GOING FAST, IN CHINA! WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER

JUNE 2006

WCRA NEWS

WCRA News, Page 2 GENERAL MEETING NOTICE The May General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 1930 hours at the Rainbow Creek Station, Confederation Park in Burnaby. Entertainment will be a wonderful slide show from the David Wilkie Collection— slides of steam on Vancouver Island 1954 to 1961 taken by David Wilkie and Elwood White. This show is not to be missed! ON THE COVER Salute to the Whistler Mountaineer! The inaugural run of the new Whistler Mountaineer on May 1, 2006 was greeted at Squamish by the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, with our operating equipment lined up on our trackage parallel to the mainline. As the first train came through, there was a grand whistle salute from PGE 561, CPR FP7A #4069, and BCR RDC-3 BC 33 as well as the air horns on the Mountaineer’s GP40-2 #8019. Up the line was our speeder train. In our cover photo, WCRA member Vera Anderson is part of the group greeting the train as open observation car Henry Pickering glides by following the new Glacier Dome cars in the consist. More on page 29, Don Evans photo. JUNE CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park Open daily 1000 through 1700k • Saturday, June 3—Giant Garage Sale at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park featuring

all kinds of stuff (great items!), Lions Club pancake breakfast, plant sale, 0800-1300k. • Wednesday, June 7—Deadline for items for the July 2006 WCRA News • Sunday, June 11—Celebrate Father’s Day at the Heritage Park—cake at noon. • Tuesday, June 13—Tours Committee meets, contact Bernie at 604-325-0923 • Tuesday, June 27—WCRA General Meeting, 1930 hours, Rainbow Creek Station

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. New! E Members (electronic newsletter) 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.

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EDITORIAL ALMOST THERE As you receive this issue of WCRA News, a most critical hydro test of the boiler work on Royal Hudson #2860 will be done—or be ready to be done. The success of this test is a major milestone in the bringing back to steam of this classic locomotive for the benefit of all British Columbians, and steam buffs all over the world. We’re almost there—almost to the end of the major boiler rebuild job, almost there to having the grand event to celebrate the return to steam of this classic locomotive. You can rest assured that all the stops are out as we go Full Steam Ahead towards the return of #2860 to the rails. The work hasn’t been without its challenges as you might expect. In fact, as we started the work on the competing of the installation of the tubes, we had to shift gears and we hired All Pro Services and their professional boiler maker skills to ensure that the work was done to the very highest standards. We’re almost there in the funding department too. The frantic pace of work in the April / May time frame also had the costs of the project step ahead of the funds, and we are working hard to get the rectified. As we write this we have just had one more commitment of $50,000, so we are getting close too. The project is on track and will meet budget, but our budget of $500,000 is greater than our funds raised which are now about to close in on $450,000. That leaves us just $50,000 more to find—can you help? If you can, now is the time to do it! Plans ahead are starting to get exciting. While we won’t announce anything officially before the locomotive has passed its hydro and is assured to be ready to steam, we are working hard behind the scenes. Our current targets will have us announce the Grand Return to Steam of the Royal Hudson event for likely late June, and with that we should be ready to announce the first public trips behind the Royal Hudson since 1999. There is still work to do on all fronts, but the return to steam of British Columbia’s Royal Lady of Steam is now clearly on the horizon.

Don ASSOCIATION NEWS FROM THE APRIL GENERAL MEETING 45 members and guests were present, the meeting was chaired by Colin Dathan: • A moment of silence was observed in memory of member Ray Peters who passed away

March 29th

WCRA News, Page 4 • Colin Dathan announced that Don Evans had been named the 2006 recipient of the

Norris Adams Memorial Award, which will be presented him by the CRHA’s Pacific Coast Division in mid May. Don acknowledged the group’s recognition and thanked all for their participation in WCRA which was really what leads to the recognition of our accomplishments by others.

• Don Evans gave the Executive Director’s Report, noting the upcoming Auction and the state of fundraising during the past month.

• Jim Brown gave the Heritage Park Report, highlighting a successful Easter Scavenger Hunt and new major initiatives to bring guest visit increases. He noted that the new school curriculum is about to get started and that one of the daily bus tour companies has agreed to start Heritage Park stops in May.

• Jim noted that the Corporate Memberships program is getting underway with our new brochure being mailed with a letter to all of our suppliers. We hope to see a growth in corporate members result from this work, which we will continue through the year.

• It was noted that we hosted the last one-day BCIT Conductor program class in March. The practicum day was held at the MP 1 shop which proved a very good site for this work. Starting in July, the BCIT program shifts to a one-week practicum with each class, we are looking forward to this new more detailed operations training.

• It was announced that speeder rides will operate on the Victoria Day weekend in May • Jim Brown noted that finances were challenging at the moment due the intense work on

the Royal Hudson, but we are working hard to manage these and keep things on track. First Quarter results look good and will go to the Board in May.

• Colin Dathan noted that we are getting new volunteers for the 374 Pavilion in Yaletown, but that more are still needed.

• Jeremy Davy noted that we have two off site mini rail operations in the plan at the moment—at both Canada Place on Canada Day and also at Port Coquitlam’s Castle Park on Canada Day.

• Events were noted, with thanks to Matt Christianson, Bernie Tully and Bill Johnston for staffing the April 13 Travel Show at the Hotel Vancouver. The upcoming 374 Anniversary event was noted to members as well.

• Don Evans gave a report on progress on the Royal Hudson • Bill Johnston gave a tours update, and noted the recent US Border fiasco of a three hour

15 minute delay to tour buses (including ours) which resulted in the missing of the Spirit of Washington train and a frantic re-jigging of the remainder of the tour. They pulled it off, but the actions of our “neighbours to the south” are not very neighbourly when it comes to crossing the border these days it seems.

• Don Evans reminded members of the planned May 1 event to welcome the Whistler Mountaineer to the rails at the Heritage Park.

• Ryan Cruickshank and Bill Marchant gave their Trackside Reports • Guests were welcomed, the calendar was reviewed, and the 50/50 draw held • Entertainment was Last Runs on Vancouver Island (by Hugh Fraser) - copies were sold.

WCRA News, Page 5 WCRA TRIVIA # 209 - by Ryan D. Cruickshank What railway structure, completed after 40 months of construction, will see its 30th anniversary this month? (Hint, it’s 1,815’ 5” tall) (for answer, see Credit Lines) YOU KNOW YOU’RE A RAILFAN WHEN……. ……..your body tingles at the sounds of the air horns of the 4069, 561 and BC 33 as the new Whistler Mountaineer train gets saluted in Squamish. NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes new members Mike Danneman of Arvada, CO, Kevin Bahm & family of Squamish, Todd & Dee Gerart & family of Squamish, Geoff Gooderham & family of Vancouver, Julie Jensen & family of Squamish, Suzanne Gordon & family of Garibaldi Highlands, Jim & Sharon McGee of Wheatridge, CO, Alan Proctor & family of West Vancouver, Neil Proctor & family of Brackendale, Dean & Tracy Roxby & family of Langley, Charlie & Sue Stafford & family of Whistler, and Stephanie Wells & family of Brackendale. We welcome back Ron East & family of Prince George and Richard Miller & family of Squamish. (J.D.) PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP Memberships dated 4/30/2006 have now expired, and if your membership expired Feb. 28, 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 Option. Those fees are - for an E-Individual membership $35.00, and an E-Family $45.00 (J.D.) MEMBER NEWS We are sad to report to you the passing on of long time member Donald Buckham on April 9, 2006. Donations were accepted to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund in his memory. Congratulations to member Lavina Shaw for her contribution to an article in TRAINS Magazine titled “Dots and Dashes Forever”. The article is about Morse telegraphy, of course, and Lavina is the international president of the Morse Telegraph Club. Best wishes to Mary Roy who is recovering at home from surgery in early May. She is reported to be doing very well. Congratulations also go to member Dave Emmington for his writing of a nice article in CN Lines (CN Special Interest Group) about CN #2141. The article covered the operations of this historic locomotive both on Vancouver Island in the past and today in its new base at Kamloops with the Kamloops Heritage Railway. Editor Al Lill was able to access several

