WCRA NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2007
MOTORCAR RIDES SEPT. 8 / 9 AT THE HERITAGE PARK
WCRA RECEIVES SKYTRAIN
MARK II TEST CAR
WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE
The August General Meeting of the WCRA will be held Tuesday, August 28 at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park in Burnaby at 1930 hours.
Entertainment is planned to be a railway classics steam slide show by Art Bain (and son Ken). Thanks to Paul Roy for last month’s video on Fairbanks Morse locomotives.
ON THE COVER
A classic shot as we see CN FP9A #6508 leading VIA’s Super Continental in East Vancouver on March 10, 1979. The transition to VIA colours is underway as evidenced by the F9B unit and several of the coaches in the train. Ex CN #6508 is now part of the WCRA’s collection, but still awaiting transport from Toronto to Squamish as we write this edition of the News. Photo by Don Evans.
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
• West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1700k • Thursday, September 6—deadline for items for the October 2007 WCRA News • Thursday, September 6—WCRA Board of Directors meeting, 374 Pavilion, 1800 hours. • Saturday, September 8 / Sunday, September 9—Motorcar (Speeder) operations at the Heritage Park. Come and enjoy a ride on our mainline, 11:00AM to 3:00PM each day. • Tuesday, September 11—Tours Committee Meeting • Friday, September 14—WCRT’s Two Steam Trains, Fish and Wine tour departs • Tuesday, September 25, 2007—WCRA General Meeting, Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park, Burnaby, 1930 hours.
The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of British Columbia railway history. Membership is open to all people with an interest in railways past and present. We are a non-profit British Columbia society, registered as a Canadian charity. Individual membership in the WCRA is $50.00 per year, family membership is $60.00. E Members (electronic newsletter, $15 savings) are $35 individual and $45 family. (Outside Canada, please remit US $) Other 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
TRAVELLING AGAIN
While your editor has been home for much of the summer, some interesting travels have still occurred. I had an opportunity to visit the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA (Atlanta area) recently and once again, saw many fascinating exhibits and another great collection of railway rolling stock. Another wonderful week allowed for a visit and reacquaintance to some Colorado rail operations that I haven’t seen for many years—a ride through the spectacular Royal Gorge with its hanging bridge overt the Arkansas River, and a climb to the summit of Pikes Peak on the cog railroad.
September is fast approaching, however, and we have a wild couple of months with trips that will include another visit to Beijing, China and a couple of weeks in Ireland, followed by the ARM Conference in Pittsburgh and another conference in Ottawa.
So, if you don’t see me around at times you’ll know why. Meantime, I will keep up with things here and, hopefully, come back with fresh stories and pictures of rail operations all over the world. Hope to see you at the Members’ Picnic, the August meeting, of wherever our paths cross next. Don ASSOCIATION NEWS
FROM THE JULY GENERAL MEETING
40 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • Don Evans presented the Executive Director’s Report, noting the month was quite slow for fundraising, although the year totals looks very good so far. Don also provided brief reports on the Heritage Park and the finances in the absence of Jim Brown. • Colin Dathan noted that the 374 Pavilion is closed due the Vancouver civic workers strike. • Jeremy Davy reported on an active month with mini rail; we participated in events at Canada Place and Port Coquitlam on Canada Day, at Rocky Mountaineer’s Summer Train Spectacular July 14, at another special event at the RMV station, and at Van Deusen Gardens for a Harry Potter book launch event. • Joe Carroll was thanked for helping “man” the cab of the RMV loco at the July 14 event. • Bernie Tully noted good visitation at the 374 Pavilion June 30 / July 1 while the Jazz Festival performances were on at the Roundhouse Community Centre. • Ron Anstey noted the arrival of the recently donated SkyTrain Mark II prototype car and offered thanks to Translink for the donation and Colin Smith for his assistance. WCRA News, Page 4
• Bill Johnston reported on tours, noting that the White Pass tour had recently completed (see Feature Article this issue) and that the remaining trips for the tours season were almost all full. • Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant presented their Trackside Reports • Eric Anderson donated $41.04 in Canadian Tire Money • Guests were welcomes, the calendar was reviewed and the raffle held • Entertainment was a DVD provided by Paul Roy of Fairbanks Morse locomotives.
WCRA TRIVIA # 224 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank
What was the first railroad to use centre beam cars for lumber? (for answer, see Credit Lines) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Memberships dated 7/31/2007 have now expired, and if your membership expired 05/31/2007 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 We would appreciate your renewing your membership without waiting for the final notice. This not only improves the Association’s cash flow during but also helps spread the membership processing work load. The current fees can be found in the box at the bottom of page 2 of every Newsletter. Thank you. (J.D.)
NEW MEMBERS
The West Coast Railway Association welcomes new members Michelle and Corrie Davis & family of West Vancouver, Bjorn Flannigan & family of Richmond, Marilyn Laidman of Maple Ridge, Kurt and Jen Larson & family of Brackendale, Monte and Jennifer Thompson & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Rene & Nellie Brisette & family of Abbotsford, and David and Lucie Wolf & family of Black Creek.
We welcome back David Hales & family of Garibaldi Highlands and Jana and Barrie Woodard & family of Squamish.
Lastly we recognize member Charles Beckett of St. Thomas, Ontario for upgrading to a Life membership. (J.D.)
MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations to WCRA Board member Wes Rafuse and wife Kerri on the birth of their first child, daughter Mackenzie Marie, who arrived in mid July. WCRA News, Page 5
Best wishes are sent to member Don Greenwood who was in Lions Gate Hospital for some “reconstructive” surgery.
BCSME TRAIN SHOW AUGUST 25 / 26, 2007
The BC Society of Model Engineers is holding a giant train show at the Confederation Park site in Burnaby on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26. Hours are 0900 through 1600 each day. There will be models, collectibles, displays and more and the admission is free. Of course, the train rides will be operating as usual and are just $2.50 each. Come on out to Confederation Park in Burnaby and take in this show. (P.R.)
