)

Day 1 - Friday, September 15th We leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered coach picking up in the Fraser Valley then take Highway 7 on the scenic north side of the Fraser River from Mission to downtown Agassiz and the museum housed in the oldest wooden railroad station in B.C. We follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hells Gate Air Tram (admission included) where one can walk over the suspension bridge to view fish climbing the fish ladders. On to Skihist Park overlooking Rainbow Canyon of the Thompson River and the railways operating through this most difficult part of the river valley. Kamloops overnight. Try dinner at the Keg Steak House in the renovated Kamloops Railway station. S x 2 Day 2 - Saturday, September 16th Morning transfer to the Kamloops Heritage Railway steam train. We climb from Campbell Creek up into ranching country enroute to Armstrong. There is time to tour the town have lunch and view the steam train leaving. We travel to O'Keefe Ranch for a tour of the restored buildings, and then go to a local winery for a tour and tasting. We have dinner in a fine Kelowna restaurant by Okanagan Lake. CB, L, D Day 3 - Sunday, September 17th We depart at 8:30 AM for Hardy Creek to see fish spawning and then on to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and onto the Trout Creek Bridge the highest on the former . Lunch is included today at a local winery followed by a tour and tasting. We then tour the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer. We stay tonight at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the south beach of Okanagan Lake. There are lots of options for dinner in the hotel, or by a short walk to downtown Penticton. B, L Day 4 - Monday, September 18th At 9:30 AM depart for the Grist Mill at Keremeos for a tour and lunch. We take the Crowsnest Route back to the coast with stops at a fruit stand, Manning Park, and the Quintette Tunnels on the old KVR line. B, L

FARE: Per person sharing: $697 Single Supplement: $163 WCRA News, Page 16

Or try this shorter more economical version, in June (Tour KHR-7) Day 1 - Friday, June 2nd Depart Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station at 1:00 PM allowing for transfers from Vancouver Island or Amtrak from Seattle. We make pickups through the Fraser Valley to Hope where we take a rest stop and a walk through the Quintette Tunnels on the old KVR line. Then it’s direct to Kamloops for the night in a good riverside motel. S Day 2 - Saturday, June 3rd As per Day 2 in above itinerary, Overnight in Kelowna.CB, L, D

Day 3 - Sunday, June 4th This morning depart at 9 AM for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and onto the Trout Creek Bridge the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway. After lunch we return directly to Hope and the Fraser Valley to Vancouver in time to make evening ferry and train connections. B, L FARE: Per person sharing: $537 Single Supplement: $113

Vancouver Island's West Coast

We travel on 's steam train to see a steam-operated sawmill and sail on a vintage coastal supply vessel through the Broken Islands Group to Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Tour (VWC-8)

Tuesday: August 15th, Day 1 We depart Vancouver by chartered motorcoach for Horseshoe Bay sailing by BC Ferries to Nanaimo's Departure Bay and are dropped off at the E&N rail station. We board the Malahat Dayliner, have lunch on board, and get off at Courtenay. Our coach meets us and we travel to Coombs Junction Market and Cathedral Grove forest preserve. A stop at the Alberni Valley Museum is also made before checking in at our Port Alberni hotel. Dinner is in a fine waterside restaurant. S, D Wednesday: August 16th, Day 2 We leave the hotel for the short trip to the dock where we check in and board the "Lady Rose" (or "Frances Barkley") coastal supply vessel that services Alberni Inlet. Our scheduled arrival at Ucluelet is 12:30 PM. Lunch is on your own on board the ship. Our coach meets us in Ucluelet where we do a tour of the area and then proceed north through Pacific Rim National Park to Tofino ending up at our luxury seaside resort hotel on McKenzie Beach. We have arranged for a delicious dinner (3 menu choices) in the luxurious "Calm Waters" dining room overlooking the sea. B, D Thursday: August 17th, Day 3 We leave Tofino late morning and stop at the Wickaninnish Visitor centre and take lunch there at an ocean-side restaurant. Stops will be made at scenic overlooks before returning to our Port Alberni Hotel. B, D Friday: August 18th, Day 4 After breakfast we board the Alberni Pacific Railway train for its departure to the McLean Mill National Historic site, (the only steam operated sawmill in Canada). Upon arrival we take a tour of the mill, enjoy the "Tin Pants" musical theatre production, have lunch, then leave for Nanaimo and a late afternoon return to Vancouver. B

FARES: (reduced from last year) $688, BC Seniors: $663. Single Supplement: $212. WCRA News WCRA News, Page 17

Or: Go to Victoria on Monday August 14th, stay overnight in a downtown hotel, board the "Dayliner" in Victoria on Tuesday and meet the tour on the train in Nanaimo. We supply all tickets and vouchers for train, hotel, ferry, and PCL motorcoach. Add $149, Single Supplement: $71

CPR Steam Through the Rockies

A steam lover’s delight, our Canadian Rockies Steam Express tours feature the ’s heritage steam engine, the 2816 “Empress” on 2 itineraries of your choice (Tour CPR-9) Westbound Tours: Arrive Calgary on dates shown. We arrange air or other means to get you there. Hotels each night and most meals. Day 1 - Tuesday; Calgary - Banff - Lake Louise Day 2 - Wednesday; Lake Louise – Revelstoke Day 3 - Thursday; Revelstoke – Kamloops Day 4 - Friday; Kamloops – Vancouver