WCRA News, Page 6 shots from the David Wilkie Collection at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park to add to the coverage in this story, and passes on his appreciation to Trevor Mills and Sherry Elchuk . Lastly, Don Evans was awarded the 2006 Norris Adams Memorial Award by the Canadian Railway Historical Association Pacific Coast Division. The award is named in honour of one of the PCD’s most dedicated leaders and is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation of British Columbia’s railway history. The PCD Secretary notes that the award winner was chosen for his steadfast efforts over many years in creating, developing and promoting the West Coast Railway Heritage Park for the benefit of both present and future generations. Don noted that it is an honour to receive the award, and that it wouldn’t have been achieved without the help of every WCRA members’ support. Past winners of the award include Robert Turner, David Wilkie and Henry Ewert. BONES What kind of “bone” are you…….? • A Wishbone—one who spends all their time wishing someone else will do the work • A Jawbone—one who does lots of talking but little else • A Knucklebone—one who knocks everything that others do • A Back Bone—one who gets to work and does what needs to be done (C.D.) WESTERN RAILS SHOW REPORT The results are in and once again it looks like the Western Rails Show was a success. The 24th Annual Show, at the Cameron Recreation Centre in Burnaby on March 12th, drew a diverse community of vendors and attendees. Commercial ventures and Hobby Shops were as usual well represented. Among the new vendors/exhibitors this year were: Bear Creek Train, Cabrick Video Productions, MacDonald Video Productions, Mesa Grande Shops, Vancouver TraiN Gang and a number of individuals. We hope to see many back in future years. Ably representing the Preservationists were Alberni Pacific Railway, BC Society of Model Engineers, Kettle Valley Steam Railway, TRAMS, and WCRA. There was a long list of private vendors, many of them staunch supporters, representing a cross section of the Railroadiana Community. This year’s show Committee consisted of Bob & Beve Bowman, John & Kathy Cox, Jeremy Davy (Chair), Kevin Dunk, Nini & Dave Durward, Bob Garton, June Garrett, Dave Manzer, Bill Marchant, George Massey, Doug May, Paul & Mary Roy, Barrie & Jeannie Sansom, Donna Simon, Glen Wideman, Bob Webster and Gerry Wolf. Supporting the Committee in the set up/takedown and operation of the event was a volunteer

WCRA News, Page 7 crew many of who turn out annually to assist. Our thanks go to Steve Carmichael, Art Edwards, Dave Emmington, Michael Garrett, Doug Hicks, Lee Holtby, Ian Lyn, Bruce MacKay, Al Mitchell, Terry Moore, Dennis Roy, Kirsten Roy, Angela Sansom, Jim Saunders, Jonathan Schmidt and Ray Seredin. For a second year Burnaby Mountain Secondary School provided the food services for the event with the proceeds going to support their School’s activities. By opening time there was a line-up that was ably kept in order by the TraiN Gang’s Steve Carmichael. Throughout the day our Admissions Team, Donna Simon, Angela Sansom and Jeannie Sansom, kept things moving. Again this year space allowed for two layouts - Toy Train Operating Society, and the Mainland Modular Railway Society contributed different styles of entertainment for the spectators. TTOS presenting examples of various ages, styles and gauges of trains that zipped around their layout while MMRS featuring a layout with beautifully detailed dioramas and scaled right of ways. Congratulations go to the Winners of Best of Show for their booths. Creative Hobbycraft Stores won First Place. The CN Police (Cst. Norm Witzell) Operation Lifesaver display placed second while The Kettle Valley Steam Railway (Debbie Kinvig G/M) captured third. The West Coast Mini Rail, powered by Mary Roy’s M420, this year was operated by Roy Liden, Bruce MacKay, and Paul Roy. Rides were by donation and proceeds went to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund. As always, the mini rail was a hit at the show. The Morse Telegraph Club’s Earl and Lavina Shaw and others as usual were surrounded with a fascinated audience watching their telegraphic skills. The West Coast Railway Association’s display was multi-faceted. Bernie Tully, Bill Johnston, Bill Marchant and Jim Saunders talked Tours and provided information to many interested individuals backed by a table full of artifacts promoted the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Lee Holtby brought a table full of Harold’s memorabilia and videos which she sold with the proceeds going to the Royal Hudson Restoration Fund. Shortly after opening time the Shaw Cable’s Express Crew turned up to promote the show, airing their coverage the following day. JACK – FM and JR Country also paid visits during the day. Nini Durward ably manned the Show prize table, with the help of Glen Wideman and Sarah & Denny catching the attention of everyone passing the Hourly Raffle table. Once again we were supported by many businesses that donated prizes for our Raffles and

WCRA News, Page 8 Door Prize Draws. Our thanks go to Al Mitchell/MMRS, BNSF, CN, CN Rail Police (Operation Lifesaver), CRHA, Caboose Bruce Hobbies, Central Hobbies, Kamloops Heritage Railway, Kettle Valley Steam Railway, New China Kitchen, On Track Hobbies, Pacific Western Rail Systems, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Southern Railway of BC, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, The Hobby Shop, Union Station Videos, Via Rail Canada, West Coast Express, West Coast Railway Association. To all those involved, my personal thanks for making the Western Rails Show a success once again this year. (J.D.) THANKS • To Stuart DuFresne for the donation of some antique tools to the WCRA for use / exhibit

at the Heritage Park. • To Joe Antonelli for the donation of a video tape with historical segments of passenger

services on BC Rail and the original opening of the Heritage Park.

COLLECTION RARE 1934 CHRYSLER DONATED More details next month and photos, but we just had to let you now that the WCRA has been donated a very rare collectible automobile—a beautiful 1934 Chrysler Airflow will become the centerpiece of our heritage garage in the town centre at the Heritage Park.. Thanks to Jim Brown for working to secure this donation from June and Bert Exworthy for us! OPEN CAR HENRY PICKERING - SERVICE ON WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER The WCRA’s classic open observation car Henry Pickering entered service as scheduled with the new Whistler Mountaineer in April. The car was completed and released from the WCRA’s MP shop in Squamish on April 14, and brought to Vancouver and assembled into the Whistler Mountaineer consist in time for the public pre-view of the train held April 19, 2006 at the Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver station. As has been reported before, the open sections of the car have been fitted with stanchions and standing room in place of the seats. The car has been popular on the new train, and is frequently crowded with guests—particularly on the nice days that May has started the season off with! There have even been some e mails received from people who knew Henry Pickering and have reported their delight in the car and the name it carries. We are delighted to see the car back in daily service on the Sea to Sky corridor, and passing right by the Heritage Park twice each day.

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All ready to go! West Coast Railway’s open observation car 598 Henry Pickering is ready to depart Squamish on April 14, 2006—Trevor Mills photo.

EXHIBIT CAR REPAIRS What was thought to be a leaking window seal in the exhibit car Cowichan River turned out to be a more serious breach in the side metal of the car below the window. It took some work, but our creative crew managed to patch the car’s side and then install a gutter above the window as a test to see what improvement it might make. OTHER COLLECTION NEWS In preparation of supporting the Whistler Mountaineer and having equipment for lease or excursions, several coaches and locomotives have been or are being serviced and inspected. Our FP7A locomotive #4069 received a semi-annual regulatory inspection during the period and is in place as a back-up unit for the Whistler Mountaineer. Our CPR S-3 locomotive #6503 is being readied for start-up by volunteers Greg Robertshaw, Richard Courage and Michael Batten and will be available for switching as required. Our three ex BCR passenger coaches have received their IDT and air brake tests, and are progressing through remainder of inspection over next 2 weeks. In order to ensure that we have in-house capability to perform equipment inspections to Transport Canada requirements, a training and certification program for staff is currently under development. (S.B.)