WCRA MEMBERS WINNERS IN SQUAMISH CAR SHOW
Four WCRA members participated in the Squamish Classics Show and Shine held Saturday, August 4, 2007 as part of the Squamish Days weekend. In the show were Singh Biln with his 1966 Acadian Canso Sports Deluxe, Jim Brown with WCRA’s 1937 Ford “The Grey Ghost”, Don Evans with his 1967 Nova SS, and Craig McDowall with his 1969 Mustang Convertible. It was a perfect day at the show with around 75 cars entered, and lots of visitors to see the collection of classics. When the awards were handed out, Craig's Mustang took second place in the Convertibles category, and Don Evans took first place in the Restored Stock category.
A special mention has to go to Dwayne Potter at the Heritage Park who rescued the Park’s participation in the weekend events with a great job on the 1937 Ford. It had been planned that we would enter the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, however it suffered a head gasket problem on Thursday and was not repaired in time for the weekend.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2008 AVAILABLE
The new Entertainment 2008 books are now available. These great coupon books offer discounts of up to 50% on dining, merchandise, hotels, trips and services. Price is the same as in past years, just $46. Contact Bernie at 604-325-0923, or pick one up at a meeting. (B.T.)
COLLECTION
COLLECTION NOTES
The model railway coach Skeena River has now been fully sanded and painted. The model railway exhibit remains open while the car is inside the shop (and it is much cooler inside for the summer!) The car looks great now that it is changed from its former rust and primer colours—and will join the regular exhibit line at the station soon. WCRA News, Page 6 4069 ON WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER
WCRA’s FP7A #4069 was returned to WCRA at Squamish on July 14 after five weeks operation on the Whistler Mountaineer. The unit needs a traction motor changed out and this work is now underway (as we write this issue) in the MP 2 shop at Squamish.
WCRA’s FP7A #4069 on the Whistler Mountaineer July 23, 2007 in West Vancouver
F7B #4459— Here’s a classic shot of CP Rail’s F7B #4459 (now part of WCRA’s collection) when she was freshly shopped and painted in 1978 for service with Royal Hudson #2860 on a cross Canada trip. Photo at Drake St., Vancouver by Don Evans on March 30, 1978. WCRA News, Page 7 SKYTRAIN MARK II TEST CAR DONATED TO WCRA
Translink has donated the prototype Mark II SkyTrain car to the West Coast Railway Association, and the car has been delivered to Squamish. This car was built to test various aspects of an increased length car on the SkyTrain system, and the ultimate version of the new Mark II cars resulted from data collected through testing of this prototype.
Translink’s Sun Fang noted in an e mail to WCRA Chair Colin Smith, “We are very happy that you will provide a home for our original MK II test car for SkyTrain. It is wonderful that the legacy of the first MK II version of the SkyTrain vehicle will carry on for generations in the hand of the West Coast Railway Museum. As I mentioned in our telephone conversation today, this test vehicle had served the SkyTrain system well in the past to provide us with a tremendous amount of information and data before the MK II went into production. It is important that this test vehicle is remembered for its contribution to the success of the production MK II we enjoy today.”
The car was picked up and loaded on a truck trailer in Surrey on August 1, and was driven straight to Squamish and unloaded on the MP shop access tracks that afternoon. Thanks to Bill and Neil at Prosteel for their professionalism in carrying out the move. (The Singh Biln photo here shows the car being unloaded.)
The car is an empty shell riding on unpowered trucks, but will serve as a good interpretive exhibit about Vancouver’s SkyTrain system. Our thanks to Colin Smith and to Translink for seeing this piece of heritage come to the WCRA and ensuring its preservation.
WCRA News, Page 8
WCRA’S “WATERLOO” COACHES LEASED FOR THOMAS EVENT
Although we have not yet managed to get our recently purchased three ex CN / VIA coaches shipped west, we have been able to put them to work in the east with a lease of the three to the Day Out With Thomas event being held in Ottawa in August. This is good news as we will earn some revenue from them. Work has resumed with CN to have the coaches moved west after this event.
CAR BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS 117TH BIRTHDAY
West Coast Railway Association's pride and joy of the passenger car collection, former CPR Business car 16 British Columbia (built in 1890), had its 117th birthday July 31, 2007.
RAILROAD ATLAS DONATED
Thanks are sent to Elizabeth Groves of Richmond, BC, a passenger on West Coast Rail Tours 2007 Chilcotin tour, for the donation of a Railroad Atlas of North America—Northwest edition. This great book maps out all present and past rail lines in the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska with Canadian lines noted along the borders of the states. (T.D.)
ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND
ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND
We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbesing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood.
Add in the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant of $110,000 and the Province of BC $100,000 TFA grant, Westran’s $50,000, the John Hardie Mitchell family foundation’s $20,000 and our total now leaps forward to $619,071
Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org . If any of you have been contemplating helping out, the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund still needs your support.
STEAM UP DAY CONTEMPLATED
It is a little bit speculative at this point, but WCRA is contemplating a steam up day for the Royal Hudson in late September at the Heritage Park in Squamish, to mark one year since the Grand Steam Up event held last September 28th. Details are being reviewed and considered as we go to press—watch for an announcement in our next issue. Tentative date could be Saturday, September 29th. WCRA News, Page 9 FUNDRAISING
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – JULY 2007
July was a fairly low revenue month, but much work was done to keep major projects moving forward. Results for the month are as follows:
Major Funding Received • Expenses Donation $5,184 • Fundraising donation $10,000 • $290 General Donations
Month Total $ 15,474 Year to Date Total $898,671 o $315,000 for CN Trainset o $50,000 for Alberta o $533,671 for other purposes
DEBENTURES OFFERED TO HELP FUND TURNTABLE INSTALLATION
The West Coast Railway Association is offering a new series of debentures to members to help fund the installation of the vintage turntable at the Heritage Park. The costs of servicing and preparing the site have been higher than expected, and we are wanting to complete the installation of the turntable and open CN Turntable Plaza in 2007.