Dates: Arrival in Calgary on day shown before departure by train the following morning, Mondays on the following dates: October 9th, 2006, May 21st, 2007, June 4th, 2007, June 18th, 2007

Eastbound Tours: Depart Vancouver on dates shown. Day 1 - Monday; Vancouver – Kamloops Day 2 – Tuesday; Kamloops – Revelstoke Day 3 - Wednesday; Revelstoke – Lake Louise Day 4 - Thursday; Lake Louise – Calgary

Dates: Departures from Vancouver as below. We fly you back from Calgary to Abbotsford, Vancouver or your choice, at your convenience. Mondays on the following dates: October 16th, 2006 **, May 28th, 2007, June 11th, 2007, June 25th 2007 ** ** Routing via Cranbrook, the Crow’s Nest Pass and Lethbridge - instead of Revelstoke and Lake Louise.FARES: Call 1-800-722-1233 (or locally, 604-524-1011), for pricing WCRA News, Page 18

Our West Coast Rail Tours travel agency continues to grow. With our IATA status, we can handle all your bookings for air travel as well as cruises, hotel accommodations and—our specialty - rail. We ask you to choose us as your travel agent. Commissions earned on all travel bookings go straight into the WCRA bank for our preservation 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 MOTIVE POWER SHOPS

Sub-leasing activity is continuing with 6 tenants contributing about $3,000 monthly, we hope to secure an office tenant shortly. A temporarily lease of MP2 on ad-hoc basis for sublease to film company was done, this will bring in some unexpected revenue which will be shared with BCR Properties. As of late March, we are busy making preparations for a Mar 29th audit by the Railway Association of Canada for the BCIT practicum work which we are undertaking at this location. The setting allows for some classic shots, as this one—with PGE RSC-3 #561 assembling a freight train for an upcoming practicum day with a BCIT class. Does this evoke memories of the Squamish shops past? (Don Evans photo) WCRA News, Page 19

The MP 1 shop is now also being utilized for its original purpose, a proper work area for the repairs to the RDC’s, the speeders and maintenance, and the Henry Pickering repairs and preparation for service on the Whistler Mountaineer. (S.B.)

ROUNDHOUSE & TURNTABLE

Roundhouse work has centred around the applications for development permit, which are now nearly finalized with the District of Squamish (hopefully are by the time you read this We have been working with a landscape designer for a final drawing required by DOS and this is now completed.

We have selected Duro Construction of Squamish as the Contractor for the turntable foundation and concrete lined pit. The turntable drive units are being overhauled; with plans for the turntable bridge itself to be blasted/coated in April. Site preparation and clean up is continuing in readying for the start of this construction very soon. (S.B.)

WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

SPECIAL SALUTE TO WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER—1000 HOURS MAY 1

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park invites everyone to come out and salute the inaugural run of the Whistler Mountaineer, as it starts its first season of operation between North Vancouver and Whistler on a daily basis. The first run is on Monday, May 1, 2006 and the train is expected to pass Government Road at the Heritage Park just after 1000 hours.

The WCRA plans a very special salute, with some of our operating fleet assembled on our tracks at the crossing and ready to sound out a gala whistle salute to this first train. Planned out are FP7A #4069 and the WCRA excursion train on the north side of the crossing, Budd cars BC 33 / BC 21 and Pacific Great Eastern RSC-3 #561 on the south side.

Come out and join us by giving the first train a big Heritage Park wave, as well as enjoy the sounds of the different air horns on the various equipment assembled as they sound the official salute. Coffee in the Mac Norris Station will follow for all.

HERITAGE PARK BUS SERVICE TO OPERATE IN 2006—DATES SET

Nostalgia Tours, a Vancouver company providing heritage motor coach service to local area attractions of historical and cultural interest, is pleased to announce the inauguration of WCRA News, Page 20

“Howe Sound Domeliner” service, commencing in May, 2006. Named for the “Domeliner” trains that crossed the continent in the post-World War II glory days of train travel, the current version uses exclusive “Glasstop” motor coaches designed to maximize visibility from every one of the all-forward-facing seats in classic GM buses.

Guests will enjoy a carefree drive up scenic Howe Sound, an opportunity for lunch at the renowned Howe Sound Brewing Company, and an afternoon at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Located in the town of Squamish, the Heritage Park is Western Canada’s largest railway museum, and features as its keynote display the famous “Royal Hudson” steam locomotive, which itself returns to steam in 2006.

Passengers may join the motor coach tour at Pacific Central Station adjacent to Main St. Skytrain station in Vancouver, or may also be picked up in downtown Vancouver and Park Royal in West Vancouver. (Times and details to come, watch Nostalgia Tours website). There are special prices for WCRA members and passholders (Valid WCRA Membership card or pass required) of just $30 adult, $25 senior, $20 youth / child 6-18, $15 for young child 2-5. Children under 24 months are free. Prices include GST, the fabulous ride on the Domeliner bus from Vancouver and return . Regular prices (non members) are $10 more except 5 years & under to include Heritage Park admission., and anyone aboard wishing lunch will receive a 15% discount at the Howe Sound Inn.

