WCRA NEWS MAY 2010
THOMAS TICKETS ON SALE RUSS GRYCAN JOINS WCRA as CHIEF MECH. OFFICER WCRA News, Page 2
GENERAL MEETING NOTICE
The April General Meeting of the WCRA will be held at 1930 hours on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 1930k at Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby, corner of Willingdon at Penzance.
Entertainment will be either City Reflections 1907 or Steam in Ontario.
ON THE COVER
All Aboard the Wild West Express! The on board crew / attendants from the Young Professionals Nanaimo organization are ready to go at Nanaimo, BC on Saturday, March 27. WCRA’s excursion train carried more then 220 happy passengers on a Nanaimo—Duncan round tip as a special fundraiser for the restoration of the historic Nanaimo station, in conjunction with Southern Railway Vancouver Island and the Island Corridor Foundation. See full story on page 17. (Dave Emmington photo)
MAY CALENDAR
• West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1700k • Saturday, May 1—Collection Committee meets, WCRA Hastings Office, 1300 hours • Thursday, May 6—WCRT’s Sunshine Coast Nostalgia tour departs • Saturday, May 8—Deadline for items to be included in the May 2010 WCRA News • Saturday, May 8—Giant Garage Sale in the CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre in partnership with Squamish Lions Club—0930—1600. • Tuesday, May 18—Tours Committee meets, Hastings Office, 1930 hours • Tuesday May 18—WCRT’s Totems of Haida Gwaii tour departs • Saturday, May 22 / Sunday, May 23—Chamber of Commerce Trade Show, Roundhouse • Sunday, May 23—CPR 374 123rd Anniversary of Arrival, Locomotive 374 Pavilion • Tuesday, May 25—WCRA General Meeting, Rainbow Creek Station, 1930k
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 (incl. GST) are $50.00 individual, family membership is $60.00. E Members (electronic newsletter, $15 savings) are $35 individual and $45 family. (Outside Canada, please remit US $) Other categories are: - Junior Member (age 18 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 (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. WCRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL
GETTING CLOSE!
After almost five years of work, we are getting close to the grand opening of the biggest development at our West Coast Railway Heritage Park. The new CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre is rapidly taking its final shape at the site, and will transform the property as it brings with it the clean up of the entire centre section of our 12 acres site.
As we go to press, the new turntable steel structure is nearing completion at Canron, and the work to construct the track that will connect the new facility to our mainline tracks is under way. All this is set to come together around the end of May, so that we will be able to move the first of the heritage rolling stock into the building in June. What a day that will be!
For now, we encourage members to come and watch these final phases of the project take shape. Installing a turntable and opening a roundhouse is not something you can see everyday in 2010. It’s well worth a watch as once again, we create the past in the present.
CORRECTION
It is with apologies that we correct a photo credit run last issue—the photo on page 21/22 of our April issue showing the Royal Hudson beside the BNSF 6422 was from Lisa Flatla. Sorry for the error Lisa. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS
FROM THE MARCH GENERAL MEETING
46 members and guests were present, the AGM was chaired by Bill Johnston: • Pres. & CEO Don Evans: -Announced new appointments—Russ Grycan as Chief Mechanical Officer and Mattias Christianson as Tours Manager -Wild West Express on Vancouver Island a success -Roundhouse debenture offer closes March 31, 2010 -Royal Hudson at VIA Mtce. to drop center axle and replace hub liners, estimate $50k, Hudson Preservation Fund active, need donations. • Finance Jim Brown: -First donation to reactivated Hudson Fund received, thank you Colin Dathan -Financials close to December target, January on target, to Audit Committee -Thomas sales going well, ahead of last year -374 Pavilion clean up in progress, artifacts and displays return next week. WCRA News, Page 4 - Dorethea Matewish presented $50 from her Continuous Garage Sale. • Heritage Park, Susan Steen: -Park has 97 Facebook fans, 103 on Twitter, and much on YouTube. Electronic media is the communications media of the future. - Networking reaches 250,000 contacts -Cloverdale paint has helped with undercoat paint for Roundhouse and General Paint has donated the finish interior paint for Roundhouse -Bookings for Roundhouse in progress, lots of takers -Garage Sale coming May 8, partner with Lions Club of Squamish -Thomas Volunteer Sign up sheets circulated • Roundhouse Update, Don Evans: -Turnover essentially complete with some outstanding contractor details -Servery, air handling and elevator to be completed later. -Track work to turntable in progress, contracted to Ueli Lechti and Bob Dhensaw. -Turntable contract in progress at Canron -Major booking with Molson's for June 26th -Martin Jergens coordinating turntable components. Parts returned from US -Roundhouse tours available on April 5, 14, 15, 21. • Dave Emmington gave Western Rails show report as well as a report on the Wild West Express tour on Vancouver Island • Michael Batten provided a Collection Committee report noting work being considered for PGE Steam Loco #2 and CN Bunk car 65940 • Matt gave a tours update report • Trackside reports were by Dave Emmington and Ryan Cruickshank • Visitors were welcomed, the draw was held • Entertainment was slide show by Bob Hunter of the building of the Tumbler Ridge rail line by British Columbia Railway
WCRA TRIVIA # 256 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank
Who is Helen Holmes? (for answer see Credit Lines, page 35) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Please renew your membership now for 2010.
Memberships dated 03/31/2010 have now expired, and if your membership expired 01/31/2010, this will be your last issue. Please check the label on your newsletter and renew today. Remember that renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter—check page 2 for current membership rates. Is your email address current???? It is particularly important that those of you who have registered for access to the Members Only area keep your email address current in the Server. WCRA News, Page 5
Each time a new issue is posted the Server sends a notice to the email address you supplied when you requested access. If you have changed your email address, or think the one we have is out of date because you do not receive notices, please send your current email address to Jeremy at [email protected] and the server will be updated as required. (J.D.)
NEW MEMBERS
The WCRA welcomes new members Henrik Hansen & family of Squamish, Michael Hill & family of Squamish, Jennifer King & family of Vancouver, Florence Paradis & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Darren and Alexis Pelling & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Russell Rowland & family of Garibaldi Highlands, and Richard Walton & family of North Vancouver. We welcome back Steve Harbin & family of Squamish and Rick and Beryl Taylor & family of Squamish. A special welcome to new Life Member Keith Magee.
WCRA ANNOUNCES CHIEF MECHANICAL OFFICER AND TOURS MANAGER
Please welcome Russ Grycan as WCRA’s new Chief Mechanical Officer. In this role, Russ will assume staff responsibility for all of WCRA’s railway operations, railway regulation, collection management and facilities management functions. He will be based at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, and will report through Susan Steen. He will start with us on April 19, 2010. Russ brings us a wealth of both skills and experience that are ideal for this important role. He will relocate from Calgary, where he was recently Vice President - Corporate Assets for Cordy Oilfield Services. Prior to that he had a long career with Finning Canada, as well as several years early in his life with CN. He has been active in railway preservation for many years with the Rocky Mountain Rail Society (recently their Treasurer), the group that maintains and operates steam locomotive CN 6060, and is qualified as a steam fireman. He will become the active interface between our Squamish operations and our Collection Committee. We are looking forward to having Russ with WCRA.
WCRA also announces the appointment of Mattias Christianson as WCRA’s Tours Manager. Matt is no stranger to us, having worked with us a few years ago as a tourism graduate in our tours area before he returned to his native Sweden. He will operate our West Coast Rail Tours business, chair our Tours Committee, as well as assist with office operations. Matt replaces Aileen de la Torre who left this role back in January; he has been filling in with us since then. Matt will be based at our Hastings office in Burnaby and reports through Jim Brown. Bill Johnston, a board member and our past Tours Manager of many years, will act in an advisory role to Matt as he settles into his role with WCRA.
Please make both Russ and Matt welcome as they come on board with us. We are delighted to have them both with us to help us move WCRA forward in our projects and day to day operations.
