FEBRUARY 2008

WCRA NEWS

WCRA’S FUTURE TAKES GIANT LEAP FORWARD

WITH ENDOWMENT

WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE The January General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, January 29 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby. Entertainment will be a slide show by Don Evans of the recent ARM Conference in Pittsburgh as well as highlights of other 2007 travels. ON THE COVER A lovely winter’s day at Squamish—Don Evans captured this shot of the mainline (with caboose 1859 sitting on it) and Garden Track 1 (with the newly painted RPO and exhibit coaches catching the late morning sun. To the north, Mount Garibaldi is covered with fresh snow. This setting is part of what makes our West Coast Railway Heritage Park so special, and portrays what railroading in British Columbia is typically about. FEBRUARY CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1600k • Saturday, February 2—Newsletter deadline for items to be included in the March 2008

WCRA News • Sunday, February 1—Mount Pleasant Lions Club model train show, Mt. Pleasant

Community Centre, 3161 Ontario St., Vancouver • Tuesday, February 19—Tours Committee Meeting, call Bernie at 604-325-0923 • Saturday, February 23—Celebrate Heritage Week with a special event, tea and snacks in

the British Columbia, Royal Hudson tour and more—see page22 for more details • Tuesday, February 26 —WCRA Annual General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek

Station in Burnaby, BC

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 WORKING TO ENSURE A PERMANENT FUTURE FOR WCRA One of the things we talk about regularly is how to ensure that our preservation efforts, and our creations, will be able to last into future generations. You have read me in this column many times on this, and on related topics like getting younger people involved and ensuring that we have skills to take us forward after most of us have moved on from this world. Another key issue in this area is the need to build long term funding to help with the sustainability of our organizations. Most in our field have been successful in fundraising to help complete our construction and preservation projects. Finding donated funds and grants is a challenge in some ways—we are not health or a “tear jerker” cause—but we do have a good field of people who have been touched by railroading and are interested in what we do. These people have helped us fund our projects and are core to our financial success in most cases. But the long term sustainability of our museums (by that I mean survival into future generations) needs to also be developed with assured ongoing funding if we are to rest easy in our accomplishments, and know that our efforts will remain for others to learn from & enjoy. WCRA is a good case in point. We would be recognized as very successful by most in our fundraising efforts, and in the planned development and construction of our Heritage Park. While there may never be enough money for what we would like to accomplish, what we have done in the past 15 years is impressive and on track to our development plan. This has been accomplished through a series of successful fundraisers and creative operations to help fund our activities. For the most part, the major fundraisers have been targeted to specific projects, and we have been successful with the completion of these. Yet, we always struggle to cover our operational costs. This leads to the two things we must do for the future: 1. We must continue to develop our Heritage Park to the point that it can fund itself from

operations. For WCRA, that point comes once the third phase of our development is complete (the Roundhouse & Conference Centre) - so our goal is to get to true break-even from Heritage Park operations by 2010 in our current view. We are on track towards this through our current strategic plan objectives.

2. We must develop new sources of continuing funds for operations. This is where the breakthrough we talk about this month comes, the growth in the West Coast Railway Endowment Fund. Thanks to a generous donor, the Vancouver Foundation, and matching funds from the BC Arts Renaissance Fund, our own “Endowment” is suddenly on a significant growth curve and will deliver annual funds in perpetuity to help with operational sustainability for the future. More on page 11.

WCRA has been helped in taking another significant step forward.

Don

WCRA News, Page 4 ASSOCIATION NEWS NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the West Coast Railway Association will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby. Reports will be presented for the 2007 fiscal year, and members will be asked to approve the 2007 financial statements, the 2008 budget, and the directors for 2008. FROM THE DECEMBER GENERAL MEETING Thirty-eight members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • Don Evans opened by covering the changes taking place to our organization for 2008.

Don’s position has been re-titled President & CEO to fit with current contemporary titles and the overall responsibility he takes on for the organization. Joining us in March 2008 will be WCRA’s former Executive Director, Susan Steen. Susan will become our new Vice President– Squamish.

• Don provided the Executive Director’s report for November 2007—noting a good year for funding and several accomplishments for the organization, while also facing some continuing challenges. 2008 promises to be a year of change.

• Jim Brown provided a financial report covering results to end September 2007. • Jim Brown provided a report for both the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the

Locomotive 374 pavilion, noting the Christmas events at these locations as well as at Canada Place this December.

• Bernie Tully provided a report from the TRAIN 25 show, and thanked members Lisa Flatla, Bill Marchant, Bill Johnston, Howie Biehl, Ryan Cruickshank, Keith Anderson for helping him with the WCRA activities.

• Don Evans noted that we have received Grant Ferguson’s collection of books, slides and other railway items to be accessioned into the collection

• Ron Anstey talked about progress on the collection, noting work on the business car Alberta, cab piping replacement in locomotive #6503. He offered thanks to members who attended the collection forum at the recent TRAIN 25 show. Plans are to move steam locomotive #16 back to Squamish in the Spring of 2008, and CN has declined our application for shipping of the Super-Continental train locomotives and coaches, so further work will have to be done here.

• Bill Johnston noted that the major tours mail out has been completed for the 2008 tours information, over 7,000 brochures were sent.

• Nominations were held for WCRA Director positions, incumbents Ron Anstey and Jeremy Davy were elected by acclamation.

• Bill Marchant and Ryan Cruickshank gave their Trackside Reports. • Chair Colin Smith offered Christmas Greetings on behalf of the Board of Directors. • Entertainment was Bill Johnston’s coverage of his trip across Russia by train.

WCRA News, Page 5 WCRA TRIVIA # 229 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank How is Delaware & Hudson’s Stourbridge Lion similar to Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose? (for answer, see Credit Lines) NEW EXECUTIVE POSITIONS ANNOUNCED Don Evans has been appointed President & CEO of West Coast Railway Association effective December 1, 2007. In this role Don is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the association and its various activities. He also oversees all staff in the organization and reports to WCRA’s Board of Directors. While Don’s duties will essentially remain as they were in his previous role of Executive Director, the new title reflects the continuing growth in WCRA as an enterprise. In addition, this change sets up the structure for future replacement of our senior staff position. In accepting the appointment, Don has agreed to give another three years at the helm of WCRA, to seeing the implementation of a new senior staff structure for the WCRA, as well as the completion of the current major projects underway including the Roundhouse & Conference Centre and CN Turntable Plaza. Susan Steen is announced to the new position of Vice President—Squamish for the WCRA. In this role, Susan will take on responsibility for all operations and staffing at our Squamish sites, including the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the MP Shops complex. Susan will locate to Squamish, and start in her new position effective March 3, 2008. Susan comes to us from Kelowna, where she is currently President & CEO of United Way for the Okanagan. Many of you may remember her as WCRA’s very first Executive Director (and our very first staff member). We look forward to welcoming Susan back to the WCRA as our new head of Squamish operations. WCRA SEEKS MANAGER—RAILWAY OPERATIONS AND MAJOR PROJECTS As all of you know, we lost our talented Manager—Major Projects Singh Biln to SRY in December. We need to replace him, but are having a tough time identifying the person that might meet our needs. The job description has reviewed and follows—if any member knows someone who might be the right fit for this position, please contact Don Evans at 604-988-3435 or president@wcra.org . This is an important role that we need to fill as soon as we can.

MANAGER – RAILWAY OPERATIONS / MAJOR PROJECTS Job Description

REPORTS TO: • Reports to the Vice President - Squamish with major project priorities set by the

WCRA’s Board of Directors and the annual strategic plan. • Based at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, B.C

WCRA News, Page 6 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prime responsibility on all railway operations matters for WCRA, including track infrastructure, rolling stock and operating interface with CN.

