FEBRUARY 2005 374 PAVILION WCRA

PETER COX ARCHIVE

SINGH BILN TO LEAD 2860

WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE

The General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at the Rainbow Creek station, Willingdon at Penzance in Burnaby, starting at 1930 hours.

Entertainment will be a travel spectacular slide show by Don Evans, featuring trips to Istanbul, Turkey; Cologne, Germany; and the ARM 2004 Conference in Utah / Nevada.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This is due notice that the Annual General Meeting of the West Coast Railway Association will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2005 starting at 1930 hours at Rainbow Creek Station.

ON THE COVER

Royal Hudson #2860 is pictured at Canadian Pacific's Vancouver station, ready to depart with an eastbound passenger train. While details surrounding this undated photo by an unknown photographer are sketchy, we can determine that it would have been taken in 1955 or 1956, as The Canadian has arrived on the other track (and it started in 1955), and Royal Hudson #2860 pulled the last steam powered passenger train from the station in 1956. (photo provided by Grant Ferguson) Do you have any photos of #2860 in service in years past? If so, we would like to hear from you and to add them to our history files for the Royal Hudson #2860.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

• West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1600k • Monday, January 31—Newsletter deadline for the March issue of WCRA News • Sunday, February 13—Mount Pleasant Lions Club train show • Thursday, February 17—Tours Committee meeting—contact Bernie at 604-325-0923 for location. • Tuesday, February 22—WCRA Annual General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby.

The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of British Columbia railway history. Membership is open to all people with an interest in railways past and present. We are a non-profit British Columbia society, registered as a Canadian charity. Individual membership in the WCRA is $50.00 per year, family membership is $60.00. 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

OOPS—WRONG YEAR FOR PIERRE!

How time flies—a correction to the January issue, Pierre Berton came here to launch the Full Steam Ahead Capital Campaign on June 2, 1996 (not 1997).

WELCOME TO THE 374 STATION SOCIETY—AND OTHER HEADLINES

A huge start to 2005 this month as we announce three major steps forward for the West Coast Railway Association. Read about the donation of the fabulous Peter Cox Archive on page 10, a great addition to our archival collections. And, we are able to let you know that Singh Biln will be joining WCRA to lead our Royal Hudson project—an exciting step, see page 12.

Our feature headline announces that agreement has been reached with the 374 Station Society to integrate that organization into the WCRA, and for WCRA to take on the operation of the 374 Pavilion in Vancouver effective July 1, 2005. WCRA (along with the CRHA locally) worked to see historic locomotive #374 restored cosmetically for Expo 86, and has supported its continued preservation at the Roundhouse location in Vancouver’s Yaletown area. The 374 Station Society, led by former Vancouver mayor Jack Volrich, has successfully seen the construction of the 374 Pavilion at that location and managed to open and operate the Pavilion as a public attraction. (see page 7 for more)

But more resources are needed, and that’s where WCRA comes in. By working together in a new structure (with the 374 Pavilion as a stand alone operating unit of WCRA) we can increase volunteer resources as well as operating funds to develop this Vancouver attraction. We will open it for longer and more regular hours, and ensure the long term preservation of the locomotive that pulled the first passenger train into our city on May 23, 1887.

For West Coast Railway Association, it means a new “storefront” attraction in the City of Vancouver, allowing us increased visibility of our activities and preservation efforts. In the end, it is truly a win-win for all, and that’s good for railway preservation which, after all, is why we exist in the first place. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS

FROM THE DECEMBER GENERAL MEETING

Chair Colin Dathan called meeting to order with 33 members and 2 guests present: • Gordon Hall offered for sale “Royal Hudson” DVD’s and Calendars left over from WCRA News, Page 4

Canada Place. Price - Donation to Royal Hudson. Will print more calendars if there is a demand. • Colin Dathan gave the Executive Director’s report in Don Evans’ absence • Jim Brown reported on the collection in Ron Anstey’s absence : · The Alberta will be moved inside shortly for restoration work. Contract workers will be hired. Many qualified ex BCR employees are looking for such work.. · Work will start on the Royal Hudson in January • Jim Brown reported on Operations: – Changes to accounting process as recommend by KPMG implemented Dec 15th, including: · Account consolidation – there are now 5 accounts: General; Heritage Park (mainly salaries), Capital, Tours Trust, and Gaming Trust. The latter 2 are restricted accounts. · Changes in Signing Authorizations · Centralized payables system implemented - Several Volunteer Issues were discussed: · Volunteer Insurance – all volunteers are covered under the Association’s insurance policy while involved in Association sanctioned activities. The coverage is “more than adequate”. · Volunteer Expenses – there are two main ways of being reimbursed for monies expended for Association activities or projects: - In-kind - the volunteer submits receipts to the Association and receives a tax receipt for the amount spent. This is the preferred method as it is the ”least cost” to the Association – example is mileage allowance; - Reimbursement - the volunteer submits receipts to the Association where it is reviewed, and when the expenditure is approved receives a cheque for the amount spent. Note: Reimbursement requires verbal pre-approval for the expenses to be incurred by the project manager - Much discussion followed regarding the accounting changes including · What assurance is there that designated donations actually go the designated project if there aren’t separate bank accounts ? (there are separate accounting accounts) · Temporary use of designated funds by other projects. Jim describes how for a project such as those funded by grants we must often make the expenditure first and then be reimbursed; · Ultimately agreement by all that while there are concerns they would be deferred until the 2005 budget is discussed at which time answers would be presented using the budget to illustrate them. - 2004 Tax receipts – deadline for submission Jan 31st. • Colin Dathan reported on Association Operations: · Deadline for submitting Volunteer Hours is Jan 31st.– Send to Colin · Don’t assume he has them for some other source, send them all WCRA News, Page 5 • Entertainment 2005 Books · Profit from this year’s sales = $800. Bernie thanked all for their assistance • Christmas at Canada Place - Paul Roy reported • 12 days vs. previous year’s 21 · 13,724 paid rides and 58 free by Canada Place · Net revenue $20,586 (after $6,800 expenses) plus $2,186 sales at Kiosk · Best day = $3,596 - Slowest day = $1,010 · Paul thanked all who have assisted with this year’s event. Dinner Jan 11th - New China Kitchen; · Takedown set for December 24 to December 29 • Bill Marchant reported that the next event is the Mount Pleasant Lions Show Feb 13th • Bill Johnston gave a tours update: · The 2005 Tours Schedule is in the Jan 2005 issue of the WCRA News · North Country Tours have been renamed o Northbound – Fraser Skeena Tour o Southbound – Skeena Fraser Tour · There is currently a fair bit of business coming in from independent travelers · WCRT will receive $50 commission for any Trains Unlimited Tours they book. • Questions from the floor: · Has the assessment been done F7 #1404? Ans - No, will be done in January. · Has the roof on the Marjatta not been completed? Ans- No, much work was done and additional rot was found and repaired. Warm weather is needed to apply the new membrane. Will now wait for Spring. · # 4069 and 561 will initially go to the Diesel shop followed later by Marjatta. The present lease is for 3 months. · How is the security at the Diesel Shop? Would hate to see damage or irreplaceable loss to units/contents stored there. BC Rail Properties as other tenants at the site. Ans We will assure there is adequate security before moving the assets. • Gord Hall has purchased the “old” tender shield from the Royal Hudson. This item almost went to a collector in the USA. He has donated it to the WCRHP where he hopes “it will be appropriately displayed”. • Nomination for Directors (3 year Term) – conducted by Colin Dathan · 2 positionsavailable, currently occupied by: o Jim Brown who resigned to become Operations Manager, and o Colin Dathan who was appointed by the Board for a 1 year term. · Nominations were accepted from the floor without comment and then each nominee was asked to indicate whether he would agree to stand. · Nominees and Response • Colin Dathan – Declined • Paul Roy – Declined • Jeremy Davy – Agreed • Bernie Tully – Declined • Dave Emmington—Declined WCRA News, Page 6 · As there were less than 2 nominees agreeing to stand: o Jeremy Davy was elected by acclamation o The other position would again be appointed by the Board. · Colin Dathan indicated that he would again accept a 1 year appointment if asked. • Eric Anderson donated $30 in Canadian Tire money; • Trackside Reports – Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant once again provided interesting reports. • Dave Emmington raffled items he had collected. Auction was well subscribed with $92 going to the Royal Hudson Fund. • Entertainment – an outstanding slide show by Bob Gordon featuring vintage trains, many of them local. Bob’s slides have been used on many Nils Huxtable calendars.

WCRA TRIVIA # 193 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank

What is the significance of Illinois Central #382—a 4-6-0 built by Rogers in 1896? (for answer, see Credit Lines) YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RAILFAN WHEN……. ………..train crews whistle as they approach and pass by your house

NEW MEMBERS

The WCRA welcomes new members Jeff Bowcock & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Alan Brown & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Jim Davidson of 70 Mile House, A. Gaerber & family of West Vancouver, Tom McCandless & family of North Vancouver, Robert Misjak of North Vancouver, and Michael Neilson & family of Vancouver. (J.D.)

MEMBERSHIP NOTES—PLEASE CHECK STATUS AND RENEW

Is your membership current? Please check your label this month to see your status—if your date shows as 12/31/2004 or earlier your membership has expired and we would very much appreciate your support by renewing.

And, when you do renew—please renew at the current rates. Our membership rates were revised a year ago, and Individual rates are now $50, Family rates now $60. A full rate schedule is at the bottom of page 2 of this newsletter.

To all of you who have renewed your membership, our sincere thanks. (J.D.)

MEMBER NOTES

The editor apologizes for mis-spelling the name of one of our supporters and award winners as published last issue—the correct spelling is Ueli Liechti.

WCRA News, Page 7

Our sympathies are sent along to the families of two of our Squamish members / volunteers.

Chris Moodie passed away January 1st after a short battle with cancer. Chris was one of the Squamish Gardeners who came out Thursdays to keep the Heritage Park looking great, and worked on the project to beautify the Eagle View loop / Mason station area.