WCRA News, Page 6 ROGER WATT SHOW IN BELLINGHAM
WCRA member and artist Roger Watt was artist in residence in a special show at the Bellingham Railway Museum on April 24th.
COLLECTION
The newly-revived Collection Committee is overseeing a number of projects: • CN 65940. This former shovel operator’s bunk car is under cover at MP2. Bob Hunter is undertaking a preliminary inspection of the car to determine its structural integrity. If Bob’s findings are favourable, it is expected that Chris Forget will begin restoring this car in October. • PGE 2. This Baldwin 2-6-2, the last surviving PGE steam locomotive, celebrates its 100th birthday this year and is slated for eventual display in the Roundhouse. Ron Anstey is looking into the possibility of a formal transfer of ownership to WCRA at this time. • British Columbia. One of the gems of our collection, the former CP official car was built by Barney & Smith in 1890, and was one of the first pieces restored by WCRA. This car will be moved into the Roundhouse permanently. Plans are to fix the roof on the car and do some upgrades to it as time permits. • PGE 722. Work is nearing completion on this magnificently-restored former US Army troop sleeper which saw service as a PGE baggage-express car (and later was in work train service). The car now sits on its original restored Allied High Speed Trucks as equipped when built originally by the Pullman Company. (photo, John Jellis) Donna Fourchalk and her crew are still looking forward to a mid- year unveiling of this project. Although this car is not part of the Roundhouse collection, it will be displayed in the Roundhouse as one of our showpieces. This car will eventually become part of our PGE passenger set. • BCOL 6502. Work will continue on this crane idler car over the summer. The existing decking may be replaced either with synthetic double tongue & groove (per BCOL specs) or 3x10 planks. WCRA News, Page 7
In addition to these major projects, Committee members are busy with a number of minor projects, including installing windows on locomotives 551 and 8000, cleaning out BN caboose 11474 and GN parlour-observation 1090, as well as the continuing and never-ending work of cleaning equipment. The next meeting of the Collection Committee will be Saturday, st May 1 , at 1300 HOURS in the WCRA Hastings St office in Burnaby. (M.B.)
HELP US MOVE OUR CN SUPER CONTINENTAL TRAIN
Regrettably, we are stalled on this at this point and are currently evaluating next steps. With funds to pay for the move of the two FP9A locomotives and the remaining coach of this consist available to us in the form of a debenture, work has been underway. We hope that we will get things rolling soon. Once again this is a lengthy and challenging process it seems, but we are working hard to get the approvals done.
It would be nice to have this classy green, black and gold streamliner as an opening exhibit with the new CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre, however this is not looking likely at this point.
ROYAL HUDSON 2860
ROYAL HUDSON FUND BACK—CENTRE DRIVING AXLE REPAIRS
As you read last issue, Royal Hudson 2860 has remained in Vancouver after its White Rock trip for its next important piece of upgrading work. This is the rebuilding of the centre driving axle boxes to tighten up the lateral tolerance to within Transport Canada requirements. This important piece of work is mandatory if we are to continue to operate the classic steam locomotive in the future, something we are committed to do.
This work requires a significant process to be undertaken, that being we need to drop the centre driving axle from the locomotive in order to rebuild / replace the driving axle boxes. Thankfully, VIA Rail Canada agreed to help us out with this task, and so a contract has now been put in place that will have us do the work at the VIA Maintenance Centre, and complete this piece of work before the locomotive returns to Squamish. The job is set to begin around the first of April. Leading the project will be Andy Faris with the help of Al Broadfoot.
Nothing on a steam locomotive is cheap, and the project is expected to cost around $50,000 by the time the work is done. But it is essential, and when completed, all aspects of the 2860 will be within specs for operation. This is a critical step for us and for the future of 2860.
And so, once again we need your help. If you are interested in the Royal Hudson’s continued operations to show the world what a mainline steam locomotive is like in full operation, and WCRA News, Page 8 if you agree that the preservation of the 2860 is a priority for WCRA, then consider a donation to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund. It was the support of our friends and members that enabled WCRA to undertake the rebuilding of the boiler as well as other items to enable her to return to service. We did it, thanks to your help and the world appreciates what we were able to accomplish.
While this project is smaller in size and scope, it is every bit as important as we work to ensure that the locomotive meets all standards and is around for generations yet to come. Help now by sending a donation to WCRA, noted Royal Hudson Preservation Fund.
FUNDRAISING
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – MARCH 2010
We are into a critical phase of work now on the Roundhouse project, and while the end is in sight the need for funding for the turntable and completion details is immediate. This effort remains your President’s focus at this time, and we are hopeful that the needed funds will be found allowing us to open as planned in June 2010.
Funding Asks Made • Several asks re Roundhouse
Major Funding Received • General donations $20,000 • United Way Donation $178 • General Paint donation of roundhouse interior paint $2,524 • Expenses Donation $2,560 • Roundhouse Debentures $30,000 • Royal Hudson preservation Fund $550
Month Total $55,812 Year to Date Total $729,315 General purposes $115,124 Roundhouse $528,641 Alberta project $100,000 Royal Hudson Fund $550 Other Significant Activities • Work to land further funding to complete Roundhouse and Turntable • Speaker at Island Corridor Foundation workshop on rail tourism • Supported Vancouver Island excursion March 27, 2010 with WCRA’s train • Signed contract with VIA for Royal Hudson axle work • Work to complete GST Review with CRA – successful! WCRA News, Page 9
CN ROUNDHOUSE & CONFERENCE CENTRE
HELP US COMPLETE THE ROUNDHOUSE
Construction on the building is pretty much wound down now as the building envelope is completed and key systems are now turned on. There are just a few items yet to be completed in the building, principally the railings which hopefully will be installed by the time you receive this issue of WCRA News.
Work now has turned to getting the vintage CN turntable rebuilt structurally (Canron has now started this work) as well as getting the turntable mechanical components completed and everything ready for installation. Also underway is the work to connect the tracks to the turntable pit from both the roundhouse building side and from the Heritage Park mainline. While we are still working to establish the date for this completion, it appears to be doable for a late spring 2010 move in for the train exhibits and a grand opening of the new facility. This Ron Anstey photo shows the new turntable girders in Canron’s shop. WCRA News, Page 10
We will, however, open with several items still to be completed—the elevator to the upper levels (stairs are in now), the supplementary air circulation system, additional electrical detail lighting, and the servery finishing. We will undertake these projects as they can be funded, hopefully all to be completed in 2010.
The total gap to get the turntable installed and complete the outstanding items on the building remain at the $1 million mark. We continue to work to find the naming sponsors needed to close this gap, and bring this great new facility to full completion. Naming Opportunities—these will name specific exhibit areas in the building as well as the plaza out front, and suggested amounts are indicated. • Heritage Plaza (centre court in front of the building, around the turntable) - suggested naming sponsorship amount $500,000. This will be a major plaza area and scene for many activities such as introduction of new rail restorations, outdoor concerts, car shows etc • Upper Level Viewing Deck and Gallery—this is the indoor / outdoor deck on the upper level of the building, which will provide great views over the Heritage Plaza of the event site as well as the Mac Norris Station main track. Also a wonderful reception location for events. Suggested naming sponsorship $250,000 • John Hardie Mitchell Gallery—Named! This area, off the main entry lobby, will be used to exhibit special collections , such as art shows or photography. Exhibits will change regularly, sponsorship taken by the John Hardie Mitchell family foundation. • Tracks 1 through 7—each of the seven exhibit tracks will carry a sponsor name, each track will house one of our collection’s prize pieces of rolling stock, suggested naming sponsorship $50,000 per track (all seven still available) If any of you have interest (or know of any one who might) in such a permanent legacy please let us know. Contact Don Evans at 604-988-3435 or [email protected]
GENERAL PAINT DONATES
Our sincere thanks to long time paint sponsor and supporter general paint, for the donation of the paint for the interior walls of the new CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre. Thanks to this donation, the interior of the building has taken on a lovely finished look in “Gray Mist”. The value of the paint donated was $2,524.