• Project Manager for WCRA’s major projects. Supervises employees, contract labour and volunteers as assigned.

• Ensures compliance with WCB, WHIMIS and safety code and all regulatory requirements including Transport Canada and BC Safety Authority

• A team player with all staff, volunteers and board members. • Understands and exhibits fiscal responsibility to ensure WCRA gets best value on

expenditures related to operations and projects assigned. • Maintain official records of all work carried out on projects. • Provide leadership and act as a resource to volunteers working on projects as well as

providing organizational support. • Serve as a member of the WCRA Operating Committee.

2008 MAJOR PROJECT OBJECTIVES (PRIME RESPONSIBILITY)

• Oversee ongoing work on Royal Hudson #2860 with the objective of maintaining the locomotive in serviceable condition

• See the business car Alberta to completion • Supervise and assist the Manager - Rolling Stock with technical expertise in his

duties in preserving and maintaining the WCRA’s heritage operating excursion train equipment, and the locomotives / rolling stock exhibits at the Heritage Park

• Provide leadership and guidance on completion of the turntable installation at the Heritage Park

• Work with the Roundhouse Construction Team as needed PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Experience with railway administration, regulation, plus heritage rolling stock operation and maintenance, both locomotives and rail cars.

• Engineering experience, railway infrastructure and equipment • Strong leadership skills • Ability to work independently and manage a scheduled project plan to completion • Ability to work cooperatively as a team member. • Good communication skills, able to work effectively with the public

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS December is the month when we nominate candidates for the WCRA based positions on our Board of Directors. Two terms were expiring this year, those of Directors Ron Anstey and Jeremy Davy. Nominations were opened at the general meeting, and both Ron and Jeremy were nominated and agreed to stand for a new three year term. There were no other nominations, so Ron Anstey and Jeremy Davy were elected by acclamation. The full slate of both elected and

WCRA News, Page 7 appointed directors will be presented for membership approval at the Annual General Meeting on February 26, 2008. MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Memberships with a November 30 and December 31 expiry dates … These 2 months account for more than 20% of the renewals in the year. If you are unsure of your expiry date you can refer to your membership card or the address label on printed copies of the Newsletter. Memberships dated 12/31/2007 have now expired, and if your membership expired 10/31/2007, 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—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. Each time a new issue is posted the Server sends a notice to the email address you supplied when you requested access. Because the undeliverable messages from a Server do not bounce back to it I have no way to be proactive. 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 membership@wcra.org and the server will be updated as required. (J.D.) NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes new members Julia Decker of Klamath Falls, OR, John van der Burch of Aldergrove, Douglas Whitehead of Vancouver and Christopher Martin & Patricia Crankenthorp & family of Vancouver. We welcome back Len Labrie of Vancouver and Yves Charbonneau & Jennifer Sale of Garibaldi Highlands. (J.D.) MEMBER NEWS We are sad to report that one of our long time members, Bill Lahr, passed away in Seattle on January 12, 2008. Bill has been an active member on our Tours Committee for years. WCRA member Mildred Whitehead, mother to Douglas Whitehead, passed away November 29, 2007. The Whitehead family has been an active supporter of WCRA for many years, and hold several debentures with us. Our condolences to the family on their loss. MODEL TRAIN HELP SOUGHT We are looking for a WCRA member with an interest in model trains, to support and help

WCRA News, Page 8 member Rob Misjak to develop his model train display. Rob lives in North Vancouver, and is a regular volunteer on projects at the Heritage Park for the association. For further information please call Pat Hanbury 604-985-5507 or email pathanbury@shaw.ca VOLUNTEER HOURS NEEDED We need your volunteer hours for 2007. Please let us know on an ongoing basis when you volunteer at activities, preparing newsletter submissions, hosting on tours, running mini rail, or volunteering at any of our events, activities or facilities. We use these to assist us on grant applications as well as for a host of other very helpful things for WCRA. Please submit your hours regularly to Colin Dathan at 604-298-3734 or cdathan@telus.net (C.D.) ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS - FINAL CALL, SPECIAL PRICE Last call for the Entertainment 2008 books. These great coupon books offer thousands of dollars in value with coupons for restaurants, hotels, attractions and more. Regular price of $46 reduced to $40 now until stock gone. Call Bernie today at 604-325-0923, e mail btully@telus.net or get one at the January general meeting. (B.T.)

ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbesing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood and 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 $636,756. 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. ROYAL RETURN DVD SET NOW AVAILABLE WCRA now has copies of a very well done DVD set that covers the return of the Royal Hudson to the rails on its April 14, 15 and 16 outing to White Rock. The set of 2 DVD’s was done by Matthew Robson (Elevation Media) who captured the activities from the preparation and departure from Squamish to Vancouver on April 14th, and the April 15th excursion to White Rock and return, as well as the departure back to Squamish on April 16.

WCRA News, Page 9 What is particularly good is that two photographers were used, enabling them to “leap frog” each other and thus capturing the trip at a multitude of locations with good full coverage as the train passed. The film quality is also very good, and a series of interviews with staff and volunteers as well as stills of the actual restoration are good additions. The Royal Return video goes on sale at the Heritage Park gift shop at a price of $35 to members (no discounts). We plan to have some at the January General Meeting as well. This is a real keepsake for WCRA members to have, as so many of us supported the work to restore the beautiful locomotive in many ways. This DVD captures the results of all the support and efforts, as #2860 made her first outing in eight years.

COLLECTION GRANT FERGUSON COLLECTION RECEIVED The WCRA has received the railway collection from Grant Ferguson’s estate, and the items are being assimilated into the WCRA’s archival and book collection at Squamish. Grant was an excellent photographer and one who captured the railway scene over many years. We will plan to run some of his photos in future issues. The WCRA has received: • 2 boxes of railroad 35mm slides, all filed and catalogued in ten metal slide files • 7 boxes of railroad books and publications • A bookshelf that we can use • A wooden folding picnic bench / table We thank Marilyn and the family for the donation of these items to WCRA and look forward to our lasting legacy to Grant, the Grant Ferguson Viewing Gallery, to be constructed in the historic PGE Carshop building at the Heritage Park. TROOP SLEEPER 722 PROJECT First we want to thank the Association for the wonderful award we received on the award's night. We had no idea it was coming and are all taking turns to have it in our homes for a while. Eventually it will be displayed in 722. Thank you to the Heritage Park for always supporting us if we need a meeting area or a car needs moved etc. The Trooper's are working in all aspects of the project. We have Trevor Mills coming on board to help us with the archival end of the history of our own PGE/BCR railroading. Craig McDowall is setting the stage for interviews with the old timer's and the younger one's

WCRA News, Page 10 too. Heather Sidsworth/Dennis Roy are working on the scanning of the old pictures we are so proudly putting together from our Trooper's collections. I have one DVD that Dennis has put together of Paul's pictures with music. We are going to have it playing it the Bud Butterworth #710 car soon. John Jellis, Roy Crowston and Tom Bruvall are busy cutting off metal pieces and getting things readied for Ron Anstey to come and see our progress. We will be having another meeting for our gang in the very near future. (D.F.) DONATIONS—NOT ALL ARE HELPFUL! We regularly recognize donations towards our collection in these pages, and are always appreciative when our members and others think of us and contribute to the preservation that is our mission. But, not all donations are helpful. We refer here to things that get “dumped off” anonymously at the Heritage Park or our shops. Often, these items (which the donor may think we can use) create nothing more than a disposal problem—and cost—for us. We do not have any excess storage space, and want to ensure that items get properly used—and the donors appropriately recognized. Please—if you have something you think we could use—contact us first to verify and make arrangements to bring whatever it is to the right place. You can call the Heritage Park at 604-898-9336 and we will advise you promptly, or touch base with any of us in advance and we will advise you. Thanks for your cooperation with this.

