october 2013 news - wcra.org

OCTOBER 2013

WCRA NEWS

MYSTERY OF THE MAGIC

PUMPKIN OCTOBER 24-29

MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS IT!

EXPANDED RAILWAY NEWS

SECTION THIS MONTH

WCRA News, WCRA News, Page 2WCRA News, Page 2WCRA News, Page 2

GENERAL MEETING The General Meeting of the WCRA will be held on September 24, 2013 at 1930 hours at Rainbow Creek Station. Entertainment will be a 1950’s slide show for all to enjoy, presented by Keith Anderson. ON THE COVER A classic streamliner was the sight as CPR provided an excursion train to help the cities of Port Moody and Port Coquitlam celebrate their centennials. Photo here shows the consist Sunday, August 18 on the Ioco spur, where Port Moody train boarding was organized. Photo by Corwin Doeksen, story on page 20. OCTOBER CALENDAR • West Coast Railway Heritage Park open daily 1000 through 1600k • Friday, October 4—Deadline for items for the November 2013 WCRA News. • Tuesday, October 8—Collection Committee meets, 1900 hours, Hastings office • Saturday, October 19—Sea to Sky Family Fair—Baby and family fair open to public,

more info on web at Sea to Sky Family Fair, 1000 to 1500k • October 19 & 20—Mount Cheam Model Railroad Show, Heritage Park in Chilliwack • Sunday, October 20—Trains and Wineries of Northern California tour departs • October 24 through October 29—Mystery of the Magic Pumpkin train ride and

Halloween children’s event. Train departures at 10:30 and 1:00PM each day. See page 13. • Tuesday, October 29—WCRA General Meeting, Rainbow Creek Station, 1930 hours

The West Coast Railway Association is an historical group dedicated to the preservation of British Columbia railway history. Membership is open to all people with an interest in railways past and present. We are a non-profit British Columbia society, registered as a Canadian charity. Membership prices are as follows, Please note that GST must be added to all fees: Senior $50 ($52.50), Individual $55 (57.75), Family $65 (68.25) E Members (electronic newsletter only) are $35 ($39.20) Senior, $40 ($42.00) individual and $50 ($52.50) family. Other categories are: - Junior Member (age 18 and under ) $ 30 ($31.50) - Sustaining Member $100 (tax receipt) plus membership type regular fee - Life Membership $700 ($735) individual life / $1,200 ($1,260) family life All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Heritage Park admission (except Special Events), 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.


EDITORIAL

BUSY MONTH Your editor has been going full out for then past weeks on a number of things…...so, no editorial this month. Looking forward to the annual railway preservation conference which will be held in California in October. Watch for coverage in a future issue. Please note all the activities coming up and we hope to see you at some of them.

DonDonDonDon

ASSOCIATION NEWS

FROM THE AUGUST GENERAL MEETING Chair Bill Johnston called the meeting to order at 1935k with a quorum of approx. 30 members present at Rainbow Creek Station in Burnaby., Recording Secretary - Don Evans COMMITTEE REPORTS Heritage Park - Ken Tanner for Gordon Bell

• August has been a good month, busy with guests as well as events - several weddings, a film shoot, two group tours, and Africa show

• Events in September, Mini Days September 14 and 15, The Heist September 21 and Crave, September 28

• Painting has been completed on the Kids Kaboose as well as Twin Cedars - both look great

• School car roof has been completed • MP 2 has been cleaned up

A member asked if, now that the Mac Norris Station has been converted to be a station, the Train Order Board could be installed? (to be followed up) President - Ken Tanner

• Ken noted many items of activity going on around the WCRA • Ken provided an update on the WCRA's finances and the work underway at the

moment Tours - Ken Tanner for Jennifer Mitchell

• Noted several tours still on for fall, and new tours planned for 2014 Collections - Michael Batten

• PGE #2 has been moved to the Service Building at MP 2 and is having its running gear


cleaned and serviced • The outside braced boxcar shells will have parts salvaged • The two de-accessioned cabooses have not yet been sold • Winter cover for the operating locomotives is a priority and has been allocated space • The work to re deck the NP flat car is underway, thanks to Tyler Kion

BCER 960 - Mike McGaw

• The windows work is now underway • Front draft gear complete, rear draft gear with Roman Metalworks • Fraser Woods has provided the joists for the cab floor • The air brake cylinder has been dropped out • Work continues

Fundraising - Don Evans

• August was a good month for fundraising due in part to the Summer Campaign. members were asked to continue their support

Locomotive 374 Pavilion - Bill Johnston

• Good visitor numbers in August • Thanks to George Game for doing a great job of cleaning paint touchup on the

locomotive Trackside Reports - presented by Bill Marchant and Ryan Cruickshank Entertainment was enjoyed. NEW MEMBERS The WCRA welcomes to membership: • Janet Adam and family of Coquitlam; • Boni Amero and family of Coquitlam; • Rick Bal and family of Burnaby; • Steve Bradburn and family of Aldergrove; • Doug Calvert and family of Coquitlam; • Andrea Campeau/Feser and family of Squamish; • Patrick Chatfield and family of Seattle WA; • Lindsay Cooleridge and family of Squamish; • Veronica Corvalan-Grossling and family of Coquitlam; • Linda Davis and family of North Vancouver, • Nancy Gelinas and family of Garibaldi Highlands; • Daniel & Cathryn Gifford and family of Richmond, • Chris Green and family of West Vancouver; • Martin Grill and family of Nelson;