Debentures are offered in the same terms as previous offerings—a three year term to maturity, annual interest rate of 5%, and multiples of $500. For more information contact Jim Brown at 604-681-4403 or Don Evans at 604-988-3435. You can help the WCRA complete this exciting project and make a good investment at the same time.
WEST COAST RAIL TOURS
2007 TOURS
West Coast Rail Tours is underway with tours for 2007. Following our April 15th Royal Hudson trip to White Rock, we are now focused on our regular scheduled trips for 2007, and most of these are filling well or, in other cases, now sold out. Our tours office is also available to book independent trips. For example we now issue tickets for the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad as full-service agents for that line. The timetable for 2007 is now available and includes a new service Skagway to and from WCRA News, Page 10 Carcross, YT. Ask us about specialized itineraries using the WP&YR service combined with air, coach, ferry and other rail services such as VIA Rail Canada. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ 2007 brochure is also available. We also have the latest 2007 Trafalgar Tours brochures. They include the following destinations and features: Europe & Britain, Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada, River Cruises in Europe, Cost Saver Europe, and for the under 40 crowd, “Breakaway”. We now are also official agents for Amtrak, and can earn commissions on bookings with the US carrier due this new relationship. As agents we have special deals for WCRA members. We will pop the brochure of your choice in the mail as soon as you make the call. Call soon on 604-524-1011 or toll free 1-800- 722-1233 and we’ll get you on the rails in 2007. (B.J.)
MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR - Daily except Saturday - all year
Depart from Pacific Central Station at a time of your choosing aboard Pacific Coach Lines scheduled service to Victoria. We supply vouchers to take you to the Queen Victoria Hotel— a few steps from the bus depot. You are on your own for dinner. Breakfast is served at 7:00 AM in the hotel’s restaurant, then their van shuttles you to the VIA Rail station at 7:30 AM. Board the train for an 8:00 AM departure to Qualicum Beach where it arrives before noon. Enjoy this quaint town with its interesting beaches and restaurants. After lunch (on your own) we ask you to board the southbound train at 2:00 PM and get off at Nanaimo at about 3:00 PM. A waiting, pre-booked taxi takes you to Nanaimo’s bus depot for the 4:30 PM departure of Greyhound’s scheduled service to Vancouver. Dinner on the ferry is available. Arrive at Pacific Central Station at 7:15 PM. Fare: $224; Children 2-11 $186; BC Seniors (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) $186. (Otherwise $224). Ask about special pricing if couples travel together. Single supplement $71. GST extra.
Friday, September 14th TWO STEAM TRAINS, FISH and WINE
A great opportunity to ride behind two steam locomotives in the Okanagan region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning
You leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered coach picking up guests in the Fraser Valley then take Highway no. 7 on the scenic north side of the Fraser River from Mission to downtown Agassiz and the museum housed in the oldest wooden railroad station in B.C. You then follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hells Gate Air Tram. Then it’s on to Skihist Park overlooking Rainbow Canyon of the Thompson River and the railways operating through this most difficult part of the river valley. You overnight in Kamloops. Next morning your coach will transfer you to the Kamloops Heritage Railway’s train with steam locomotive 2141. The train climbs from Campbell Creek up into ranching country enroute to Armstrong for lunch. You then visit O'Keefe Ranch followed by a tour through Kelowna and on to Penticton with a stop to view spawning fish at Hardy Creek. You WCRA News, Page 11 stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the south beach of Okanagan Lake for 2 nights.
You can sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast before leaving for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and on to the Trout Creek Bridge, the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway. You will then have lunch and tour a local winery followed by a tour of the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer on the beach. You are then returned to the Lakeside Resort for the evening. The next morning your group will depart for Osoyoos where you will see one of the best model railroads anywhere (Osoyoos Desert Railroad). Then it’s off to the Grist Mill at Keremeos for a tour and lunch. We take the Crowsnest Route, highway no. 3, back to the coast with stops at a fruit stand and Manning Park Lodge. This ends a great circle tour through BC’s most interesting interior highlights. FARE: Per person sharing: $697 Single Supplement: $163
Sunday, October 14th WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER RAIL-FAN SPECIAL —Last Run
Depart Vancouver in your chartered motorcoach and make interesting stops on route to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park where you will enjoy many rail-fan activities. Refreshments and a snack will be available here. You depart the Railway Park at about noon and head to Whistler where there will be time for a short tour. You arrive at the Whistler Mountaineer station at 2:15 PM for boarding at 2:30 PM. Your train departs at 3:00 PM and arrives in North Vancouver at 6:00 PM where a coach will transfer you to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. SPECIAL FARE: $150.00. Limited seating
More details and colour brochures are available from West Coast Rail Tours.
EAGLECAP WILDERNESS TOUR—BUDD CARS IN OREGON
Here’s a chance for a nice lengthy ride on former BC Rail Budd RDC’s in scenic Oregon, but you will need to act fast. The Eagle Cap Wilderness Rail Adventure is set for September 15 and 16 in the heart of Oregon's mountains, operating Saturday, September 15 from Elgin to Joseph, and Sunday, September 16 from Joseph to Elgin.
This is a 63 mile one way trip on the former Union Pacific Joseph Branch through the “Oregon Alps”. The trip is offered one way train and return by motorcoach each day, or round trip train with overnight in Joseph, OR.
The trip is operated by Rails Northwest and will use ex BCR cars RDC-3 31 and RDC-1 10. Fares are $148 US one way train / return bus and $250US round trip train (you have to make your own accommodation arrangements with the round trip train option). There is a good website at http://www.railsnw.com/Tours/charter/eagle_cap/eagle_cap.htm or you can call for information and bookings at 1-800-717-0108. WCRA News, Page 12 CPR Empress Steam Train—watch Canadian Pacific's website at www.cpr.ca
Remember: West Coast Rail Tours travel agency has IATA status so we can handle all your bookings for air travel as well as cruises, motorcoaches, hotel accommodations, ferries and— our specialty - rail. We ask you to choose us as your travel agent, as all of our tours serve as fundraisers for WCRA projects. Contact Bill toll free at 1-800-722-1233, or locally at 604- 524-1011 or by e-mail at [email protected] (B.J.)