Hazel Armstrong passed away January 4th, leaving behind Bob. Both Hazel and Bob were former PGE employees and regulars at the Heritage Park, Hazel helped out with special events at the Brightbill Heritage House. (S.E.)

VOLUNTEER HOURS

We still need you to submit your volunteer hours for 2004. This year has to be a record year, we would expect, as we have had incredible support as well as major events such as Day Out With Thomas and Christmas events in both Vancouver and Squamish.

With a million dollar fundraising goal for 2005, we need your volunteer help. Volunteer hours count as matching contributions for many grants that we apply for, and also add to our overall credibility in the not for profit field. Any activity at or on behalf of the WCRA counts, including meetings—the only ones that do not count are the regular WCRA General Meetings. So, if you have been a tour guide on a WCRT tour, if you have attended committee meetings, if you have volunteered at the Heritage Park in any capacity etc. we need to know!

We want to count you in for 2004. Please send your volunteer hours to Colin Dathan at [email protected], bring them to a meeting, send them in the mail, or call Colin at 604-298- 3734. Please add your hours to the tally, no matter how few or how many. Every hour contributed makes a difference—it is all of you who make the WCRA what it is today. (C.D.)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2005

Nominations for two Board of Directors positions were held at the December 28, 2004 General Meeting. The positions open are for Colin Dathan (whose term is expiring) and Jim Brown (who resigned the board to become our Operations Manager). Accepting a nomination and elected by acclamation is member Jeremy Davy.

The Board of Directors will nominate someone for the other available position and a full slate for your 2005 board will be presented for membership approval at the February 22 AGM.

374 PAVILION IN VANCOUVER TO INTEGRATE INTO WCRA

As you have read on page 3, we are delighted to welcome the 374 Station Society into the WCRA, and to have our organization take on the operating responsibility for the Pavilion in WCRA News, Page 8

Yaletown effective July 1, 2005. This move has been approved by the 374 Station Society board and members, and was approved by the WCRA Board of Directors at their December 15, 2004 meeting. It has also been supported by the local CRHA, who have had a hand with us over the years in the preservation of locomotive 374 and support of the operation of the pavilion. The arrangement is subject to final approval of the WCRA membership at the WCRA’s Annual General Meeting to be held on February 22, 2005.

Under the agreement reached, the 374 Pavilion will become a stand-alone operating unit of the WCRA and will become the responsibility of Matt Christianson, who will be named “Manager—374 Pavilion and Administration” from a staff point of view. 374 Station Society’s President Jack Volrich has been appointed to the WCRA’s Board of Directors (at this point until the AGM), to be ratified with membership approval of the entire 2005 Board of Directors slate at the AGM. Jack will remain active in the leadership and activities of the 374 Pavilion, and 374 Station Society members will be given membership in the WCRA for two years (there are only two who are not already WCRA members).

The WCRA and the 374 Station Society share common goals related to historic #374: • To see locomotive #374 preserved and available to the public as an historical artifact • To continue the 374 Pavilion as a Vancouver attraction, and operate it professionally with regular public hours • To retain the active involvement of 374 Station Society members • To have a good working relationship with all involved with the 374 Pavilion, which includes the City of Vancouver (owner of the locomotive), the Vancouver Park Board (owner of the pavilion and the community centre to which it is attached), and the Roundhouse Community Centre (location of the pavilion)

The operation of the 374 Pavilion in Vancouver creates some major opportunities for WCRA in addition to the achievement of preservation objectives: • There will now be a Vancouver year-round location offering new volunteer opportunities for Vancouver area WCRA members. Interpretation at the 374 Pavilion will become an official WCRA volunteer activity for hours tracking and other volunteer benefits. • WCRA gets an official public location in Vancouver, where we will be able to promote our activities, including growing membership, promoting our tours, and marketing our West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, and supporting railway preservation in general to a new audience.

Initial plans for 2005 are for the creation of an operating budget for 2005 for the 374 Pavilion operating unit, and the production and distribution of a tourist “rack card” in the Vancouver area to grow visitor ship to the pavilion. The WCRA welcomes the 374 Station Society to membership, and thanks all members as well as the CRHA for supporting this move for the continued preservation of British Columbia’s railway heritage.

WCRA News, Page 9 WCRA NEWS ON THE WEB

As a trial, we have made WCRA News January 2005 issue available on the WCRA website, it can be viewed and downloaded as a pdf file using Adobe Acrobat Reader. This newsletter will likewise be made available.

The purpose of this is to test reaction and get comments from you, our readers. We would be interested in your thoughts regarding this access to your WCRA News. While we seek your comments and ideas, we do not have any plans to change from the current practice of having WCRA News a direct benefit of membership, nor do we intend to stop mail distribution of the WCRA News hard copies. But we may be able to provide some additional value by having the newsletter available more quickly to members when it is produced, or to have past issues available for reference.

If you have any thoughts on this, please e mail [email protected] or call the editor at 604- 988-3435.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2005

Thanks to Bernie Tully for once again heading up our Entertainment Book sales for 2005. We sold 64 books this year, making WCRA $755.20. Thanks to all who supported this effort, and to Bernie for heading it up.

CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE

Christmas at Canada Place was successful for the WCRA again this year, as the West Coast Mini Rail gang carried 13,724 people aboard the new Southern Railway of BC train between December 12 and December 23, 2004. Sponsored by Starbucks, the train was again a highlight of the display, generating $20,586 for the WCRA from the event. (photo left, Paul Roy with Santa, Don Evans)

The event ended at end of day December 23, and take down started almost immediately. The #646 locomotive and other items destined for Burnaby were removed on December 24, while the SRY #124 and train were also moved to Squamish December 24th. Track was taken apart and moved by truck to storage at Lions Gate Trailers until needed for next year’s event.

WCRA News, Page 10

Thanks to Paul Roy and Mary Roy who led the event, and the host of volunteers who helped out—Keith, Eric & Karl Anderson, Howie Biehl, Len Brown, Jim Crutchley, Colin Dathan, Jeremy Davy, Tony Fednya, Tim Hall, Harold Holtby, Don Knudsen, Faye & John Lighthall, George Massey, Dave Manzer, Doug May, Bruce McKay, Dorothea Matewish, Jack Munro, Paul Ohanessian, Ron Pajala, Tom Pruden, Denis Roy, Barrie Samson, Jonathon Schmidt, Earl & Lavina Shaw, Donna Simon, Kayla Simon, Dick Sutcliffe, Bernie Tully, Kurtis Tylor, and Carl Vanderspek. (P.R.)

While there were some changes in working with Canada Place Corporation this year, we experienced a good event and now have a five year agreement with Canada Place now so future years participation is secured—something we are delighted about. Our thanks also to Canada Place, their events manager Cory Daubenfeld, and all who helped for their support and enthusiasm for the train as part of this annual Vancouver event.

THANKS

• To Gordon Hall for the acquisition of the Royal Hudson tender crest and its donation to the WCRA • To Joy Miller for the donation of a book titled The Old Railway Station Book, which will become part of our library collection at the Heritage Park.

COLLECTIONS

PETER COX ARCHIVAL PHOTO COLLECTION COMES TO WCRA

The West Coast Railway Association is delighted to announce that it has acquired a significant historical photographic collection, which will be housed and cared for at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park library and archives.

The Peter Cox Archive, a photo collection consisting of 6,745 photographic negatives taken during the period 1920 to 1970, will come to the Heritage Park in three stages. The photos were taken by the donor as well as others, and the subject material is of Canadian railways and their subsidiary operations through the era covered. The black and white collection of negatives, taken on a large format high quality camera, also comes with comprehensive information identifying each image and date / time / location data. This is believed to be the most complete assembly of historical photographic records of the subject matter in existence.

The agreement with the donor, Peter Cox of Edmonton, Alberta, sees the entire collection donated to the WCRA for future care as well as for accessibility by historians and others who seek to find such materials for historical articles or books. The collection value has been appraised by an external appraiser at $28,000. WCRA News, Page 11

The Peter Cox Archive joins other significant collections at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, including the Robert E. Swanson collection, the David Wilkie Collection, the BC Rail Collection, and the Rocky Mountaineer archives as well as WCRA's own collections. A full time curator / archivist is planned to be added in 2005 to aid in the setting up, cataloguing of and accessibility to these collections.

So just who is Peter Cox?—Grant Ferguson, who assisted with this donation, sends us this…

Peter grew up in Winnipeg in a CNR family. His father had started at CN in 1923 as an office boy and worked his way up to Manager of Freight Traffic. Peter started taking black and white photos in Winnipeg in 1953. This was precipitated by a meeting with well-known rail photographer, Ernie Plant. Peter had traveled to Vancouver in 1953 to visit a school friend. Both shared an interest in streetcars and buses and one day visited the old streetcar barns on Main St at 13th Ave. Noticing the interest of the two young lads, a worker suggested that they meet Ernie Plant. This was arranged and Ernie asked Peter if he could take a few shots for him in Winnipeg. Well a few shots turned into a life long hobby and interest and resulted in the Peter Cox Archive. Peter’s only regret in assembling his collection was that he did not start taking colour slides at an earlier date than he did. He felt that many important subjects deserved to be captured in colour as well as in the black and white format

Peter’s family moved to Vancouver in 1956 and Peter continued to take photos. In the course of his travels he met up with most of the local railfans. Bob Gevaert was a new friend who introduced Peter to most of the locals. When the WCRA was formed in 1961, Peter was the first President of the club. At that time the club was known as the West Coast Railfan Assoc. Peter was instrumental in the acquisition of the British Columbia and was dispatched to CPR in Calgary to inspect the Mountain Observation cars when we were taking steps to preserve all three cars. Peter was also the WCRA’s first Tours Director having organized the first fan trip over the PGE from North Vancouver to Squamish and return on August 5, 1961 using gas car #107 and open car #14. The return was powered by diesel #556 as the gas car had broken down. Another early trip was a trolley bus excursion using coach #2000, Vancouver’s first trolley coach, and coach #2416, the last trolley coach. Peter was also a driving force behind the trip on CN to Hope B.C. in 1964 which featured high speed mainline running with the British Columbia.

