WCRA NEWS MAY 2007 CP AWARDS HISTORIC BALDWIN LOCMOTIVE #8000 TO WCRA WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE The April General Meeting of the WCRA will be held Tuesday, April 24 at Rainbow Creek Station in Confederation Park in Burnaby at 1930 hours. Entertainment will be a DVD of Canadian steam in 1958, origiannly filmed in 16 mm with sound by Donald Kroftas. ON THE COVER Historic CPR Baldwin locomotive #8000 has been awarded to the collection of the WCRA by Canadian Pacific. On our cover this month we see the historic locomotive, first of an order of 13 units that dieselized the CPR’s E & N lines on Vancouver Island in 1948.….More on this story appears starting on page 23 of this issue. MAY CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1700k • Saturday, April 28—deadline for items for the June 2007 WCRA News • Friday, May 4—WCRT Spirit of Washington tour departs • Sunday, May 13—Mother’s Day specials at the Heritage Park • Tuesday, May 15—Tours Committee Meeting • Thursday, May 17—Pacific Rails Conference opens in Victoria, BC and runs through May 21 (see page 6 for registration) • Tuesday, May 29, 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 APRIL 15—A HUGE DAY FOR US, WITH THANKS TO MANY As we go to press with this issue, WCRA is poised for the operation of the first trip with Royal Hudson #2860, a special trip for the 50th birthday of the City of White Rock on Sunday, April 15. There is no doubt that this has been no small feat on the part of many parties to bring the trip to fruition, and with many challenges along the way. There is further coverage of the story of preparations starting on page 9 of this issue, and as we write this the trip is still a week in the future. But, the pieces are together and the final details being set—and unless something goes unexpectedly wrong, #2860 will chug south from Squamish on Saturday, April 14th en route a sold out crowd for her April 15th excursion. We look forward to a busy, but grand, day. Putting something like this together in 2007 is a mammoth undertaking, and a list of thanks are in order. Thanks to the railways who are assisting—to BNSF who is a sponsor of this event, to CN who will ferry the train from Squamish to Vancouver and back to Squamish, to Rocky Mountaineer Vacations for use of their station as well as several coaches, and to the Kamloops Heritage Railway who bailed us out with two of their coaches when ours ended up stranded in Ontario. Thanks also to Transport Canada for the granting of the needed exemptions for BNSF and CN to operate the locomotive on their lines. Unfortunately, it appears that the US Federal Railway Administration aren’t so cooperative, and have refused an exemption (for a single waterglass—the US regulation is for dual) that would have allowed the loco to run a short distance into the US to turn on the wye at Intalco (as requested by BNSF) . Thanks also go to our shop crew, staff, and tours committee for preparations, inspections, planning and work beyond imagination to get everything prepared. We are proud of you all. This first outing is clearly the biggest one, and we have all learned a lot that will make any future trips easier to prepare for as we put these things to work in our practices. Lastly, a huge thank you to the City of White Rock for inviting #2860 to be a part of their gala 50th birthday celebration event. Participating in special events is the new role for the Royal Hudson in her re-incarnation, the start of her third career. She remains an icon of British Columbia tourism, and her special appearances over future years will touch many British Columbians and remind us of our railway heritage—in a very living way. Don WCRA News, Page 4 ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM THE MARCH GENERAL MEETING The meeting was called to order by Colin Dathan with 40 members and guests present: • Don Evans presented the Executive Director’s report and gave an update on the preparations for the April 15th trip to White Rock • Jim Brown gave the financial report to the end of February and accepted a donation from Dorothea Matewish towards the Royal Hudson project • Jim Brown reported on the 374 Pavilion and sought more volunteers to open and staff the facility. He noted that plans would be to establish a gift shop there for the summer months. • Jim reported that visits to the Heritage Park were down so far for March due the very poor weather, especially during Spring Break week. February was strong due Wild at Art. • Jeremy Davy gave a mini rail report. Major work is required on the tracks at the Heritage Park due both difficult winter weather and the construction at the roundhouse site. Some major work parties are to be organized to get things back into operation for Day Out With Thomas. A shortened ride is currently in operation. • Jeremy reported that Western Rails was a success this year again, but that attendance was down. Final details are being tallied, thanks to all who helped. • Bernie Tully reported good work at Western Rails for WCRA, with lots of promotion for Day Out With Thomas, thanks to Ryan Cruickshank, Lisa Flatla, Bill Marchant, Barbara Brown, Karl Anderson and Bernie for the help. • Bill Johnston updated the members re the April 15th tour plans, noting that it is fully sold out in both directions. He noted that the spirit of Washington trip is also sold out, and that WCR Tours has now become an official agent for Amtrak. • Board Chair Colin Smith provided an update to the members on the progress of construction of the Roundhouse • Don Evans provided a collections report, noting the PGE RSC-3 #561 had suffered an engine problem (cylinder liner) which is being repaired in the shop. He also noted that work to inspect and certify all our operating rolling stock for the 2007 season by our shop crews. • Don advised the membership the Canadian Pacific has awarded their historic Baldwin locomotive #8000 to the WCRA for preservation. The membership gave a round of applause to Ron Anstey who had prepared the case proposal to CP for this locomotive to come to WCRA. • Bill Marchant provided his Trackside Report • Visitors and guests were welcomed • Eric Anderson provided a donation of Canadian Tire money • The calendar of events was reviewed • Don Evans provided a slide show of several recent trips—to ARM 2007 in Sacramento in November, to London and the Isle of Wight in December, to Ireland in February and to the Kamloops Heritage Railway’s Armstrong Explorer last June WCRA News, Page 5 WCRA TRIVIA # 220 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank The CP Mainline from Port Moody along Burrard Inlet to Vancouver was extended 12.2 miles and opened to traffic. What was the day of arrival and the number of the first locomotive to arrive at the new terminus? (for answer, see Credit Lines) NEW MEMBERS Welcome to new members Tom Bennink & family (of location yet unknown), Stephanie Dunn & family of Richmond, Oscar Liu and family of Port Coquitlam, Bob Loveless of Vancouver, Roy Liden & family of Port Coquitlam and Dwayne Potter of Squamish. (J.D.) MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Memberships dated 3/31/2007 have now expired, and if your membership expired 01/31/2007 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 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.) PACIFIC RAILS 2007 Pacific Rails 2007, the annual convention of the Canadian Railway Historical Association (CRHA) and the Canadian Association of Railway Modellers (CARM) is coming to Victoria, BC May 17 to May 21, 2007. The program will feature three days of clinics, railway history, railway preservation and modeling. The group will visit the Duncan Forestry Museum, ride the Alberni Pacific, and visit the historic E & N Roundhouse.