West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way To Go
374 PAVILION
Due to the inside workers strike against the City of Vancouver the Roundhouse Community Centre which includes the 374 Pavilion is completely closed. The regular schedule for the operation of the 374 Pavilion will resume once the unionized workers have reached an agreement with the City of Vancouver. The many summer activities scheduled and planned at the 374 Pavilion are also off, and will resume once the strike is over.
Although the strike has prevented our dedicated volunteers from providing guest services at the 374 Pavilion there remains a need for additional volunteer’s to assist us once the strike is over. Please consider becoming a volunteer at the 374 Pavilion. There are openings available on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Volunteers are the backbone of the 374 Pavilion. We would not be able to open and present the 374 Pavilion without the help of the caring and enthusiastic volunteers.
As a 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.)
WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson
VISITOR COMMENTS
Lots of things are important to us at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, but none are more WCRA News, Page 13 valuable than comments form our visitors. Here are some from the log book of July, 2007:
• 3rd visit and still love it!! – Australia • Just great…will be back!! – Hampton Middlesex, UK • Beautiful site, my family loved it, we will definitely return – Maple Ridge, BC • It was a nice day at a nice place – Berlin, Germany • A very interesting museum – Nottingham, England • Very cool displays. What a great place! – Comox, BC • Great work! There have been lots of changes – Nanaimo, BC • Great attraction, love the small model trains! – Vancouver, BC • Great action to preserve the past – Montreal, Quebec • Very interesting museum, very well done. Super! – Germany • Very interesting! Loved the (Brightbill) house. – Alberta • Rode the Royal Hudson in the 1970’s. Great attraction. Keep up the good work! – Sand Diego, California • It was a wonderful experience – Portage la Prairie, Manitoba • A labour of love!!! – Munich, Germany • So wonderful to see our history: for the kids too! – Burnaby, BC • Wonderful to see our nations history preserved!! Worth every penny! – Abbotsford • Brought the little one & they loved it. Sunshine would have been better! – Victoria, BC • Well worth the visit just to see 2860. Magnificent! – Macclesfield, England • Nice show. Congratulations to all involved! – France • Very nice. The Hudson is stunning. Wonderful atmosphere! – Toronto, Ontario • Love the garden and the model trains - Ontario (S.E.) THANKS
I would like to really thank Craig McDowall for purchasing a badly needed new computer for the General Manager and also thank Ueli and Carlotta Liechti from Duro Construction for the donation of an air conditioning unit for the General Manager’s Office.
Thanks also to Bill Esdale for spending 10 days at the Heritage Park and contributing to many projects over the time—his visits are always fun and appreciated. (S.E.) MINISTER AND MLA VISIT THE HERITAGE PARK
A surprise visit by Minister of Tourism, Sports, and the Arts the Honourable Stan Hagen occurred on July 18. The planned 15 minute stop turned into 35 minutes as the Royal Hudson become a star attraction and the minister wanted to climb up to the cab. With the minister was assistant Rob MacKay-Dunn and MLA Joan McIntyre. these folks have been very supportive of our efforts and enjoy the railway preservation that results. (Singh photos P 14) WCRA News, Page 14
MOTORCAR RIDES SEPTEMBER 8 AND 9 (Photo page 31)
The West Coast Railway Heritage Park will offer Motorcar rides on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9. Here is an opportunity for you to take a ride on our mainline on these popular little track cars. Rides will operate between 1100 and 1500 each day with departures from the platform of the Mac Norris Station, fares are $4 adult, $7 couple, $10 family—members 50%. For more information call the Heritage Park at 604-898-9336. (S.E.)
TURNTABLE RESTORATION WORK UNDERWAY
Work has started on the restoration of the turntable bridge to prepare it for installation in the newly constructed turntable pit. The sand blasting and coating work is taking place at the north end of the Heritage Park where the turntable is currently sitting. The historic turntable was originally installed at CN Thunder Bay, Ontario and was donated to the WCRA some years ago by CN.
Our goal now is to have the turntable installed this fall and to work towards a grand opening event of CN Turntable Plaza in fall 2007.
MP SHOPS MOVIE LEASE HELPS MOVE THINGS FORWARD
WCRA has been able to work with a movie company, BC Rail Properties, and other BCRP tenants on the former Squamish BC Rail site to provide a movie administration and set complex for a Search and Rescue TV series, which will be filmed over the next seven months or so. The MP 1 and MP 2 shops had great facilities for the offices needed, and the former car shop for some of the filming area. So, by working together creatively we have been able to develop a set of sub leases to locate some of the carshop tenant to MP2 floor space, and the WCRA News, Page 15 movie company to office areas in both MP 1 and MP 2. With some hard work and creativity we have been able to maintain all the rail serviced space in both shops allowing our projects to continue and keeping space for the Whistler Mountaineer maintenance over this next winter (which we will bid on again). The sub leases will provide WCRA with some additional revenue which we have agreed to share with BCR Properties in recognition of the favourable lease rates we have with them for the space.
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS 2007
VOLUNTEER CORRECTION
One correction to the volunteers list run in our last issue, we need to thank Brennan Park for his help (not Jeff Park as was listed). (J.B.)
FEATURE ARTICLES
RIDING THE ROYAL GORGE ROUTE—story & photos by Don Evans
Colorado—a place of many visits in my childhood, as I traveled with my family on the North American streamliners. We had passed through the state on the California Zephyr, arrived in Denver on the Denver Zephyr, and discovered the wonder of the Colorado Rockies. This had included the discovery of Colorado Springs, and an alternate rail route from Denver to Salt Lake City. This alternate turned out to be a favourite for the family, and memories of that famous gorge of the Arkansas River were never forgotten. A look in the family photo albums (1962 photo, Jack Evans) confirmed the popularity—we traveled the route in 1962, 1963, and 1964—riding the other route of the Denver and Rio WCRA News, Page 16
Grande Western, through the Royal Gorge on a train called the Prospector. Of course, the Prospector disappeared well before Amtrak, and now the railroad itself is no longer operated (although still intact it turns out). That was many years ago now, but the railroad went on to become part of the Southern Pacific, and later Union Pacific, which discontinued service on the route as it had duplicate track routes between Salt Lake City and Denver once all the amalgamation was all done.