Initial dates have now been set for the Heritage Park service—they are Sat. May 13, Sun. May 28, Sat. June 10, Sun. June 25, Sat. July 8, Sun. July 23, Mon. Aug. 7 (BC Day), Sun. Aug. 13 WCRA News, Page 21

(Mini Rail Day and Members Picnic), Sun. Aug. 27, Sun. Sep 10, Sun. Sep. 24, Sat. Oct. 7, And October 26 through October 30 for the Hobgoblin Express. Reservations are not necessary but are suggested on special event and Royal Hudson steaming days: for further information visit the company’s website at www.nostalgiatours.com or phone 604-690-TOUR (690-8687). All motor coaches are owned and operated by Blue & White Bus & Coach Ltd., parent company of Nostalgia Tours Inc.

Nostalgia Tours will also be providing service to other historical and cultural attractions, including Kilby National Historic Site (celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006) and Stave Falls Powerhouse Museum. (J.Day)

GUEST IMPROVEMENTS

A major initiative has been undertaken to improve the appearance of the West Coats Railway Heritage Park through 2006 and 2007, while much of the front of the Park becomes a construction zone. We are determined to make the construction itself into an attraction, but need to be sure that we also communicate and present to our guests that the Park and its attractions are also all available and operating during this time.

Some of the changes will be evident by now, as the parking area, centre court to the construction zone and to the new path to the rear of the CarShop, and the mini rail area have all become “No Stuff” zones. In addition, there will now always be a display train parked at the Mac Norris Station platform on the main track—as of late March FP7A 4069 and matching train of power car MacDonald Creek, and two coaches is in position. This will change on May 1 when the operating train enters the shop for servicing and painting in preparation for service.

Also planned are new signs. One will be on the east side of the Heritage Park visible to the CN mainline, so passengers on the new Whistler Mountaineer will be able to see where the Heritage Park is—the home of the Henry Pickering which is on the train. Two others will be used to welcome guests to the Heritage Park, explain the construction project underway, and inform guests as to the attractions open and available on that particular day. We need to work hard to make sure guests entering the Heritage Park know we are fully open during this period.

Also being planned for the busier summer season is a greeter who will welcome guests as they come across the bridge, point them to the parking and station area, and let them know what is available and going on. (S.E., S.B.)

KIDS KABOOSE PREPARES FOR EVENTS AND PARTIES

The Kid’s Kaboose has now been moved to its new location and is just finishing repairs from the move and readying for opening as the new children’s event site and party location.

WCRA News, Page 22

MODEL RAILROAD CAR HOSTS WORKSHOPS, SOON TO BE NEW DISPLAY

The model railway car Skeena River is coming along nicely and soon will be ready to become another exhibit car for our guests. During Spring Break week, the car had its first public function as a model railway workshop for children, which was held Wednesday, March 15.

There was a full house inside the Skeena River Car and the participants built dioramas which included a block of wood, Styrofoam, track, sand, ballast, grass and trees with a train car which they took home with them. They went for a site walk and also learned how to find and make their own trees. Great parental participation.

Thanks to Chris Forget for organizing the materials and instructing the workshop and to Renee Walton for her help and assistance. Stay posted for future workshops. (S.E.)

SPEEDER RIDES A HIT

The first offering of Speeder Rides at the Heritage Park was a great success, with 222 passengers riding in the first week of operation during Spring Break. Craig McDowall’s A 4 car got us started, with WCRA trailer “gang car” tagging along. By the end of the week, Singh Biln and son Devon added the WCRA’s ex BCR A 4 and we had ourselves a push pull three car speeder train. Seating capacity is four guests each in the A 4’s (with an operator in each as well) and six guests in the mid train trailer “gang car”. All aboard wear seat belts to ensure a safe trip. (photo below, Don Evans) Many of our staff and volunteers went through the operator training and certification process, administered by Singh Biln and practicums carried out by Randy Shimell. The operation went smoothly and our guests all found the rides (which generally WCRA News, Page 23 consisted of two trips out to the CN interchange at the north of the WCRHP mainline and back). Thanks to operators who volunteered their time during the Spring Break Week March 11-19th John Jellis, Roy Crowston, Randy Shimell, Tom Bruvall, Craig McDowall, D’Arcy Nelson, Matt Christianson & Singh Biln. Now that the initial operation has happened, we are looking at how often we will operate and when as we plan for an exciting 2006 at the Heritage Park. (S.E.)

Otherwise at Spring Break, weather was not on our side! The Heritage Park hosted 760 visitors during the week, Colouring Contest winner was Danielle Hunter. (S.E.)

WEST COAST MINI RAIL Mini Rail track work continues thanks to volunteer Galen Olson who now comes in 3 days a week to work on this. Tomo’o’s Photo shows realigned track near St. Paul’s Chapel which is much improved. We are approaching our busier time and can always use help with the mini rail. Call us if you are able to help us. (S.E.)