Peter hired on with CNR in 1956 and worked at the Vancouver Diesel shop until 1962. He transferred to the Express Department where he worked until 1965. He then moved to the running trades where he served as a brakeman until taking the Management training course in 1973. In 1974 he was posted to Prince George and was involved with the up-grade of the north line until 1977. He then moved to Edmonton with VIA Rail. Peter is now retired and lives in Edmonton and devotes his spare time to the Edmonton Radial Railway Society operation at Fort Edmonton. Peter has previously donated several important artifacts to the WCRA, and, as you can see, has a long history with our organization. WCRA News, Page 12

Thanks to WCRA member Grant Ferguson for assistance in facilitating this acquisition, and to Peter Cox for his careful historical documentation and the donation of same to the WCRA.

Late note: We have been advised that Peter suffered a stroke on January 3, 2005. He is now recovering in hospital in Edmonton, after being moved from Emergency to a regular room January 5. The outlook is optimistic; our best wishes go to Peter and his wife Ann at this time.

ROLLING STOCK TO BE STORED AT FORMER BCR SQUAMISH SHOPS

The WCRA has signed a storage agreement with BCR Properties Ltd. for winter storage of its excursion train and other equipment. The agreement provides for storage of up to eight units (locomotives and passenger cars) in Motive Power Shop 1 for the period January 1, 2005 through March 31, 2005. This is great news as it will allow us covered dry storage for FP7A #4069, power car, coaches, open observation car and other equipment keeping it dry and stopping weather deterioration through the winter. The shops were vacated by CN at the end of November and are currently unused.

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND

SINGH BILN TO LEAD 2860 PROJECT

Some very exciting news this month is that J.S. (Singh) Biln, P. Eng., long with the British Columbia Railway / BC Rail, and most recently CN’s Manager—Corporate Affairs in North Vancouver, will join WCRA in February 2005 and lead the repair project for Royal Hudson #2860. He will be supported by Doyle McCormack (noted steam expert from Portland, OR— SP #4449 and SP & S #800) to over see the work to return Royal Hudson #2860 to steam.

Singh will become WCRA’s Manager—Major Projects. In this role, Singh will report to the WCRA’s Board of Directors through the Executive Director, and be responsible for the leadership of two or three major projects as determined by the board each year. He will be based at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, and will also be a member of the WCRA’s leadership team (Operating Committee).

Three major projects for 2005 are identified: 1) Royal Hudson #2860 – Singh will be the project manager, working with our steam advisor Doyle McCormack and leading staff working on the boiler and other repairs to make the locomotive operable once again. 2) RDC BC 33 – lead the team of contracted staff to repair Budd car BC 33 and return it to serviceable condition by mid 2005. 3) Turntable installation – (subject to funding) , provide technical and engineering assistance to the design and installation team to install the turntable at the Heritage Park. WCRA News, Page 13

Singh will be well known to many of you. He has been active in the past in many facets of the WCRA, and has been a strong advocate and resource for us in the railway over the years. A resident of Squamish, he retired from CN effective January 14, 2005 after 28 railway years .

Singh brings to WCRA a vast array of railway experience, and is well qualified for his new role with us. During his years with BC Rail, he held a number of senior project engineering and management positions, including being the railway’s Chief Mechanical Officer. Most recently he has been Assistant to the President and Manager of Corporate Affairs for the railway. Of particular interest to us are several things—first that we now have a Professional Engineer on our staff. Singh led the Budd Car re-engineering and modernization program for BC Rail, and designed the upgrade electronics and electrical systems. He also had extensive leadership roles with both the BC Rail steam program and was the project manager for BC Rail with CPR’s rebuild of Hudson #2816. Throw in his experience with passenger car equipment, locomotives and power systems and we have a great new resource.

We welcome Singh to the WCRA in his new role and look forward to his ability to lead us forward on our major projects, starting with the high profile Royal Hudson repairs.

HUDSON TUBES CONTRACT LET

We are pleased to report to you that the contract for the manufacture of all the tubes needed for the repairs to the boiler of the Royal Hudson was let in December, 2004 to Aggressive Tube Bending of Surrey, BC. Delivery is expected to be in a month or two. (R.A.)

ROYAL HUDSON TENDER CREST DONATED

The WCRA has been donated one of the two large Province of British Columbia crests that graced the tender of locomotive #2860 from 1974 to 1987. The crest was discovered in a warehouse and turned up for sale on e Bay. Member Gordon Hall got into the act and after all was done, the crest was acquired and donated to the WCRA.

The British Columbia Coat of Arms was affixed to the side of the Royal Hudson #2860 Steam engine in BC Rail's Steam train program from 1974 to 1987, when the Provincial Coat of Arms design was changed. There was a large Provincial crest (this one of them) on each side of the tender and a smaller version on the front of the engine, mounted above the headlight and below the number board.

The original steam engines that pulled the Royal Train across Canada in 1939 had the Royal Coat of Arms of King George VI applied to the tenders in a similar fashion as well to the front of the locomotives. Canadian Pacific used Royal Hudson #2850 all the way from the East Coast to West Coast on the Canadian Pacific Line, and had the Royal Crest mounted as a WCRA News, Page 13 WCRA News, Page 14

three dimensional Coat of Arms on a circular base mounted on each side of the Hudson's tender. One of these original crests from the 1939 train is now on display at the Revelstoke Railway Museum. The Canadian Pacific design was quite elegant and gave the engine leading the Royal Train a very official Royal look, to go with the matching passenger set. The Canadian National engines used, had the Coat of Arms applied directly flush to the tender sides of the various CN engines.

The Royal Hudson #2860 steam engine was rebuilt by the British Columbia Government for the purposes of advertising British Columbia Tourism as the train made tours of the US and Canada, and as a tourism show piece along the scenic regular runs from North Vancouver to Squamish on the then Provincially controlled B.C. Rail. The British Columbia Coat of Arms was applied in a similar fashion to that of the original 1939 Royal Hudson steam engine, giving it a distinct and official look.

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND

Our Royal Hudson Preservation Fund continues to grow, thanks to a stream of continuing donations. We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker and Richard Tubbessing, Keith Anderson $1,000, Paul Roy $500, Bill Southworth $1,000, Jim Saunders $350, Meeting raffle $92 plus the donations from our Annual Direct Mail Campaign which are at $18,205 bringing our total to $67,397 raised to date. Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org . Then add in the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant and our total leaps forward to $177,397.

FUNDRAISING

ANNUAL DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN

Our sincere thanks to those of you who have already sent in your donations in response to our Annual Direct Mail campaign. As we go to press we have received a total of $18,205 to date; this year’s annual campaign funds are being added to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund.

We have had a busy and challenging year, with lots of need and excitement ahead. It’s amazing what your help has enabled us to accomplish over the first ten years with our West Coast Railway Heritage Park—just imagine what ten more years will look like—a steaming Royal Hudson, Canada’s number one railway heritage attraction and collection, regular operations with excursion train, Budd cars—and even more! WCRA News, Page 15

Our members do us proud with their support. We hope you are proud of what that support has helped accomplish, and that you feel excitement in where we are headed. The preservation of British Columbia's railway heritage has never progressed as significantly, or been in better hands. Thank you for considering support to our 2004 Annual campaign.

RICHARD MULCASTER RETIRES FROM VANCOUVER FOUNDATION

Richard Mulcaster, the Vancouver Foundation’s President & CEO for the past 25 years, has taken retirement. Richard has been a long time advocate for charitable causes and has steered the Vancouver Foundation's growth and leadership in this sector to its role as largest community foundation in Canada. We have had many dealings with Richard over the past years, he has always been interested in what WCRA is doing. The WCRA has been the recipient of two grants form the Vancouver Foundation, and we have established our own West Coast Railway Endowment Fund with them.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – DECEMBER 2004

A very busy month, with a good start to our 2005 fiscal year….. Funding Asks Made • Worked on securing new funding for the Roundhouse & Conference Centre at the Heritage Park. Wrote proposal and submitted a grant application. Major Funding Received • $50,000 new debentures • $ 7,340 Direct mail donations (to Royal Hudson) + $600 Royal Hudson • $ 20,586 Christmas at Canada Place proceeds • $270 In Memoriam Bud Butterworth + $50 In memoriam Ron Finn • Annual Dinner Raffles / Auction Proceeds $2,000 • Peter Cox Archival Collection acquired as donation – appraised at $28,000 • Second installment of $50,000 received towards Alberta car restoration

Month Total $158,846 Year to Date Total $158,846

Other Significant Activities • Several communications regarding trying to acquire Squamish diesel shops with support of the District of Squamish • Started work with Rotary Club of Vancouver for our joint auction to be held March 3, 2005 • Concluded agreement for 374 Station Society merge into WCRA • Paid out the station loan at RBC releasing guarantee by District of Squamish • Concluded agreement with BCR Properties for rolling stock storage in former BC rail diesel shop at Squamish effective January 1, 2005 WCRA News, Page 16 AUCTION SET FOR MARCH 3, 2005

Mark the date of Thursday, March 3, 2005 in your calendars as we join with the Rotary Club of Vancouver once again for a giant auction. The event will mark the Centennial of Rotary as an organization, and will be held at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. WCRA’s share of the proceeds will go to the restoration of the Royal Hudson. Price is $100 per couple ($50 single) and includes full dinner with wine as well as souvenir etched wine glasses. Details are now posted on www.wcra.org or call Matt at the office, 604-681-4403.

WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

2005 TOURS PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

West Coast Rail Tours is pleased to announce our 2005 program of rail tours. Check out the pages that follow in the newsletter for some great opportunities to ride the rails. There are some new tours this year, as well as some repeats of old favourites, something for everyone and every budget.