FUNDRAISING PRESIDENT’S REPORT – DECEMBER 2007 December 2007 kicked off a good start to the 2008 fiscal year, and also was a ground breaking move to develop our Endowment Fund (see separate article re this). Major Funding Received • Telus Dollars for Doers $400 • General Donation $10,000 • Direct Mail returns $12,470 • Heritage Park Christmas Sponsorships $2,000 • Heritage Park donation $50 • 165 shares of BCE New donation $6,317 • New debenture $1,000 • Expenses donation $1279

WCRA News, Page 11 • $350,000 donation for Endowment Fund at Vancouver Foundation • $350,000 matching grant from Arts Renaissance Fund (BC) for Endowment Fund Month Total $737,461 Year to Date Total $737,461

• General purposes $37,461 • WCR Endowment Fund $700,000

Other Significant Activities • Led Strategic Planning meetings and setting of goals for 2008 • Met with Greg Gardner in Squamish re Council support and Roundhouse • Successful BCIT Conductor training program • Filed Gaming Account Summary Report • Met twice with Mayor re land and permits for amendments • Participated in two Capilano College events re tourism • Drafted and concluded Henry Pickering lease for 2008 WEST COAST RAILWAY ENDOWMENT FUND LEAPS FORWARD Great news this month as we are able to report that we have been able to take a giant leap forward in our long term sustainability through a major donation with a matching funds grant to the West Coast Railway Endowment Fund. This fund is held by the Vancouver Foundation, and was established several years ago with the intent that it develop over the years to become a source of annual residual funding to help ensure WCRA is around for a permanent future. The endowment capital is never touched, but WCRA receives a component of annual interest which can be used for the core purposes of the society. The first few years saw slow but steady growth from the original $10,000 put in—and the fund stood at $14,600 in the WCRA’s 2006 financial statements. This produced an interest cheque of around $700 each November, representing interest earned by the Vancouver Foundation’s investment activities. Our goal has always been to build this into a significant vehicle for our long term funding, and 2007—2008 will go down as the year we were able to make a first major step towards this goal. A matching funds vehicle available for major contributions to the endowment was available, and one of our major donors—who has always desired contributions be leveraged if possible and put towards permanent support for our efforts, came together. In November, WCRA applied through the Vancouver Foundation to have a matching grant in the amount of $350,000 made available for the 2007 year, and it was approved. That set things in motion, and a generous donor stepped forward to make a $350,000 donation to WCRA, which was then put by WCRA into the West Coast Railway Endowment Fund. That in place,

WCRA News, Page 12 the BC Arts Renaissance Fund matched the amount, and—just like that—our endowment fund grew to around $715,000! What does this mean for WCRA?—well, right off the bat our annual interest from the endowment fund will leap to around $35,000—and this is retroactive for the 2007 year as the funds were all put ion place before December 31, 2007. And, we have set a goal to try and repeat this for 2008 as the matching fund remains accessible for this year as well (we will have to initiate a new application for this year). Success in 2008 would mean that the West Coast Railway Endowment Fund would grow to over $1.5 million by end of the year, which would yield us around $70,000 annually (and during our winter months when funds are toughest to come by from operations). Nothing could speak more strongly about our plans to be around for a very long time than this kind of investment in our future. Our sincere thanks to the donor, to the Vancouver Foundation, and the Province of BC’s BC Arts Renaissance Fund for making this possible and for helping make a major step towards assuring our long term viability. DONATIONS OF SHARES SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR ALL PARTIES You will note in this month’s fundraising report that we have had a donation of shares to the WCRA, in this case shares of BCE New that resulted in a contribution of over $6,300. Under changes to Canadian Tax Law recently, this has become very beneficial to the donor as well. Consider that a donation of shares wipes out the Capital Gains Taxes that the owner would owe, as well as nets a tax receipt for the value of the donation. So, the donor gets the standard tax receipt for the donation, but also avoids tax on any increase in value of the shares since their purchase. WCRA has set up an investment account to handle these transactions simply. ANNUAL DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN The WCRA’s annual Direct Mail Campaign is now winding down, and we have received around $25,000 in returns. Our focus this year is to raise funds for the turntable installation, as the extra costs to complete this job requires us to find more $$$$. The turntable project is a critical part of providing the new home for the Royal Hudson, as it is part of the access to get into the new Roundhouse and Conference Centre. We are at a very critical stage now with this project, as we near the time to repair & install the turntable bridge into the pit that has been constructed. WCRA makes only one general mail solicitation request each year, and we appreciate the response of our membership to helping a major project become a reality. To those who have responded, thanks—to any others who are still thinking about it, we really appreciate your support. All donations dated by December 31, 2007 and received before late January will receive 2007 year tax receipts.

WCRA News, Page 13 DEBENTURES STILL OFFERED TO HELP FUND TURNTABLE INSTALLATION The West Coast Railway Association is still 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 mid 2008. We really need your help here. 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. The turntable installation is our current #1 priority for completion and we need some help to put the funding for completion in place. Here is a way that you can get involved and help, as well as see a good return on your investment.

WEST COAST RAIL TOURS THE 2008 TOUR PROGRAM IS READY TO TAKE YOUR BOOKINGS – ASK ABOUT EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS Apart from the tours shown in these pages please remember that our tours office is available weekdays to book independent trips. For example we issue tickets for VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and the Alaska Railroad as full-service agents for those lines. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations new 2008 brochure is now available; call for your copy and book with us. We also have the 2008 Trafalgar Tours brochures ready to send. They include the following destinations: Europe & Britain, Australia & New Zealand, USA & Canada, and River Cruises. We will pop the brochure of your choice in the mail as soon as you make the call to 604-524-1011 or toll free 1-800-722-1233. You can also e-mail us on tours@wcra.org. We also combine air, coach, ferry and cruise ships with rail services to customize itineraries throughout the USA and Canada. Flying east or south? Let us book you on WestJet, our preferred air carrier. For trips of 4 days or more we offer free home pickups and drop-offs in the Vancouver area. 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

WCRA News, Page 14 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. FARES: $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. Low season and budget hotel bookings save you more. THE GREAT PLAINS and ROCKIES by TWO NAME TRAINS — 6 days A unique chance to travel on two great “name” trains to visit the centre of the North American Continent from the comfort of your private sleeping compartments, dining cars, lounges and scenic domes. Enjoy the Canadian Rockies and the vast Prairies to Winnipeg then America’s Northern States and Mountain Parks. Departures: Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays - from Vancouver Day 1: Check in at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station to board The Canadian eastbound through Vancouver’s eastern suburbs and the lower Fraser Valley. Take dinner in the diner and retire for the night in your choice of sleeping accommodation. Day 2: Before breakfast you are in the heart of the Rockies. Stop in Jasper for a break off the train. Re-board the train and you are on your way out of the mountains and into Alberta’s verdant foothills. After a stop in Edmonton you are on your way east across the prairies crossing Saskatchewan overnight in your comfortable bed. Day 3: By breakfast time you are in Manitoba and late in the morning arrive in Winnipeg. After a transfer to a beautiful old railway hotel you have the afternoon free to visit local sights. Day 4: Breakfast is available in the dining room of your hotel before you check out and take a taxi for the short ride to the Greyhound depot. Here you board a modern motorcoach for Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A. (passport required.) Once there you transfer to the Amtrak station across the mighty Mississippi River to neighbouring St. Paul and board The Empire Builder. Once aboard you settle into your sleeping room for the start of your westbound journey. Day 5: Breakfast is available in the dining car as your train heads west across sparsely populated North Dakota. You are in Montana by noon and by dinnertime are skirting the Rockies’ famous Glacier National Park. Day 6: You can expect arrival in Seattle mid-morning. Our Amtrak connecting Thruway motorcoach leaves at 1:15 PM for Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver arriving back at Pacific Central Station, the starting point, at 5 PM. FARE: The 6-Day Tour, based on shared accommodation. From Cdn $1295 per person. Single fares start at Cdn $1495. Price depends on age of guests, number traveling together,