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ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION & FUND ROYAL HUDSON PROJECT PROGRESS Rebuild work on #2860 was proceeding well, but difficulties in rolling/beading tubes and some material deliveries has resulted in an approximate one month delay in our steam-up plans. All-Pro Services has been retained to complete boiler repairs including tube, flue, arch tube installations, welding and hydro-test. Randy Guz, the principle boiler welder with All-Pro worked on the Hudson as a contractor during the 1990’s and knows the boiler intimately. Staff and volunteers will continue to install the stay-bolts that require replacement and ready the numerous remaining items for installation after the hydro-test currently planned for mid-May. All going well with the hydro-test, completion is expected in late June. Several new volunteers have been assisting Trevor Mills and our regulars Don Lawrence, Richard Courage, Rob Misjak and Bob Florence who managed to get in a couple of days while visiting from England. Members Dean Roxby and father /son team Ron/Garth Kitteningham are the new volunteers but we can use more, during the next few weeks. Efforts are continuing to source an Elesco feed-water pump and we now have one on short-term loan from Canada Science & Technology Museum. This pump was removed from the 2860 after it was taken out of service and loaned to CP as a backup for CP#2816 operations. WCRA gratefully acknowledges assistance from CST&M and CPR for use of the pump which has been delivered and installed on the Hudson. Efforts are continuing to secure a pump for the longer term. (S.B.) ROYAL HUDSON PRESERVATION FUND We acknowledge our monthly contributors Dave Walker, Richard Tubbessing, and Ernie & Lynn Ledgerwood, as well as donors Singh Biln $4,815, Joe Antonelli $25, Robert Smith $50, Bert Koll $50, Ken Moir $100, Margaret Hope $50, BC Railway Historical Assn. $50, and in memory of Donald Buckham Sheila Henderson $30, Robert Des Jones $50 and James McCurragh $25 bringing our total to $130,631 raised to date. Remember, you can make a donation on line through www.wcra.org . Add in the Western Economic Diversification Canada grant of $110,000 and the Province of BC $100,000 TFA grant, Westran’s $50,000 and our total now leaps forward to $390,631. Lastly, we are pleased to report that another $50,000 commitment to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund has been undertaken at a critical time in our work and our funding to put the Royal Hudson back on track. This initiative is now underway and we will report on it further next month. We are closing in on both the work and also the funding—as we go to press we need to find another $50,000 to keep the work going to completion. Don’t forget this project as we put the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund over the top.

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FUNDRAISING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – APRIL 2006 April was a month of following up on funding efforts underway, as well as a month of starting work on some future initiatives. Here’s how we did: Major Funding Received · Hudson Fund donations $5,090 · Donald Buckham Memorials (to RHF) $55 · Bud Butterworth Family Memorial (Car 710 sponsorship) $15,000 · New debentures $5,000 · MP Shop donation $10,000 · Rocky Mountaineer Vacations $46,000 Month Total $ 81,145 Year to Date Total $376,979 Other Significant Activities · Met with Olympics transportation officials re Royal Hudson in Olympics · Met with North Vancouver Centennial Committee re Royal Hudson in 2007 · Appeared on Global News re Royal Hudson and Whistler Mountaineer BUTTERWORTH FAMILY SPONSORS PGE CAR 710 Thanks to the family of the late Bud Butterworth for their sponsorship of the Pacific Great Eastern troop sleeper car #710 and its conversion to an exhibit of the story of the people of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway and the British Columbia Railway. Bud’s son Brian and daughter Carol both agreed that naming the 710 in Bud’s honour would be a fitting tribute to his legacy railway career and love of the Heritage Park. For more, see page 20 . ANNUAL AUCTION MAY 12 As we go to press, we are preparing for the annual West Coast Railway Association / Rotary Club of Vancouver auction. The format will be familiar as we work to raise funds for both organizations, but the location will change. This year it will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The event will open at 6:00 PM, and will feature a wonderful gourmet dinner with wine, silent and live auctions, and lots of fun for all. Tickets are just $50 per person / $100 per couple, and we hope you bring friends and guests with you to make it a great night out. Some new and great auction items this year for the railfan as well. We’ll report next issue on the results and how much we raised for the Royal Hudson.

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WEST COAST RAIL TOURS 2006 TOURS UNDERWAY Our Tours Committee now has its program of tours for 2006 underway. The new Whistler Mountaineer services to Whistler are incorporated into our program and we will continue with the popular White Pass & Yukon package as well. Members are reminded that we have new 2006 brochures now available, including Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, VIA Rail, Trafalgar Tours to Hawaii, across North America and to Australia / New Zealand as well as major cruise lines. There have been some changes to itineraries that are noted this issue, so have a scan and see where you might like to travel with us this year. Plan now to get aboard this year for some great rail travel. (B.J.) MALAHAT CIRCLE TOUR (RVI) Daily except Saturday - throughout the year Depart from Pacific Central Station at a time of your choosing aboard Pacific Coach Lines scheduled service to Victoria. We supply vouchers to take you to the Queen Victoria Hotel—a few steps from the bus depot. You are on your own for dinner. Breakfast is served at 7:00 AM in the hotel’s restaurant, then their van shuttles you to the station at 7:40 AM. Board the train for an 8:15 am departure to Qualicum Beach where it arrives at about noon. Enjoy this quaint town with its interesting beaches and restaurants. After lunch (on your own) we ask you to board the train at 2:30 pm and get off at Nanaimo at 3:45 pm. A waiting 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. Arrive at Pacific Central Station at 7:15 pm. $224; Children 2-11 $186; BC Seniors (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only) $186. (Otherwise $224) Single supplement $71 Vancouver Island Rail & Sail By E&N Rail, coach and Ferry….. Note—due the accident with the Queen of the North this tour is under review and subject to changes at BC Ferries. This is our popular itinerary featuring the repositioning of the North Coast Ferry at the end of its “Inside Passage” season. (Tour VRS-2) Day 1 - Friday, September 29th From Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, we go to Victoria before noon and spend the evening in a comfortable hotel. Includes “welcome dinner” in a good restaurant. D Day 2 - Saturday, September 30th After breakfast we leave by transfer bus at 7:45 AM for the VIA Rail Station and board the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway’s “Malahat Dayliner”.

WCRA News, Page 13 Arrival in Courtenay is at 12:50 PM. Brief stops will be made at Sayward, and at Woss Camp to see the logging railway there. We arrive in Port Hardy at about 6:00 PM and stay in the Port Hardy Inn. B, L Day 3 - Sunday, October 1st We depart our hotel early for the ferry, which sails at 7:30 AM from nearby Bear Cove. Arrival in Tsawwassen is scheduled for 8:30 PM with arrival back into Vancouver about 9:30 PM. We transfer you to locations as close to your home as possible. FARE: Per person sharing: $495; BC Seniors only $475; Single Supplement: $125

Part of a group? Let us quote special pricing for groups of 15 or more and enjoy a mini-cruise with your friends at a very affordable price. We also offer customized itineraries

to other destinations, so give us your thoughts and let us organize it for you.

Whitehorse, Yukon and the White Pass & Yukon Route Steam Spectacular! (Note, Sold Out—Wait List being accepted)

Visit Canada’s Yukon and “The Scenic Railway of the World”, one of the world‘s most

notable civil engineering feats. (Tour WPS-3)

Day 1 - Thursday, June 22 Our group departs Vancouver by Air North at 11:30 AM for Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, on this, the longest day of the year. Flying time is 2-1/2 hours. Upon arrival we are transferred to a downtown hotel for the afternoon and evening. There is much to see and do in this northern capital of 23,000 people. L Day 2 - Friday, June 23 You have the morning free in Whitehorse to visit the many local museums and historical sites. We then leave by motorcoach from the old WP&YR depot for Fraser, BC. Departure is at 1:30 PM (Yukon Time). At Fraser, we board the diesel-hauled passenger service through the White Pass and down to Skagway, Alaska arriving at about 4:30 PM (Alaska time). Our hotel is a short walk from the station. B Day 3 – Saturday, June 24 We leave the WP&YR depot at 8:00 AM behind steam locomotive #73 and spend the day soaking up spectacular mountain railroading. Run-bys and other treats for rail-fans are performed. Return to Skagway is scheduled for about 5:00 PM. This 80 mile round trip includes a 2-hour layover in Bennett, BC, the end of the Chilkoot Trail, where you can participate in a walking tour with a Parks Canada Historian, explore the area’s artifacts and tour the displays in the historic 1903 train station. B, L

WCRA News, Page 14 Day 4 – Sunday, June 25 We leave Skagway at 8:45 AM by motorcoach and climb up from the coast via the South Klondike Highway – a different route up to the White Pass. Our coach drops us in Whitehorse where we have a couple of hours of free time before going to the airport at 2:30 PM for a 3:30 PM Air Canada flight to Vancouver. We also arrange connections to all Canadian cities served by Air Canada, Air North or WestJet Airlines.

All times shown are local; Pacific & Yukon times are one hour later than Alaska time. Passengers are reminded that they should have correct citizenship documentation and

sufficient medical insurance to cover any emergency when traveling in the U.S.A. This tour also runs weekly (Thursdays) from June 1st until August 24th as an

independent, non-escorted tour.