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM UNDER DEVELOPMENT . Thanks to volunteers Audrey Rhodes and Karen Moodie (both are former teachers) for helping Sherry with developing a new educational program for the Heritage Park. We have held several meetings and are progressing well. (S.E.) WCRA News, Page 24 OTHER HERITAGE PARK ITEMS

On March 27, a Reception in the Mac Norris Station and presentation by Business Person of the Year, Don Evans was held. Invited were Squamish Chamber of Commerce WCRA Directors, Members of the Squamish Rotary Club, Squamish Sustainability Corporation, District of Squamish, Capilano College and WCRA Directors. Informative meeting.

Mother’s Day Sunday May 14th—Cake will be served at 12:00

Thanks to volunteer Bill McEnery who donated his tracker so we can grade and level out the parking lot. Thanks Bill for coming in weekly to do this! (S.E.)

FEATURE ARTICLES

25 YEARS AGO

We welcome our monthly “look back” feature this issue, provided each month by our Chair Craig McDowall. Craig will provide some insights into what was going on in the WCRA, and the local rail scene, with items sourced from our newsletters 25 years back. We hope you enjoy this reflection into our past.

MARCH 1979

Craig McDowall was the “editor du jour” . . you can tell as the newsletter this month was only four pages !! Notes of Interest from this issue:

CP Rail - CP Rail’s piggyback and container facility will be relocated from False Creek to Coquitlam at a cost of $5.5 million.

CP Rail business car #12 underwent major repairs at Drake Street late last year. Roof replacement and carbody repairs were completed and the car now has the “arched roof” appearance similar to the Van Horne and Shaughnessy.

BCR - The B.C. Government has approved an interim grant of $4 million to BCR to cover part of the operating losses incurred by keeping the Fort Nelson extension operating.

BCR has purchased two used passenger coaches from Brown Equipment of Chicago. One of the coaches will be used to transport school children from Shalath and Seton to Lillooet. The second coach will be used to provide improved service to railway camps and gang locations on the Fort Nelson extension. Built in 1947, the coaches were acquired for $11,500.

A new yard office and tower is being built at the Prince George Yard, cost $1.5 million. WCRA News, Page 25

Via Rail Canada An eight car westbound VIA passenger train powered by three units caught fire 13 kilometers west of Boston Bar on March 12th. The lead unit #1412 hit a rock which ruptured a fuel tank in the derailment. The lead unit caught fire which spread to GP-9 unit #8517 and scorched F unit #1411. There were no injuries reported among the 80 passengers and 20 crew members.

BN BN RS-11 #4196 has been sold for scrap to Simon and Sons in Tacoma. This is the first RS-11 to leave BN’s roster. Two other RS-11’s are currently stored unserviceable here in Vancouver.

Other NewS The “Good Times ‘79 Express” Vancouver Island tour was announced. Utilizing locomotive #1077 (ex MB 2-6-2), the train will tour Nanaimo, Courtenay, Port Alberni, Parksville, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Duncan and Victoria from May 12 to May 21.

DERAILED - by Bill Yeats

The CPR built the 6256, pictured here, in July 1912 as class “U 3d”. The engine and tender combined only weighed 110 tons and its small boiler carried 200 lbs. steam pressure but unlike newer power, this coal generated steam was not superheated nor was the firebox equipped with a brick arch to divert the hot flames back toward the rear of the combustion chamber to properly burn all the coal gases. The short eight wheel tender held only 4 tons of coal and 3,000 gallons of water and, at deck level, the narrow cab was not even wide enough to have room for an air operated firebox door. The firebox itself sat down low, just above the frame and between the rear driving wheels. This firebox interior was 8 feet long and 43 inches wide to give a total grate area of 28 square feet. WCRA News, Page 26

The upper floor level of the cab, where the seats were placed, was nearly three feet above the firing deck so steps were installed, on each side to enable the engine crew to climb up or down from the seat level. Very good visibility was possible both to the front and rear because of the narrow boiler and the fact that the rear of the tender was sloped down. The back of the cab was very open but in the cooler weather a lower partition was installed which reduced the visibility but made the cab much warmer especially when the attached canvass curtain was pulled across the opening. The rear face of the boiler was not covered with lagging and insulation, which made the cab interior too warm in the summer weather but kept it quite comfortable in wintertime.

The “derailing incident I’m going to describe, happened somewhere in the fall of 1945 or early in 1946 when I was working the fireman’s spare-board and was called for a midnight yard assignment with engineer Jack Mitchell. Our locomotive was a small 0-6-0 class “U”3 like the one pictured.

Just before dawn, when our shift was almost completed we were required to pick up a car of sheep from an incoming freight train and take it from Alyth yard out to a meat packing plant located nearly three miles to the north of Alyth yard, on the Red Deer subdivision. This was a backing up movement and the stock car was coupled to the front end. Upon arriving at the packing plant the car had to be “dropped” into the short spur track at the stock-unloading chute. This was done by having the switch foreman stationed at the spur switch and ready to throw it when the time was right.

The locomotive and car moved at least a quarter of a mile ahead. Then with one switchman stationed on the engine’s front foot-board ready to pull the pin and uncouple when the speed WCRA News, Page 27 was sufficient and the other man riding on top beside the stem-winder hand brake Mitchell opened up the throttle. As soon as we had enough speed the air brake was set momentarily to allow the slack to run in so that the uncoupling pin could be pulled then the throttle was opened wide and that little loco. flew up the main line. As soon as it cleared the switch points the foreman quickly threw the switch to route that car of sheep into the stock spur.