WEST COAST RAIL TOURS
TOURS - 2010 SALES UNDERWAY The Tours Committee continues to meet one week prior to the monthly general meetings and is now working the new program for 2010. We are always looking for new ideas and potential tour guides so if you qualify consider joining us. We meet at the WCRA tours office at 4529A Hastings St. Burnaby at 7:30 PM. Phone Matt at 604-524-1011 to reserve your seat. To keep informed of upcoming tours and special WCRA News, Page 11 excursions submit your e-mail address at www.westcoastrailtours.com . That way you will get up-to-the-minute news on special deals and new trips.
Our 2010 tours are now accepting bookings, and give you an opportunity to enjoy some great and unique rail travel as well as helping the WCRA at the same time. Check out the changes to the Totems of Haida Gwaii Tour, lengthened and yet reduced in price at the same time! This is a new tour for 2010 and not to be missed.
Start thinking about your travel plans for 2010, and give us a call. Note that the new HST is coming and will be applied to all prices for tours that operate after July 1, 2010. (M.C.)
2010 ORGANIZED TOURS
Thursday, May 6th SUNSHINE COAST NOSTALGIA TOUR
An unusual economy-priced tour visiting the Sunshine Coast including former “Beachcomber” haunts, followed by a ferry crossing to the Comox – Courtenay area on Vancouver Island, and a train ride to Victoria on the E&N Railway with a return to Vancouver at your leisure.—3 days
You leave for the Sunshine Coast by BC Ferries arriving in Gibsons in time for lunch at “Molly’s Reach”, famous in the long-running TV series. Visit this quaint seaside village before departing on a motorcoach trip along the Sunshine Coast. Pass through Sechelt and Pender Harbour before another ferry crossing that gets into Powell River late afternoon. Day 2 includes a 2 hour ferry crossing to the Comox / Courtenay area for lunch and an afternoon ride on the E&N Malahat Dayliner to Victoria. On day 3 you can sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast or get up early and visit Victoria’s numerous attractions. You return to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station (starting point) at any time during the day.
FARES: The 3-Day Tour, $539 each based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $499) Single Supp: $142.
Tuesday, May 18th TOTEMS OF HAIDA GWAII BY TRAINS, SHIPS AND PLANE NEW – REDUCED PRICE, MORE DAYS & EARLIER START DATE
Travel across the Rockies and central British Columbia by train to Prince Rupert, with onward travel by ship to the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) – 9 days.
Board the famous train “the CANADIAN” in Vancouver early evening and settle into your private sleeping cabin. By nightfall you are well into the Coastal Mountains and the Fraser WCRA News, Page 12
Canyon. Awaken in the heart of the Rockies enjoying the fantastic scenery all day. You disembark in Jasper where you will stay 2 nights.
Next day board the Skeena for its departure through Yellowhead Pass and northwest through the Rocky Mountain Trench. You arrive in Prince George for an overnight stay. Continue your journey west to Prince Rupert. You pass wild rivers, mountains, gorges, high bridges, native culture and the occasional small town. Overnight in Prince Rupert. Leave by BC Ferries in the evening and arrive in Skidegate next morning. After breakfast on your own in Queen Charlotte we board a motorcoach that will take us on a tour up north on the island. You are transferred to your hotel for 2 nights. You soak up the culture of this remote part of Canada on local tours.
You are transferred to Masset airport on day 9 for your flight back to Vancouver.
FARES: 9-Day Tour $1,999 (BC Seniors $1,949) based on shared accommodation.
Tuesday, June 15th COAST to CARIBOO CIRCLE TOUR The Discovery Coast, Bella Coola, Chilcotin & Cariboo Regions, Whistler by 2 trains and 2 ferries—8 Days
With taxi and motorcoach vouchers supplied make your way to Victoria for sightseeing or arrive in time for our hosted dinner in a convenient hotel. The next morning you are transferred to the VIA Rail station and board the E&N Malahat Dayliner for its departure north to Nanaimo. Upon arrival our private motorcoach takes us to lunch in Campbell River and a comfortable hotel in the Port Hardy area for the night. On day 3 sail along the Discovery Coast to Bella Coola for a 2 night stay. This is a good chance to soak up the history and culture of this remote and historic coastal area. Day 5 takes you across the wild Chilcotin region to The Cariboo Plateau. One day is spent in the area including historic Barkerville. Day 7 sees us travel south to the Whistler area via the remarkable Duffey Lake Road. On our final day we enjoy the beauty of Whistler then take the Sea to Sky Climb excursion train operated by Rocky Mountaineer to the Vancouver area.
FARES: The 8-Day Tour, $1,842 each based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $1,792) Single Sup: $648
Friday, July 9th WHITE PASS and YUKON ROUTE STEAM SPECTACULAR Whitehorse, YT, and vintage train service from Skagway, AK to Carcross, YT, plus hours of impressive mountain steam railroading—5 days
Depart from Vancouver’s International Airport by Air North’s late morning service to Whitehorse. Upon arrival you take a scenic tour. There is much to do in the Yukon capital. WCRA News, Page 13
Visit the restored “Klondike” river boat and ride the riverfront trolley. We also recommend the “Frantic Follies” revue, for great entertainment and fun. The next morning is free before a mid- day departure by chartered motorcoach on the South Klondike Highway to Skagway. Rest stops will be made in Carcross, and at scenic overlooks. You have the next morning free in Skagway before taking a vintage steam train ride through the White Pass to Fraser Meadows and return. Another train ride awaits on day 4 as we venture all the way to Carcross, stopping at isolated Bennett for lunch. A motorcoach transfers us back to Whitehorse where we leave the following day for the Vancouver area.
FARES: The 5-Day Tour, Friday to Tuesday is only $1,645 each based on shared accommodation. Single Supplement - $395. Price may vary depending on date of booking. ** Ask about extra days and more Alaska sightseeing. Or fly back toVancouver on an evening flight on day 4 and save $85.
Thursday, July 22nd RIDE THE E&N RAILWAY to SEE THE WHALES
View migrating whales between Vancouver Island and the Mainland combined with great coastal scenery and ferry trips. 4 Days
With motorcoach vouchers supplied make your way to Victoria for sightseeing or arrive in time for our hosted dinner in a convenient hotel. The next morning you are transferred to the VIA Rail station and board the E&N Malahat Dayliner for its departure north to Courtenay for lunch. Continue your trip north spending the night in Port McNeill. On Day 3, after an early breakfast we head for Telegraph Cove. At 9:00 AM We board our whale watching boat (comfortable, covered and heated 55’ (18m) boat – with full facilities) and spend about 3 hours (***depending on the whales or other wildlife spotted). After lunch we leave for Campbell River. On the final day, have a chance to relax, take breakfast, then depart at 10:00 AM for the Campbell River Museum. We leave for Qualicum Beach for lunch. You then visit the unique attractions in the Coombs Junction area. We return to the Vancouver area by the Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay ferry route or the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route.
FARES: The 4-Day Tour, $999 each based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $969) Single Supp: $180.