WCRA News, Page 15 type of sleeping accommodation on the trains, date of booking, date of travel, and US$ exchange rate. Our price will be cheaper than doing this on your own. Add a night in Seattle and take the morning “Cascades” train service to Vancouver for an extra $99 per person including your hotel. TRAINS & FERRIES, VICTORIA AND SEATTLE; SOUTHERN CIRCLE TOUR - Wednesday, May 14th BC Ferry to Vancouver Island for a ride on the Malahat Dayliner, visit Victoria, Clipper to Seattle and return on Amtrak to Vancouver - 3 Days A new tour for 2008! Make your way to Vancouver’s Pacific Central station by 11:00 AM for an 11:30 AM motorcoach departure transferring you to a lunchtime BC Ferry sailing for Nanaimo where you board VIA Rail’s Malahat Dayliner on its southbound trip over the Malahat summit to Victoria. Evening is free in a convenient hotel to enjoy our provincial capital. Relax in the morning and check in by 10:30 AM for the 11:30 AM Victoria Clipper's sailing to Seattle arriving at about 2:30 PM. Transfer to your Seattle hotel and have the afternoon free to shop and sightsee. The next morning an early transfer to King St station is needed to board the Cascades train service to Vancouver, BC departing at 7:40 AM. Breakfast is available in the dining car. Arrive at Pacific Central station (your starting point about noon. Later motorcoach transfers to Vancouver are also available. This new leisurely tour features great coastal scenery and the chance to do some shopping in the USA. It will sell out quickly. Passport required. FARES: The 3-Day Tour: Wednesday to Friday is $484 based on shared accommodation. (BC Seniors only- $464). Single: $644, (BC Seniors - $624). Extra night in Seattle? Add $86 per person ** Don’t like this date? Let us arrange this tour at a time of your choosing for a party of 10 or more. ** Don’t like groups? We can put this package together for individuals, to travel at a time of your choosing, subject to some conditions. Price may vary slightly. ** Live on Vancouver Island? Join us en route and we will get you home on Friday the 16th for the same price, or lower, depending on boarding location. TWO TRAINS & TWO FERRIES; MID - COASTAL CIRCLE TOUR Tuesday, June 17th Vancouver Island, The Discovery Coast, Chilcotin & Cariboo Regions, Whistler - 7 Days With taxi and motorcoach vouchers supplied, you make your way to Victoria on any of the frequent services provided by Pacific Coach Lines. You leave early to sightsee in Victoria or arrive in time for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant. The next morning you are transferred to the VIA Rail station and board the E&N Malahat Dayliner for its departure to Courtenay. Upon arrival your motorcoach takes you to a comfortable modern hotel in Port McNeill for the night. Frequent stops for sightseeing are made along the way. After breakfast

WCRA News, Page 16 on day 3 you board your motorcoach for Bear Cove where you embark on Queen of Chilliwack, Discovery Coast Ferry sailing for Bella Coola. For the next 13 hours wind your way through Queen Charlotte Strait, Fitz Hugh Sound, and Burke Channel. Day 4 is spent soaking up Bella Coola’s history and First Nations culture predominant in the area, all interpreted by a local guide. On day 5 you traverse the wild Chilcotin region after a climb up the infamous “Big Hill” that takes you from the coastal rain forest up and over the rugged Coast Mountains through Heckman Pass. Spend the night in Williams Lake. On day 6 you travel through the south Cariboo region, to Clinton for lunch and traverse Cayoosh Canyon and the scenic Duffey Lake Road to the mountain resort village of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. On your final day take a chance to sleep in or enjoy this beautiful mountain village. After lunch you get a coach transfer to the “Whistler Mountaineer” train service for your return to the coast via Squamish and Howe Sound. Beverages and a meal are served at your seat. In North Vancouver transfer to downtown Vancouver and your home ending the tour. FARES: The 7-Day Tour: $1592 each based on shared accommodation; BC Seniors only - $1532. Single Supplement: $538. Shorten this tour by a day, save $62 and join the group in Port McNeill on June 18th by Greyhound coach. WHITE PASS and YUKON ROUTE STEAM SPECTACULAR - Friday, July 11th Whitehorse, Yukon, and vintage train service all the way from Skagway to Carcross, YT, plus hours of Impressive Mountain Steam Railroading - 4 days Free pickup at your Lower Mainland area home or hotel is organized for departure from Vancouver’s International Airport by Air North’s late morning departure for Whitehorse. Upon arrival you take a scenic tour along the Alaska Highway to Miles Canyon and then check in at your hotel for the afternoon and evening. Visit the restored “Klondike” river boat and ride the riverfront trolley. We also recommend the “Frantic Follies” revue, for great entertainment. You have the next morning free to visit the attractions in Whitehorse before a mid-day departure by chartered motorcoach on the South Klondike Highway to Skagway, AK. Rest stops will be made in Carcross and scenic overlooks. You have next morning free in Skagway to explore this historic village. Walk a block to the WP&YR depot for loading at 11:30 AM and depart at noon behind steam locomotive #73 (or #69) spending the afternoon soaking up spectacular mountain steam railroading. This 85 km round trip terminates at Fraser Meadows, BC, 10 km north of White Pass. On your last day you will board the special “Yukon Adventure” train for Carcross. Awaiting you at Lake Bennett will be a hot meal. You arrive in Carcross at 2:30 PM (3:30 PM, BC time) where your motorcoach will transfer you to Whitehorse Airport for the evening Air Canada flight to Vancouver. We arrange transportation to your home in the lower mainland. FARES: The 4-Day Tour, Friday to Monday is only $1394 each based on shared accommodation. Single Supplement - $346. Included in the price: All trains, airfares, and buses, local guides, tour director, hotels, most gratuities, breakfasts & 2 lunches. ** Ask

