WCRA NEWS FEBRUARY 2007 WHITE ROCK 50th ANNIVERSAY EXCURSION APRIL 15TH WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE The January General Meeting of the WCRA will be held at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park in Burnaby at 1930 hours on Tuesday, January 30. Entertainment will be a great slide show by Bob Hunter—Vancouver Island Treasures, Past and Present. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting fo the West Coast Railway Association will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 1930 hours at Rainbow Creek Station. ON THE COVER WCRA’s own Jingle Bell Express took to the rails in December, thanks to the cooperation of CN and the work of or volunteers and crews. Here we see former BC Rail Budd cars BC 21 / BC 33 as they head out of the MP shops on December 9, 2006 for downtown Squamish and two runs in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce’s Santa Parade. The decorated train was a hit with sell out crowds on both runs. Full story starts on page 21 , (Chris Forget photo). FEBRUARY CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1600k • Friday, February 2—deadline for items for the March 2007 WCRA News • Tuesday, February 20—Tours Committee Meeting • Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 25—Wild at Art Show, Heritage Park Carshop building, 1000—1600 daily • Sunday, February 18 to Sunday, February 25—Celebrate Heritage Week at the Brightbill Heritage House, costumed interpreters 1100—1400 daily • Sunday, February 18—Heritage Fashion Show by Ivan Sayer (see page 24) • Saturday, Feb. 24 / Sunday Feb. 25—Heritage Lunch & Tea in the Brightbill House • February 23, 24, 25—Budd Car Rides between Heritage Park and downtown Squamish in conjunction with Wild at Art Community Festival • Tuesday, February 27 2007—WCRA Annual General Meeting, Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park, Burnaby, 1930 hours. The regular meeting will follow the AGM. 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. Other membership categories are: - Junior Member (age 16 and under ) $ 25 - Sustaining Member $100 (tax receipt) plus membership type regular fee - Life Member (one time fee) $700 individual life / $1,200 family life All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Heritage Park admission, mini rail rides and discounts on food and merchandise. The Association holds a monthly meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at 1930 hours in Burnaby at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park. Apply through www.wcra.org or mail to WCRA, PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2. WCRA News, Page 3 EDITORIAL 2007—COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE Well, here we are, off and running for another year. And, while we are looking forward to another year of exciting accomplishment (as was 2006), we are having to look forward to a very different year financially. Suffice it to say, we have our work cut out for us. As you read last month, 2006 was a year of amazing work considering the financial challenges we had. There was no Day Out With Thomas event due construction, for the first year in many we had no major tour event and so it went. We accomplished what we did thanks to the generosity of our supporters and by accumulating some additional debt. To all of you who provided the support, our sincere thanks. But 2007 must be different, and things are lining up to provide for that. Day Out With Thomas will be back in June, and we intend to leverage our additional train capacity and ability to use 105 rules access to the Squamish yard to provide a sold out event for 20,000 or more, with a vastly improved train ride (the Achilles heel of our 2004 and 2005 events). On the tour front, things should vastly improve as we plan for a modest but profitable Royal Hudson schedule of special events in the second quarter of the year. Then we hope to operate a new major tour in late summer with our new F units and consist, again to bring back the returns we need in that department. Here we will need the support of our railway partners, CN and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (who have the say on the former BC Rail line). Thanks to the recent acquisition of the former Waterloo F units and coaches, we now have capacity for the crowds we need to make Hudson trips profitable. On the construction front, look for the opening of CN Turntable Plaza by mid year while the Roundhouse takes shape for a 2008 opening. And in the restoration front, the focus is completion of the business car Alberta so it is ready to roll with our 2008 plans. So, hop on board as we take our plans forward, complete projects started, generate lots of railway heritage excitement, and get our financials into sounder shape. All Aboard! Don ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM WCRA’S DECEMBER MEETING 33 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • A moment of silence was held in memory of George Brealey and Rich Clefstad WCRA News, Page 4 • Nominations for position of Director were held. There are two positions available due to term expiry of both Craig McDowall and Keith Anderson. Nominated were Keith Anderson, Howie Biehl and Craig McDowall, with all three agreeing to stand. • Entertainment was presented next, with Dave Emmington providing a digital slide show of his recent travels and rail shots across the country. • After a break, the meeting resumed, with Don Evans presenting the Executive Director's Report, noting fiscal year end funding totals. He also reported that the first Heritage Park—Downtown Budd car rides were successful, that the deal for the Waterloo trainset had closed, and that Thomas was coming back June 1,2,3 and June 8,9 10. • Jim Brown reported that the Directors meeting reviewed the latest financial statements. We are about “on budget” for revenue, but over in expenses. Debentures doing well, new accounting software further improves reporting. Should now have reports a month after end. Tax receipt rules clarified. • Jim Brown gave a report on collections. • Colin Dathan reported on 374 mini-rail operations; about 80-100 per day. Going well – not too profitable but works okay. • Bernie Tully reported on events – 2500 at train shown at Cameron. Thanks to volunteers. Next Lions Club show in February. • Bill Johnston reported on tours – April 15 First Royal Hudson planned trip (to White Rock), the 2007 Tour program is now on the website. • Colin Dathan noted that volunteer hours for 2006 are now needed. Please report them to Colin by Jan. 15th. • Trackside reports were presented by Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant. • The calendar for the remainder of December and for January was reviewed WCRA TRIVIA # 217 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank The Winnipeg Great Northern Railway and the Lake Manitoba Railway& Canal Co. amalgamated on January 13, 1899. What was the name of the new company? (for answer, see Credit Lines) NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes new members Alfred Best & family of Vancouver, Alaine Brawley & family of Squamish, Kim Campbell & family of Squamish, Wayne & Michelle Pontini & family of Squamish, and Sheila Sherkat & family of Whistler. (J.D.) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Memberships dated 12/31/2006 have now expired, and if your membership expired 10/31/2006 this will be your last issue. Please check the label on your newsletter and renew today. Remember that renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter WCRA News, Page 5 Option, fees are - for an E-Individual membership $35.00, and an E-Family $45.00 (J.D.) Does your mailing label show 11/30/2006 or 12/31/2006 as the last item on the top line? This is your membership expiry date … These 2 months account for almost 25% of the renewals in the year – As I write this in early January there are still 15 memberships that expired in November and 65 that expired in December that have not been renewed. We would appreciate your considering renewing your membership without waiting for the final notice. This not only improves the Association’s cash flow during the tight winter months but also helps spread the membership processing work load. Renewals are being accepted for memberships with the E–Newsletter Option. The current fees can be found in the box at the bottom of page 2 of every Newsletter. Thank you. (J.D.) MEMBER NEWS It is with sadness that we report this month on the passing on of another of our members. Richmond O Clefstad, a long time member, passed away in early December. His memorial service was held December 15th. On a mush happier note, congratulations to Singh Biln on the birth of a granddaughter December 20th in Kamloops. VOLUNTEER HOURS NEEDED It’s year end once again, time for all our volunteers to submit their hours for the year. Please get them to Colin Dathan by phone at 604-298-3734 or by e mail [email protected] Every hour volunteered counts, and a solid tally of hours for the year is of direct assistance in terms of grant applications and community contribution. (C.D.) NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD POSITIONS Nominations were held at the December General Meeting for two positions for the WCRA’s Board of Directors.