Tuesday, August 10th VANCOUVER ISLAND’S WEST COAST via Coastal Supply Vessel, E&N Malahat Dayliner, Port Alberni Steam-Operated Mill & Railway - 4 days
You will take an 8:30 AM sailing by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay. Our coach then follows the Island’s scenic east coast to Courtenay for lunch. Here you will board the E&N Malahat Dayliner for its southbound trip to Parksville. Then it’s off to WCRA News, Page 14
Port Alberni for interesting visits and a buffet dinner at a local seaside restaurant. Next morning you sail aboard the “Frances Barkley“, a unique coastal supply vessel that services Alberni Inlet and the Broken Group Islands before arriving in Ucluelet just after lunch. You will then tour Long Beach and the Tofino area followed by a gourmet dinner in an elegant vintage ship. On day 3 it’s back to Port Alberni on one of the Island’s most scenic highways. On our final day we enjoy a steam train ride on the Alberni Pacific Railway to the steam- operated McLean Mill. In the afternoon you make your way back to the Mainland through Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay. FARES: The 4-Day Tour, Tuesday to Friday $918 each based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $898) Single Sup: $282. Extra day via Victoria: 5 days Including the train to Victoria, hotel and return transportation to Vancouver on Saturday, (last day unescorted): $968, (BC Seniors: $948) Single Sup: $342
Friday, Sept 10th STEAM TRAINS, FISH & WINE PLUS GREAT CASINO FUN Ride behind steam locomotives in the Okanagan region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning - for 4 days
You leave Vancouver by motorcoach and follow the north side of the Fraser River from Mission to Agassiz for a brief stop at the old station museum. Then follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at Hell’s Gate Air Tram. Then it’s on to Skihist Park and other scenic stops en route to Kamloops for the night. The next day we take you on a tour of Quilchena Ranch and lunch there. Later you head to Peachland to view spawning fish at nearby Hardy Creek Park then go on to the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino for 2 nights. Next morning leave for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway which will take us along the hills overlooking Summerland. Lunch and wine tasting at a local winery follow. On day 4 your group will depart for Osoyoos where you will see one of the best model railroads anywhere. We stop at the Crowsnest Winery for a tour and lunch then return to the coast with stops at a fruit stand and Manning Park Lodge.
FARES: $797 Per person based on shared accommodations Single Supplement: $183
We also offer the following arranged tour, which you can do any time on a self guided basis……..
MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR - Daily except Saturday - all year – 2 days Depart from Pacific Central Station at a time of your choosing aboard Pacific Coach Lines scheduled service to Victoria. We supply vouchers to take you to the Queen Victoria Hotel—a few steps from the bus depot. You are on your own for dinner. Breakfast is served at 7:00AM in the hotel’s restaurant, then their van shuttles you to the VIA Rail station at 7:30 AM. Board the train for an 8:00 AM departure to Qualicum Beach where it arrives before noon. Enjoy this quaint town with its interesting beaches and restaurants. After lunch (on your own) we ask you to board the southbound train at 2:00 PM and get off at Nanaimo at about 3:00 PM. A WCRA News, Page 15 waiting, pre-booked taxi takes you to Nanaimo’s bus depot for the 4:30 PM departure of Greyhound’s scheduled service to Vancouver. Dinner on the ferry is available. Arrive at Pacific Central Station at 7:15 PM.
FARES: $227 Children 2-11 $199; BC Seniors (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) $189. (Otherwise, $227). Ask about special pricing if couples travel together. Single supplement $71. GST/HST extra. Low season and budget hotel bookings save you more.
West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way To Go
Thomas the Tank Engine is returning to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park June 5 / 6 and June 12 / 13, 2010 for an unforgettable event, and he will actually celebrate his 65th birthday while he is right here at our Squamish site. Come and get in on the special birthday party for an unforgettable experience for the whole family! Saturday, June 5 is his actual birthday—the first day of our Squamish event for 2010!
For full information and to order tickets, go to www.wcra.org and click on the blue Thomas tab and you will find the details as well as contact website and phone numbers. The tickets are only available through www.ticketweb.com/dowt or by calling 1-888-222-6608. Pricing is just $20 plus taxes as last year for everyone, ages 2 and up. Sales are off to a brisk start.
WCRA is hoping to attract around 15,000 guests to the 2010 event, which will feature a longer train ride, and will utilize both the PGE Carshop and CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre at the heritage park site, for a whole new look and feel. Tickets are now on sale and calls for information are coming in from all over B.C. Thanks to Craig McDowall who has stepped up to help us out. Craig is no stranger to this event, having run it on two previous occasions and his assistance is much appreciate and gratefully received.
We have several volunteer positions needing to be filled, so please call Susan or Nathan at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park (604-898-9336) if you can assist us with the Thomas event this year. (S.S.) WCRA News, Page 16
WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson
SOCIAL MEDIA
The growth in the use of Social media is incredible…..we now have 97 individuals, associations and companies following the Royal Hudson on Facebook and we have 103 Twitter followers for the Heritage Park.
If you think that social media is a passing phase, here are a few facts: • 1/8 of all the people married in North America in 2009 met on line. • YouTube now has over 100 million videos • Advertisers in the U.S. for the first time are spending more on digital marketing than on print marketing • Generation Y now outnumbers the Baby Boomers and are spending more time on their computers than watching TV • Globally, over $29 Billion was donated on – line in 2009
ROUNDHOUSE HOSTS MAGEE RETIREMENT
Our first function was held at the Roundhouse on March 27 – this was the retirement party for Keith Magee who retired from the Forest Service after 37 years. Keith has been and continues to be a volunteer here at the Park and we presented him with a lifetime membership along with our sincere congratulations. Glen and Sandy Wideman made the trip from Kamloops to be here for the party, and it was great to see them again.
Also visiting recently from Kamloops in March was Nick Monkhouse, who spent some time at the Park and toured the new CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre. Bookings are steady – the 1st official function will be the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Trade Show to be held on April 22 & 23, 2010.
On May 8 the Heritage Park and the Lions Club will be joining forces to hold a Garage Sale – items can be dropped off on May 5-6 & 7 and must be removed by end of day on May 8. We will offer tables to be sold or donations may be given and the items sold with proceeds being divided between the 2 groups. (S.S.)
VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF
As most of you know, Thomas the Tank Engine will be at the Heritage Park again this WCRA News, Page 17 year..the first 2 weekends in June (June 5 & 6 and June 12 & 13)…and I will be calling shortly for volunteers. If you would like to sign up now, just give us a call at the Park 604- 898-9336 and indicate which day(s) you would be able to volunteer and let us know if you have a preference of where you would like to work (no guarantees, but we’ll try our best to accommodate your wishes).
An application for summer students has been submitted and we are waiting for word on how many students we will be able to hire for the summer season. We will hopefully be looking for 2 students who will take on the responsibility of providing tours to our guests. They must be going back to school in the fall. We have asked for university students in order to take advantage of the full 16 week program.
If you know of anyone who might be a good candidate, please have them e-mail their resume to [email protected] We will be get confirmation on our application by the 1st week of May. (S.S.)
FEATURE ARTICLES
WILD WEST EXPRESS—VANCOUVER ISLAND TOURISM RAIL
- With input from Don Evans, Ken Doiron, Dave Emmington and Colin Smith
It all started with a series of workshops being held by the Island Corridor Foundation, the owners of the rail line on Vancouver Island. Among the workshops, one on March 24, 2010 on the topic of rail tourism. From that came the idea of operating a demonstration tourism rail operation and the package came together for Saturday, March 27th.
The Young Professionals Nanaimo (YPN) would take on the train marketing, Southern Railway Vancouver Island (SVI) would operate the train, Seaspan Coastal Intermodal (SCIC) would transport the train to Vancouver Island and back again, WCRA would provide the train’s consist. The train would raise funds for the repairs to the fire damaged (in 2007) Nanaimo train station—a most worthy cause for all participants and sponsors.
And so, our train consist of power car WCXX 9622 Macdonald Creek, Coaches WCXX 5652 Capilano and 5596 Paul D Roy, and snack coaches WCXX 3223 and 3218 headed for Vancouver Island in early March. They were picked up from their post Olympics storage at Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver by Southern Railway of BC (SRY) and moved to New Westminster. From there they moved to the new SRY Annacis Rail Marine Terminal, travelled to Nanaimo on the Seaspan Carrier Princess (ex CPR) and arrived Wellcox Yard on March 18th. WCRA News, Page 18
On Wednesday March 24 the workshop was held with a great attendance, more then 60 people, and the participants heard from some speakers as well as workshopped what they though tourism rail on Vancouver Island could look like. Speakers included Island Corridor Foundations' Executive Director Graham Bruce, WCRA’s Don Evans and Royal Roads Professor on tourism marketing Rod Harris. Don spoke about tourism rail approaches found across North America and pointed out some of the keys to both success and failure of several ventures. It was an active and productive day.