When it cleared the main the switch was lined for the 6200 loco. to proceed south over it then back into and couple the tender onto that stock car. At that time it was just a matter of spotting the car opposite the chutes where the livestock could be unloaded. When the hand brake had been set and the pin pulled the engine was moved out to the main track and the switch behind us was relined. When the foreman (Conductor) had climbed up to share the engineer’s seat and the other two switchmen occupied my seat on the left side of the cab we took off for the Red Deer Sub. Junction at Bengal where there was a level crossing with the CNR.

Those “U”3 locomotives had to be fired frequently but because of the very small fire box. When working, very little coal could be put in at a time so about every quarter of a mile I had to shovel in a bit more coal to maintain the steam pressure at close to 200 lbs. I remember putting in a fire as we rattled over the multiple span through truss bridge that crossed over the Bow River then the next thing I knew that engine was bouncing off the track and running along on the crossties just south of the “interlocking signal” that controlled that level crossing with the CNR. It was a rough ride until we came to a stop.

I looked out from between the engine and tender and saw that all the six driving wheels were on the ground and up ahead a CNR locomotive, with several cars, was going over the “Diamond” crossing. The tower man had put the signals against us and had set them for the CNR thus setting the “Derail” to put us off the track if we went by the “STOP” indication. If I had been up in my seat as we came off that Bow River bridge I could have seen that stop signal just like engineer Mitchell and the three yard men should have. I believe that they were too busy visiting instead of paying attention to where we were going.

Now what! First the CPR tower-man, at 12th east had to be phoned and notified not to let any other trains out of the terminal on the track we were on. Then we tried to re-rail those six driving wheels by spiking down “Re-railers” beside the track just behind the last set derailed wheels. The tender was OK; it was still on the rails, we had stopped just in time. Mitchell tried moving backwards but it was no go. Then he tried rocking that loco. back and forth but that wouldn’t work either. Nothing to do but to phone the Alyth yardmaster and ask him to send out a larger engine to help push ours back over the re-railers and back onto the track. He mentioned at that time that he wanted to see the five of us after we had completed re-railing that 6200 and had turned our locomotive in on the shop track. I guessed as much! WCRA News, Page 28

Before long a nearly new (Sept. 44) one hundred and fifteen ton class “DES”3a, 1,000 horsepower Alco diesel switcher. (Not unlike the WCRA’s 6503, but with 400 more horses under the hood) showed up and it nudged up against the coupler on the pilot beam at the front of our derailed 6200 then, with all the power we could muster, and with the desired slow, steady push that the diesel was exerting the little 0-6-0 started to bounce along the crossties and slowly, carefully climbed up onto the re-railers. As each 52 inch driving wheel reached the apex of the replacer it slid sideways and back onto the high iron. We were amazed at the power of that Alco diesel and I thought at the time that they could easily replace the type of steam power that we were assigned to. The diesel was only 16% more powerful then our engine but its steady power far surpassed the unsteady fluctuating power of the steam locomotives that I was used to working on.

We all helped to put the heavy steel replacers back up on the hooks on each side of the tender then we ran our locomotive back to Alyth shop-track and requested the shop staff to check for any damage to the running gear caused by the derailment. Engineer Mitchell and I then reported to the yardmaster to make out written statements as to the cause of the mishap. I don’t know what the three members of the switch crew got but Mitchell and I each received ten “Brownies” (demerit marks) for our part in the affair. I knew that if I kept my record clean for one year that my slate would be cleared so the discipline did me no harm but, from that day on, I sure as hell didn’t let my engineer pass any stop signals. Nor did I give up my seat to anyone who wouldn’t keep a good look out along the track ahead for signals.

NANAIMO THEN AND NOW - by Steve Hauff

Steve Hauff has been visiting and taking photos of Canadian Railroading for over 40 years, much of it on Vancouver Island. A resident of Port Angeles, WA, he is just a short ferry ride form Victoria. Steve is an ex Rayonier Gandy Dancer, and is co-author of The Willamette Locomotive, The Climax Locomotive, and has contributed to several other books and magazines. Steve provides the following item for WCRA News….

While doing some research at the National Railway Historical Society library in Portland, Oregon, I stumbled across several images of the E & N Railway that were taken at Nanaimo in 1939 by the late Walt Grande. There were only three images, but they certainly evoked memories of a different era of passenger service on Vancouver Island.

Walt was apparently impressed with the operation. Quoting him, “The equipment is painted maroon with gold lettering and striping and is kept immaculately clean”. At least, in November 1939 there was great pride in the passenger service on the Island. Certainly, the next several wartime years would take their toll on both the railway and its equipment. The WCRA News, Page 29

Island highway would then all but close the book on passenger service as it had been.

Although I live only 18 miles (and an international ferry ride) from Victoria, my rides on the E & N over the past four decades have been relatively few, and all during the Budd car era. After seeing Walt’s photos, however, my next excursion will be filled with visions of a chunky ten wheeler, exhaust echoing off the side hills as she fights her way up the Malahat, her first coach filled with workers headed for the mill at Chemainus or the logging camps at Nanaimo lakes or Cowichan, and the first class coach filled with proper ladies and gentlemen headed up Island for business or pleasure. It will be a wonderful trip into history.