WCRA News, Page 17 about extra days and more Alaska sightseeing. ** Stay an extra night in Whitehorse and fly back to Vancouver the next day at a more convenient time. Add $99 for this option. VANCOUVER ISLAND’S WEST COAST - Tuesday, August 12th via Coastal Supply Vessel, E&N Train, & Port Alberni Steam Mill & Railway - 4 days Your free pickup gets you to the 8:30 AM sailing by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay. Upon arrival at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay your coach will follow 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. Your coach meets you for a transfer to Coombs Junction Market. Then it’s off to Port Alberni for a visit to the top-rated Alberni Valley Museum. You will have time to relax before a buffet dinner at a seaside restaurant. Next morning you leave the hotel for the short trip to the dock to board the “Frances Barkley“, a coastal supply vessel that services Alberni Inlet, stopping briefly at Sechart in the Broken Group Islands before continuing on to Ucluelet. You then proceed north by motorcoach to Tofino for a tour of that area and end up at your luxury seaside resort hotel. A gourmet dinner is included here. Thursday morning wake up and relax on the beautiful Pacific Coast. You leave mid morning for the Wickaninnish Visitor Centre (and restaurant if desired). At 2:00 PM leave the Long Beach unit of Pacific Rim National Park for Port Alberni. Stops will be made at scenic overlooks and the water bomber base. You check in to the Port Alberni Hotel and relax before a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant. After breakfast next morning you depart for the railway station where you will board the Alberni Pacific Railway train for its 10:00 AM departure for the McLean Mill National Historic site, (the only steam operated sawmill in Canada). Upon arrival take a tour of the mill, and have a light lunch. You leave about 1:30 PM for the eastern side of the Island to catch the 4:30 PM sailing for Vancouver. (A stop at a rail station for those returning to Victoria on the Dayliner is possible). FARES: The 4-Day Tour, Tuesday to Friday is $858 each based shared accommodation. (BC Seniors $838). Single Supplement - $252. Extra day via Victoria: 5-Days including the train to Victoria, hotel and return transportation to Vancouver on Saturday, (unescorted): $918, (BC Seniors $898). Single Supplement - $292. TWO STEAM TRAINS, FISH and WINE PLUS CASINO FUN - Friday, September 12th A great opportunity to ride behind two steam locomotives in the Okanagan region, taste some great wines and see fish spawning - 4 days Leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered motorcoach for 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. Follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hell’s 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 after a welcome dinner. Next morning your coach will

WCRA News, Page 18 transfer you to the Kamloops Heritage Railway’s train with steam locomotive #2141. The train climbs from Campbell Creek up into ranching country en route to Armstrong. Continuing by motorcoach you visit O'Keefe Ranch for lunch and proceed on to Penticton with a stop to view spawning fish at Peachland’s Hardy Creek Park. You stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on Okanagan Lake’s south shore for 2 nights. If you like casinos this is an excellent one. Next morning leave for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. The train takes you along the hills overlooking Summerland and on to the Trout Creek Bridge, the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway line. You will then have lunch on board the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer on the beach in Penticton. This is followed by a tour to a local winery after which you will return to your hotel 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. You then take the Crowsnest Route, 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 highlights. FARES: $787 each based shared accommodation; Single Supplement: $ 183 VANCOUVER ISLAND RAILFAN SPECIAL – Friday, September 19th – 3 days You depart at 7:20 AM for the 9:00 AM sailing from Tsawwassen through the Gulf Islands to Victoria. You make a stop at the Butchart Gardens, and the Royal BC Museum and stay overnight in a comfortable Victoria hotel. Saturday September 20: We depart our hotel at 7AM for a ride on the VIA Rail E&N Malahat Dayliner up Vancouver Island to the end of the line in Courtenay. We then bus transfer to a unique market and stay in Parksville by the sea for the evening. Sunday September 21st: We cross the Island’s central mountains to Port Alberni for a Steam train charter with photo runbys and tour Canada’s only remaining steam-operated sawmill. We stop at Cathedral Grove for a walk through the magnificent forest and return by ferry to Vancouver late afternoon via Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay. FARES: The 3-Day Tour: $396 based on shared accommodation. Single: $556 THE CANADIAN ROCKIES AND ALBERTA’S STEAM TRAINS - Tuesday, September 23rd – 5 days Depart on VIA Rail’s Canadian at 5:30 PM in your comfortable sleeper. Meals included. Day 2: Wake up this morning in the heart of the Canadian Rockies following raging rivers and with any luck a view of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. At 11 AM you arrive in Jasper where you will have an hour to walk around, photograph a Mountain type steam engine and explore the visitor’s center and historic railway station. We arrive in Edmonton at 5:30 PM where we transfer to our hotel next to the West Edmonton Mall. Day

WCRA News, Page 19 3: You will tour Edmonton today riding the impressive Light Rail system and later visit the West Edmonton Mall, the world's largest entertainment and shopping centre and Alberta's number one tourist attraction. At 2:30 PM you are bused to the Alberta Railway Museum which houses a collection of various railway equipment and buildings. Their emphasis is on cars and locomotives from the Canadian National Railways (CNR) and Northern Alberta Railways (NAR). At 4:30 PM you depart for an overnight stop in Red Deer, Alberta. Day 4: You depart the hotel at 8:30 AM for the Alberta Prairie Railway at Stettler, Alberta. Dramatic excitement behind a steam loco awaits you. All excursions include a full course buffet meal which is included in the fare, on board entertainment and maybe even a train robbery. During your journey on board the train to Big Valley you will travel through the beautiful rolling and treed countryside of Alberta's Parkland. Overnight in Drumheller. Day 5: An outstanding day today as you visit The Royal Tyrrell Museum celebrating the long history and spectacular diversity of life - from the tiniest grains of pollen to the mightiest dinosaurs. Set in the Alberta badlands, the Museum opened in September, 1985. About half a million people per year come to experience the power and excitement of some of the most remarkable fossil displays anywhere in the world, in Canada’s only institution devoted entirely to paleontology. At 11:15 AM you head for Calgary’s Heritage Park arriving shortly after lunch. This renowned park features street car and steam train rides, roundhouse and railway exhibits as well as a complete town site with buildings from the early days of Calgary. At 4 PM depart by bus to Light Rail (C-Train) to downtown Calgary then bus to hotel or local Hobby shop. (Options: Continue tour with Steam train to Vancouver below, fly out this evening from Calgary or take the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver. FARE: call for details. CPR STEAM THROUGH THE ROCKIES Westbound from Calgary September 28th or Eastbound from Vancouver on October 5th on 6-day itineraries. These tours are once-in-a-lifetime escapes behind CPR Steam Locomotive Empress no. 2816 crossing British Columbia’s many mountain ranges in classic transcontinental coaches. Westbound overnight stops are made in Lake Louise, Revelstoke, and Kamloops. Eastbound is a “rare mileage” adventure with stops in Kamloops, Golden, Cranbrook and Lethbridge traversing the Crowsnest Pass. FARE: from $3995. Includes hotels, meals, transfers, one-way airfare to/from Calgary, admissions, and entertainment. Call for a detailed itinerary. WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER RAIL-FAN SPECIAL— Monday, September 22 , 1 day You depart from your Vancouver hotel or Waterfront Station at 7:00 AM in a transfer coach that takes you to North Vancouver to board the Whistler Mountaineer service departing at 8:00 AM. Arrival in Whistler is about 11:00 AM where you will be transferred to the village centre for lunch and sightseeing. Your chartered motorcoach will pick you up at the village bus-loop at 1:45 PM for a drive down the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. At the West Coast Railway Heritage Park you will enjoy rail activities and interesting displays. Refreshments and a snack will also be available here. You depart the Railway Park at about 3:30 PM. Photo

WCRA News, Page 20 stops will be made at spectacular Shannon Falls and Britannia Beach before dropping you off at your pickup point in Vancouver. SPECIAL FARE: $169.00. Limited seating, book early. 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 the tours office toll free at 1-800-722-1233, or locally at 604-524-1011. Better yet e-mail us at tours@wcra.org (B.J.)

374 PAVILION The number of visitors and guests continue to increase since the work stoppage ended. The number of visitors recorded for December is 2,179 somewhat down from the 2,306 visitors recorded last year. The end of the year shows 10,860 total visitors for 2007 as compared to 19,926 for the same period last year. The long civic work stoppage during a peak time accounts for most of the decline over last year, as the locomotive 374 was closed for the duration right through what would normally be peak season. 374 Christmas Mini Train

The following is a summary of results for the 2007 374 Christmas Mini Train for 2007:

Passengers Carried 865 Dec. 7—Dec. 16, 2007 Passenger Revenue $1,702.17 Donations $ 77.95 Other revenue $ 192.95 I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who managed and operated the 374 Christmas Train. Feedback has been very positive and the train was a delight to parents and children alike. Roundhouse Turntable Plaza Open House What would you like to see happen in the Roundhouse’s Turntable Plaza?! The Roundhouse Facilities Committee invites you to bring any ideas you have to improve the Turntable Plaza to a Community Open House on February 23, 2008. The Committee is interested in getting your feedback on a series of drawings of some possible ideas for the Turntable Plaza that a group of designers and community members have created.