FARE: Per person sharing, $1295. Single Supplement $215. (subject to availability of discounted airfares). Vancouver Island, Discovery Coast, Chilcotin, Cariboo & Whistler Circle Tour by Discovery Coast Ferry, Motorcoach and 2 Trains This is a new itinerary using some familiar services combined with a new passenger rail experience from Whistler to Vancouver. Tour DCW-R Meals included in the package are shown thus: B = breakfast, CB = continental breakfast, L = lunch, S = morning or afternoon snack or tea, D = dinner (All other meals are on your own) Day 1 - Wednesday, July 5th After pickups in the Vancouver area we make our way in our chartered coach to Vancouver Island via the 8:30 AM sailing at Horseshoe Bay for Nanaimo. We go to the VIA Rail station and board the E&N Dayliner for Courtenay. Lunch is supplied on the train. After leaving Courtenay our motorcoach takes us to a new hotel in Port McNeill for the night. Frequent stops for sightseeing are made along the way. A “welcome dinner” is supplied tonight. L, D If interested in leaving a day earlier for Victoria we can arrange a hotel for you, and transfers to the VIA Rail station to ride the E&N Dayliner north to meet our group in Nanaimo. See note re “Option “V” below. Day 2 - Thursday, July 6th After an early breakfast we board our motorcoach for Bear Cove where we embark on the “Queen of Chilliwack” Discovery Coast ferry. For the next 13 hours we wind our way through Queen Charlotte Strait, Fitz Hugh Sound, and Burke Channel. Whales and other sea life are sometimes spotted. Arrival at Bella Coola is before 10:30 PM. We go to nearby Hagensborg for two nights. CB

WCRA News, Page 15 Day 3 - Friday, July 7th The day is spent soaking up the area’s history and First Nations culture, predominant in the area - as well as the outstanding natural beauty of the region – interpreted by a local guide. B, L, D Day 4 - Saturday, July 8th We traverse the wild Chilcotin region after a climb up the infamous “Big Hill” that takes us from the coastal rain forest over the rugged Coastal Mountains. We spend the night in Williams Lake. B, L, S Day 5 - Sunday, July 9th Today we travel through the south Cariboo region, Lillooet and over the incredible Duffy Lake Road to the mountain village of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. B, L Day 6 - Monday, July 10th We have a chance to sleep in an enjoy this beautiful mountain village. After lunch we get a coach transfer to the “Whistler Mountaineer” train service for our return to the coast via Howe Sound and Squamish. Tea and a snack are served at your seat. We leave the train in North Vancouver and are transferred to downtown Vancouver ending the tour. Home drop-off included. B, S FARE: Per person sharing: $1292; BC Seniors only, $1252; Single Supplement: $438. GST extra. OPTION “V”. Go to Victoria on Tuesday July 4th and take the E&N Malahat Dayliner the next morning. We meet you on the train in Nanaimo on Wednesday to continue the tour. Add $168 Two Steam Trains, Fish and Wine We offer two versions and two dates for these popular trips riding behind steam locomotives in the Okanagan region (Tour OKS-6) Day 1 - Friday, September 15th We leave Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station by chartered coach picking up in the Fraser Valley then take Highway 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. We follow the Fraser Canyon and stop for lunch at the Hells Gate Air Tram (admission included) where one can walk over the suspension bridge to view fish climbing the fish ladders. On to Skihist Park overlooking Rainbow Canyon of the Thompson River and the railways operating through this most difficult part of the river valley. Kamloops overnight. Try dinner at the Keg Steak House in the renovated Kamloops Railway station. S x 2 Day 2 - Saturday, September 16th Morning transfer to the Kamloops Heritage Railway steam train. We climb from Campbell Creek up into ranching country enroute to Armstrong. There is time to tour the town have lunch and view the steam train leaving. We travel to O'Keefe Ranch for a tour of the restored buildings, and then go to a local winery for a tour and

WCRA News, Page 16 tasting. We have dinner in a fine Kelowna restaurant by Okanagan Lake. CB, L, D Day 3 - Sunday, September 17th We depart at 8:30 AM for Hardy Creek to see fish spawning and then on to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and onto the Trout Creek Bridge the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway. Lunch is included today at a local winery followed by a tour and tasting. We then tour the SS Sicamous, the beautifully restored lake steamer. We stay tonight at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the south beach of Okanagan Lake. There are lots of options for dinner in the hotel, or by a short walk to downtown Penticton. B, L Day 4 - Monday, September 18th At 9:30 AM depart for the Grist Mill at Keremeos for a tour and lunch. We take the Crowsnest Route back to the coast with stops at a fruit stand, Manning Park, and the Quintette Tunnels on the old KVR line. B, L FARE: Per person sharing: $697 Single Supplement: $163 Or try this shorter more economical version, in June (Tour KHR-7) Day 1 - Friday, June 2nd Depart Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station at 1:00 PM allowing for transfers from Vancouver Island or Amtrak from Seattle. We make pickups through the Fraser Valley to Hope where we take a rest stop and a walk through the Quintette Tunnels on the old KVR line. Then it’s direct to Kamloops for the night in a good riverside motel. S Day 2 - Saturday, June 3rd As per Day 2 in above itinerary, Overnight in Kelowna.CB, L, D Day 3 - Sunday, June 4th This morning depart at 9 AM for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Our train takes us along the hills overlooking Summerland and onto the Trout Creek Bridge the highest on the former Kettle Valley Railway. After lunch we return directly to Hope and the Fraser Valley to Vancouver in time to make evening ferry and train connections. B, L FARE: Per person sharing: $537 Single Supplement: $113 Vancouver Island's West Coast We travel on Port Alberni's steam train to see a steam-operated sawmill and sail on a vintage coastal supply vessel through the Broken Islands Group to Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Tour (VWC-8) Tuesday: August 15th, Day 1 We depart Vancouver by chartered motorcoach for Horseshoe Bay sailing by BC Ferries to Nanaimo's Departure Bay and are dropped off at the E&N rail station. We board the Malahat Dayliner, have lunch on board, and get off at Courtenay. Our coach meets us and we travel to Coombs Junction Market and Cathedral Grove forest preserve. A stop at the Alberni Valley Museum is also made before checking in at our Port Alberni hotel. Dinner is in a fine waterside restaurant. S, D Wednesday: August 16th, Day 2 We leave the hotel for the short trip to the dock where we check in and board the "Lady Rose" (or "Frances Barkley") coastal supply vessel that services Alberni Inlet. Our scheduled arrival at Ucluelet is 12:30 PM. Lunch is on your own on board WCRA News

WCRA News, Page 17 the ship. Our coach meets us in Ucluelet where we do a tour of the area and then proceed north through Pacific Rim National Park to Tofino ending up at our luxury seaside resort hotel on McKenzie Beach. We have arranged for a delicious dinner (3 menu choices) in the luxurious "Calm Waters" dining room overlooking the sea. B, D Thursday: August 17th, Day 3 We leave Tofino late morning and stop at the Wickaninnish Visitor centre and take lunch there at an ocean-side restaurant. Stops will be made at scenic overlooks before returning to our Port Alberni Hotel. B, D Friday: August 18th, Day 4 After breakfast we board the Alberni Pacific Railway train for its departure to the McLean Mill National Historic site, (the only steam operated sawmill in Canada). Upon arrival we take a tour of the mill, enjoy the "Tin Pants" musical theatre production, have lunch, then leave for Nanaimo and a late afternoon return to Vancouver. B FARES: (reduced from last year) $688, BC Seniors: $663. Single Supplement: $212. Or: Go to Victoria on Monday August 14th, stay overnight in a downtown hotel, board the "Dayliner" in Victoria on Tuesday and meet the tour on the train in Nanaimo. We supply all tickets and vouchers for train, hotel, ferry, and PCL motorcoach. Add $149, Single Supplement: $71 CPR Steam Through the Rockies A steam lover’s delight, our Canadian Rockies Steam Express tours feature the Canadian Pacific Railway’s heritage steam engine, the 2816 “Empress” on 2 itineraries of your choice (Tour CPR-9) Westbound Tours: Arrive Calgary on dates shown. We arrange air or other means to get you there. Hotels each night and most meals. Day 1 - Tuesday; Calgary - Banff - Lake Louise Day 2 - Wednesday; Lake Louise – Revelstoke Day 3 - Thursday; Revelstoke – Kamloops Day 4 - Friday; Kamloops – Vancouver Dates: Arrival in Calgary on day shown before departure by train the following morning, Mondays on the following dates: October 9th, 2006, May 21st, 2007, June 4th, 2007, June 18th, 2007 Eastbound Tours:

WCRA News, Page 18 Depart Vancouver on dates shown. Day 1 - Monday; Vancouver – Kamloops Day 2 – Tuesday; Kamloops – Revelstoke Day 3 - Wednesday; Revelstoke – Lake Louise Day 4 - Thursday; Lake Louise – Calgary Dates: Departures from Vancouver as below. We fly you back from Calgary to Abbotsford, Vancouver or your choice, at your convenience. Mondays on the following dates: October 16th, 2006 **, May 28th, 2007, June 11th, 2007, June 25th 2007 ** ** Routing via Cranbrook, the Crow’s Nest Pass and Lethbridge - instead of Revelstoke and Lake Louise.FARES: Call 1-800-722-1233 (or locally, 604-524-1011), for pricing. Our West Coast Rail Tours travel agency continues to grow. With our IATA status, we can handle all your bookings for air travel as well as cruises, hotel accommodations and—our specialty - rail. We ask you to choose us as your travel agent. Commissions earned on all travel bookings go straight into the WCRA bank for our preservation projects. Contact Bill toll free at 1-800-722-1233, or locally at 604-524-1011 or by e-mail at tours@wcra.org (B.J.)

MOTIVE POWER SHOPS The ex-BCR Motive Power shop MP1 continues to be a significant value as usable shop space for equipment repair work. So far, 7 tenants have been secured for some of the smaller shop/storage areas to offset lease and additional costs such as utilities and taxes. Contractors Randy Shimell and Randy Lucas (R&R) along with help from staffers Renee Walton, Tomo’o Oshikawa and Kevin Smith have completed some repairs/renovations requested by one of the tenants. Recently, a BCIT one day conductor class worked over at this facility March 31st and it was received well, providing a clearly superior work area to the Heritage Park as well as segregating the conductor activities from the heritage site and our guests. (S.B.)

ROUNDHOUSE & TURNTABLE The Roundhouse Development Permit drawings were submitted to the District of Squamish on April 28th. The drawing set included the architectural plans and building elevations

West Coast Rail Tours - The “Rail” Way to go

WCRA News, Page 19 prepared by MCM Architects, a storm water management plan prepared by Binnie and Assoc. of Squamish and a landscape plan prepared by Margaret King, a local Squamish area Landscape Architect. It is anticipated that the approval process could take about a month. Meanwhile, in preparation for the working drawings, the architects are researching materials, refining the structural aspects and continuing to seek out cost reductions as we move forward to the beginning of the formal working drawings. The turntable drawings will be submitted for Building Permit in the first week of May. This has been somewhat delayed from our earlier anticipated date as the turntable pit drainage had to be calculated into the overall site storm water management plan that is required for the Development Permit. The District has given its blessing to proceeding with the turntable construction separately from the Roundhouse. (G.F.) WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson HERITAGE PARK BUS SERVICE TO OPERATE IN 2006 Nostalgia Tours, a Vancouver company providing heritage motor coach service to local area attractions of historical and cultural interest, is pleased to announce the inauguration of “Howe Sound Domeliner” service, commencing in May, 2006. Named for the “Domeliner” trains that crossed the continent in the post-World War II glory days of train travel, the current version uses exclusive “Glasstop” motor coaches designed to maximize visibility from every one of the all-forward-facing seats in classic GM buses. Guests will enjoy a carefree drive up scenic Howe Sound, an opportunity for lunch at the renowned Howe Sound Brewing Company, and an afternoon at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Located in the town of Squamish, the Heritage Park is Western Canada’s largest railway museum, and features as its keynote display the famous “Royal Hudson” steam locomotive, which itself returns to steam in 2006. Passengers may join the motor coach tour at Pacific Central Station adjacent to Main St. Skytrain station in Vancouver, or may also be picked up in downtown Vancouver and Park Royal in West Vancouver. (Times and details to come, watch Nostalgia Tours website). There are special prices for WCRA members and passholders (Valid WCRA Membership card or pass required) of just $30 adult, $25 senior, $20 youth / child 6-18, $15 for young child 2-5. Children under 24 months are free. Prices include GST, the fabulous ride on the Domeliner bus from Vancouver and return . Regular prices (non members) are $10 more except 5 years & under to include Heritage Park admission., and anyone aboard wishing lunch will receive a 15% discount at the Howe Sound Inn.

WCRA News, Page 20 Initial dates have now been set for the Heritage Park service—they are Sat. May 13, Sun. May 28, Sat. June 10, Sun. June 25, Sat. July 8, Sun. July 23, Mon. Aug. 7 (BC Day), Sun. Aug. 13.

TROOP SLEEPER TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO PGE / BCR EXHIBIT The Troop Sleeper Car #710 is starting to sparkle already as it was scrubbed inside and out, April 24th with Tom Bruval, Fred Olson, Gord Turnquist, Bill Hales, Henry Reimer, Gil McFarlane, Roy Crowston, Ron McCormick, Stu McLeod, John Jellis, Heather Sidsworth, Vivian Downing hard at work. Paul & Mary Roy, and Patty Roy supplied us with a wonderful lunch. A special thank you to Craig McDowall for coming two times to video tape the real life on the railroad years ago with our PGE/BCR crew. We are planning to have the 710 Troop Sleeper ready to be opened the July 20th at the BC Rail annual picnic to held at the WCRHP this year. Just a reminder also of the garage sale we are having also at the Park June 3rd from 0800 to 1300k. The Lions Club is cooking up a Pancake Breakfast, the Wild Turkey Nursery is having a plant sale and so much more with lots of items for sale to raise money for these two troop sleepers. (D.F.) As was noted on page 11, the Pacific Great Eastern troop sleeper project now has a naming sponsor, that being the family of the late Bud Butterworth. In addition to providing the name that will go on the car, the family will assist the project by providing a number of Bud’s railway items and artifacts that will become part of the exhibit.

WCRA News, Page 21 EASTER HUNT DRAWS OVER 300 A very successful 6th Annual Easter Scavenger Hunt was held April 16th with over 300 visitors in 3 hours! Thanks to volunteers D’Arcy & Megan Nelson, Ron McCormack, Carmen Peterson, Vivian Downing, Bill Hales, Irena Erdos, Tyson, Lynn & Ernie Ledgerwood and Chris Forget for all their help with this community event. (S.E.) MEN OF SEA TO SKY The West Coast Railway Heritage Park participated in the Rotary Club of Squamish’s Men of Sea to Sky Fundraiser on April 8th Thanks to our entertainers Paul Borchert and Paul Coulter-Brown who helped us with this fundraiser. (S.E.) NEW SCHOOL PROGRAM LAUNCHED For the past several months we have been working with two former school teachers, Audrey Rhodes and Karen Moodie who are volunteering their time to help us develop a new school program. The pilot test took place on April 26 with 50 grade 5 students from Surrey. The group was divided into two and participated in the educational program, then they enjoyed a mini rail ride with Wayne Sidsworth in charge. (S.E.) HERITAGE PARK SHORTS CN coach Marjatta is back in exhibit line following its re-roofing and replacement of clerestory panels. We continue to work on making our exhibits more easily accessible for our visitors…….Continuous site clean up is taking place around the Park making our appearance more presentable as we move into the summer season and the start of the turntable construction….Mini Rail track maintenance and improvements are being carried out continuously—thanks to Galen and helpers for this…..Upgrades and finishing work to the Kid’s Party Kaboose continue as we work to unveil this new venue by the summer. (S.E.)