This year’s signature tours will be two repeats of last year’s North Country Tour , featuring WCRA’s F units and open car. These will operate in both the north direction (May) and the south direction (October) as the North Coast Explorer cruise ship train positions to and from its summer base in Prince Rupert. These will be called the Fraser-Skeena Heritage Railtour this year. Dates are set for a May 15, 2005 departure north and an October 9, 2005 departure south from Prince Rupert. Mark the dates on your calendars now. Also note that there are shorter segment tours that also use this train as part of their itineraries.

Remember that West Coast Rail Tours can book all your travel plans—just call us, we can help with a winter sun cruise or flight, as well as Rocky Mountaineer’s winter trains and Amtrak / VIA Rail Canada year round. Give us a call. (B.J.)

FRASER-SKEENA HERITAGE TRAIN RAILTOURS FOR 2005

Make you plans now to join us for the greatest tour of the last few years, our Fraser-Skeena Railtours in 2005. Following the successful operation of the tour in September from Prince Rupert to Squamish, we are set to do the trip in both directions for next year. These tours accomplish the ferry moves of the North Coast Explorer consist from the Lower Mainland up to Prince Rupert for the cruise season and then returns it at season end. Consist will be WCRA’s FP7A units, GCRC coaches and WCRA’s open observation car 598 Henry Pickering. Read the coverage of this year’s trip in the November 2004 News or on our website www.wcra.org and you know you will have to be aboard.

• Sunday, May 15—Start from Vancouver up the Sea to Sky to Squamish for a tour of the WCRA News, Page 17

West Coast Railway Heritage Park and lunch. Board the train for the spectacular run up the Cheakamus Canyon to Whistler. • Monday, May 16—Depart Whistler for the great ride through the coast mountains and along the lakes into Lillooet, then the spectacular climb up the Fraser canyon walls to 100 Mile House in the Cariboo. • Tuesday, May 17—follow the former BC Rail route to the Central British Columbia city of Prince George. Enjoy the Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum. • Wednesday, May 18—Head west on CN’s northern BC line through the Bulkley Valley to the mountain setting of Smithers. • Thursday, May 19—the tour continues through the Northern scenery along the Skeena River through Terrace and into Prince Rupert • Friday, May 20—return to Vancouver via a number of options that include air, Inland Passage ferry / Vancouver Island rail etc.

Options from Prince Rupert back to Vancouver include everything from direct flights to an Inside Passage cruise to Vancouver Island, then an island trip by motorcoach and VIA’s Malahat dayliner—call us for details and for a detailed brochure on the tour.

The tour runs again in October and follows a similar itinerary but with the train southbound, starting with arrival in Prince Rupert on Sunday, October 9 then departing Prince Rupert on October 10, arriving back to Vancouver on Friday, October 14th.

Prices: $1,492 (double occupancy, single supplement $408). GST and return option pricing additional. Includes transportation, hotels, transfers and most meals.

SHORTER OPTIONS USING THE FRASER– SKEENA HERITAGE TRAIN

SEA-to-SKY HERITAGE RAILTOUR Sunday, May 15th, 2005 Daytrip

West Coast Rail Tour's Special Train to Whistler, travelling with the Fraser-Skeena tour on its first day itinerary with F units, comfortable coaches and open car.

We arrange pickup at your hotel or designated pickup points in the Greater Vancouver area and transfer you by motorcoach to our West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish for lunch and a tour. After lunch we board our private train and depart via spectacular Cheakamus Canyon for Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We arrive in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this world-famous Alpine village. Your motorcoach service departs from the Village bus loop at 6:30 PM and returns you to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station at 9:15 PM. Return transportation is included in the total fare. Prices: Starting with pick up in the Vancouver area and ending back in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station (or Greyhound stops en route). $158 (US$139). WCRA News, Page 18

MOUNTAIN LAKES & FRASER CANYON HERITAGE RAILTOUR Sunday, May 15th, 2005 - Two days

West Coast Rail Tour's Special Excursion to the Fraser River at Lillooet, Returning Home via its Spectacular Fraser Canyon, travels with the Fraser-Skeena heritage train to Lillooet. • Day 1. Sunday, May 15th We arrange pickup at your hotel or designated pickup points in the Greater Vancouver area and transfer you by motorcoach to our Railway Heritage Park in Squamish for lunch and a tour. After lunch we board our private train and depart via spectacular Cheakamus Canyon for Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We will arrive in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this world-famous Alpine village and enjoy one of its many fine restaurants of your choice. • Day 2. Monday, May 16th Departing Whistler in our private train we plunge through the coastal mountains, skirt isolated Seton and Anderson Lakes and stop in Lillooet. We have lunch here and are transferred by a local bus high along the banks of the Fraser to the village of Lytton where we visit the local museum and vintage caboose. Late afternoon we board our motorcoach service for Vancouver via the Fraser Canyon. Connections are also available for residents on the north side of the Fraser River from Mission to Coquitlam. Arrival in Vancouver is at 9:00 PM after a brief rest stop in Chilliwack.

Prices: (Not including GST) starting with pick up in the Vancouver area and ending back in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station (or Greyhound stops en route). Shared hotel room: $429 (US$369). Single Supplement $51 (US$41)

MOUNTAIN LAKES, CANYONS, & CARIBOO HERITAGE RAILTOUR Sunday, May 15th, 2005 - Three Days

West Coast Rail Tour's Special Excursion to Williams Lake, a rare opportunity to explore central British Columbia by passenger train, all of it on the former BC Rail line from Vancouver to Williams Lake.

• Day 1. Sunday, May 15th We arrange pickups at your hotel or home in the Greater Vancouver area and transfer you by motorcoach to our Railway Heritage Park in Squamish for lunch and a tour. After lunch we board our private train and depart via spectacular Cheakamus Canyon for Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We will arrive in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this world-famous Alpine village and enjoy one of its many fine restaurants of your choice. • Day 2. Monday, May 16th Departing Whistler 8:00 AM in our private train we plunge through the coastal mountains, skirt isolated Seton and Anderson Lakes and pause for a stop in Lillooet. Leaving Lillooet we cross the Fraser River and climb almost 2000’ along the walls of its canyon to the Cariboo Plateau. We finish the day in the heart of the Cariboo ranching region at 100 Mile House.

WCRA News, Page 19

• Day 3. Tuesday, May 17th We leave 100 Mile House at 8:00 AM and snake our way through the southern Cariboo arriving at Williams Lake at about 10:30 AM. We get off the train here and are transferred to the Williams Lake bus depot for lunch on your own. At 12:30 PM we board a scheduled Greyhound service for Vancouver via the Fraser Canyon. Connections are available for residents on the north side of the Fraser from Mission to Coquitlam as well. Arrival in Vancouver is at 9:00 PM with a rest stop in Chilliwack.

Prices: (Not including GST) starting with pick up in Vancouver area and ending back in Vancouver at Pacific Central Station (or Greyhound stops enroute), based shared hotel rooms. $639 (US$548). Single room supplement $81, (US$69).

EX-BC RAIL HERITAGE RAILTOUR Sunday, May 15th, 2005 - Four Days

West Coast Rail Tour's “Rare Mileage” event to Prince George. This is a rare opportunity to explore central British Columbia by passenger train, all of it on the former BC Rail line from Vancouver to Prince George • Day 1. Sunday, May 15th We arrange pickups at your hotel or home in the Greater Vancouver area and transfer you by motorcoach to our Railway Heritage Park in Squamish for lunch and a tour. After lunch we board our private train and depart via spectacular Cheakamus Canyon for Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We will arrive in plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere of this world-famous Alpine village and enjoy one of its many fine restaurants of your choice. • Day 2. Monday, May 16th Departing Whistler 8:00 AM on our private train we plunge through the coastal mountains, skirt isolated Seton and Anderson Lakes and pause for a stop in Lillooet. Leaving Lillooet we cross the Fraser and climb almost 2000’ along the walls of its canyon to the Cariboo Plateau. We finish the day in the heart of the Cariboo ranching region at 100 Mile House. • Day 3. Tuesday, May 17th We leave 100 Mile House at 8:00 AM and stop for a brief visit at the excellent Quesnel Museum. We arrive in Prince George mid afternoon and tour the popular Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum to round out the day. Dinner is your choice. • Day 4. Wednesday, May 18th We leave Prince George by any of the options shown below (page 17) after a restful night in a comfortable hotel

Prices: (Not including GST) starting with pick up in Vancouver area and ending at Prince George hotel Wednesday morning, May 18th, based shared hotel rooms. $739 (US$629). Single room supplement $149, (US$129). Prices include transport, transfers, hotel, most meals Returning from Prince George - Options: Fares start at $170 taxes included for air, and are subject to: option chosen; booking date, (air); 60+ Senior (VIA Rail); number of extra hotel nights required; and other factors. Phone for details. WCRA News, Page 20

• Air Canada from Prince George Airport May 18th at 9:30 AM or 12:20 PM • WestJet Airlines from Prince George May 18th at 7:20 AM or 10:25 AM • VIA RAIL Canada’s “Skeena train” to Jasper departing Prince George Thursday, 19th staying 2 nights in Jasper and arriving in Vancouver off “The Canadian” Sunday, May 22nd. Sleeping accommodation and meal package is available on “The Canadian”. • Greyhound Coach Lines Depart Prince George at 8:45 AM for Vancouver. Connections are also available for residents on the north side of the Fraser from Mission to Coquitlam. Arrival in Vancouver is at 9:00 PM with a rest stop in Chilliwack. (Fare about $110).