But, the Royal Gorge lives on, and today is home to one of the most spectacular tourist rail operations on the continent. And so, in July, it was time for a long overdue visit to see what was going on in “The Gorge” today. A trip to Denver was on the books, and our friends (and WCRA members) Sharon and Jim suggested we take an excursion. Friday, July 20 found the four of us heading south from Denver for Canon City, Colorado, home to the Canon City & Royal Gorge RR. Travelling south on I 25 we witnessed a parade of coal trains on the paralleling UP and BNSF routes hauling coal to and from the Powder River basin using directional running on the two lines.
We arrived Canon City around 1100, just in time to hear an air horn sound as we walked towards the former Santa Fe depot there, now home to the CC&RG. It was a “rock train” headed by a pair of Union Pacific units hauling rock out of the quarry near Parkdale, about 12 miles to the west.
A short piece of history here, the “battle for the Royal Gorge” was a hotly fought contest between the Santa Fe and the Denver & Rio Grande, with all the drama and hi jinks that we saw in this part of the world as CPR and Great Northern fought it out for access to Southern BC. Both railroads came to Canon City and battled for position to build the line through the WCRA News, Page 17 narrow gorge of the Arkansas River west of town. The canyon was so narrow at points that a line on each side would be impossible, so everything from espionage to fights to court battles went on. All things looked like Santa Fe should win, but at the end the Rio Grande ended up with the line, and both shared the track through the gorge—which for some time was dual gauge. And so it was that the D&RG went on to become the D&RGW , and the “Gorge Route” became the railroad’s second route to the west , ultimately becoming the route that UP would mothball after acquiring the SP.
But a strange thing happened—the UP agreed to sell a 12 mile stretch to a new company (called RGX) in the middle of the line, while retaining ownership both east and west of this segment. The east operates as the rail connection to the outside world (thus the rock train operation), the 12 mile segment also hosts the popular tourist trains of the CC&RG, and the line west of Parkdale is unused although all rail and infrastructure remains in place.
Soon another air horn is heard and in rolls the passenger train—and what a sight to behold. This is one long train (photo below). On the point (east end) is F7A #403, followed by five coaches and café car 3035, (all ex CN / VIA) open car 3225, three full length domes, a generator car, open car 3214, a full length ex MILW dome, two dining cars, a kitchen car (ex CN/VIA 9600 series baggage car), trailed by F7A #402 / F7B #1503 which lead westbound. Other than the domes (which have been recently acquired from Alaska), all are painted in the handsome Rio Grande mainline colours and lettered Royal Gorge Route. WCRA News, Page 18
Much of the equipment looks very familiar to this writer, and it should as the bulk of the train is 13 cars of ex CN / VIA fleet (same types as WCRA’s operating fleet) of 3200 and 5500 series CC&F steel coaches. The F units are the former Chicago & North Western “Executive F’s”, and the domes are two ex Milwaukee Road / two ex Santa Fe full length domes. The train is divided into two sections, the west end being the “lunch / dinner” train with full meal table service in both diner and dome diner, and the east section being the tourist train with coach and dome seats and a café car. Westbound (upgrade) the F7A / F7B combo provides the power, return (downgrade) is headed by the single F7A.
The train is very well patronized and a large crowd gets off, then we are boarded car by car. We find our table in the Theodore Roosevelt dining car (a home modification of a former CN coach) - it is very nicely appointed. The tables are identified by name card, and ours is riverside. We depart right on time and head west, following the river and soon entering into the Gorge. As we travel we enjoy a great meal of crab cakes and all the trimmings served by an attentive staff. It is truly delightful, but soon we are at Parkdale where we will stop and then head back to Canon City. It’s time to get outside and experience the Gorge.
We make our way to the open car as we start to roll eastward and are not disappointed. The open car #3214 is a cut open 3200 series coach (photo of sister car 3225 below), with truss rods added to provide the strength lost in cutting off the carbody. It works, and the view is perfect on a great day. Riding along the river we watch the white water rafters enjoying the river (which is actually quite high and muddy from recent rains). WCRA News, Page 19
The sight of the 16 car train with 3 F units snaking through the Royal Gorge is classic, and I recall our trips through here on the Rio Grande from 45 years ago as if they were yesterday. Its absolutely amazing how clearly the sights come back! WCRA News, Page 20
Soon more highlights come into view – the famous suspension bridge over the gorge more than 1,000 feet above as we look up at it, and the classic stop at the hanging bridge. Here the gorge was so narrow (30’) that the railway (the Santa Fe) actually “hung” the tracks out over the river on a bridge supported by both walls of the gorge. This became the Rio Grande’s most famous spot in the Royal Gorge, and passenger trains always stopped there to let passengers off to marvel at
the spectacle of rushing water and railway engineering.
Thankfully that tradition continues, and our train stops at the spot and we marvel at the sights and the sounds, with the added attraction of river rafters continually coming by in the rushing river water. Cameras click, just as they always have, then the air horns sound and we are on our way. WCRA News, Page 21
We roll into Canon City a little over two hours after departing, having experienced a great ride on a spectacular piece of railway, now operated in a first class style all the way. You can bet it won’t be another 40 years before we come back!
WHITE PASS & YUKON - NOTES FROM A WEST COAST RAIL TOUR…. - by Keith Anderson
Notes from the West Coast Rail Tours White Pass tour of 2007…..
Steam runs on WP&YR on weekends this year, doing a short turn to Fraser Meadows return. A run past is included when possible, but was not possible on the day that we rode, which was Sunday, 15th July. Our passengers were detrained at Skagway Jct., not the main station. At this location photo opportunities are not good, and passengers were boarded at the same location earlier. So we thought we were out of luck.