FEATURE ARTICLES 25 YEARS AGO—From May 1977’s WCRA News We welcome our monthly “look back” feature this issue, provided each month by our Chair Craig McDowall. Craig will provide some insights into what was going on in the WCRA, and the local rail scene, with items sourced from our newsletters 25 years back. We hope you enjoy this reflection into our past, this time from May 1977…….. Amtrak will commence the new “Pioneer” service between Seattle and Salt Lake City on June 7th. The route is via Portland and Boise. Consist will be Amfleet equipment of coaches and a

WCRA News, Page 22 meal/lounge car. The coaches will have seating capacity of 60 passengers rather than the maximum 84 as used on the “Pacific International”. These coaches will allow you to fully stretch out as the train is an overnight run. BC Hydro’s GE 70 tonner #943 sold last year to a Toronto equipment dealer has been resold to Eurocan Pulp & Paper for use at its Kitimat location. BC Rail BC Rail has leased eight CN C-424’s. Four (#3200/02/03/05) already in Port Mann and the other four (#3218/19/22/24) will follow in two weeks. Three logging companies have been chartering an RDC-1 since mid-February to transport their employees between Prince George and Talka Lake/Leo Creek on the Dease Lake extension. There is no road access to the area. The workers (up to 60 a trip) depart Prince George on alternate Sundays at 6 PM and depart Leo Creek on alternate Wednesdays at 6:30 AM. The RDC is deadheaded back to Prince George for regular use after each charter. The fourth year of the Royal Hudson’s operation began on May 20th. #2860 and consist were stored over the winter at CP Rail’s False Creek yard and were taken over to North Van on May 18th. An “old time” station will be built at Squamish to complement the Royal Hudson’s excursions(???!!!) (Ed. Note—this became the Chamber of Commerce building) 2860 has just returned from an extremely successful tour of Washington, Oregon and California during March and April. The tour was organized to promote tourism in BC and to also celebrate the Silver Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. On it’s return trip, the train stopped in White Rock for a special ceremony and then in Kerrisdale at 41st and West Blvd. where it was open to the public for 7 hours. The engine then overnighted in BC Hydro’s Kitsilano yard to allow the water to be drained from the tenders to allow it to cross the Kitsilano trestle the next morning. CP Rail Work begins this summer on a $45 million double-tracking improvement project on the mainline between Vancouver and Calgary. The project will take three years and includes double tracking between Revelstoke and Clanwilliam, Tappan to Notch Hill, Lake Louise to Stephen. The second phase, estimated at $90 million might include a new eight mile tunnel under the present five mile Connaught Tunnel. May 23rd will be the 90th anniversary of the first passenger train into Vancouver. CPR #374, now on display at Kits Beach, was to be the focus of a ceremony but this didn’t happen as the Park Board held a smaller ceremony earlier and a lady on the original train was in attendance!!

WCRA News, Page 23 WCRA Trip to Lillooet Two summer excursions have been arranged to Lillooet on July 16 &17th. Fares, including dinner, are $18. April 9, 2006—11:34:48—430 km/h! - story and photos by Don Evans It’s Sunday, April 9. The time is 11:34:48 by the display, and our travel speed is 430 km/h as we speed towards Shanghai’s Pudong Airport aboard the first commercial MagLev train in the world. The seven minute journey cuts travel time by taxi (it took us 60 minutes) to just seven minutes. Outside the scenery blurs, inside we are comfortable—although we can feel the speed. As we slow on approach to the airport, we remark that at 300 km/h it is so smooth we can’t tell our speed at all by motion. But, I get ahead of myself. A business trip takes me to China, and Deb is able to come along. We plan for a total of 11 days away, and so, on Saturday, April 1, we are aboard Air Canada flight 037 to Shanghai. It’s a long trip—13 hours in all as we touch down on time at Shanghai’s grand new (and huge) Pudong Airport on April 2. After clearing customs (very straightforward) we are met by a representative of the company I will work for and driven into the city. First impressions are that it is very large (there are 23 million people in the Shanghai area!), terribly traffic congested, and very hazy. As we travel along the eight lane expressway there is a whoosh overhead—the MagLev just flew by! Our first day is a short one, we walk the area around the hotel a bit, noting the traffic patterns. Cars, buses, motorcycles and bicycles everywhere seeming to drive wherever they please at almost anytime—traffic is organized chaos—but it seems to work. The city is undergoing huge transformation, as old sections are knocked down and replaced with huge multi-story high rises. We learn this is really the case—to accommodate the expected growth of another 10 million over the next ten years. Monday, April 3—We’re off to five days of work in the town of Suzhou, about an hour (or two due the traffic) from Shanghai. The ride there in the mini bus is an experience, the expressway traffic is quite something as well. Other than a drive down a freeway entrance against the flow of traffic and then across the median to the right side (it saved 10 minutes says the driver!) we get there without incident. Suzhou is lovely—a small city set in classical Chinese gardens. This is what we often have in our minds about China—lakes, pagodas, greenery—all a delight for the senses. You can get here by rail—all I see is one train passing us, an electric locomotive and around ten cars. After a successful week, we head back to Shanghai on Friday afternoon, April 7th where we will stay for the next four days.

WCRA News, Page 24 Saturday, April 8—our first full day in Shanghai. We put many miles on our feet, walking into the city from our hotel along one of the main thoroughfares, Hauihai Lu (street). It is an interesting walk, taking us through one of the major shopping districts. Watching the traffic is entertaining—we learn how to cross the streets—wait for the walk sign, then go—dodging everything from bicycles to motorbikes to taxis to buses that also go at the same time. Buses (diesel and trolley) are all over the place, as are taxis, and two wheeled conveyances. The city is modern and crowded—jostling on the sidewalks is also the norm. We get to the famous Bund (the bend in the Huangpu River) where the classical colonial buildings are on the city side and the new Pudong skyline is across the river, centered by the Pearl TV Tower. We take the Bund Tourist Tunnel across—a cable car system under the river that takes you though a laser light show as you transit to the other side. Then its up to the 259 metre level of the Pearl tower for a view of the skyline—quite spectacular indeed. Back to the city by ferry (fare 2 yuan or about 25 cents), then walk back up the Bund promenade to the main shopping street—Nanjing Rd. Here it is very crowded, so after a bit too much squishing and jostling, we opt for the subway (Metro) to get us back out of the centre of town. Shanghai has a very modern and efficient subway system, with four lines operating and three more under construction. We find our way to Line 2 (the green line) and try the ticket machines. Although they have English, we cannot quite figure them out and it is very busy, so opt for the ticket window. Here we get our tickets at a cost of 4 yuan (50 cents), and enter the subway. The system has a full positive fare control system—you can buy cards and put funds on them which then reduce with each trip, or buy the single trip tickets as we did. The trains are full size and frequent, and very crowded this Saturday afternoon. We go one stop to Peoples Square, then change to Line 1 (Red Line) to continue out to the area near our hotel. It is swift, air conditioned, and familiar—the cars are built by Bombardier. It is also easy to use the system—stations are signed and announced in both Chinese and English. Sunday, April 9—it is cooler today and threatening to rain as we head off for another day, this time walking on Huashan Lu. Our first goal is the Jing An Temple and it is a lovely walk along tree lined streets for about an hour. The temple is reached just as the rain starts, and we enjoy a look around. It is still raining as we leave, so we head straight for the Metro Line 2 station and board the subway again. It is not as crowded on Sunday AM, we actually get a seat and ride almost to the end of the line, getting off at the MagLev station. Connecting is easy—just exit the Metro station and enter immediately the MagLev station. We check out ticket prices and opt to do “VIP Class” round trip (cost 160 yuan or about $20 each). VIP class gets you 2—2 seating in nice leather seats in the first car of the train—the remainder (“Ordinary Class”) and we board for the 1100 departure. The VIP section is about

WCRA News, Page 25 50% full, the remainder of the train quite full. The Shanghai Maglev Train (SMT) is the first commercial MagLev technology train in the world in revenue service (you may recall a small demonstration line at Expo ‘86 in Vancouver). The SMT uses German technology and was inaugurated on December 31, 2002. It rides on a cushion of magnetic levitation, and is propelled by Linear Induction Motors (as is Vancouver’s SkyTrain). The dual guide way line is 30 km in length and travel time is seven minutes station to station! Two trains are in operation, but only one guide way giving a 20 minute frequency of service at the moment 0700 through 2100 daily. The brochure proclaims this to be “The modernest overground transportation too!” At 1100 precisely the doors close, the train lifts vertically a small amount, and we pull out of the station. (Photo above) Acceleration is brisk and steady as we watch the speed climb. At 200 km/h you can barely tell we are moving by the motion, at 300 there is some motion, but as we get to 400 km/h you can definitely feel us going. Raindrops have long since disappeared from the windows, and the traffic on the expressway below is standing still even though roadspray appears from the wheels!