Malahat Circle Trip (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 and taxi fare to take you the Best Western Carlton Plaza Hotel. You are on your own for dinner. We supply breakfast in the adjoining restaurant served at 7:00 am. At 7:45 am we ask you to check out and walk the three blocks west to the VIA Rail station. 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

WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE RAILROAD STEAM EXCURSION Weekly, on Thursdays - June to August - Four Day Trip

This excursion package is custom designed for rail enthusiasts and those who wish to experience the excitement of both diesel and steam-hauled passenger service on “The Scenic Railroad of the World”. We make all arrangements for you and supply tickets and vouchers as needed. Departures are on Thursdays, June 2nd through to August 25th, from Vancouver BC (or other destinations if desired) to Whitehorse, Yukon where we spend an afternoon visiting the museums and historic sites in this Territorial Capital. We stay in a high quality downtown hotel. We have Friday morning free and after lunch, walk to the old WP&YR depot where we board our motorcoach for the transfer to Fraser BC. Here we board the diesel-hauled excursion train over the White Pass summit and down to Skagway. Our destination hotel is a short walk from the depot. On Saturday morning we leave our baggage in the hotel and take our cameras to the depot for an 8:00 AM departure behind steam locomotive #73. This is an 8½-hour return trip to remote Lake Bennett, the end of the Chilkoot Trail. During WCRA News, Page 21 the 2-hour layover, we may participate in a walking tour with a Park Historian, explore the area’s artifacts and tour the historic displays in the 1903 station. Lunch and run-bys are included. On Sunday we ascend the White Pass on the Klondike Highway through completely different terrain for Whitehorse airport and our afternoon return to Vancouver.

Prices: $1195 based shared accommodation, Single Supplement $215. Fares are subject to availability of early booking airline discounts. Phone 604-524-1011 for more details. PORTLAND, OREGON + LEWIS & CLARK TRAIN to ASTORIA Thursdays through Sundays - Three Days We leave by motorcoach from Vancouver’s Pacific Central station at 8:45 AM for Seattle’s King Street station where we join Amtrak Cascades train 507 for Portland Oregon. Pickups are available in Richmond and Surrey. We arrive in Portland at 5:15 PM and check into a good hotel downtown. The next morning we transfer to Portland’s Union Station for a departure on the Lewis & Clark Explorer Train for Astoria. This train consists of the “Budd” RDC cars formerly used on the BC Rail line to Lillooet and Prince George. This scenic route follows the Columbia River down to its mouth arriving about noon. We have the afternoon free in this interesting historic seaside town and even ride the historic trolley car. We return to Portland at 4:45 PM arriving back at out hotel at about 9:30 PM. The next morning we depart Portland’s station at 8:45 AM on Amtrak Cascades #500 for Seattle where our transfer bus takes us back to Vancouver arriving at 5:00 PM. If you wish to spend the day in Portland you may take the 4:05 PM train, which with transfers gets into Vancouver at about midnight. You may also want to stay an extra night in Portland, which we can also arrange. This tour runs from end of May to end of September. Phone 1-800-722-1233 for fares and more details. SEATTLE - ON THE SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON DINNER TRAIN AND AMTRAK CASCADES Saturday, April 16th, 2005 Daytrip

We depart Vancouver by motorcoach with pickups in Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey. On arrival in Renton, we board the "Spirit of Washington" Dinner train for a noon departure in the scenic dome car. A gourmet lunch is served while the train skirts Lake Washington's scenic eastern shoreline, en route to Woodinville. On arrival, the Columbia Winery offers a tour and tasting before the train departs for its return trip when coffee and dessert are served. From Renton, our coach takes us to Seattle for a trolley ride to King St. Station where we board the Amtrak "Cascades" train. This modern innovative European-style train leaves Seattle for Bellingham, skirting Puget Sound and affords stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula and the ocean. Snacks (your cost) are available in the “Bistro Bar” car. From Bellingham, our coach returns us to Vancouver. All other tour and train expenses included. As this trip usually sells out we suggest you book early. WCRA News, Page 22 Prices: $180 for all; scenic dome car seating with a great 360° view. VANCOUVER ISLAND’S WEST COAST via “Lady Rose” plus PORT ALBERNI Tuesday, June 28, 2005 Four or Five Days STEAM We leave Pacific Central Station by motorcoach with pickups in the West End and West Vancouver, and then sail by BC Ferries to Nanaimo. On the Island we drive to Port Alberni and enjoy a dinner at a seaside restaurant. On Wednesday we enjoy a half-day cruise on board the coastal supply vessel, Lady Rose (or Frances Barkley) via Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound to the West Coast village of Ucluelet. Our motorcoach meets us and transfers us to our accommodation in Tofino. On Thursday we tour in Pacific Rim National Park and return to Port Alberni for the evening. On Friday morning (Canada Day) we board the Historic Steam Train, which takes us to the McLean Mill, (last operating steam-powered lumber mill in Canada). We then head back to the east coast of Vancouver Island with stops for a tour of Cathedral Grove and Coombs Junction market, followed by a ride to picturesque Qualicum Beach. Here we board the newly restored VIA Rail Malahat Dayliner for a ride along the Strait of Georgia back to Nanaimo where we transfer to BC Ferries for an early evening arrival back into Vancouver. You may choose to stay on the train south to Victoria and add a day in the provincial capital with its many attractions. Prices: For the 4 day option: $698, (BC Seniors $668) Single Supplement $212. For the 5 day option with the longer train ride and extra night in Victoria, including transfers back to Vancouver (unescorted): $798, (BC Seniors $758) Single Supplement $282 FRASER VALLEY BY RAIL AND FIRST NATIONS HISTORY Wednesday, July 13, 2005 Daytrip

We travel on the modern double-decker afternoon commuter train, West Coast Express, from Vancouver’s historic Waterfront Station to Mission following the scenic shores of Burrard Inlet and later the Fraser River. With views of the Coast Mountains you can enjoy a snack in the Cappuccino bar. In Mission we are transferred to the Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretative Centre, for an interesting hands-on exploration of the First Nations peoples’ history and culture of the valley. This is followed by a traditional salmon bake. Our chartered coach returns us to Vancouver with drop-offs available in the eastern suburbs. Prices: One low price for everyone: $66 includes salmon dinner, train and motorcoach. VICTORIA, DISCOVERY COAST, CHILCOTIN, CARIBOO &KAMLOOPS STEAM Tuesday, July 19th, 2005 Seven days Our "Cariboo & Chilcotin Regions, Discovery Coast & Vancouver Island" trips have been our most popular trips in the past few years. This route covers some of the finest scenery in British Columbia through a very remote region with little traffic and a once-a-week daytime coastal ferry trip. Our tour this year runs clockwise with Vancouver Island first, north on the ferry, then WCRA News, Page 23 east across the Chilcotin, then south to Vancouver via Kamloops. We start by making our own way to Victoria on Pacific Coach Lines at a time of our choosing, with coach/ferry vouchers supplied, and stay at the comfortable Carlton Plaza hotel. After breakfast on Wednesday (supplied) we transfer to the VIA Rail station for departure on the Malahat Dayliner. We are met at Courtenay by our chartered motorcoach, have lunch and continue on to Port Hardy for the evening. On Thursday we depart on the Queen of Chilliwack for Bella Coola, arriving late in the evening. On Friday we tour the area. On Saturday we depart by coach, east along the Bella Coola River valley stopping at fish pools, then up the infamous "Big Hill" through the Coast Mountain Range and on through the wild Chilcotin region to Williams Lake for overnight. On Sunday we follow the Cariboo Highway to 100 Mile House then head east across the remote Bridge Lake Road region to Little Fort for lunch. Here we turn south to Kamloops for the evening where we hope to ride behind the CNR restored steam locomotive #2141. Next morning we head to Cache Creek and on to Vancouver. Included is lunch at Ashcroft Manor, the incredible Fraser Canyon, Hell’s Gate Airtram, and stops at historic railway overlooks. We stop to let off passengers at convenient places en route to Vancouver‘s Pacific Central Station. Prices: Adults $1128, (BC Senior $1098), Single supplement $292. SUNSHINE COAST and PORT ALBERNI STEAM Wednesday, August 17, 2005 Three or Four Days

We leave from Lower Mainland destinations and Pacific Central Station at 9:45 AM for the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale ferry. Once on the Sechelt peninsula we will stop at Gibson’s Landing, home of “The Beachcombers” for a little tour and then continue on to Davis Bay for its beachside ambience. After a short stop here we go through Sechelt and pause for the ferry at Earl’s Cove. Once this inlet of the sea is crossed we arrive in Powell River at 6:00 PM where we have dinner available. The next morning we get up early and board our coach for the short ride to the ferry terminal at Westview. We cross the Strait of Georgia to Little River, near Comox and make our way through Courtenay to Qualicum Beach. We will have a chance to enjoy this picturesque village before going to Cathedral Grove to admire the giant trees of this coastal rainforest. We then head west to Port Alberni for lunch at a seaside restaurant. After lunch we go to the Alberni Pacific Railway station and board the steam- powered train to McLean Mill (only steam-powered sawmill in the country) for a tour and entertainment. We return late afternoon and retire to our hotel for dinner, (supplied). On

Friday morning we leave our hotel at 9:30 AM and head back to the east coast of the Island. A stop will be made at Coombs Market with its goats on the roof. Once we leave this unique attraction we offer two options to our passengers.

Option “A” – We ride another train. Our coach drops us at Parksville to catch the northbound Malahat Dayliner at 11:40 AM. This train arrives in Courtenay at 12:50 PM WCRA News, Page 24 where snack lunches are available in the station. The train departs for the south at 1:30 PM and arrives in Nanaimo at 3:30 PM where we are transferred to Departure Bay for the 5:00 PM sailing to Horseshoe Bay arriving in Vancouver shortly after 7:00 PM. Option “B” - For those that would like to stay on the train to Victoria we arrive at 6:00 PM and transfer to our partner hotel near the station. We overnight here and return to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by any Pacific Coach Lines and ferry hourly service of our choice on Saturday, August 20th. We supply vouchers for this comfortable through service. Fares: Phone for detailed itinerary and fares based on option chosen, whether BC senior, and date of booking.