On Thursday March 25, WCRA’s Dave Thethi and Dave Emmington arrived in Nanaimo, both would play a pivotal role in the operation of the Saturday trip—Dave Thethi as the train technical person and Dave Emmington as the train manager. Volunteers were supplied by the Young Professionals Nanaimo and were trained by Dave E. There was much work to do including a thorough cleaning of the coach interiors (as they had sat outside in all kinds of weather for over tow months) and some technical repairs due some vandalism that had occurred at the Vancouver storage location. Everyone was busy right to the train departure on Saturday, but all was made ready.
The train was assembled on Saturday afternoon and all was up and running, consist was SRY GP9’s 110 / 119 and the five WCRA cars. The train moved from Wellcox yard to the siding at Dunsmuir where the locomotives changed ends and the VIA Malahat Dayliner passed by southbound. The special then followed it to Nanaimo station where the train arrived for boarding around 1600 hours (see cover photo).
Departure was at 1630 southbound, and I have heard it was a great party all the way. More than 220 passengers aboard at $200 per person helped meet the YPN’s objective of raising more than $40,000 for the station. There was a holdup of the train at Chemainus where a young lady was kidnapped (and returned later for a good ransom). The train stopped at Duncan where guests then walked to the nearby Quw’utsum Cultural Centre for a dinner feast and auction event. The train returned north afterwards, arriving Nanaimo around 2200.
Regrettably, this writer was not able to be aboard, but here are reports from some who were for your reading pleasure. At press time I have not received any photos of the special train (other than our cover shot), but there is lots of coverage on YouTube—just enter SRY Train March 27 or something like that and you will find several video segments.
Colin Smith reports…..The YPN group did a fantastic job and were enthusiastically hosting, serving, etc - 220 tickets sold at $200 - netted over $40,000 after auction, 50-50 etc fundraising added in. Spent time with several politicians in attendance (MP, MLA’s, muni’s plus Graham Bruce, who I’ve known for years). A complimentary glass of wine or beer at the station and more on board made sure that everyone was in a celebratory mood for the evening. WCRA News, Page 19
Everyone enjoyed the train (first passenger train to embark south from Nanaimo since 1936) – including the onboard entertainment and robbery at Chemainus. Dave Emmington and Dave
Thethi did fine work. West Coast Railway Association was well recognized at the dinner as a sponsor of the train.
Ken Doiron of SRY notes….The Nanaimo event went extremely well. At the appointed time, and much to the delight of the crowd, the consist pulled into the Nanaimo station, heading South, lead by 2 gleaming SRY locomotives. Your "Royal Hudson" coaches were the highlight of the show. Graham Bruce later, when he complimented and thanked WCRA, SCIC and SRY, said it was the first time since 1936 that a passenger train had originated in Nanaimo. Your team of "the two Daves" had everything working and the crowd was delighted.
The fund raising event effectively sold out at 220 tickets and the organizers were well pleased. The YPN (Young Professionals of Nanaimo) did a first rate job with the meet and greet reception and with the on board entertainment. On board they served drinks and hors d'oeurves. The ride was a little bumpy at times, but nobody cared, it was part of the experience.
The trip was uneventful except for a train robbery and the kidnapping of a lovely young lady. Fortunately later we were able to pay a ransom (raised $1,200!) and get her back. The YPN folks were all in period costume as were many of the passengers and there was lots of music.
Upon arrival at the beautiful Duncan Station, we walked over to the Cowichan First Nations cultural centre. We had a great dinner along with the regular silent and live auction, etc. We didn't have a dollar left by the time Andre got finished with us.
Soon we were back on board for our trip back to Nanaimo. Along the way the interior lights were shut off for a few seconds in a salute to World Earth Day. The weather held off, it was a great night.
A final note of thanks to Dave (Emmington) and Dave (Thethi) who did a great job as usual, they are such fine representatives of WCRA. I was also very proud of our folks, who put a huge effort into making the evening a success. Both WCRA and SRY/SVI showed Vancouver Islanders what an tourism excursion product could look like.
But to answer your question, everything not only went well, it went GREAT!!.
Dave Emmington adds…..I can't add much to Ken's trip report. I must say Sarah and Andre did an excellent job organizing and coordinating all the activities. We had a Host and 2 Attendants on each car, hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer and more smiles than I've seen in a long time. Three CRHA reps handed out E&N history docs and interacted with guests. (Glenn Migneault and others) WCRA News, Page 20
Please pass along our appreciation to SVI’s Don McGregor, Mark Hughes, SRY Operations Manger, Carman Steve and others a SRY Wellcox, they really pitched in when needed. Also to
Sarah Lane and Andre Sullivan of YPN, they were fantastic to work with.
Paul Randall of Duncan writes…..I just wanted to let you know what a joy it was to see a working, full, passenger consist, and better yet at night, leaving Duncan, Vancouver Island, northbound. The only things that could have made the sight better would be the Hudson leading and the event being every night!
I just happened to be at the local Wal-Mart and heard the engine cutting through the crossings in town pulling up the slight grade near Somenos Lake, the low purr of SRY/SVI's two freight engines filling the space between horn blasts at the crossings. The line weaves just behind the shopping center and I noticed several other people who stopped what they were doing and went as close to trackside as possible to watch the train pass.
The sound reminded me of the night freights that used to run south to Victoria past my home in Cobble Hill when I was a child thirty years ago. There is little else that sounds better than a train labouring up a grade toward you a mile or so away in the stillness of the night. It was a pleasure seeing the WCRA's cars full of happy looking passengers sliding into the night.
I wish you best of luck keeping and improving the system. I think WCRA should start an excursion train here on the island. I do not want a bike path going past my house!!
WCRA News from 50 Years Ago - February 1961- Part 3 - by Craig McDowall
MCM note: The editors (Doug Cummings, Gary Oliver & Gavin Murray) decided to make the February issue of the newsletter each year sort of an annual review of significant news which would incorporate their sister publication “Extra 2200 South”. They organized this first annual review on a province by province, state by state basis. This month’s submission is Part 3 of the three part series.
BC Extremely heavy rains (in some areas, over a foot fell in 24 hours), during the week of Jan. 9th - 14th resulted in the Fraser River rising and washing out the lines of CNR, CPR on the 14th, and the PGE on the 15th. This was the first time since 1948 that both the CNR and CPR mainlines were both closed at the same time. The floods stranded one CN passenger train and the passengers weren’t removed till the following morning by buses and trucks. The PGE was washed out in the Anderson/Seton Lakes region and the line wasn’t reopened for almost a week. The CNR and CPR lines were out much longer. The CNR re-routed all traffic over the WCRA News, Page 21
PGE from Prince George down to Vancouver once the PGE reopened. Four CN unites would be seen frequently on the head end of their freights arriving in North Vancouver. F-7’s & GP
9’s were the normal power. This was the first time that any cab units were ever used on the PGE. Many of the units stayed on the PGE property for days. The CN used buses to move passengers from Kamloops to Vancouver as the Fraser Canyon highway was still open. And until CN cancelled passenger service, they flew passengers between Vancouver and Edmonton by special chartered aircraft.
Working 24 hours a day, CNR built new bridges and trestles and had the main line open again in two weeks. Meanwhile it took CPR just over a week to reopen their mainline through the Fraser Valley. All CPR freight traffic was re-routed over the Great Northern via Grand Forks and Vancouver through Seattle. Service into Vancouver over the Great Northern resulted in trains with 3 & 4 units as head end power, unheard of with normal operations into Vancouver for GN. One train arrived with six units and 140 cars. The CPR had to transfer this train over to the CP waterfront yards in six separate sections due to concerns at street crossings and the slow warrant on track speeds. CPR didn’t cancel passenger service, rather they flew all passengers to and from Calgary on their own flights, plus chartered DC-6’s and Britannia aircraft. Passenger arriving and departing from Calgary were bused to and from the airport to the downtown CP terminal to board trains heading to and from the east. Even the E & N was affected with smaller washouts.