Ten Wheeler #447 is just arriving Nanaimo with the southbound train in 1939. There were both northbound and southbound daily runs then with identical consists—ten wheeler steam locomotive, baggage RPO, baggage car, second class coach and first class coach. (Photo Walt Grande, NRHS-Portland collection)

Page 30, northbound trains in 1939 and 2002 at Nanaimo station. You can see the full consist as ten wheeler #463 heads the northbound train. (Walt Grande photo, NRHS Portland collection)

Contrast to 2002 when Steve Hauff caught the VIA Malahat’s RDC’s at the same location. WCRA News, Page 30 WCRA News, Page 31 RAILWAY NEWS

CAPITOL CORRIDOR BOARDS 10 MILLIONTH PASSENGER

OAKLAND, Calif. – California’s Capitol Corridor, the USA’s third-busiest intercity passenger rail route, boarded its 10 millionth passenger on March 30, according to a story in the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. Kirk Swenson, a frequent passenger for the past six years, boarded a train on Thursday at Davis, Calif., and was greeted by Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Chairman Roger Dickinson. Assemblywoman Lois Wolk presented Swenson a certificate of recognition from the State Assembly.

The Corridor, which serves 17 stations along a 170-mile Union Pacific route from the Sierra Foothills just east of Sacramento through Oakland to San Jose, has reported an 8 percent increase in ridership the past year. Ten trains operate daily, four Monday through Friday and four on a Saturday-Sunday and Holiday schedule. Service began in 1991 under management by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). In July 1998, the service was transferred to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.

Swenson received a free monthly pass, a scenic Delta River cruise from Harbor Bay Maritime, and tickets to an Oakland Athletics baseball game. (TOL)

GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENT IN WEST VANCOUVER

A CN Freight hit an Acura TL broadside at the 15th Street crossing around 1900 hours on March 15th, spinning the car around and onto Bellevue Ave. Fortunately, the car was hit on the passenger side, and there was only a driver in the car. The driver, a man in his forties from West Vancouver, was taken to hospital and released, only being shaken up.

What the car was doing on the crossing is a mystery as there are no right turn signs across the tracks at this location. Some witnesses reported that the driver attempted a u turn in front of the train, which laid on the horn loudly with the car on the tracks in front of it. All crossing signals were working The train stopped quickly after the collision, with only the three unit motive power set (BCR Dash 8-40CM 4603, Dash 9-44W 4649 and SD40-2 763 (still in the BC Rail “hockey stick paint scheme!) and three cars past the point of impact.

WCRA News, Page 32

BRIDGE WORK CLOSES CN LINE

A major bridge project on the CN mainline at Clearwater Sub at Mile 59.9 closed the line to traffic from Saturday, March 18 at 2200 hours until Monday, March 20 at 0400. (J.M.)

TRAIN NUMBER CHANGES

With the new CP/CN terminal co-operation plan becoming effective from 3/06 - 3/13, many train number changes have taken place. At Vancouver Intermodal VIT) , we now have:

101 Toronto - Deltaport STA Kam. 1900 daily 105 Montreal—Deltaport 0530 daily 107 Toronto—Coquitlam 1555 daily 111 Toronto—VIT 0840 daily (0920 on trains arriving Sundays and Mondays as they do a lift at Saskatoon)

102 Deltaport-Toronto STD 0300 daily 104 Deltaport-Montreal 1700 daily 106 Way Freight / Coquitlam.-Montreal 2330 daily 112 VIT-Toronto 2230 daily (J.M.)

SIGHTINGS / MOTIVE POWER

Spotted recently around Thornton Yard have been new Union Pacific SD70m #5039 on March 3rd, Illinois Central #6017 in Operation Lifesaver colours, and a Railworks Railservice grinder in the yard. A Loram Railgrinder train has also been on the CN Mainline between Glenvalley and Boston Bar. (R.C.)

Former BC Rail GE B36-7 units #3601 and 3616, as well as GE C36-8 units 3622 and 3623 were spotted through Chicago in early March relettered PRSX for their new owner Progress Rail of Waycross, Georgia. (TJ)

BACK TO GREEN, BLACK AND GOLD

The fleet of CN business cars that were painted into the bright red and cream paint scheme in recent years are apparently going back to the olive green, black and gold CN heritage scheme. Car 1058 Gatineau was in Woodcrest shop in March, and apparently cars 1059 Tawaw and 1060 Sanford Fleming (Theatre car) were already done at Northland’s North Bay shop. (TJ) Out here, the cars Pacific Spirit and American Spirit have retained the classic scheme through all of this. Can’t wait to see the matching train together—it will be a lovely sight to see. WCRA News, Page 33

TIMETABLE AND STATION NAME CHANGES

CPR Timetable 61 on 2006-0 (same as introduced Onderdonk and Sto:lo and others) was when a new name Mollison was created -- it is the beginning of the yard lead signaled extension west of North Bend. Mollison is understood to have been an employee, a housekeeper according to one source, work location not known. With CP's clear understanding of the value of positive PR (and particularly the naming of the Cheng interchange, which was rather widely trumpeted), it is somewhat surprising to me that more has not been made of the several new stations in this service area. (K.P via J.M.)