Soon we are at maximum speed—430 km/h shows on the display (Photo top page 26)—then in less than two minutes we start slowing for arrival at the airport! We arrive at 11:07:28 and exit the train. A crowd on the platform starts to board and the train departs back towards the city at 11:10 precisely! We exit and then re-enter to board the 11:20 departure back to Shanghai, a repeat experience is realized. In VIP Class this trip we have ourselves, two Aussies, and a film crew from the UK who are working to pitch the technology for London—Birmingham—Scotland.

WCRA News, Page 26

It is still raining when we return, so we wander through the MagLev Technology Exhibition at the station, then head for the subway again. Boarding Line 2 (Green Line) at the station we are able to sit but the load soon picks up and is crowded by the time we reach Peoples Square. Here we change to Line 1 (Red Line) again, but this time head to the Shanghai Main Railway Station to check it out. Shanghai Main Railway Station is a disappointment—not that the station is not good, but that the station cannot be accessed without a valid ticket to travel that day. It is modern and huge, and fronted by huge plazas with vendors and, like everywhere else, hoards of people. But, we can’t see inside. We take a quick look from the plaza in the rain then find a place for lunch.

After lunch, we head for the subway again—although this time to Lines 3 / 4 (Yellow / Purple) which both run above ground. (left) It is the same technology, six car trains with the line colour as a stripe along the car sides, but running on an elevated two track line. As we depart the station we are able to see the main line tracks at the throat of the terminal, and a

WCRA News, Page 27 diesel electric loco passes by (looking a little bit GM’ish). The ride is nice and smooth as with all the lines, standee load all the way. We get off near our hotel and Hongquiao Road and walk back along the streets to the hotel. Monday, April 10—Our last full day here, and a wet day at that. We spend our time touring Old Town Shanghai under umbrellas, with visits to the famous Yu Garden and Temple of the Gods. Our visit ends with an evening trek back to the Bund to see the skyline floodlit at night—quite a sight, in fact a spectacular sight, it is indeed. Tuesday, April 11—We return on Air Canada, the return trip made interesting by the timing. Our flight departs Shanghai’s Pudong Airport at 1625k, we fly for 14 hours, and land at Vancouver the same day at 1230k!

RAILWAY NEWS MOTIVE POWER NOTES / OBSERVATIONS

Trevor Mills caught one of CN’s newest GE ES44DC units at Squamish, #2235 (photo above)…..Motive power on CN train M35451 departing Thursday, March 30 was CN 5286 / Wisconsin Central 6922 / BC Rail 3905 (J.M.)…….Sightings at CN Thornton include Norfolk Southern 9346 on March 31 (equipped with oscillating ditch lights!), Illinois Central “Operation Lifesaver” 6009 on April 5, Montana Rail Link 350 on April 7, Kansas

WCRA News, Page 28 City Southern 4583 on April 8, Norfolk Southern high nose GP 40 #1594 on Apr. 17 and Burlington Northern green FURX (First Union Rail) 7263 on April 19th. (R.C.) BCR UNITS DISAPPEARING The former BC Rail motive power fleet is progressively being reduced, as CN rationalizes. Three more CRS-20 “CAT” units, #614, 608 and 627 have now left the roster, as has the last of the six C36-8 units #3624. Also retired recently were B36-7 #3604 and slug S-409. Several previously retired units have been sold to Progress Rail—CRS-20’s 602, 603, 623, 626; B36-7’s 3601, 3608, 3613, 3616 and C36-8’s 3621, 3622, 3623, 3625 and 3626. (BL, SDHSE) Several of the former BCR SD40-2 units continue in service—#750 was recently spotted in a northbound consist out of North Vancouver. NO GREEN BLACK & GOLD Contrary to our report last month, the CN business cars referred to were indeed repainted—but still in their bright red and cream scheme. (TJ) APRIL 25 YEARS AGO……. On April 25th—46 years ago, the last regular steam powered passenger train on CN operated with 4-8-2 #6043 pulling train 76 in Manitoba. On April 25th—30 years ago, the CN Passenger timetable introduced the name VIA Rail to Canadians. (R.C.)

NEW BUILDING FOR ROYAL CANADIAN PACIFIC (AND NEW UNITS?) Canadian Pacific Railway’s Royal Canadian Pacific heads into 2006 with a new building—and possibly some “new” F units. The new building in Calgary will be of heritage design, and will be adjacent to the Palliser Hotel and connected to the CPR Pavilion building, home of the classic trainset. A feature of the building will be a large pedestal mounted clock, a replica of the design of the clock at Montreal’s Windsor Station, CPR’s headquarters for most of its history. (SDHSE) Meanwhile, in Ohio, the Ohio Central Railroad has announced that its two former VIA /’ CN FP9A units have been purchased by CPR!

WCRA News, Page 29 2816 TO BRITISH COLUMBIA CPR’s Hudson steam locomotive #2816 will make two trips into British Columbia this year, the first scheduled with a Royal Canadian Pacific train from Calgary on June 26, and into Vancouver on June 29. This trip will commemorate the CPR’s first transcontinental train, The Pacific Express on June 28, 1886—it arrived in Port Moody on July 4. Hudson #2816 will visit again in October with a charter October 9-12, 2006. (SDHSE)

EQUIPMENT NOTES For those wanting the heritage of the four “new” locomotives that have joined the Rocky Mountaineer fleet, they are all GP40 units most recently of Union Pacific, and rebuilt to GP40-2 standards by National Railroad Equipment in North Bend, Ontario over the winter. The four units were all originally Penn Central, passing then to Conrail, and then the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad which was later absorbed into the Union Pacific. Individual heritage of the units—Whistler Mountaineer 8018 and 8019 are the former UP 9960 and 9963, while Rocky Mountaineer 8016 and 8017 are the former UP 675 and 9956. The four GP40-2 units join five ex CN GP40-2W units 8011 through 8015. (SDHSE) BIG MOVE The Rocky Mountaineer and Whistler Mountaineer season starting fleet was moved to the Vancouver area in one large train of 31 units—including three head end locomotives and the two Whistler Mountaineer units mid train with the WM consist. On the point were locomotives 8013 / 8011 and 8016. (J.M.) WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER STARTS Passenger rail service returned to the Sea to Sky corridor on May 1, 2006, as Rocky Mountaineer Vacations launched their new Whistler Mountaineer train between North Vancouver and Whistler, BC. The start of the new service was heralded with a major media promotion and launch event at Vancouver’s Rocky Mountaineer Station held April 19, 2006. The train then made several test and media runs before the first regular run with paying guests aboard on Monday, May 1.

WCRA News, Page 30 WHATS-IN-THE-BOX.CA was the promotional lead up to the unveiling event for the new train. Residents were invited to guess with the prize being a RMV tour for two. The unveiling event day was Wednesday, April 19, 2006. Invited guests gathered at Rocky Mountaineer’s Vancouver station to enjoy food and coffee, and then see the launch of the train. The station was decorated

with the platform wall covered in draping like the Whats-In-The-Box invitation above. Following speeches by Rocky Mountaineer's Peter Armstrong and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, the draping was dropped to reveal the new Whistler Mountaineer parked at the platform. Good media coverage! (below, Peter Armstong is interviewed by Global TV)

WCRA News, Page 31 Above, GP40 8019, below newly built Glacier Dome with large windows and glass top

WCRA News, Page 32 Following the launch event, the train was moved to North Vancouver and prepared for its first “practice” run, which occurred on May 25, 2006. The train operated on its normal schedule to familiarize the crew and was caught returning through Squamish that afternoon by Trevor Mills. A nice looking train it is! This photo clearly shows the new train’s

consist—GP 40’s 8019 / 8018, generator car, crew / commissary car, two Glacier Dome cars, open observation car Henry Pickering, and two Coast Classic coaches. The train made a couple of other preview runs for the media and travel partners, then all was set for the public launch May 1. (Below—passengers board the train May 1 in North Vancouver)

WCRA News, Page 33 The train got away right on schedule and we next intercepted it at Squamish, where the West Coast Railway Heritage Park had a special greeting planned for the inaugural train. As the sold out first run approached Squamish station, it was met by WCRA’s operating equipment on the parallel tracks, and whistle salutes were exchanged.