Quebec The city of Montreal has received the Quebec government okay on the construction of a $270 million, 14 mile long subway to run eastward along Ontario Street. When the surface streetcar line terminated operations in 1959, the shops and many of the cars were retained with the hope of using them for a subway.
California
Amador Central Railway The Amador Central donated their last steamer, long unused 2-6–2 #7 to the City of Inoe, Ca.
Hammond Lumber Co. #15 (a 2-8-2) was moved over Northwestern Pacific trackage from Samoa to Eureka. There she was placed on display in Sequoia Park.
West Side Lumber Co. During their 1960 operating season, West Side used three foot gauge Shays 8, 10 & 14. And #9 was used while one of the other three Shays was in for repairs. Narrow gauge Heisler #2 was repainted as #2 of the parent Pickering Lumber Co. and displayed at Tuolumne. Standard gauge Heisler #3 was basically held together with nuts & bolts during 1960 and was WCRA News, Page 22
due to be replaced by a Pickering Shay when she would be going in the shop for major repairs. That said, she was still ‘on the job’ at the end of the 1960 operating season.
Pacific Coast Terminals
PCT 0-6-0 #4012 was given a clean bill of health on her tubes and was certified until Jan. 1961. Sister (almost) #4076 alternated with #4102 during 1960 at the New Westminster dock operation.
Southern Pacific The SP narrow gauge Keeler-Laws branch ended operation on April 29th and 4-6-0 #9 was donated to city of Bishop and diesel #1 was put up for sale.
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority The second from last Interurban Line (the Watts Line) was shut down in the spring of 1960. Several of the Suburban cars were saved for the Orange Empire Trolley Museum with the rest going to scrap.
The Authority tested one of their 3’ 6” gauge all-electric PCC’s (#3148) on the Long Beach line in February and March. A pair of standard gauge trucks from a San Francisco PCC were borrowed for the tests. It was hoped that some PCC’s could be bought from some city now using buses and converted to Interurban use. However, a much needed long-term lease with the Pacific Electric could not obtained and not only will no PCC’s be used, but the entire line is due to be abandoned April 1st, 1961.
Interurban #1543 of the LAMtA was given a face lifting at their Fairbanks shops in Long Beach. The new car has had the standee windows removed and has been given a general ‘modern’ look. She emerged with a two-tone green and white paint scheme. Car #1528 was given an interior modification with green plastic upholstery and a painted floor. Both were done to attract business.
Municipal Railway of San Francisco The railway scrapped double cab flat car 0915 and single cab flat 0925 in July. Little used line car 0304 saw use installing new overhead wire in the Twin Peaks Tunnel during October and November.
The last of the “Magic Carpet” pre PCC Streamliners (#1003) was withdrawn from service in April and acquired by the Bay Area Electric Rly. Association. Her sister cars were withdrawn from service earlier and all were scrapped.
Minnesota The Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range steamed up some of their Mallets, Mikes and Santa Fe’s WCRA News, Page 23 for a brief period in the Spring but all were cold again by summer.
Two 0-6-0’s were acquired from the West Palm Beach Terminal R.R. They are still looking for some fairly modern but moderately light 2-8-0’s. The two new engines are almost identical to their own #29.
Pennsylvania The Strasburg R.R. bought 0-6-0 #9312 from the Canadian National Railways and placed her in service as their #31.
The East Broad Top, officially abandoned in 1956, came to life again in 1960 when 3 foot Mikes #12 & #15 handled summer time tourist trains. It is expected that the operations will continue in the summer of 1961.
Washington The city of Seattle will get a short line monorail running from downtown Seattle to the Century 21 Exposition grounds. The line will be privately funded. The line will be used as a testing grounds for monorails besides being an attraction for the Exposition.
West Virginia About the last Heisler anywhere, the Middle Fork #7; was retired in favour of a diesel in 1960.
SPRING ON THE EMPIRE BUILDER - story and photos by Bill Johnston
If you had ever thought of taking one of Amtrak’s best “name trains” then give the Empire Builder a try. A fellow WCRA member and I decided to do just that as it was one route that I had always wanted to take but never found the time. The opportunity presented itself late in March so it was off on the early morning train to Seattle just prior to the welcome announcement that this service would be continued into the summer months.
There was no need to check in early for this Amtrak Cascades service as few passengers seemed to board in Vancouver and the US customs clearance is quick and efficient. Arrival at Pacific Central Station by 6:00 AM for the 6:40 departure seemed more than adequate. Once under way breakfast in the Bistro car is basically micro-waved snacks but the coffee is good. A brief stop is made at Blaine to check passports. South of the border the many stops took on a good number of passengers. Some passengers were going on this train to Portland, Oregon. Arrival in Seattle on time at about 11:00 AM gives plenty of time for a downtown walk-about and a lazy lunch.
Returning to King St Station by 16:00 is early enough for boarding The Empire Builder for its WCRA News, Page 24
16:40 departure. The 7-car train (baggage, 2 Superliner day coaches, diner and 3 sleepers) heads north to Everett before turning east following the Skykomish River up into the Cascade
Mountains. Dinner is taken as the train climbs into the mountains and plunges through the almost 8 mile long Cascade Tunnel. A brief stop in picturesque Leavenworth and a longer stop in Wenatchee gave my car attendant time to make up the Superliner Roomette ready for bed. The timing is good on this portion of the route because the scenery is not that great and one awakens next morning in the heart of the Rockies. During the night (shortly after midnight) the four-car Portland, Oregon section is added to our train in Spokane for the rest of the trip to Chicago.
Whitefish, Montana is the first morning stop, with a chance to breathe the cold, clear mountain air. The frosty station platform is busy with baggage carts, passengers coming and going, and smokers gasping for that first drag in hours. Heading east again the scenery, as we wind our way through Marias Pass, is spectacular.
Most of the day is spent crossing Montana with comfortable stops in Shelby, and at about 13:30, in Havre. An impressive Great Northern S-2 locomotive is preserved here. WCRA News, Page 25
It is Havre where the time-keeping goes awry. We are to hook up a dead locomotive behind our 2 Genesis units, for Chicago, but it seems the hookup is difficult so we sit for over an hour waiting to get power back into the train. The generous wine and cheese party in the diner helps the frustration factor and over 90 minutes late we are again underway through desperate looking little villages with their ill-kept mobile homes, rusting farm machinery, boarded up shops and dusty streets. Most of the snow is gone except for the ditches and north facing hills. The few rivers crossed are running full and like the surrounding countryside are brown and muddy. We are in North Dakota as the sun sets under a darkening clear blue sky. During the night I awake as we approach Fargo. A dozen people board here wrapped up in their parkas against the biting wind.
As the train leaves the station it immediately crosses the flooded Red River which, 2 days earlier had just reached its crest. Sandbagged buildings and flooded parks and parking lots are noted before drifting back to dreamland. Not far from Fargo we cross into Minnesota and awaken to a beautiful clear day and pass Minneapolis before arriving in neighboring St. Paul for a half-hour stop. It’s too cold to get off the train and besides, breakfast with a second cup of coffee takes precedence in the warm, almost-empty diner. The first four hours out of St. Paul are interesting as we cross the raging Mississippi River a few times as it heads south and east. The river’s lock system and levees, even here, are keeping the river in check as it is now in full flood. We cross the great river for the final time over many bridges between islands into Wisconsin at LaCrosse, a brief station stop. From here it is mostly eastbound to Milwaukee.
Wisconsin looks better kept and more prosperous than the states to the west. Even the grass WCRA News, Page 26
here is starting to turn green. The last major stop is Milwaukee, where we are now only 30 minutes late. Leaving the station we turn south toward Chicago. Glimpses of Lake Michigan are seen off to the left and soon we are in Illinois with its industrial landscapes and endless suburbs. For the last few miles we poke along behind a commuter train before arriving in
Union Station about 40 minutes off the timetable. Chicago is cool, clear and to no-one’s surprise, windy. A trip home on Air Canada the next day finishes off a nice break from the wet coast.