GETTING READY FOR THE 2006 SEASON

Things are in high gear at Rocky Mountaineer Vacations as the company prepares for a busy 2006 season, and its most significant expansion of service since the company started. The regular Rocky Mountaineer routes between Vancouver—Kamloops and Banff/Calgary and Jasper get running with the first departures April 18 from Vancouver and April 20 from Jasper and Calgary / Banff. The season sees 73 trains in each direction, with the last trains October 12 from Vancouver and October 15 from Jasper / Calgary-Banff.

Preparations for the new Fraser-Discovery route for the Rocky Mountaineer are at the last month frantic pace, as the first departure from Whistler is set for May 2, 2006. This new train will make 36 trips in each direction during its first season, departing both Whistler and Jasper on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Down at this end of the line, final preparations are being set in place for the new daily Whistler Mountaineer Service. This special trainset will be distinctly identified (see WCRA News, April 2006 issue) on the locomotives, generator car, Coast Classic coaches and Glacier Dome coaches. The Henry Pickering open observation car will continue to carry its West Coast Railway colours, but likely with some small Whistler Mountaineer identity on the car sides.

The Whistler Mountaineer will pass by the West Coast Railway Heritage Park twice each day, northbound at around 1015 hours and southbound around 1530 hours. WCRA plans a special May 1 salute to the new train, and will try to time our railway operations departures from the Mac Norris station in the afternoon on days we operate our speeders or Budd cars so that we can meet the southbound train our by our interchange track and give it a wave. WCRA News, Page 34

“BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE” PROMOTION

VIA Rail Canada has introduced a special seniors promotion for 2006. Bring a Friend for Free allows one friend to travel with a ticketed passenger at no charge in Comfort Class, or at only 25% of regular fare for the second person in First Class. The promotion runs until December 14, 2006.

E & N MALAHAT SCHEDULE CHANGES

VIA’s Malahat service on Vancouver Island has had a schedule change, the northbound now leaves Victoria at 0800, arriving Courtenay at 1230, and southbound departs Courtenay at 1300, arriving Victoria at 1730. Sunday train times are 1000 from Victoria arriving 1430, and 1500 from Courtenay arriving Victoria at 1930. (B.M.)

SKEENA RUNS OUT OF FUEL

VIA Rail Canada’s Skeena train #5 ran out of fuel westbound near Hazelton on March 20. The crew managed to get the train to a siding where there was an access road that could be used by a bus. Passengers were bused on and arrival at Prince Rupert was around 2230 hours. The locomotive was refueled and arrived sometime later. (D.W.)

STEAM NEWS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

DOUBLE HEADER KICKS OFF KETTLE VALLEY STEAM RAILWAY SEASON

There will be two engines on the rails of the historic Kettle Valley Railway when the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland, BC officially kicks off its season on May 20th. The KVSR’s two steam locomotives - the 3716, a restored consolidation engine built in 1912 and the 1924 Shay will do double duty taking passengers along six miles (10 kilometres) of track to the Trout Creek Bridge and then back to Prairie Valley Station for opening day ceremonies.

“We wanted to start the season with a special event and this double-header will definitely add an air of excitement to our Opening Day,” says Debbie Kinvig, KVSR General Manager. “The 3716 is about twice the size of the Shay – so it will take its place behind the WCRA News, Page 35 smaller logging locomotive during both our morning and afternoon runs,” explained Kinvig.

The May 20th event will officially kick off the season which along with its regular scheduled runs will offer more Great Train Robbery & BBQ Events, three new Summer Sunset Wine Trains featuring Sumac Ridge Estate Winery and a Trick or Treat Train for a ghostly ride through Prairie Valley on the Saturday before Halloween. The Kettle Valley Steam Railway also offers an Easter Train, Mother’s & Father’s Day Trains and a weekend of Christmas Trains complete with Santa & goodies for the kids.

“We are looking forward to a very exciting season,” says Kinvig. “The addition of the Sunset Wine Trains is a natural fit for the KVSR which makes its home in Wine Country. We are also doing our part to help celebrate Summerland’s 100th Birthday with our July 2nd Sunset Wine Train and a “Historic Trails and Rails - Wine & BBQ Event” on October 1st. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the community’s history than taking a ride on the only remaining portion of the Kettle Valley Railway built between 1910 and 1915.

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway last year recorded its highest ridership in its eleven year history at over 23 thousand passengers. For more information contact: Debbie Kinvig—General Manager, Kettle Valley Steam Railway 1-877-494-8424 or visit the web at www.kettlevalleyrail.org (linked from www.wcra.org )

KAMLOOPS HERITAGE RAILWAY PLANS EXPANDED SEASON

The Kamloops Heritage Railway is offering an expanded series of Armstrong Explorer trips for 2006, the second season of operation of this day long excursion. There will be eight Armstrong runs this year, and increased capacity through the addition of one more 76 seat coach this year. Departures are Saturdays May 6, May 20, June 3, June 17, September 2, September 16, September 30 and October 7.

The 182 km trip is the longest regularly scheduled steam passenger trip in Canada, and departs from Campbell Creek just east of Kamloops. The trip travels through Monte Creek, Westwold, and Falkland before arriving at Armstrong for a two hour layover. Passengers may travel both ways by train, or one way bus / one way train in either direction.