West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way To Go

WCRA News, Page 21

Volunteer’s Required for the 374 Pavilion 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 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 info@wcra.org (J.B.) WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson CHRISTMAS AT THE HERITAGE PARK The Santa Express Budd Car rides with Santa and Breakfast with Santa events in December were a huge success this year, while our numbers overall were down this year for our Christmas Lights in the Park Event. Weather again was a factor, but that goes with the season and we had a good set of Christmas events overall this year. Thank you to the following who helped with our various Christmas activities. Donna Fourchalk, Audrey Rhodes, Vivian Downing, Carmen Peterson, D’Arcy & Megan Nelson, John Jellis, Bill McEnery, Bob Philip, Roy Crowston, Kyley Rosser, Don Evans, Deb Sankey, Joe Kerr, Kevin Smith, Chris and Megan Brant, Tomo’o Oskikawa, Andy Faris, Randy Lucas, Robert Misjak, Galen Olson, Chris Forget, Les Duke, Aaron Gruber, Tyler Kion, Squamish Lions Club and Staff: Olga & Wendy Junkin, Wallace Audley, Karen Moodie, Barbara Stover, Janice Cheer & Sherry Elchuk Thank you also to our 9th Annual Christmas Lights in the Park sponsors: Greg Gardner Motors, DJE Holdings Ltd., Biln Investments, Cardinal Concrete, Keith Anderson & Family, MCM Custom Videos, Squamish Lions Club. (S.E.) SKEENA RIVER MODEL RR CAR SET FOR OFFICIAL OPENING The Skeena River model railroad car is preparing for its official opening on March 16, 2008. Thanks to the work of Chris Forget and two other hard working members Aaron Gruber and

WCRA News, Page 22 Kyle Harris, the mainline track is being debugged and now being tested. Barbara Stover is still adding her artistic talents to the back room and helping in the never ending job of cleaning up. She also runs test trains for guests that comer in. On the way are a soccer field and stadium complex which will be added. Under table wiring continues and will be a work in progress for some time yet. A big thank you to all who have added funds to the donation box—thanks to your support we have been able to add more scale lights and model characters to bring the layout alive. (C.F.) CELEBRATE HERITAGE WEEK WITH “TIME TRAVEL” TOUR AND TEA Something new, something different this year, as we celebrate Heritage Week on Saturday, February 23 in the historic PGE Carshop and the opulence of the 1890 business car British Columbia. This is your chance to enjoy this great history in a way not available any other time of the year, and experience a sense of years past with our new “Time Travel” Tour & Tea.. With seatings at 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1400, you will enjoy tea and fresh made petit-four sandwiches served by servers in period costume, as well as a guided tour with the history of our historic 1914 built PGE Carshop, the 1905 Colonist Sleeping car and the 1940 Royal Hudson steam locomotive. Reservations are needed as space is limited for each sitting, please call 604-898-9336 to get yours. Come and celebrate Heritage Week in this most enjoyable and unique way. (D.F.) BCIT RAILWAY CONDUCTOR PRACTICUM December 3 to 7 saw a most unusual—but successful week—as a class of 13 Railway Conductor students from BCIT came to Squamish. The class has one week of practical experience in addition to their class learning activities and some field trips, and this took place at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and MP Shops for the five days. The WCRA is tasked to put on as realistic a railroader experience as possible, and we are fortunate to have professional railroaders who come out to help our own staff for this week. The student crews are “called for shifts” in both daylight and darkness to experience and learn the realities of the real world of railroading—any time day or night, and under any conditions. Mother Nature helped us out this year, throwing everything in the book at the crews and the class. Monday December 3 started off with a foot of snow on the ground, which quickly turned to rain and became a slushy and icy mess. There was real-time shoveling out of switches, and flange ways on grade crossings. There were rainy downpours, slippery ground and equipment, and lovely sunny breaks. A real world experience indeed.

WCRA News, Page 23

Photos by class member Chris McMahon The students practice and learn about things such as kicking cars, mounting and dismounting moving equipment, installing rear end detectors etc.

WCRA News, Page 24 Left—John Jellis describes some of the finer points of rail equipment, alongside the Royal Hudson steam locomotive. Operating for the week were PGE RSC-3 561, FP7A 4069, RDC-1 BC 21 and many pieces of freight and passenger train equipment. WCRA’s collection is great for this purpose due our variety of serviceable locomotives and cars. Left, class photo alongside RDC-1 BC 21 at the Mac Norris Station platform. Thanks to our crews and organizers who worked feverishly to make this a success for the students—Roy Crowston, Lloyd Daniel, Sherry Elchuk, Andy Faris, John Jellis, Rob McBeth, Tomo’o Oshikawa, Rob Payette, Wayne Sidsworth, and Dave Thethi.

WCRA News, Page 25 THE GREAT CLEANUP TO GET UNDERWAY A major focus in our planning and efforts for 2008 is to undertake a massive appearance improvement for the Heritage Park, its buildings and the collection. The site has become a little messy as we have been moving exhibits and stuff that was in front of the carshop to the back. In addition, the placement of exhibit cars and rolling stock has been less than optimal. Work on the collection part of this actually started in 2007 with the fix up and painting of the RPO and two of the exhibit coaches. Next up for this process are the coach Quesnel and the sleeping car Bell Island, which will be done in the spring this year. There will be a number of work parties at the site as we progress to have a first class visual for our guests in 2009, to coincide with the opening of the new Roundhouse . WILD AT ART COMING MARCH 15—23 Planning is now well underway for the 2008 Wild at Art Show in Squamish, much of which will be centered at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. This is a great week, and will run from Saturday, March 15 through Sunday, March 23 this year. Watch this space for more details in our next issue. (S.E.) ROUNDHOUSE WORK SET TO GET UNDERWAY As we go to press, work is getting underway on the construction of the Roundhouse and Conference Centre at the Heritage Park. Contractor Duro Construction has now fenced the construction area and plans are to start pouring the concrete for the footings and base the week of January 21. This is an exciting step forward, and will make the Heritage Park an interesting site to watch as we build this next major piece of our project.

FEATURE ARTICLES FROM WCRA NEWS 30 YEARS AGO—FEBRUARY 1978 - by Craig McDowall Amtrak Amtrak has tied in a promotion with Kellogg’s cereals. Coupons on 64 million cereal boxes are redeemable when you present three box tops for a free Amtrak ticket to a child under 12 years travelling anywhere in the system when accompanied by an adult purchasing a full fare ticket. Canadian Pacific—F unit #1407 was spotted in the Drake Street yard in gray primer paint with freshly painted numbers.