But, after dropping our passengers at Skagway Jct., I and a few others rode the train to cruise ship dock, and got off there. #73 and train backed up about four train lengths and stopped where the photo (on page 22) was taken. To take the six cars up the hill, with ruling grade of 3.9%, it was very interesting for many on board to hear the 73 work hard. WCRA News WCRA News, Page 22
The photo above shows the trains for the new Carcross service. Two locomotives are assigned to this work, being Nos. 96 and 97. Our train northbound had 96 on it. The trains are at Bennett WCRA News, Page 23
BC station, where they make a two hour stop for passengers to have a hot meal in the station. The southbound arrives and leaves about 90 minutes behind the northbound. Being that this service has locomotives in Canada for quite a while each trip, the railway has arranged only for two locomotives and ten passenger cars to do this service. Notice that our train has two passenger cars (background) and the southbound (foreground) has six. Passenger loads were 40 and 199 respectively this day, the 16th July.
WP & YR likes you to know that they are the second largest passenger carrier in North America, behind only Amtrak. Their expected total passenger load for 2007 is projected at approximately 440,000.
They are needing more power... Narrow gauge locomotives are not in huge supply in the marketplace. So they rebuild what they have. No. 96 was returned to service last year, after many years being a parts supplier to other locomotives. No. 103 was returned to WP&YR with others of the 101 and up group. 103 was a hulk only. Now 103 is being rebuilt to return to service. WP&YR is the only railway, or one of very few railways, to have ALL of their first generation diesel locomotives in service now.
The tour on WP&YR is highly recommended. For those not having done it yet, you should be considering it. It is a unique experience!!
FROM WCRA NEWS - SEPTEMBER. 1981 - by Craig McDowall VIA Skyline Travel’s proposed trip on the E & N Port Alberni branch has run into problems with CPR. Instead they have now set a trip on the Super Continental which will dep. Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 9th to Edmonton, then touring the APRA Museum and a LRT ride, then RDC to Calgary where they will tour the Heritage Park and LRT and then take the Canadian back to Vancouver on the Tuesday. Cost will be $299 per single including hotels etc.
Another rebuilt unit ex CP FP7A has turned up on the Canadian being spotted in August. #6569 is ex CP/VIA 1425. (and today WCRA’s still active 4069!)
A grade crossing accident occurred at Balzac Alberta (just north of Calgary) on the CP line between Edmonton and Calgary on Aug 19th. The single RDC struck a pick up truck at speed with five occupants being killed. The RDC derailed and some of the 28 passengers on board were injured.
VIA took delivery of its first LRC train from Bombardier in a gala ceremony at Windsor Station in Montreal on July 7th. VIA hopes to have 50% of all its services between Quebec City and Windsor operated with LRC equipment by next summer. WCRA News, Page 24 BC Hydro BC Hydro had one of Pacific Terminals three Hunslett 0-4-0 diesel switchers at Kitsilano on Aug. 19th. Coupled to caboose A-6. the unit was dwarfed. It is apparently in the middle of a rebuild with its front hood, prime mover, coupler and connecting rods missing. It was being sent to Hydro’s Trapp Street yards for rebuilding.
A Sperry Rail Car was sighted on Hydro’s line on Sept. 9th.
BCR RS-3 #563 is the only remaining diesel on the roster still lettered PGE.
C425 #805 is restricted to operate as a trailing unit only - it is the only ex Erie Lackawanna loco not yet rebuilt by the BCR.
RDC-3 #BC 33 (now part of the WCRA collection!) is getting a thorough rebuild in Montreal by Versatile-Vickers. Once completed, all that will remain of the original unit will be the body shell and trucks. New components include Cummins 340 hp diesels, new control stand, wiring, seats, carpeting, luggage racks and kitchen facilities. The success of this rebuild will dictate whether others will be sent back east for rebuilding or new equipment be sought by the BC Ministry of Transportation.
Royal Hudson #2860 will be back in service on Sat. Sept 5th after being out of service due to a cracked driver tire on July 19th. Delays occurred when the tire flown in from Pennsylvania was the right size but the wheel itself was too small. The driver itself had to be returned and built up before the tire could be heat-shrunk onto the wheel. As usual, #3716 substituted during the Hudson’s down time.
CP Rail Drake Street update: The removal of facilities surrounding the roundhouse continues. The last track was removed from the coach yard - business cars are now based at the station. Also the loop track and access to other maintenance areas on the west side of the roundhouse have been removed. While the demolition of the key buildings were placed on hold pending studies, B.C. Place didn’t tell CP Rail so they continued with demolition of some smaller structures on schedule. Environment Minister Stephen Rogers appointed J.V. Clyne to preside over the hearings starting on Sept. 11th. The WCRA was one of 20 groups scheduled to appear. The degree of interest has necessitated a second day of hearings. The roundhouse is scheduled to be demolished in November. (Ed. Note: Some of the roundhouse and the turntable were subsequently preserved and went on to be the Roundhouse Pavilion at Expo 86, then becoming the Roundhouse Community Centre of today.)
CP has announced that the TEV Princess Patricia will be taken out of service following its final Alaska cruise on Oct. 12th and put up for sale. CP will not seek a replacement ship, WCRA News, Page 25 thus exiting the Alaska passenger service business after 94 years on the West Coast. CP expects to lose $750k this year on the Princess Pat. She was built in Govan, Scotland in 1948 and entered service here in 1949 on the Vancouver-Victoria-Seattle. In 1962, she was converted for the cruise business to Alaska.
CP Rail business car Killarney was at CP’s Vancouver station on Aug. 19th but was only in town for one day.
CN A special CN train, #5594W/19 left Kamloops on Aug 19th en route to Vancouver and was reportedly a media tour of the line between Edmonton and Vancouver with the aim of showing the need for increased capacity. The consist was powered by two GP38-2W’s, with three sleepers, two business cars and the Sanford Fleming.
RAILWAY NEWS
MOTIVE POWER NOTES
Observed units July 6 Illinois Central #6251 westbound at Thornton, also Wisconsin Central #2001 at Thornton, July 17 Illinois Central 6202 at Lynn Creek Yard, July 19 Savage Alberta 8606, and July 31 Norfolk Southern 9363, RLK (Rail America) 4057 and BNSF 9813 at Thornton. (R.C.)