WCRA News, Page 34 A good crowd of members were on hand, and participants from the WCRA fleet were Pacific Great Eastern RSC-3 #561 operating, and BCR Budd RDC’s BC 21 and BC 33 operating on the south side of Government Road. On the north side of the crossing were FP7A #4069 (operating) with generator car Macdonald Creek, coach Chasm, and CPR S3 #6503. And it wasn't over yet, as up the line at our interchange was our speeder train of three units with a speeder flat on which a large West Coast Railway Heritage Park sign was mounted—along with more waving members and staff. It was a fun event, and as the train disappeared around the bend we retreated to the Mac Norris Station for Tom Horton’s. GET ON BOARD The new Whistler Mountaineer returns rail travel to the former BC Rail route in daily service between North Vancouver and Whistler from May 1 until October 16. To launch the service, a special BC Residents fare is available for the 2006 inaugural season. Round trip fares booked before June 30, 2006 (for travel on any date in the 2006 season) are just $99 round trip for Coast Classic service (round trip for the one way price). These tickets can be booked on line or call West Coast Rail Tours and we’ll be glad to help you. And, there may be more ahead as plans are for the train to be stored at the WCRA’s Squamish shop during the off season making it available for possible special runs or winter trials—who knows? We welcome the new Whistler Mountaineer to the area and have every wish that it does well for passenger rail in British Columbia. FRASER DISCOVERY ROUTE LAUNCHED While we have devoted most of our attention here to the Whistler train (that passes by our site every day now), we mustn't forget that May 2, 2006 saw the inaugural departure of the new Fraser Discovery Route of the Rocky Mountaineer. This new route uses Rocky Mountaineer's regular Red Leaf and Gold Leaf dome equipment, and operates tri-weekly between Whistler—Quesnel—Jasper. Now it is possible to truly do a circle route by rail with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations using the Whistler Mountaineer and the Fraser Discovery / Yellowhead routes of the Rocky Mountaineer.

GMD-1 UNITS PAINTED

Southern Railway of British Columbia is getting its recently acquired five GMD-1 units ready to go. All are now painted in the Washington Group blue paint scheme with the red SRY lettering and look great. The units are (with former CN numbers) 1201 (1116), 1202 (1153), 1203 (1169), 1204 (1170) and 1205 (1172). (D.E.)

WCRA News, Page 35 CANADIAN OBSERVED VIA’s arriving Canadian on April 28 (at 0840k) had four

F40PH-2’s 6448 / 6439 / 6435 / 6441 and 21 cars—baggage, 2 coaches, skyline dome, three sleepers, skyline dome, diner, five sleepers, skyline dome, diner, four sleepers, and a “Park” dome observation car. EXTRA CANADIAN TRAINSET ADDED VIA has shifted an extra trainset for The Canadian of 21 cars to Vancouver, to provide back up for the train and ensure an improvement in on time departures. This means that a late arriving train will no longer delay a same day departure in the future. The extra cars were made available as Renaissance equipment takes over services in the east. (B.M.) 150 YEARS OF PASSENGER SERVICE—TORONTO –MONTREAL 2006 marks the 150th anniversary of rail passenger service on the nation's busiest rail route, between Toronto and Montreal. The Grand Trunk Railway opened is broad gauge line between the cities in sections—with Montreal—Brockville opening November 17, 1855, then Oshawa to Toronto on August 11, 1856 and finally Brockville—Oshawa on October 27, 1856. The first Montreal to Toronto through train consisted of three first class and three second class coaches, and took 14 hours for the trip (with a stop for lunch). (VL)

OTHER NEWS ENGLEWOOD LOGGING RAILWAY Western BC’s only remaining logging railway has a new official name—it is now the Englewood Railway of Western Forest Products Inc.—the change comes as a result of the change in ownership, a three way deal between Canfor, Western Forest Products, and Oji Paper (of Japan). (G.F.) KINSOL TRESTLE TO COME DOWN It looks like the massive Kinsol trestle on Vancouver Island will be demolished due its unsafe condition. Kinsol was once the largest curved wood trestle in the British Commonwealth at 615 feet long and 125 feet high at MP 51.5 of the Cowichan Sub. Completed in 1921, it carried CN’s last train May 1979 across the Koksilah River. (SDHSE)

WCRA News, Page 36 VICTORIA ROUNDHOUSE LANDS TO BE DEVELOPED The lands around the former CPR Roundhouse in Victoria are in for a major redevelopment, but the heritage roundhouse and turntable are protected. A public forum held recently heard of the plans of new owner and developer Bayview Properties, who will build new condo towers in the area but retain the roundhouse / turntable heritage area as a public hub to the development. The deal between the developer and the CPR will see approximately 18 acres change ownership, including the roundhouse site. While plans are yet to be defined, the intentions are to make the Roundhouse building, turntable and adjacent brick car shed and stores buildings into some kind of heritage public area. The 1912 built roundhouse complex is one of few remaining original examples of this kind of facility left in Canada. SEA TO SKY HERITAGE NEWS The BC Museum of Mining has announced that all the new windows for the renovation of the historic concentrator building are now finished and in the process of installation. Roof work has also been ongoing at the site. The project involved puttying 13,600 panes of glass into 850 sets of window frames—that’s 54,400 window edges! Fundraising continues with 300 windows sponsored to date against a target for 400 sponsorships. (UNDER) The new Squamish Historical Society has been formed and is getting organized. The WCRA is participating in this venture and hosted a meeting of the group at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park on May 4th. President Bianca Peters says the society’s goal is to reclaim the history of the Squamish community in the light of the immense community changes occurring in this era. The new on-line museum is worth a visit—check out www.squamishhistory.com and see lots of interesting photos and stories. FROM THE USA Seattle City Council has voted not to raise assessments of property owners to cover a gap in the construction costs of a new streetcar line that will serve their area. The new 1.3 mile line that will travel the South Lake Union area is expected to open in 2007. (H.E.) NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM’S BUILDING CONTINUES A new major grant of $250,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has been awarded to help with the construction of the Northwest Railway Museum’s new Conservation and Restoration Center in Snoqualmie, WA. Construction is coming along nicely with steel erection well along, and floor utilities installations also underway. The new building is slated for completion in 2007. (SDR)

WCRA News, Page 37 RAILFANNING COLORADO

An opportunity to railfan for a morning April 30 on the former Rio Grande Moffat route west of Denver produced a great morning, as seven trains were observed and photographed during four hours of

looking around. Observed were several Union Pacific freights, both mixed manifest and coal trains, as well as Amtrak’s California Zephyr westbound with private car Scottish Thistle (P 38) on the tail end in CN colours. Thanks to Mike Danneman for showing me around.

Above, Union Pacific freight drops downgrade just east of the Moffat Tun-nel, crossing Boulder Creek South. Below, a UP train climbs towards tun-nel 1 with the rear of the train in the foreground and the units above.

WCRA News, Page 38

Nostalgia Tours

Heritage and Cultural Tours by Vintage Motor Coach From Vancouver

At last, you don’t need to drive to

enjoy some of the Lower Mainland’s highest quality attrac-tions. Sit back, relax and enjoy

the view from our exclusive “Glasstop” motor coaches.

Destinations include Stave Falls Power House, Kilby Historic Site and of course West Coast Railway

Heritage Park

Information call 604 690-TOUR (8687) or visit our website www.nostalgiatours.com

Assiniboine River Crossing, Winnipeg—CNR’s Continental New release now available at hobby shops and fine

galleries, or through the West Coast Railway Heritage Park gift shop.

INSULATORS WANTED BY COLLECTOR

Insulators wanted, telegraph, tele-phone, or power varieties. FAIR prices paid, willing to trade or simply talk about history surrounding insulators. Contact Dave (604) 708-9332 or e mail daverosy@telus.net

CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 45 Issue 6 Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon Contributors: S.B. Singh Biln R.C. Ryan Cruickshank C.D. Colin Dathan J.D. Jeremy Davy J. Day John Day D. E. Dave Emmington H.E. Henry Ewert S.E. Sherry Elchuk D.F. Donna Fourchalk G.F. Grant Ferguson B.J. Bill Johnston B.M. Bill Marchant J.M. Jim McPherson BL Branchline TJ Tempo Jr. SDR Sounder SDHSE Sandhouse (CRHA—PCD) UNDER Underground VL ViaLogue

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 CN Tower in Toronto will celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 26, having opened on that date in 1976. It still holds the record as the tallest free standing structure in the world.