WCRA News, Page 26 The Canadian departed Vancouver with Business Car #12 on Feb. 17th powered by #1416 and the aforementioned #1407 with seven cars. CP will retain responsibility for Dayliner service on the E & N after VIA Rail’s takeover on April 1st last year. CP feels it would make little sense for VIA to get involved in the E & N operation until the B.C. Government’s appeal is decided and it is known whether passenger service will continue on the island. CP experienced major weather problems in the early part of this month causing some major delays. The mainline was blocked for almost 3 days at Gull Lake, Sask. (just west of Swift Current) after a snowplow train was trapped by huge snowdrifts on Feb. 7th. Two rescue units were also became trapped. Passengers on the westbound Canadian spent 36 hours in Swift Current hotels (at CP’s expense). They were then flown or bussed to their final destinations when the blizzard subsided. The Canadian was then deadheaded to Vancouver coupled to the following Canadian for a total of 17 cars powered by four Geeps. Traffic was also disrupted when a CP westbound freight train derailed at Balgoni, Sask. A fire broke out destroying 1000 bags of mail and 700 parcels of second and third class mail. And another freight derailment occurred west of Canmore, Alberta which tied up the mainline for 24 hours. And trains were frequently delayed for the first three weeks of February due to the heavy snow conditions. CP Baldwin #7072 was back in service after some sideswipe damage. A CP-UP run through is now in operation between Calgary (Alyth)-Lethbridge-Cranbrook-Kingsgate-Spokane-Ayer-Hinkle Oregon. CP will run across the border right through to Hinkle when UP is short of power (usually in the fall) and UP will run through to Calgary when CP is short of power (usually in the winter). Between Nov. 23rd and Dec. 31st last year CP shipped approximately 700 carloads of Mandarin oranges to Eastern Canada from the Vancouver docks. CP set a record when it carried more than 9 million oranges in a special solid trainload of 60 temperature controlled insulated box cars destined for Ontario and Quebec. Nicknamed the “Mandarin Express”, the train only stopped for re-fueling and crew changes. S3 #6536 has been transferred from Alyth to Victoria. E & N boxcar #292093 was spotted in Halifax recently. The E & N markings are part of and idea to encourage US railroads to interchange the cars back to the CP and return to the west coast (MCM note: wonder if it worked? - “Esquimalt and what?”).

WCRA News, Page 27 CN CN has temporarily prohibited the loading of all box cars (excluding specially equipped AAR assigned pool cars) destined for nine eastern states. This embargo is due to approximately 5000(!) CN cars being delayed in nine eastern states due to extreme winter weather conditions. CN expects to show a $12 million profit, only the second time in 21 years that CN has shown a profit. However part of this is a “paper profit” due to government grants. Due to an unknown accident, SD40-2 unit #5266 was sliced very neatly in two across the rear platform in the first week in January. The half inch wide crack resembled metal fatigue because there weren’t any dents or scratches on the unit; not even damage to the handrails! Notice has been served by CN to remove their agents from Clearwater and Chilliwack. B.C. Rail Chop-nosed PGE RS-18 #625 (still in old paint) was seen in North Van on Feb. 12th. A Location Identification and Control System (LIC) is in the advanced testing stage on the BCR. LIC employs electronic techniques to sense, record and control train movements. An ‘interrogator’ is fitted beneath the locomotive and a transponder is located between the rails. The transponder is a small transmitter needing no power source as the interrogator emits a small charge when passing over it. The signal is recorded by the engine logic unit and then transmitted to a central computer at the dispatch centre. This info includes speed, location, direction, signal light condition and engine number. There is also a small display unit in the cab of the loco. The system could be fully operational in 3-5 years at a projected cost of $2.5 million. Royal Hudson Two of the regular Royal Hudson coaches are undergoing body work and repainting. They are the “Sundance” and the “Pemberton”. BRUCE ALLEN STORY CORRECTION John Cowan (who has been writing an article on the Kettle Valley Railway) sends along a note re the story “Another Unusual Trip” by Bruce Allen, published in the December 2007 WCRA News. This story, of a battle against the snow up the Coquihalla Sub., likely took place a few years earlier, perhaps around 1955 or 1956. The final years of passenger runs on this subdivision were handled with Budd RDC’s, the subdivision itself was abandoned in 1961. One thing for sure, Bruce’s trip was an exciting one! (J.C.)

WCRA News, Page 28 CHRISTMAS MINI RAIL—THE TRAIN CAME BACK TO CANADA PLACE! - by Jeremy Davy 2007 was again an exciting and challenging year for the portable MiniRail crew operating during the Christmas season. Plans were well underway for a Christmas operation at the 374 Pavilion when we were advised by Canada Place Corporation that Exhibit Hall C would be available starting December 16th and they would like us to run a Christmas Train until January 1st. Inside!!!! at Canada Place - too good an opportunity to pass up.

Early on Dec 16th a small but intrepid crew started setting up at Canada Place and testing the track using 4 Ride Astride cars. After the 374 Pavilion closed for the day the train was moved to Canada Place and tested as a unit. Finally in the early evening all was ready to operate from December 17th to January 1st. Thanks Crew!!!! The ride inside Hall C consisted of a large oval of track (a good length ride) with some Christmas décor spotted at spaces in the inside of the oval. Above, Colin Dathan operates a train load of happy riders on December 20, 2007. (Don Evans photo) To add to the enjoyment of the visitors to the Canada Place venue Gordon Hall set up a model train display featuring both his Christmas Express and his newly acquired Polar

WCRA News, Page 29 Express consists. (Photo, Don Evans)

As a fundraiser for WCRA activities Barrie Sansom set up a souvenir sales operation which featured a large selection of his Tee Shirts and as well sold Entertainment Books; DVDs and Photo Murals - courtesy of Gordon Hall; Surplus Books donated by the Estate of Dan Boettcher; Hats, Pins and Christmas Cards – courtesy of Paul Roy and Max Jacquiard Art Cards - courtesy of Dave Emmington. At the time of writing the revenue and expenses are still being tabulated but what is known is that during the 24 days of operation we gave just short of 6,400 rides which generated more than $10,000. Special thanks to The BC Society of Model Engineers for loaning additional track and cars for use at Canada Place, Bruce Wilson for being just a phone call away in the event of any technical problems with the train and to Lonnie VanderZalm of Art Knapp Plantland in South Surrey for donating Christmas Trees to add to the festive atmosphere of both venues. Also, thanks to CN Police for keeping us supplied with Operation Lifesaver materials which were handed out to our guests. Thanks again to all the volunteers: Eric Anderson; Karl Anderson; Keith Anderson; Vera Anderson; Judy Board; Barb Brown; Len Brown; Gib Cavigan; Colin Dathan; Jeremy Davy; Chuck Dick; Lynn Dick; Dave Durward; Nini Durward; Don Evans;

WCRA News, Page 30 Dave Emmington; Marietta Fischer; Gordon Hall; Michelle Hall; Tim Hall; Margaret Hope; Don Knudsen; Roy Liden; Fay Lighthall; John Lighthall; Eivind Luffe; George Massey; Dorothea Matewish; Bruce McKay; Mary Roy; Paul Roy; Jim Saunders; Barrie Sansom; Donna Simon; Bernie Tully; Bruce Williamson; Bruce Wilson and Rob Woodward. Lastly—a special thank you to Canada Place Corp. for having the train back.