Wisconsin Central 2006 has been seen several times in Squamish, it was part of the Squamish switchers seen August 1 and August 4 paired with CN SD70I 5749.
Observed at Thornton were train 112 / 04 with motive power of CN 8004 / RLK 4057 (Raillink GP40-2)…...and train 352 / 03 with a colourful consist of BCOL 4617 / Wisconsin Central 2006. (J.M.)
F UNITS BREAK IN ON FREIGHT
Canadian Pacific’s “new” set of F units 4106 / 4107 for the Royal Canadian Pacific service operated a freight test run July 29th handling 33 cars of freight from Calgary’s Alyth yard to the Calgary Intermodal yard. (B.M.) WCRA News, Page 26 EMPRESS OF AGINCOURT PAINTED
A unique one of a kind MLW built diesel locomotive has been repainted by the Elgin County Railway Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario. The 2,400 horsepower RSD-17 unit was never duplicated, but developed a horsepower level for a single unit that was well ahead of its time in 1957, matched only by FM / CLC Trainmaster units. It also has a very colourful history—literally!
Originally built as #7007, the unit was first painted in CPR’s tuscan and grey paint scheme with block lettering and tested from August to November. It was then repainted CNR green and gold and tested as their number 3899 from December 1957 to mid March 1958. It then came west and tested on the Pacific Great Eastern as # 624 from April to October 1958. Canadian Pacific then purchased the unit and numbered it above their FM Trainmasters at #8921. It served the CPR for many years, lastly finding a home at Toronto’s Agincourt yard where it was “named” Empress of Agincourt. The unit was rebuilt in 1988 and given a chopped nose, but remained otherwise unchanged and was retired in 1995.
The unit is now resplendent in CP Rail Action Red and shines on at the Elgin County Railway Museum for visitors to see. (TOL)
SUMMER TRAIN SPECTACULAR
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations held their first Summer Train Spectacular event at their Vancouver station on Saturday, July 14th and a good crowd was in attendance. On display were their Rocky Mountaineer train (which lays over on Saturdays), their station complex, and a number of special activities.
Naturally, guests could board and view the equipment, and a GP40-2W locomotive also accepted visitors into its cab to see what their locomotive operating environment was like. There were also promotional displays, and “Rocky” the goat was a hit with the kids.
West Coast Railway Association provided a portable mini rail operation, running both indoors and outdoors at the station site. Over 900 rode the train in the four hour event— keeping us busy!
In the end the event was judged a great success, and will be repeated again in 2008. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations sent their thanks to WCRA and our volunteers for our participation with the train and the guests. WCRA News, Page 27 GENERAL NEWS
TORONTO UNION STATION TO GET BRIGHTER - Toronto Star
The train shed at Union Station is a jewel on Canada's heritage map, but there's nothing that glitters about the dark, leaky roof that lends a dingy atmosphere to the platforms. Now GO Transit has approved a plan to build a glass atrium that will brighten the area where passengers board and step off their trains.
The raised glass box supported by steel legs will also be lit from within to provide an attractive night view from above. Including an overhang to protect passengers from the weather, the centre atrium will cover about one-seventh of the 2.8-hectare train shed. "When it was built, (the roof) was virtually invisible," said David Hopper, deputy program manager of HDI Joint Venture, the consultants working on the station redevelopment with GO.
Toronto has grown up around the station since it was completed in 1927, and the deteriorating roof is now overlooked by thousands of people living and working in downtown skyscrapers.
The atrium, which still needs provincial funding approval, is part of an $85 million renovation to the historically significant train shed at the south side of the station, owned by GO, which leases space to VIA Rail. Work on the shed, including restoration of the historic roof sections that will remain, is scheduled to begin late next summer and will take about 5 1/2 years to complete. The glass atrium "really takes (Union Station) to the next level," said Hopper. "There's real city building potential here."
The train shed is a significant element of a $600 million modernization and renovation project that will help double Union's capacity to more than 80 million passengers per year by 2014.
Besides the new bus terminal and ongoing track and switch modernizations, GO is adding 15 new sets of stairs to platform areas and four covered teamways, which allow passengers to enter and exit the platforms from Bay and York Sts. An improved concourse for waiting passengers is also to be built at the west end of the station.
The original open-air Bush train shed is one of only two in that design remaining in Canada. The other is in Winnipeg. The first lightweight Bush shed was built in Hoboken, N.J., in 1907. It represented a departure from the glass balloon-type stations popular in Europe and was a forerunner to the canopy styles used in Vancouver and Los Angeles. Considered to be of cultural significance by Parks Canada, the east and west ends of the shed's roof will be WCRA News, Page 28 preserved for the unique latticework of angled steel on the shallow arch trusses. A green- roof element, planted with low-growing ground cover, is also part of the design. In addition to the roof atrium, designers have tried to keep the platforms and track area light by using glass walls around the new stairways to the street and station.
The city owns the limestone building facing Front St. The third rendition of Toronto's main train terminus, it is built in the grand, symmetrical Beaux-Arts style. Two of Union Station's outstanding architectural features have already been restored by the city: a skylight in the courtyard of the old CN offices at the west end of the terminal, and the west window in the main hall. The station's main entry plaza on Front St. is being refurbished this summer.
READING 2100 STEAMS TO ELLENSBURG
Tom Payne’s ex Reading steam locomotive #2100 steamed from Tacoma to Ellensburg over BNSF’s Stampede Pass. The big 4-8-4 was not successful in a planned steam program at Tacoma, now an attempt will be made on the Tri-City & Olympia Railroad, a shortline that serves the Olympia, WA port area and the tri-city area in Eastern Washington. (B.M.)
NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
Congratulations to the Northwest Railway Museum of Snoqualmie, WA on the occasion of their celebrating 50 years of preserving railway heritage. On Saturday, June 16th members, supporters, volunteers and guests assembled at the Museum for the celebration.