The daily Empire Builder service is well used with lots of local traffic for the day coaches and almost full sleeping accommodations. Travellers from all over the states, New Zealand, and Britain were encountered. While the Coast Starlight gets good reviews for its meal service and other amenities the “Builder” is every bit as good, if not better. Servers and car attendants were excellent. Operating crew are well dressed and the custom of the conductor and others in uniform removing their caps as they go through the diner and past guests is a welcome tradition that has not died. The Empire Builder should be your next train experience.
West Coast Rail Tours can book packages on this and other Amtrak trains. We can combine train travel with air or cruises, so give us a chance to quote your next “trip of a lifetime”.
TRACKING SKYTRAIN - by Don Evans
Every once in a while one needs to just take a time out and do something that works when the mind needs to be numb for a while. And so it was that this writer found himself with a half hour of time to kill while waiting to pick someone up. The location happened to be at a parking area near Boundary and Kingsway in Burnaby, adjacent to the SkyTrain main line.
Having recently done such an incredible job moving people during the 2010 Winter Olympics, I wondered just what the system capacity was like these days. The transit system collectively had moved as many as 1.8 million on the busiest day of the Games. Every possible SkyTrain car, SeaBus and bus had been operating on the peak days, it was a feat never before accomplished in Vancouver. But, it clearly demonstrated the capacity potential of our current transportation system in handling large numbers of passengers during a major special event, and for the most part handling them very well.
Core to this performance was the central SkyTrain line. I well remember back in 1985 –86 when the first line was being demonstrated and then opened for Expo 86 (part of today’s Expo Line) how many dubbed the small Advanced Light Rapid Transit trains as “toy trains”. Most of us never envisioned the kind of capacity the line could have, but it was amply demonstrated during the recent 2010 events. The automated line today can rival anything any city has put together in terms of sheer capacity to move people. So, what does this look like? WCRA News, Page 27
So, park here with me and let’s catalogue the trains that pass in a 30 minute period on a post Olympics regular business day rush hour. It is Friday, March 26 and the period is from 1600 hours to 1630 hours (by my watch) . The table that follows sets out the time of day, direction (E / W), the car version (Mark 1 / Mark 2 / Mark 3) and the total number of cars on the train.
Time Direction Car Model Number of cars Interval (Min / Sec.)
16:00:49 East Mark 1 4 - - 16:01:42 West Mark 1 4 00:53 16:03:10 East Mark 2 4 01:22 16:03:26 West Mark 1 4 00:16 16:04:42 West Mark 1 4 01:16 16:05:16 East Mark 2 4 00:34 16:06:31 East Mark 1 4 01:15 16:07:09 West Mark 1 4 00:38 16:08:46 East Mark 2 4 01:37 16:10:01 West Mark 2 4 01:15 16:10:16 East Mark 2 4 00:15 16:11:26 West Mark 1 6 01:10 16:12:25 East Mark 2 4 00:59 16:13:54 West Mark 3 4 01:29 16:14:30 East Mark 3 4 00:36 16:15:44 West Mark 2 4 01:14 16:15:45 East Mark 1 4 00:01 16:17:11 West Mark 1 4 01:26 16:17:58 East Mark 2 4 00:47 16:19:07 East Mark 3 4 01:09 16:19:19 West Mark 1 4 00:12 16:21:12 East Mark 2 4 01:53 16:21:23 West Mark 3 4 00:11 16:22:31 West Mark 1 4 01:08 16:23:29 East Mark 3 4 00:58 16:24:50 East Mark 1 4 01:21 16:24:55 West Mark 1 6 00:05 16:26:00 East Mark 1 4 01:05 16:26:30 West Mark 1 6 00:30 16:27:19 East Mark 1 4 00:49 16:28:04 West Mark 3 4 00:45 16:28:34 East Mark 1 4 00:30 16:30:31 East Mark 1 4 01:57 16:30:35 West Mark 2 4 00:05 WCRA News, Page 28
So, to summarize—on this Friday afternoon in a 30 minute period, we saw a total of 34 trains pass by, 18 eastbound and 16 westbound. Quite a performance indeed!
Photo—2 car SkyTrain Mark 2 set near Sapperton Station in New Westminster (Don Evans)
LOCOMOTIVE 374 PAVILION
The number of visitors recorded for March 2010 was 1,515 as compared to March 2009 with 918. A full roster of volunteers and the positive effect of the Roundhouse Canada line station are key factors in this monthly increase over last year, and—of course—the 2010 Olympics period in February. So, year to date visitors to end of March is a whopping 27,680!
123rd Anniversary of CPR 374
On Sunday May 23 come and celebrate the 123rd Anniversary of CPR 374 arrival in Vancouver. Included in the celebration is have the CPR 374 moved and presented outside of the 374 pavilion. Please join us for this celebration, hear great music and have some celebration cake.
WCRA News, Page 29
Engine 374 Community Luncheon & Social
Join staff and friends for a sunny picnic and social at the 374 pavilion. Learn about its history
and hear great music and enjoy great food. Everyone is welcome. Tickets: $7.00 available at the Roundhouse.
John Atkin: Historian in Residence
John Atkin is an author, historian and heritage advocate. A photographic exhibition which John has researched and curated will be displayed at different times at the Roundhouse.
Volunteering for the 374 Pavilion
We are always looking for Volunteers to work at the 374 pavilion. Volunteers are the backbone of the 374 Pavilion. We would not be able to open and present the 374 pavilion without the help of our caring and enthusiastic volunteers. As volunteers you will have the opportunity to greet guests who come from all over the world to see the CPR 374 engine. Duties include: opening, closing the building and most important of all presenting the historical background of the 374 to visitors. Last year over 21,000 visitors came to the “374” and only through the efforts and dedication of our volunteer group were we able to accommodate them. We offer free parking and a very flexible schedule, either one day a week or two days a month whichever works best for you. If you are interested in assisting us and greeting a wide range of visitors please contact Jim Brown at 604-681-4403 or 604-985- 7249 or e-mail at [email protected] (J.B.)
RAILWAY NEWS
SECOND VANCOUVER TRAIN TO CONTINUE
British Columbia and Washington State officials announced on March 23 that the second Amtrak Cascades service would continue daily between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. The service, which started up August 19, 2009, is now secure through end September 2010.
TRACK GEOMETRY CAR IN THE AREA
CN’s newest Track Geometry Car was in the area, with several sightings reported. It passed by WCRA News, Page 30
the Heritage Park n the former BC Rail line in late March. The car is CN 1501, a former Budd RDC car now outfitted with all kinds of electronic track measuring gear. (B.M.)
MOTIVE POWER NOTES
British Columbia Railway 4641 is currently at Woodcrest shop being repainted in CN colours. The unit has received a complete overhaul, engine, main generator, and is waiting on a truck exchange. (TJ)
FIND A STATION
Looking for a railway station on CN? How about on any North American Railway? Then look no farther than CN’s website www.cn.ca and access the Network Map link, then type in a station name. (BL)
MOTIVE POWER NOTES
The "movie star" CP GEs have had their "makeup" removed from their Hollywood stint. Interestingly however, they have retained the plow striping applied for their movie role. They were recently repainted and released from NRE's (ex-VMV Paducah, KY) Shop and sport a “beaver” on the long hood! (CP phased out the use of the beaver logo on their locomotives during the construction of their first group of ES44As). CP AC4400CW?s 9751 9758, 9777, and 9782 are certain to become railfan favourites as long as they remain unique looking. (TJ)
OLYMPIC TAKE DOWN
Almost as quickly as it was built, the CPR’s Olympic Pavilion at the Vancouver Waterfront yard was disassembled and the yard returned to normal operations. The CPR Royal Canadian Pacific and business car equipment as well as the Kansas City Southern trains were gone as soon as the Olympics ended at the end of February. Very quickly, the lamp standards, ramps and stairs that were constructed were removed, and the pavilion itself taken apart. A couple of weeks later, all that remained were some coiled flexi hoses used to connect the cars to the sewage system and groomed bark much that had been placed between the tracks. WCRA News, Page 31
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
Rocky Mountaineer will celebrate a milestone when it holds an event in April to celebrate 20 years since the start of the tourism rail service. The very first scheduled Rocky Mountaineer train ran on May 27, 1990.
