WCRA NEWS NOVEMBER 2013 THE POLAR EXPRESS IS COMING! NOV. 30 / DEC. 1 AND DEC. 7 / 8 TICKETS NOW ON SALE RIDING SOME UNIQUE RAILS - CAPE FLYER AND DOWNEASTER WWCRACRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING The General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on October 29, 2013 at 1930 hours at Rainbow Creek Station. Entertainment will be video by Craig McDowall. ON THE COVER On the opposite coast, a unique gathering of railroad faces at Hyannis, MA on the rails of the Cape Cod Central Railroad sees Cape Cod Central 1950’s cab unit and consist intermingling with a new MP36PH-3C of Boston’s MBTA Commuter Rail which has brought the summer weekends only Cape Flyer down from Boston. Read the story starting on page 22. NOVEMBER CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1600k • October 24 through October 29—Mystery of the Magic Pumpkin train ride and Halloween children’s event. Train departures at 10:30 and 1:00PM each day. See page 9. • Friday, November 8 —Deadline for items for the December 2013 WCRA News. • Tuesday, November —Collection Committee meets, 1900 hours, Hastings office • Tuesday, November 26—WCRA Annual Dinner and General Meeting, details to be confirmed • Saturday, November 30 / Sunday, December 1—Polar Express event—trains depart at 1000, 1200, 1400 and 1600 each day. See page 10 and back cover for info, tickets at www.wcra.org 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. Membership prices are as follows, Please note that GST must be added to all fees: Senior $50 ($52.50), Individual $55 (57.75), Family $65 (68.25) E Members (electronic newsletter only) are $35 ($39.20) Senior, $40 ($42.00) individual and $50 ($52.50) family. Other categories are: - Junior Member (age 18 and under ) $ 30 ($31.50) - Sustaining Member $100 (tax receipt) plus membership type regular fee - Life Membership $700 ($735) individual life / $1,200 ($1,260) family life All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Heritage Park admission (except Special Events), 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. WWCRACRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL RAILWAY SAFETY—SOME THOUGHTS The tragic events this year at Lac Megantic, and more recently the Ottawa bus—train crash, have brought railway safety to front of mind to pretty much everyone. This is bound to impact in many ways going forward. Yet, tragic as both these incidents are, railway transportation remains among the safest mode of transport on this continent, and around the world. The perceptions created by these incidents, and the very visible reactions to them are understandable. These are tragic events—and like most transportation accidents, were most likely preventable. Human error, when it comes to things this big, can have most unexpected and tragic consequences. There are likely several errors together in the Lac Megantic scenario (time and investigation will determine that). Already, changes to how we secure unattended trains have been implemented—and these changes are very much for the good. The bus crash is more difficult. Unless there is a proven mechanical malfunction with the Ottawa bus, we may never know why it just drove into the side of a train at a fully protected crossing. Yet it did, and again with tragic consequences. No mode of transportation is fool proof—especially when humans are involved. Just witness the carnage on our roads today—without question the most unsafe mode of transport for us and our communities. Yet, because we all drive, we tend to not be concerned with this in spite of the high risk, and we play in it every day without a second thought. Do you know that 35,000 people die on North American roads every year? Do we just accept that? Trains are large, heavy, and efficient. They are also very safe. But people tend to ignore them and do silly things. Trying to beat the train to cross the tracks. Driving or running through flashing lights and around gates. Walking on the tracks—and even with headphones on and blaring. People ignore no trespassing signs, ignore protective warning lights—and then are so remorseful when a crash occurs and quick to blame the train involved. Somehow we must build respect for this mode of transportation and its role in our economy—and our lives. We must also build better understanding of its operating characteristics and inherent risks. I don’t know what the answer is. For sure, we must continue to educate and we must continue to protect as best we reasonably can. Beyond that, it’s up to each of us to do our parts—to operate our railways with care and in a safe manner. And to not tolerate violation of safety rules when we see them in the public environment. Trains are a huge contributor to our economic well being, and to everyone’s daily lives. These contributions are not at all understood by most of the public. We all have a role here to try and change that. DonDonDon WWCRACRA News, Page 4 ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM THE SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING Chair Craig McDowall called the meeting to order at 1935k with a quorum of approx. 30 members present at Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby. • Ken Tanner provided the President’s and the Heritage Park reports: • The Heist dinner and theatre evening Sep. 21 was a sell out and enjoyed by all • September is another very busy month with weddings in the CN Roundhouse • The Association of Construction Managers came from their conference in Whistler for a banquet in the CN Roundhouse • Mini Days September 14 and 15 was a hit, around 500 to 600 came out • Tickets are now on sale for Mystery of the Magic Pumpkin and Polar Express • Thanks to Kinder Morgan for the donation of a Shuttle Wagon (Trackmobile) which will aid greatly in the moving of rolling stock in and out of the CN Roundhouse for events • The donated Woodings Speeder arrived and has been operated • A small pickup truck has been donated to the park by Tomo’o Oshikawa • Ken Tanner made a brief financial report, noting that we have broken to positive bottom line territory with August results, based on very successful months of June, July and August • Tours—no report this month, see this newsletter for 2014 tours plans. A revamped website section will be up soon. • Michael Batten made a collections report, noting that the committee had not met in September. He shared Mike Lloyd’s drawing on how water had ingressed into PGE #2’s valves over the years, and the work ongoing on the loco. It was noted the caboose PGE 1821 has been sold to a local couple who will preserve it on their property in Valleycliffe. • Don Evans noted that the trucks from the former GN 1057 have also been sold and will be installed on the Chapel Car Emmanuel restoration project in South Dakota. • Bill Marchant reported the work on BCER 960 is focused on the master brake cylinder at the moment • George Game gave a report on the locomotive 374 Pavilion, noting continued strong visitor numbers • Jeremy Davy noted recent events with the West Coast Mini Rail at CN Family Days September 9, and the SRY family event September 21. Ahead are TRAINS 2013 November 9 and 10, then Christmas at Canada Place for December. • Events were noted as listed in the newsletter • Bill Marchant and Ryan Cruickshank presented their Trackside Reports • Raffle was held, winner Michael Batten who donated his winnings! • Entertainment was slides of steam and diesel in operation in Mexico in 1963, presented by Keith Anderson WWCRACRA News, Page 5 NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes to membership: • Steve & Tami Alder and family of Victoria; • Gloria Cuccione and family of Coquitlam; • Suzanne Denbak and family of Whistler; • Darcy Deutscher and family of Squamish; • Shirley Harris and family of North Vancouver; • Tim & Karen Hope and family of Squamish; • Dave McPhee and family of Squamish; • Paula Mendes and family of Brackendale; • Angela Rivers & Jia Condon and family of Squamish; • Connie Spear and family of Whistler; • L Vermeulen and family of Vancouver, We welcome back: • Lindsay Follett and family of Langley; • Tatiana Lee and family of Squamish; • Steven Savich and family of Chilliwack (J.D.) PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP If your address label reads 09 30, you need to renew now. If your label reads 07 31, this is your last issue. We need you as members—please renew. WCRA TRIVIA #298 - by Ryan Cruickshank Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railway opened on September 2, 1979 with six small steam locomotives as rides down the stylized rollercoaster. These six engines all had names that started with initials such as U.R., I.M., and I.B. What were the complete names? Bonus Trivia—by Ryan Cruickshank We have all heard of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) and how it affects project plans and construction with delays. Now we have BANANA—what would that stand for? (find answers on page 27) COLLECTION WOODINGS SPEEDER UPDATE AND CORRECTION The WCRA has accepted the donation of a Canadian built Woodings model CBL motorcar.