OKANAGAN WINE, FISH SPAWNING and KETTLE VALLEY STEAM Friday, September 16, 2005 Three Days This is a comfortable unhurried coach tour to the Okanagan valley with a trip on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway near Summerland. We leave Vancouver at 8;00 AM and stop in the eastern suburbs to pick up as required. We pause for coffee at Manning Park lodge and continue on to Keremeos for a tour of the Historic Grist Mill. We stay two nights at the beautiful Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the banks of Okanagan Lake. On Saturday morning we supply a breakfast buffet and then head up to Summerland where we join the Kettle Valley Steam train for its morning excursion. After lunch (supplied) we follow the shores of Skaha Lake to Okanagan Falls and visit the Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard for a tour and tasting session. We return to Penticton and stop at the SS Sicamous Lake steamer, a beautifully preserved steamboat filled with interesting artifacts and history. After a breakfast buffet on Sunday we follow Okanagan Lake to Hardy Creek Park near Peachland where we will see thousands of salmon spawning. This is an incredible sight that only happens once a year and only at this time of year. We stop for lunch at the Hainle Winery above Peachland. You are welcome to taste (and buy) their products. From Peachland we join the Okanagan connector and continue on to Hope on the Coquihalla Highway. We stop for an early-bird dinner in Abbotsford before finishing the day back in Vancouver.

Prices: One low fare for all: $458, Single Supplement $132

VANCOUVER ISLAND & "QUEEN OF THE NORTH", REPOSITIONING CRUISE &"E&N DAYLINER" Wednesday September 28th, 2005

Make your own way to Victoria on Pacific Coach Lines at a time of your choosing, with coach/ferry vouchers supplied, and stay at the comfortable Carlton Plaza hotel. Go early and enjoy Victoria or later to arrive in time for dinner. We have a welcome dinner laid on at a beautiful restaurant close to the hotel. After breakfast on Thursday (supplied) we transfer to WCRA News, Page 25 the VIA Rail station for departure on the Malahat Dayliner. We have lunch on the train and are met at Courtenay by our chartered motorcoach, where we continue on to Port Hardy for the evening. Rising early we are transferred to Bear Cove for the 7:30 AM sailing of the Queen of the North for Tsawwassen. On arrival at 8:30 PM our chartered coach returns us to Pacific Central Station, with possible stops en route. A great little circle tour! This tour sold out last year, so book early. Prices: Adult: $478 , BC Senior: $458 , Single supplement $112

MAKE WEST COAST RAIL TOURS YOUR FULL-SERVICE TRAVEL AGENT!

Our West Coast Rail Tours travel agency continues to grow. With our IATA status, we can handle all your bookings for air travel (we are now agents for Air Canada, Harmony Airways, Westjet, Hawk Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines) as well as cruises, hotel accommodations and—our specialty - rail. As a WCRA member, 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.

Occasionally we are able to offer and notify you of tour specials or unique tours with very limited space, often with significant savings. If you have an e-mail address please add your name, etc. to our “subscriber list” at www.wcra.org/tours and sign up for our e-mail service. We will notify you right away when any new, or last minute specially priced tour is offered. You may also be able to view and print your own detailed brochures and maps from our web site as more information becomes available. Also remember we "guarantee share", which means that single tour participants willing to share a room pay no single supplement. We find a roommate or absorb the single supplement if a suitable partner cannot be found.

Contact Bill toll free at 1-800-722-1233, or locally at 604-524-1011 or by e-mail at [email protected] for more information, details and bookings. (B.J.)

West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way to go

WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

6th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE PARK

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park held its sixth annual Christmas Lights at the Park during December, and once again the event was a hit. The West Coast Polar Express mini WCRA News, Page 26 rail trains traveled through a fairyland of lights and displays that were our best ever, over 30,000 lights were lit this year. There are many to thank: Tim Hortons, Douglas Chiasson, DJE Holdings, Greg Gardner Motors, Keith Anderson & Family and MCM Custom Video as display sponsors, and our hard working staff Donna Fourchalk, Renee Walton, Susan Zhou, Wendy Junkin, Matt Christianson, Olga Junkin, Sherry Elchuk, Dave Thethi & Tomo’Oshikawa.

Of course, there were also a host of volunteers, thanks to Randy Shimell, Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood, D’Arcy & Megan Nelson, Joe Kerr, Kevin Smith, Audrey Rhodes, Barb Stover, Chris & Karen Moodie, Ron McCormack, Carmen Peterson, Irena Erdos, Gary Turner, Ellen Grant, Vivian Downing, Bill & Jean McEnery, Bill Hales, Tom Bruval, Michael Roblin, Dave Lonergan, Henry Reimer, Keith Junkin, Barry Hinkleton, Wayne Sidsworth, Don Evans & Deb Sankey. (S.E.)

Special thanks go to Bob Brant for being the photographer for our Photos with Santa and his helpers Megan & Chris Brant. We also would like to thank Don McAllister for fixing the fencing around the parking lot which blew over during our December 1st wind storm!

NEW LEAD TO CN UNDERWAY

This photo taken by Grant Ferguson in late December shows progress of construction of the Heritage Park’s new interchange lead. At the bottom of the photo is the Heritage Parks current tail track end, which will now curve north to a new switch onto the CN passing track along the roadbed shown in the photo. This will make it possible for us to easily move a complete train in and out of the Heritage Park. (G.F.)

HERITAGE PARK SHORTS

The Christmas season also saw a number of events take place at the Heritage Park—On December 7, WCRA’s executive Director Don Evans was guest speaker at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas lunch, held in the Mac Norris Station. The Mac Norris Station also saw Christmas parties for Tim Horton’s Squamish and the local Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Lastly, the successful December month did the job and we have ended the year with over 45,000 guest visits for 2004—more details next month. (S.E.) WCRA News, Page 27 FEATURE ARTICLE

FIRING CPR’S DITCHER #2 - By Bill Yeats. While working as a Hostler’s Helper around the shop, the locomotive foreman’s crew clerk notified me that, if I wanted, I could be called early next morning to be the Fireman on a steam powered “Ditcher”. I didn’t even know what a Ditcher looked like, however at five o- clock next morning I was told to show up before seven o-clock, in “P” yard at Alyth where a work train would be waiting to proceed westward from Calgary on the Laggan Subdivision. The locomotive was not on the train when I got there but I saw a “Jordan Spreader” with it’s large plough wings and heavy steel air tanks and wondered if that was a “Ditcher? I didn’t see any sign of a boiler on it so proceeded along the train past several air operated dump cars. No boiler on any of them either, then I spotted a strange looking machine mounted on double sets of rails on a flatcar.

The photo was taken in the CPR’s yard at East Coulee, Alberta in the later 1940’s and this is the machine that I was called to fire in the fall of 1942 while employed as a wiper at Alyth Locomotive Roundhouse. Floyd Yeats photo from Lance Camp’s file.

There was smoke coming out of the chimney on top of this thing so I guessed that it must be the Steam Powered Ditcher that I was to fire. I climbed up on the thing and saw that it had a small vertical fire tube boiler that was at the rear of all the drums of cables and large levers. There was a box, in the rear corner, that held about two tons of coal and there was also a water tank along the opposite side behind the boiler. When I reached down, with a gloved hand, and swung open the small firebox door I saw that the fire was well banked up with coal and then I looked at the water glass and saw that the liquid was at a safe level. About this time some guy in overalls called up and asked my name, and when I identified myself WCRA News, Page 28 he told me that his name was Dave Mills and that he was the Ditcher Operator, and that I was to be his Fireman on that machine. He then invited me back to, what was to be our private car, for a cup of coffee and that he would tell me what my job would consist of.

Our private car was an old thirty-six foot converted wooden boxcar. The two wide side doors had been replaced with smaller standard sized portals with doors that slid on rollers on the inside with screen doors that slid open or closed on the outside. There were three small windows, also with screens, on each side of this car and also a small narrow door at each end over the drawbars. The car’s interior was divided into three rooms. The larger centre section contained a water barrel beside a sink and stove which was to be used for both cooking our food and heating the car in cooler weather. On the opposite wall there was a table and two chairs beside the other entry door. The one end room was for sleeping and it was equipped with shelves for our stuff above each of the two single cots. There were also hooks in one end wall for hanging up our clothing. At the other end of the car was a larger room that held a coalbunker plus tools and supplies of oil and grease and spare cables and other necessary stuff for the Ditcher plus a small desk for the ditcher operator. There were no electric lights or cooling fans or any of that modern stuff inside our private car. Instead it was equipped with coal oil lamps placed in brackets at various locations on the walls in each of the three rooms and that was it. Such was our home away from home. I guessed that the biffie was out in the bush or some such handy place.

About this time the locomotive for our work train arrived and coupled on to the head end, so while we were waiting for the yard crew to tie the caboose to the other end and the car men to make the required brake test, Dave suggested that we walk forward to the Ditcher and he would show me around it and also describe, in more detail, what my duties would consist of. Both the water tank and coalbunker were nearly full and he described how we would replenish these supplies of fuel and water from the locomotive. This was all very interesting and about this time Dave said that it was time to bank the fire and add more water to the boiler then get back to our home-away from home before the train got under way. He said that it was dangerous to ride in the cab of the Ditcher for more then a short distance.