REBUILT F40 HERE
One of VIA’s newly rebuilt F40PH-2 units was in Vancouver for several days, and was used for crew familiarization. VIA #6452 arrived in late March on the Canadian and stayed for some time at the Maintenance Centre.
OCEAN DERAILS
On the morning of February 25, around 04:45 VIA train #15 derailed at St-Charles-de- Bellechasse (across the river from Quebec City). The accident occurred at mile 101 on the Montmagny Subdivision, while the train was en route to Montreal from Halifax. CADRAIL rebuilt F40PH-2s 6400 and 6457 both derailed, with 6400 losing its wheels and in the reverse position from the direction it was going, sliding into a trackside building on its side. Seven stainless steel cars derailed as well, injuring several passengers. Four people were taken to hospital. Other passengers were treated on scene for shock. Buses transported the passengers to their final destinations. The cause of the derailment has not been determined.
The Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the scene. The incident occurred as # 15 was coming into the siding track to meet M30831-24 (+10 000 ft.). The switch points were perfectly aligned and a signal was given (in this case, a restricting signal). The train derailed after the controlled point.
Rumour has it 6400 is NOT to be rebuilt. Consist of the derailed VIA #15 (2 units, 7 cars): 6400 & 6457; 8620 baggage ex UP; 8140 coach ex-Amtrak; 8507 Skyline; 8401 Acadian diner; 8225 Chateau Rouville; 8211 Chateau Lasalle; 8222 Chateau Richelieu. (TJ) WCRA News, Page 32
OTHER NEWS
WESTERN RAILS 2010 - SHOW REPORT - Jeremy Davy (Chair)
The 28 th Annual Show held on March 14th at the Cameron Recreation Complex in Burnaby.
The Show drew the usual diverse community of vendors and spectators with Commercial ventures and hobby shops being well represented.
Alberni Pacific Railway, BC Society of Model Engineers, CRHA - Pacific Coast Division, 7th Division NMRA, CN Police and WCRA were among those representing the Associations and Preservationists.
The private vendors attending represented a cross section of the railroadiana community, many staunch supporters, including some returning after a short absence.
Rocky Mountaineer once again stepped up and provided our Grand Door Prize, Two Round Trip tickets traveling Whistler Dome Service aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Climb. WCRA’s A Day Out with Thomas donated Admission and Lunch for a Family of 4 to the event.
In addition we were supported by many Commercial and private Vendors who donated prizes for the Raffle Draws. The Chair thanks all who contributed.
The Best of Show awards this year went to MacDonald Video Productions from Victoria (1st) Gordon Hall (2nd) for a multi tracked layout and Victoria Scale Rail (3rd) . Lance & Judy Fleur once again took home the Long Distance award for traveling from Calgary to participate in the Show.
A new exhibit this year was a Garden Gauge layout from the newly formed Fraser Valley G Scale Friends which featured many different examples of Steam & Diesel power from Big Boy to Thomas. We hope to see more of this enthusiastic group on the Garden Railway at the Heritage Park in future.
The Morse Telegraph Club led by Lavina Shaw and supported this year by several out of town telegraphers once again fascinated the audience with their telegraphic skills making a stop at this exhibit a must. The West Coast Railway Association display was multi-faceted, featuring Tours, Artifacts, a WCRA Membership promotion and the sale of surplus books as a fundraiser.
In the lobby, Angela Sansom, operator of the Burnaby Central Railway concession and her sister Allison took charge of the well attended Concession this year; while throughout the day our Cashier team of Jeannie Sansom and Kayla Simon, with periodic assistance from Fay WCRA News, Page 33
Lighthall , kept visitors moving into the Show
Lisa Flatla was once again at the raffle table ensuring that the prizes were equitably spread among the draws while John & Fay Lighthall ran the separate Win a Family Day with
Thomas raffle.
QM-FM promoted the Show several times a day starting at the beginning of March. Their Events Team was also onsite for several hours during mid-day handing out samples.
Volunteers turned out to help put on the Show this year were: Sally Berry; Beve Bowman; Bob Bowman; Ryan Cruickshank; Jeremy Davy; Dave Emmington; Lisa Flatla; Chris Forget; June Garrett; Michael Garrett; Bob Garton; Doug Hicks; Fay Lighthall; John Lighthall; Ian Lyn; Keith Magee; Bill Marchant; George Massey; Terry Moore; Connor Park; Duane Rose; Rick Ruegg; Jeannie Sansom; Allison Sansom; Angela Sansom; Donna Simon; Kayla Simon; Lance Simon; Barb Stover; Dick Sutcliffe; Randy Wallenberg and Gerry Wolf.
In past Western Rails has only had a sporadic one to two month presence on the WCRA website. Starting this year the Show will have a year round presence – currently we have a tab Western Rails. Thanks to our webmaster Greg Chadwick for his assistance in past mounting the Show information pages and for paving the way for the future.
Finally, my personal thanks to all those involved, vendors & volunteers for ensuring the Western Rails 2010 was a success. (J.D.)
Canadian National Railways Super Continental at Mount Robson, in a railway promotional shot that was regularly used after the train’s inauguration in 1955. WCRA continues work to get the remaining three units of its five unit trainset to the west. While coaches 3223 and 3218 were delivered to us in 2009, efforts to move locomotives 6508 and 6520 as well as the remaining coach 5569 continue fall short. We would love to have this classic train make its appearance for the opening of the new CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre in 2010. WCRA News, Page 34
March 19, 1977—your editor still remem- bers this day, as Royal Hudson #2860 stormed over the BC Hydro Railway from Kitsilano to Marpole and on to New West- minster. Seen here approaching King Ed- ward Ave. crossing, she is in full stride on the grade, assisted by a pair of BC Hydro SW900’s tacked on the rear. The train is bound for a US tour to Los Angeles to pro- mote tourism to British Columbia. Who would have thought back then that 33 years later WCRA would be preserving and operating this great locomotive. You can help keep her alive by donating to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund as we undertake the rebuild of her centre axle. WCRA News, Page 35
CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 49 Issue 5 Editor Don Evans
Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon
Contributors:
J.B. Jim Brown M.B. Michael Batten M.C. Mattias Christianson J.D. Jeremy Davy B.M. Bill Marchant S.S. Susan Steen
BL Branchline TJ Tempo Jr.
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
Contact us: Tours 604-524-1011 / 800-722-1233 Heritage Park 604-898-9336 Office 604-681-4403
BACK COVER—FROM THE PAST
Another Royal Hudson #2860 shot, this time doing freight work for her original owner, Canadian Pacific, on the Vancouver waterfront in 1956. Flying white extra flags, she has likely arrived at the waterfront yard and appears to be making a reverse move from the steam and the fireman’s angle in the shot. The scene shows a very different looking waterfront from today. Behind the locomotive is CPR’s Pier B-C (today Canada Place sits on the site). In front of Pier B-C is the sand tower for locomotives working the yard. (Photo by J.F. Orem, Steam- scenes Collection with thanks to Andy Cassidy)
TRIVIA ANSWER
Helen Holmes was the queen of the railroad serial movies. Kalem Studio's made "The Hazards of Helen", a 119 episode serial movie series filmed from 1914 through 1917. Helen (born in Chicago 6/1893 and died in Burbank, Calif 7/1950), who played herself and performed all her own stunts, was a lovely tomboy telegraph operator and there seemed to be nothing on the railroad she couldn't do; she foiled robberies, prevented embezzlements, chased runaway locomotives, prevented derailments and collisions, and saved the railroad president from a train wreck.
Published monthly by West Coast Railway Association ISSN 1204-072X PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2 Vol. 49 Issue 5 www.wcra.org http://twitter.com/WCRailway Canada Post, Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40007853