RAILWAY NEWS MOTIVE POWER NOTES Train Q 11251 05 departed with 2554-5696-9461(GP40-2W). It will be 10,987' + locos.(J.M.) LULU ISLAND BRANCH CHANGES Late last year I learned about the planned demise of the southernmost 6.5 miles of CN's Lulu Island branch line. This was sad news for me as I have fond memories of this portion of the branch. I was 13 In the summer of 1958 when we moved to 1026 Albion Rd. (It would be 10260 now) in Richmond; across the street were the two CBC radio transmitter towers. I had been in Canada only 17 months and this was already our 6th residence. But lo and behold, I looked east from the front window and there was, in the distance, a CN MLW switcher, caboose and a few cars headed south. I jumped on my bike and soon had the south end of the line explored, a wye south of Steveston Highway, the east leg-served by the evening train-crossed #5 road to the Canada Rice Mill, (Known as Delta Rice then), the west leg-served by the morning train-ran to Crown Zellerbach's mill. I soon made friends with the crews and had many rides in the caboose or on 8077, 8061, 8163 etc. Some summer evenings I walked, taking my Springer spaniel with me, meeting the train when it stopped at the platform by the Ladner ferry slip. One memorable evening I sat on the caboose with the crew as they ate their supper, a brakeman (fortunately not part of the regular crew!) turned to the stove for a minute and instantly his pork chop was removed and eaten by my dog. On days that I walked to meet the train the train would make a special stop at Williams Road on the return to let me and my dog off. I had this dream that one day some big facility would move in and lead to an "upgrade" of this rickety line, I must have been a fortune teller because after I had left Richmond the imported car loading facility opened and the line was upgraded. Many happy summer days were spent railfanning that line, it was Monday-Friday only except after the big early-sixties grain and flour sales to mainland China, a derelict flour mill near the rice mill was renovated and sometimes we

WCRA News, Page 31 would get weekend trains as well. They say all good things come to an end but I hate to see it go. (Mike Mastin) The access to the car loading facility will be replaced via a reactivation of the right of way west along the dyke from the cement plant to the east. This will eliminate running through a very populated residential area as well as many major grade crossings. Date for the changes is not known as yet. (J.M.) OIL SANDS RAILWAY SAVED BY CN CN came to the rescue of the Athabasca Northern Railway, purchasing it for C$25 million committing to pay C$135 million over the next three years to rebuild the 202-mile (323-km) rail line under a long-term agreement with three major shippers. The Athabasca Northern, which runs from Boyle, Alberta, to near Fort McMurray, Alberta, had been threatened with abandonment because of deteriorating tracks. It was owned by Cando Contracting Ltd. The track was previously operated by Canadian National, the country's largest carrier. It repurchased four other northern Alberta rail lines last year. (CN News release). TRAIN 546 CN Train 546, the scheduled northbound train on the former BC Rail line out of North Vancouver, is currently departing mid afternoon. (B.M.) CP UNITS ON 546 Changing motive power on the former BC Rail line has become the norm, providing lots of interesting sightings, but this one may be another first. CN’s train 546 from North Vancouver to Squamish on Sunday, December 16, 2007 was powered by a pair of Canadian Pacific AC4400’s—#9659 / 9716 were spotted at MP 10.5 at 1530 hours that day! (M.C.) PRINCE RUPERT FEATURED AT ATLANTA CONFERENCE The new Port of Prince Rupert was featured by CN at the IANA Conference in Atlanta, GA in November of 2007. The CN exhibit booth focused in intermodal and announced the new container port as “open for business” and touted many attributes including speed, capacity, and gateways of CN’s expansive intermodal network. Also featured was CN’s Memphis center and operation. This shows just how far the new Prince Rupert container access is of importance and significance in adding new speed and capacity to North American rail shipments. (J.M.)

WCRA News, Page 32 HUNTER HARRISON NAMED CEO of the YEAR CN’s CEO E. Hunter Harrison has been named CEO of the YEAR by Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper. Harrison has turned CN into the continent’s best managed railway, says the Globe, and that’s hard to argue. In his time, sales have increased by 1/3, profits have more than doubled, and operating ration has moved well ahead of any other North American rail carrier. Remember when CN was a money losing Crown Corporation?

MARPOLE SWITCHER Current motive power (mid December) for the Canadian Pacific Marpole switcher is a pair of SW1200RS’s, #1237 / 1239. They

can be seen along Kent Ave. in South Vancouver most days. (B.M.) HOLIDAY TRAIN The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, powered by AC4400 #9815, arrived in Port Moody on December 19th around 2130k—the final stop on its cross country Christmas odyssey. (D.E.)

RMV AWARDED AGAIN For the third consecutive year, Rocky Mountaineer

Vacations has won the prestigious World Travel Award as the World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 and were handed out this year at a December 12, 2007 ceremony held in Turks and Calcos. Competition to the Rocky Mountaineer for the award included South Africa’s Blue Train, South Africa’s Rovos Rail, Australia’s Great Southern Railway, India’s Palace on Wheels, UK’s Orient Express Ltd,. Peru’s Orient Express, and Scotland’s The Royal Scotsman.

OTHER NEWS COLEBROOK SIDING The extra siding being added at BNSF Milepost 133.7 Colebrook is nearing completion. This siding will ease congestion at a point where meets often occur where the BNSF line intersects with the Port Sub. Line to DeltaPort. It also is part of a package to add capacity to accommodate a second Amtrak Schedule between Vancouver and Seattle, planned to start in 2008. (B.M.)

WCRA News, Page 33 RHODE ISLAND BUDDS Former BC Rail RDC’s BC-30 and BC-15 remain in Rhode Island, and have operated between Newport and Portsmouth in 2007. They have been lettered Islander Touring Train and have had their paint touched up, but retain the BC Rail like scheme. (J.Ba.)

SHUTTLE WAGON ON NORTH SHORE Cargill Inc. has taken over one of the large grain terminal operations on the North

Vancouver waterfront, and in the process has replaced locomotives with a new Shuttle Wagon unit to shuffle grain cars. Operators report that the unit’s capacity is only two loaded cars at a time when rail is wet. (D.E.)

WCRA News, Page 34 WATERFRONT STATION Waterfront Station December 20, 2007—photo clearly shows the activity with West Coast Express, both Mark I and Mark II SkyTrain, and the layover sleeper for WCE crews.

TIME TRAVEL TOUR & TEA

Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00

Tea and sandwiches in the opulent 1890 car British Columbia. Celebrate

Heritage Week in unique style, heritage tour too. Book now at 604-898-9336, only $7 / person.

WCRA News, Page 35 SEATTLE STREETCARS The first of the new streetcars are now operating in Seattle but problems with the fireboxes jamming has led the first days of operation to be free for customers! (M.C.M.) CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 47 Issue 2 Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon Contributors: J.B. Jim Brown J Ba. John Baxter J.C. John Cowan M.C. Myron Claridge) C.D. Colin Dathan J.D. Jeremy Davy D.E. Dave Emmington S.E. Sherry Elchuk C.F. Chris Forget D.F. Donna Fourchalk B.J. Bill Johnston B.M. Bill Marchant J.M. Jim McPherson M.C.M. Criag McDowall B.T. Bernie Tully BL Branchline

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 <newsletter@wcra.org>, phone news to

(604)988-3435(res) or fax to (604) 986-7660. Check us out on the Internet at <www.wcra.org>

Contact us: Tours 604-524-1011 / 800-722-1233 Heritage Park 604-898-9336 Office 604-681-4403

TRIVIA ANSWER The first locomotive on a commercial rail line in the United States was a 7 ton monster built in England named the Stourbridge Lion. It was put into service on the D & H tracks between Car-bondale and Honesdale, PA in 1829. However, the locomotive weighed in at 4 tons more than its specification. Like the Spruce Goose, its first trip was its only trip. The engineer bravely drove the monster over trembling trestles which barely supported its one triumphant trip.

Published monthly by West Coast Railway Association ISSN 1204-072X PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2 Vol. 47 Issue 2 Canada Post, Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40007853

Work progresses on the business car Alberta, in this shot inside the PGE Carshop in De-cember 2007. Almost ready for its final coat of paint, all metalwork has now been com-pleted on the carbody, the new roof is complete, the new floor is in, and the primer coat mostly applied. Next up is to order the windows (which must be custom made), source the current technology heating / air conditioning system, and bring the car to the point that we are ready to have a contractor start the restoration of the interior mahogany wood work. A job like this is very large, but continuing progress is being made. (Don Evans photo)