I had made a few trips, on my days off, as a student fireman on the Laggan Subdivision so the territory wasn’t completely strange to me as our Work Train proceeded westward past Calgary’s passenger station and crossed over to the single track main line at Sunalta at mileage one point four. The train stopped at mile 12, between the sidings of Keith and Bearspaw, and Dave and I proceeded up to the “Ditcher” and got to work getting it ready for the days work. The chains that kept it from moving along the flat car were removed and the side panels of the cab were all opened so that we could both see out and also to keep the insides of the machine cool. There were no glass windows and only canvas awnings to protect us from the sun or rain. The Roadmaster who was in charge of the whole operation WCRA News, Page 29 then told the entire crew including the Conductor and two Trainmen as to what we would be doing that day. The machine that Dave and I were on was spotted beside the part of the hillside that had slid down toward to main track and then I found out why it was called a Ditcher. Dave started his steam engine and lifted the boom then ran this small steam shovel along the flat car and swung the whole thing around sideways, lowered the bucket and proceeded to dig out the ditch that ran along the track. The spoil from that ditch was lifted up and over to be dropped into one of the air operated dump cars (the end of one appears in the photo) behind the Ditcher. Now I got busy shovelling small amounts of coal into the firebox to keep the fire hot and adding water to the boiler with the small injector located to one side and above the firebox door. It was rather rough back in my corner of the Ditcher’s cab as the machine tended to bounce up and down while digging and would swung violently sideways as it was brought around to dump the spoil in the air-dump car. There was a heavy removable bar across my doorway that I could lean on and it kept me from falling out. As the trackside ditch was neatly cleared out, a whistle signal was given by the ditcher operator to the locomotive engineer to move the whole train forward or back about fifty feet to the next location to be excavated as directed by the Roadmaster. The small, shrill whistle located above the ditcher’s boiler was used for this purpose. When the first dump car was full our excavating machine was run to the other end of its flat car and turned around then the other dump car was filled one scoop full at a time. When both cars were full of material, nearly fifty tons each, the train moved to where the muck was dumped on the opposite side of the track where the bank needed to be built up and widened, then the compressed air powered Jordan Spreader, with it’s side wing extended, was used to push the dumped material over the edge and level it clear of the track. The locomotive supplied the compressed air that powered the spreader and this was piped to the spreader's reservoirs through the train signal line that was coupled between the locomotive and the spreader. While this was being done I had a chance to build up the boiler steam and get ready for the next bit of steam shovel digging. Our work train didn’t have this part of the Laggan Subdivision all to ourselves because there were several other trains coming from both directions which we had to clear. When one would show up from the west we would run back to the 88 car siding at Keith or move westward several miles to the next siding at Bearspaw if a train approached our working point from the east. Then we had time to replenish the coal and water supplies in the Ditcher from the work train’s locomotive tender and have our lunch or just a coffee break. When the ditch at this location was neatly cleaned out and the material dumped over the bank and spread clear of the track the work train moved approximately five miles westward to start cleaning the ditch along the bank between the sidings of Bearspaw and Glenbow WCRA News, Page 30 located about eighteen miles west of Calgary. When this part was finished it was time to quit for the day and return with the work train to our terminal at Alyth. The fire was dumped and the Ditcher chained down while waiting in Bearspaw siding for a westbound freight. Then we could make the sixteen-mile eastward run to our terminal at Alyth. I was informed that I would be called again the next morning to again fire the Ditcher, but the Crew Clerk at the roundhouse wasn’t told of this so I slept in until about seven o-clock. The work train took off on time without it’s Ditcher Fireman and it was suggested that I could catch a ride to the working point on the locomotive of passenger train No.3, with Engineer Otto Flegal and his Fireman. With the lunch my mother had packed for me the night before, under my arm, I hurried down to Alyth roundhouse to catch my ride on that big shiny Selkirk engine that would soon be heading up to Calgary’s station then coupled on to the head end of that fast passenger train which was scheduled to leave for Vancouver at eight thirty. I would have liked to have ridden all the way to Field on that large 5900 that day, but we overtook the Ditcher’s work train in the siding at Bearspaw just as they were getting ready to move westward to the other side of Glenbow to begin doing more ditching work between there and Cochrane. One of the track crewmen had been doing my job of firing the boiler until I arrived. Dave Mills and the rest of the crew sure gave me a bad time for sleeping in the morning on my second day on the job but by catching that ride out on No. 3 the day’s work was not missed. That second day was Saturday and was spent between meeting freight and passenger trains, coming from both directions, working at cleaning the slide material from the ditches westward to about mileage thirty just west of Mitford siding. At that point I found out what was referred to as “casting over”. That term meant that when material was dug out from one side of the track it was not dropped into an air-dump car but that the bucket was swung right over to the opposite side of the track and the material dumped over the narrow bank where some of it slid down as far as the Bow River below. I also found out just what that funny looking potato masher sort of thing was for that was attached to the end of the boom and extended down into the bucket when the bucket was raised all the way up. The clay bank above the main line at this working point was very wet and gooey on account of there being springs weeping water higher up the slope. Therefore the muck being excavated was sticky and wet and had a tendency to cling to the insides of the bucket and wouldn’t drop out when the hatch was opened. When this happened Dave would lower the main boom almost horizontal then raise the bucket up as far as possible so that the potato masher thing could push the sticky clay out. Another thing that I also learned was that it was very difficult to maintain the steam pressure at the required 180 pounds per square inch, with such poor a grade of coal, while the steam shovel engines were being worked so steady, so every few minutes Dave had to stop shovelling and give me a chance to raise the steam pressure and the boiler water level. We called this playing “Catch up”. The Ditcher work train crew were not scheduled to work the next day because it was Sunday so at about five o-clock all the machinery, both the spreader and the ditcher were chained WCRA News, Page 31 down, the air reservoirs drained and the fire dumped. Dave then handed me a wrench and I was instructed to climb up to the steam shovel’s roof and remove the top three feet of the boiler’s chimney then lay it down there and fasten it securely with haywire. When I asked why this had to be done Dave explained that by Monday morning we would be working on Field Hill and there was a tunnel in that territory that was not high enough to clear our extended smoke stack so it had to be removed now because the work train equipment was to be sent west, in the consist of a freight train, after we arrived at Alyth that evening. That is when I found out that we would be working out of Field starting on Monday. So many years have passed since my days of firing the Ditcher that I can’t recall how Dave Mills and I got to Field by Monday morning so I must assume that we deadheaded there on a passenger train either Sunday morning or more likely on express train No. 1 which was scheduled to leave Calgary’s station at 23 o-clock Sunday night and arrive in Field at three fifty five the next morning. That would give us time to find our bunk car and to have a short sleep before starting work at seven am. We would have been able to sleep in the day coach on the passenger train while deadheading west from Calgary. Our job that day was to work between Field and Hector which is located at the top of the original “Old Field Hill” right beside Lake Wapta. After a quick breakfast Dave and I headed for our Ditcher and, while I got the fire started in the boiler, Dave was busy filling a few grease cups and generally oiling around all the machinery in the cab of our small steam shovel. By the time the locomotive (a 5300 coal burning Mikado 2-8-2) was coupled up to our short work train the boiler steam pressure was rising quickly When the first working point was reached the ditching operation could be started, but first the extension to the smoke stack would have to be bolted in place and all the chains tying the ditcher to the flatcar would have to be unhooked and hung in place on the sides of the car. The work train was made up differently for working on the “Big Hill” that morning. The locomotive was pointed east, but instead of it being on the head end it was coupled behind the air operated dump cars, ditcher, spreader and our bunk car plus the train crew’s caboose. That way all the cars in the train would lean against that heavy locomotive and there wouldn’t be any chance of them running away down the 2 ½ % grade of “Field Hill” if, by accident, they were to become uncoupled. The locomotive air brakes were sufficient to quite easily hold that short train on that grade. We worked clearing rocks and dirt out of the ditch on the mountain side of the track dumping it down the slope on the opposite side of the track or into one of the air-dump cars then tipping the material out and spreading it as necessary with the air operated Jordan Spreader. When the ditching was completed from Field to the small tunnel just west of the old Monarch Mine, near the heavy slide area of Mount Stephen, the smoke stack extension had to be removed before proceeding any further east. I then had to reattach the hot heavy thing again before any more digging could start so as to prevent smoke and engine exhaust from drifting down and into our faces. (you can also see in the photo that at the top of this stove pipe there is a net thing called a spark arrester which was necessary to prevent starting WCRA News, Page 32 forest fires). The steam engine’s exhaust was directed to a nozzle at the top of the boiler to create draft for the fire and when the engine was working hard, as when the digging became difficult, hot sparks could be blasted out of the stack. There was possibility that a forest fire could be started in beautiful Yoho National Park, and we certainly wanted no part of that. The CPR’s Field Hill has always been a very busy piece of railroad because every eastbound freight train required two helper locomotives on the 2 ½% grade and these pushers then had to return back down the hill to Field ready to assist the next eastbound freight or passenger train. Consequently our work train spent considerable time waiting in one of the three sidings between our working points. Therefore, during an eight hour day, only about two or three hours could be spent actually working. However some of the waiting time could be used fuelling and watering the Ditcher. Beside Cathedral siding there was what was called a back track, which was a short track beside the main siding for storing cars of track material or bad order cars etc. clear of the siding. The work train locomotive first pushed the Ditcher into this back track just barely clear of the siding and uncoupled it from the air dump car behind it. Then the rest of the train was backed up then run forward up the siding and the locomotive was spotted right beside the Ditcher. Dave then swung the steam shovel around so that my corner at the rear was nearly touching the locomotive tender. Next the rear hatches above the coal bunker were opened so that after climbing up into the tender I was able to shovel coal, from the tender, across and down into the Ditcher’s coal storage area. Not all of it went through the small opening but instead landed on the ground below. At this time a heavy hose was connected to the shovel’s tank and the other end was placed into the locomotive tender water reservoir then Dave operated a steam siphon to fill the shovel’s water tank. This usually had to be done a couple of times each day. On Wednesday our ditching work on Field Hill was finished but we were asked to do one more job. That was to load a small old, locomotive type, fire tube boiler that was back in the bush at the west end of Hector siding. Years before this had been used to power a small sawmill at this location (this was probably before this area became part of Yoho National Park and while nearby railroad bridges were being built.) In 1942 all scrap metal that was unclaimed was picked up and salvaged for the war effort and this piece of junk was cluttering up the park. First the Ditcher was spotted as near as possible to the boiler then a light cable was pulled out and run through a pulley that was attached to the target. I thought that the light cable would break before that heavy steel item would move and I was right. The half- inch line was to be used to haul a much heavier cable over to the target so that it could be securely attached ready for the pull. Dave Mills told me to stand on the ground behind our machine and watch the wheels on that side of our steam shovel. If they were to start to lift off the rails I was to holler up to him to ease off on the pull, which I did very loudly. That old boiler was eventually brought over to trackside then using the shovel as a crane it was lifted up and into one of the air dump cars. That was the last job we were required to do that day before WCRA News, Page 33 going back down the hill to Field and preparing our equipment for the trip to Calgary. (to be continued, watch for Part Two in our next issue) RAILWAY NEWS

NEW TIMETABLE ISSUED

CN issued a new timetable book for the Pacific and Alberta Divisions. Effective January 1, 2005, the new timetable #11 changes the former Zones to Divisions (for example, the former BC South Zone is now the BC South Division) and adds eleven new subdivisions to reflect the addition of the former BC Rail. Division maps are dropped form the timetable, replaced with availability over the company intranet. (J.M.)