When the train is not on the Armstrong trips, it can be found operating its regular trips one hour Spirit of Kamloops trips at Kamloops. For more info call 250-374-2141 or weblink from www.wcra.org

Don’t want to drive? West Coast Rail Tours will visit both the Kamloops Heritage Railway and the Kettle Valley Steam Railway this year. WCRA News, Page 36 GENERAL NEWS

West Coast Express has ordered its own spare locomotive, the sixth for its fleet. The new unit, to be number 906, will be an MP36PH unit from Boise Locomotive Works, and will be like the units used on CalTrain in the San Francisco area. The new unit is due for delivery in November of 2006. (B.M.)

At the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society's recent AGM, they announced that the Myra spur will be rebuilt and a will be put on it for display. The spur may be rebuilt this summer. There are two being offered to the society by CP, so they will be getting one of the two. The society is also hoping to rebuild the water tower near trestle 8. They want to have the water tower to be functional - they want to put a sprinkler system on each trestle in case of another fire and the water tower will be the water source. They also mentioned that they would like to build an interpretive center. The reconstruction of the Myra and Ruth section houses is also on their list. (G.F.)

Further to last month’s item re the donation of the CPR portion of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo line to the Island Corridor Foundation, the remaining portion of the line, owned by Rail America, has now also been turned over. This includes the rail segments between Nanaimo and Parksville and Parksville—Port Alberni. The Foundation now owns the entire island rail corridor and has assured Islanders of “continued rail service without interruption”. The new deal does not include the Victoria roundhouse or area.

Rail America will receive approximately $850,000 in cash and a promissory note for approximately $300,000 from the sale of contract and regulatory rights associated with the rail operation. A transition agreement between the parties provides that Rail America's subsidiary, E&N Railway, will continue to operate the railroad until operations are transferred to a new railway operator, on or before June 30.

The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA continues work on their new Conservation and Restoration Centre. IN February, 2006 the concrete floor for the facility was poured and soon the steel building structure will arrive for assembly. This work should be completed by the end of March. (SDR)

A Day Out With Thomas 2006 is being held at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie on July 14—16 and July 21—23, 2006. This will be the closest “Thomas” event to Vancouver this year. For information see www.trainmuseum.org .

Historic Tugboat #6 is headed from Kelowna to Penticton, where it will join the Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park (home of the SS Sicamous). The tugboat, built in 1948, was one of a fleet that plied Okanagan Lake hauling barges with railcars up until 1973. (G.F.) WCRA News, Page 37

The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in Cranbrook is expanding its exhibits for 2006, adding another four cars in late 2005 and five more this spring. That will make the railcar tour a total of 18 cars to explore, as well as the acclaimed Royal Alexandra Hall. By the end of 2006, as many as 25 cars may be included, greatly adding to the time that guests will stay at the site and to the numbers of exhibits they will see. (HC)

BNSF Railway is working on new trackage connections between its New Westminster yard and the Sapperton interchange tracks to allow it direct access between its facilities and customers without having to get clearances from CN. CN has now taken over operations of the former BNSF between New Westminster and Vancouver.

ANOTHER GREAT E & N SHOT FROM 1939

With space for one more, just had to add in this great shot of Canadian Pacific Railway ten wheeler #463 at Nanaimo in 1939. What a clean little branch line steamer she is!

Walt Grande photo, collection of NRHS-Portland Chapter, courtesy Steve Hauff.

CLOVERDALE 1910 ERA—WITH GREAT NORTHERN

Henry Ewert dropped off a copy of a very rare scene, a photo taken in Cloverdale, BC in the 1910 to 1912 era, when Great Northern operated the New Westminster and Southern Railway. This view is looking southeast, just east of 176th Street and north of Highway 10. Clearly visible in the photo are three Great Northern freight cars!

Nostalgia Tours

Heritage and Cultural Tours by Vintage Motor Coach From Vancouver

At last, you don’t need to drive to enjoy some of the Lower Mainland’s highest quality attrac- tions. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view from our exclusive “Glasstop” motor coaches.

Destinations include Stave Falls Power House, Kilby Historic Site and of course West Coast Railway Heritage Park

Information call 604 690-TOUR (8687) or visit our website www.nostalgiatours.com

Assiniboine River Crossing, Winnipeg—CNR’s Continental New release now available at hobby shops and fine galleries, or through the West Coast Railway Heritage Park gift shop.

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. 45 Issue 5

Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon

Contributors:

S.B. Singh Biln M.C. Matt Christianson R.C. Ryan Cruickshank J.D. Jeremy Davy J. Day John Day S.E. Sherry Elchuk G.F. Grant Ferguson B.J. Bill Johnston B.M. Bill Marchant J.M. Jim McPherson K.P. Ken Perry B.T. Bernie Tully D.W. David Walker

HC Heritage Cranbrook TJ Tempo Jr. SDR Sounder 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

421 miles of mainline track and an additional 60 miles of sidings, totaling around 481 miles— 20 miles per hour were re-gauged! Changes of different gauges to standard gauge continued, some at a much slower pace such as a section of 3’ 6” gauge track in Prince Edward Island that started in 1919 and completed in September 1930!