The organization started out as the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association (PSRHA), and was started back in 1957. The group assembled a significant collection and ended up locating in Snoqualmie on a segment of a former Northern Pacific branch line based from the Snoqualmie depot.
In 1999, the group adopted the name Northwest Railway Museum and has become a significant and staple attraction, operating heritage trains between Snoqualmie (and the impressive Snoqualmie Falls) and North Bend WA. Their new Conservation and Restoration Center building has added a great new facility for the protection and preservation of their collection. (SDR)
EUREKA—TIMBER HERITAGE ASSOCIATION MOVES!
A challenging saga has been playing out in the Eureka, California area where the Timber Heritage Association had received eviction notice from their site. Just when things had been coming together and the group was forging ahead with major plans based on their excellent collection of logging railroad artifacts and equipment, their home was at risk. WCRA News, Page 29
Thankfully, all this has had a positive—and very exciting—end result. At the 11th hour, the group was able to acquire the former Hammond Logging railway roundhouse located in Samoa, just across the bay from Eureka, and the base from which the tracks for their planned future rail excursion line run!
The five stall roundhouse will accommodate seven key pieces of the groups collection, Pacific Lumber #29, Arcata & Mad River Shay #7, Bear Harbor #2, Hammond Lumber #15, Mutual Plywood #54, the Dolbeer & Carson caboose, and Hammond Lumber #33.
The big move got underway and progressively the collection and equipment has been moving to the Samoa Shops site. Work is underway to repair the roundhouse—currently the roof is being attended to. More than 70 flat bed and low bed truck trailer loads have been moved, and the locomotive moves are in progress now.
But the saga isn’t over yet, as the entire area is the subject of a major review for a master plan by the Humboldt Bay Harbour, Recreation and Conservation Distinct as to the best plan for the region and its facilities. The Timber Heritage Museum, however, is now in a much stronger position for the future having demonstrated what it can do and presented its vision for the historic site as an interpretive center. (WP)
PORTLAND, OREGON BECOMING LIGHT RAIL MECCA
It’s absolutely amazing what’s happening in Portland, Oregon in regard to light rail, streetcars etc.—new lines, even building vehicles—and the city is just a short five hour drive south for us from the Vancouver area.
1. Work speeds ahead on Oregon’s first suburb to suburb light commuter rail line, connecting Wilsonville to Beaverton. When the 14.7 mile line opens in September 2008, self-propelled diesel powered trains will link with the existing MAX line at Beaverton, with service every 30 minutes and a travel time of 27 minutes at speeds to 60 mph. The project is enabled by use of an existing rail corridor, and will also stop at Tualatin and Tigard along the way.
2. An extension of the MAX light rail system with a new line from Portland State University to Milwaukie is once again moving ahead, with past opposition fading due a better route and warming of residents to the benefits of light rail service. The 6.5 mile line would cost $850 million to build, and would serve 11 stations. Construction is slated to start in 2011 and service commences 2015.
3. Portland’s new transit mall is expected to re-energize the downtown core of the city and open a new era of public transportation. When it opens in 2009, the new mall will carry WCRA News, Page 30
buses, light rail trains and cars from Union Station to Portland State University. While it may sound odd for cars to be able to access the mall, the plan has a single vehicle lane on each of 5th and 6th Streets.
4. Building new streetcars in Portland? That’s what’s going on as a project to construct new low floor open sided streetcars under a technology transfer agreement with Skoda, a Czech Republic manufacturer of streetcars. Oregon Iron Works will do the job, and will build the first US made modern streetcars in some time.
5. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has a new vision for its waterfront area, which includes a possible new riverfront streetcar line. The new proposed Schnitzer Campus (named after the donor of the land to the university) would be a mixed use development with the new waterfront streetcar linked to the existing Moody street line.
6. And, across the river, eastside boosters are touting a streetcar line that would serve their area and connect across the Willamette River to downtown. The proposal would see streetcars crossing the Broadway Bridge, and then operating south past the Convention Center, and using both Martin Luthur King Blvd. And Grand Ave. for operation. No timetable is yet set for this line, which is at the idea stage currently.
Certainly rail is alive and well in Portland. The existing MAX system serves has three lines today—a streetcar service in Portland proper (which uses conventional light rail vehicles) and the MAX service which operates to the Portland Airport, Gresham on the north and east, and to Beaverton and Hillsboro on the west and south.
The system is a delight to ride, the cars clean and comfortable, and the service frequent seven days a week. Your editor always uses MAX when he goes to Portland to get into town from the airport .
When in the city, a visit to Portland’s classic Union Station is a must. The station is nicely restored and even still features its “Union Station—Travel by Train” neon sign on the peaked roof. The station serves Amtrak Cascades services to Eugene and Seattle, as well as the Coast Starlight which operates between Seattle and Los Angeles, and the Empire Builder Portland section, which operates to Spokane and joins the section from Seattle to continue to Chicago.
Wondering where to head for a nice weekend or longer trip—consider Portland.
(Thanks to Henry Ewert for prompting this article, and sending the news clippings re the six light rail / streetcar projects)
Motorcar rides at the Heritage Park—September 8 & 9
INSULATORS WANTED BY COLLECTOR
Insulators wanted, telegraph, tele- phone, or power varieties.
FAIR prices paid, willing to trade or simply talk about history surrounding insulators.
Contact Dave (604) 708-9332 or e mail [email protected]
CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 46 Issue 9
Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon
Contributors: J.B. Jim Brown R.C. Ryan Cruickshank J.D. Jeremy Davy T.D. Terry Dougan S.E. Sherry Elchuk B.J. Bill Johnston B.M. Bill Marchant J.M. Jim McPherson P.R. Paul Roy B.T. Bernie Tully
SDR Sounder (Northwest Railway Museum) TOL Trains On Line WP Whistle Punk (Timber Heritage Ass’n.)
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
TRIVIA ANSWER
Northern Pacific was the first, introducing centre beam cars built by Thrall in 1966. The cars were 12% lighter than conventional bulkhead flats, yet carried 30% more product.