MOTIVE POWER NOTES

BCR locomotives continue to turn up all over the system. Locally noted recently was a set of transfer power at Sapperton consisting of BCOL 4612 / 747 (SD40-2) / 4620…..a light engine movement with some of just about everything was observed Dec. 22 from Sapperton to Thornton—consist was CN 6010, CN 5450, CN 5322, CN 4718, CN 5265, Illinois Central 1021, CN 5356, BCOL 4603 and CN 5620. (J.M.)

TUNNEL ENTRANCE DISAPPEARS

The last vestige of the former CPR tunnel that connected Drake street to the Waterfront under downtown Vancouver has disappeared from view. The old concrete tunnel entrance on the False Creek end of the tunnel has now gone as construction is underway on the parking lot that sat in front of it, and left it visible. SkyTrain now uses the bore, and emerges at Waterfront where the original entry was, however the tunnel entry for the double deck current use was built new for SkyTrain. (T.M.)

HOLIDAY TRAIN, DECEMBER 19, 2005, PORT MOODY

Promptly at 2030h December 19, 2004, C.P.R.'s 2004 Holiday Train pulled into Port Moody, very near the original Pacific Terminus; now a downtown revitalization project at Queen Street and Clarke Street.

AC4400 #9769 led the parade of four Hi-Cube boxcars in the 220,000 series, Power Pak Container Car CP 506401, another Hi-Cube box, Entertainment Stage Car 401750, Hi- Cube box 220251, Plug Door box 401754, Power Car 96, CPR Heritage Cars Dominion, Strathcona, Banffshire and Assinaboine bring up the tail end. The locomotive and cars WCRA News, Page 34 were decked out with multi-colored and flashing rope lights.

The entertainment was exceptional, representing the east coast, The Ennis Sisters from Newfoundland, The Moffats from the west coast and Tracy Brown. A very large crowd enjoyed their repertoire of carols and Celtic dance. A highlight of the show was Poco Locomotion from CP's Port Coquitlam Mechanical Department, they sang Jingle Bell Rock and My Brown Eyed Girl. Several businesses contributed to the festivities with coffee, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. This was the sixth year the CPR Holiday Train has benefited Food Banks on it's travels. (D.E.)

SD70ACe UNITS

The GM SD70ACe units turned up on CPR throughout December. One example, they were westbound on a grain train with motive power consist GMDX 73 / CPR 9565 / GMDX 70, arriving into Coquitlam around 0800 December 12. (J.M.)

E & N NEWS FUTURE OF THE E & N?

The future of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo line on Vancouver Island is once again in jeopardy, as Rail America has announced it intends to dispose of the property it bought from CPR in 1999. Rail America has taken a $12.6 million US accounting charge on its books to write down the investment and says it plans to dispose of the line in the first half of 2005. (SDH)

ROUNDHOUSE MAINTENANCE CASE SETTLED

The court challenge by the City of Victoria against the CPR for their alleged failing to maintain the Victoria roundhouse has been settled out of court by the parties. The municipally designated heritage structure has had serious roof leaks, which have threatened its long term stability. The leaks were over an area not used for railway operations, said the CPR, the City said that under its by-law the CPR was obligated to maintain the structure.. The parties agreed that CPR will spend approx. $100,000 to patch the roof for now, giving the parties time to reach a longer term solution. (HBC)

PETER ARMSTRONG HONOURED

Great Canadian Railtours President Peter Armstrong was named Honourary Doorman of the Year by the Vancouver Doorman’s Association for his community leadership and contributions to the tourism industry. Peter was once a doorman at the Hotel Vancouver, and got his start in the tourism industry from there, moving through several roles in the tour bus industry before the Rocky Mountaineer. WCRA News, Page 35

VIA RAIL CANADA CHRISTMAS TRAIN

VIA Rail Canada had a Christmas Children's party train make a short run from Pacific Central Station track 6 to the VIA Maintenance Centre on December 4, 2004. Consist was F40PH-2 #6436, Diner Princess, coach 8126, and three single level glass topped coaches 1721, 1720, and 1722 (former BCR Whistler Northwind). (J.M.)

VIA TORONTO PHOTOS

Your editor had an opportunity to be in Toronto in November 2004, and captured some VIA action at Toronto Union Station. It was a great place to railfan for a short time, with lots of action even on a Sunday morning. Spotted were several VIA trains, powered by both the new GE locomotives (image left, VIA 920 with a consist of LRC cars approaches Union Station from the west) as well as the traditional F40PH-2 units (image below, VIA 6410 heads west with a consist of HEP II equipment while another train prepares to depart the trainshed.)

Also while there, two CN freights came through eastbound, one headed by mainline SD70I power and the other by a pair of rebuilt GP9’s. GO Trains were also evident, although Sunday frequency was nothing like you would see on a weekday.

Enjoyed riding the TTC as well— both subway and streetcar services which were of high quality, as always.

WCRA News, Page 36 GENERAL NEWS

WEST COAST EXPRESS SANTA TRAINS

West Coast Express ran its popular Santa Trains once again this past December, the Saturday departures left Mission at 1000 hours on December 11 and 18, with return departure from Waterfront Station at 1700 hours. Fare was a new unwrapped toy of the regular fare in cash, which was donated by WCE to local charities. (D.K.)

SANTA FE 3751 IN LOS ANGELES

So, here we were on October 30, 2004, driving north from San Diego after a nice week-long vacation, headed for LAX and our flight back home. Your editor was driving across the San Pedro bridge on Highway 1 when suddenly, Deb says “there's a steam engine down there”! Now, there is no doubt that she has been increasing her railfan skills over the years, but this was a long shot—I mean we had been right down there just five days earlier, and while there were Pacific Electric streetcars, there has been no steam engine.

She persevered a second time, my eyes, of course, on the road. So, we navigated a few lane changes and headed for a quick stop to the Port where we found—a steam engine. In fact, it was Santa Fe 4-8-4 #3751 live and on display! Now this is one massive locomotive! She was built in 1927 by Baldwin for a cost of $99,712.27, and is the only survivor of a class of 14 such monsters. She has 88” diameter driving wheels, and weighs in at a combined 874,346 pounds with tender (compare that to our Royal Hudson at just over 600,000 pounds). She pulled freight and passenger, and could handle 26 car passenger trains or 105 freight cars, with maximum service speeds of 103 mph.

The 3751 is now looked after by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society and was operated to San Pedro as part of their Educational Outreach program. Consist was the WCRA News, Page 37

locomotive, Santa Fe baggage car (tool car), Union Pacific sleeper, Southern Pacific diner / lounge, and former CPR horse car display car. To complement the display, rides on the Pacific Electric “red cars” (left) were free for the weekend. All I can say at this point, is Deb sure has good eyes!

CALIFORNIA COLLAGE

Christmas wreaths adorn San Francisco PCC’s at Fisherman’s Wharf, Jan. 1’ 05 WCRA News, Page 38

A San Diego Trolley train runs along the waterfront near the San Diego Convention Centre in a beautifully landscaped corridor. (right)

Amtrak Surfliner train roars through San Clemente at speed with F59PHI #458 (below)

LAST—BUT NOT LEAST

Your editor wants to note that due so much news this month, some feature articles must await our next issue. Space permitting, we’ll have part two of Bill Yeats’ Ditcher story, and features from David Walker and Dave Emmington. Keep watching WCRA News.

GRANT HELPS RETURN BC ELECTRIC #1225

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society has received a grant in the amount of $75,000 to help them repatriate BC Electric interurban car #1225 from California to BC. The grant is from the Province of British Columbia’s Transportation Financing Authority and has been matched by the City of Surrey.

BRUCE WILSON HONOURED BY BCSME

Bruce Wilson was honoured by the BC Society of Model Engineers as their “Man of the Year” award, and also with a life membership to the club for long and distinguished service. Bruce quietly helps in just about any way—a quality we can also attest to at WCRA with the extra help he has given us with our mini rail fleet as well. Congratulations Bruce! (WSLE)

Myra Canyon—new release now available at hobby shops and fine galleries, or through the West Coast Railway Heritage Park gift shop. Order your print today, call us at 604-898-9336.

CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 44 Issue 2

Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon

Contributors: R.A. Ron Anstey C.D. Colin Dathan J.D. Jeremy Davy D.E. Dave emmington S.E. Sherry Elchuk G.F. Grant Ferguson B.J. Bill Johnston D.K. Dave Killeen J.M. Jim McPherson T. M. Trevor Mills P.R. Paul Roy

HBC Heritage British Columbia SDH Sandhouse (CRHA) WSLE Whistle (BCSME)

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

It was the locomotive in which john Luther “Casey” Jones was killed in April 1900, at Vaughan, Mississippi. The event was made famous by the ballad of Casey Jones, written by Wallace Saunders, a laborer at the depot of Canton, Missouri, the destination of Casey’s train.