• Joe Hardy and family of Maple Ridge; • Justine Hunter and family of Victoria; • Dawnya Isbelle & Tim Creed and family of Mission; • Julia Lawn and family of North Vancouver; • Ryan & Amanda Lewis and family of Richmond; • Jagmit S Mann and family of Squamish; • Steve McLoughlin and family of Waterloo ON; • S Miller and family of Vancouver; • Sid Nahidi and family of Vancouver, • Jen Patenaude and family of North Vancouver; • Christine Patterson and family of Port Moody; • Jamie Patterson and family of Squamish; • Carol Reece and family of North Vancouver; • Mark Rowsome and family of West Vancouver; • Aimee Schalles and family of North Vancouver; • Dionne Sellick and family of Coquitlam; • Andrew Sherry of Seattle WA, • Seleena Showie and family of Squamish; • Jessie Six and family of Garibaldi Highlands; • Dan Small and family of Vancouver; • Robert Sterrett and family of Abbotsford; • Barbara Szelag and family of Burnaby; • Ricardo Torres and family of Vancouver, • Tamara Wilkinson and family of Garibaldi Highlands; • Courtenay Wittenberg and family of Garibaldi Highlands;

• Junjie Xiong and family of Burnaby. (J.D.) MEMBER NOTES • Our condolences to Jeremy Davy, Donna and family on the passing on of Jeremy’s

mother in early August on Vancouver Island. • Some of you may remember former member Robert Trapp—sadly Bob passed away

early August at age 80. PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP If your address label reads 08 31, you need to renew now. If your label reads 06 30, this is your last issue. We need you as members—please renew. WCRA TRIVIA #297 - by Ryan Cruickshank A Guinness world record was recently set in November 2012 for the longest chocolate train, what were the dimensions of this train? (find answer on page 27)


COLLECTION BCER 960 REPORT Yikes, it's been over two yrs now, so much for a cosmetic redo in one year with operational phase later... We learned shortly into project, that if we were to have any chance of 960 ever purring again, we couldn't just throw on some new steel and a good paint job. What did we have to work with, well, a locomotive that was the last electric operational with BC Hydro into 1970... And then she was put out of service. We have no mechanical records, but its clear she was run pretty much full on till her last days, and, maintenance wasn't a high priority at that juncture. Yes we've seen the compressors were still slathered in oil, and there were full sand boxes, but the rest?. During her storage outdoors in the Vancouver area and even later at the WCRA, she deteriorated even further with leaks in roof, windows etc. Of course, so called rail fans during this long period of unsecured storage took to liberating bell, whistles, 2 headlights, multiple gauges, control handles and the like. We were left with a cab structure rusting out pretty much around the full bottom skirting perimeter, and all the side panels on the two hoods were also rusted away at deck level. Inside the cab, a floor that originally looked salvageable was hiding rotten joists on top of rusted steel plating. Beatle colonies had gnarled most of said joists and rat nests were well established. Of course the wood in the two doors and most window frames was well beaten up. Inside cab walls and ceiling had peeling paint and lots of rust. The steel undersides and trucks were heavily muck encrusted with frame and under hangings heavily rusted. The truck frames were structurally tight, but one wheel set was ( and still is ) jammed with brake gear components badly bent. Forward pilot and its bracing were bent back, along with a stirrup step, obviously the victim of some tough shunting. Both pilots had at some time experienced brail crashing and were heavily rusted, even if structurally usable. It also became clear that the right side of loco from front right hood nose to rear of cab had been side swiped resulting in jury rigging and token cosmetic repair. The four traction motors, were surface rusty and caked with muck. They also seem to have ingested lots of sand, even though 960s former shop crew had them so sealed up in their later operational days that even the air blower cooling system had been disconnected, with ports on the frame undersides and the traction motors themselves welded plate sealed. The massive switch rack in the middle of the cab looked okay, but it remains an unknown. Some wiring in other parts of loco were shot, but the main cables at this juncture look usable.


Air brake piping for the most part looked to be okay, but much of it was severely challenged wherever it came up through cab decking, due to trapped moisture at those entry points. The trolley pole bases were worn and needed re work and the their respective roof decking was a deteriorated mess. This decking and its hardware having only stayed in position on the roof via gravity! Porcelain like insulators with fittings are badly damaged. In so much as this is an overview of what we were discovering about our little sweat heart, 960, with Bill likely saying I'm still overlooking lots of nasty stuff. Oh yes, I haven't even discussed the obvious money challenges plus expanded time commitments, but enough already, you get the picture. I figure Bill, myself and others are still showing commitment, because this restoration work is still fun, and very often, satisfying. So next report, I will try to summarize where we have come with our plans, where we hope to take our restoration, and most importantly, how we have overcome and resolved very many of the challenges to giving 960 a healthier new look, and a chance at least, for life. (M.McG.) 960 power option?!? Both Bill Marchant and myself have heard the sceptics,.. "Why bother trying to restore BCER to operational, there's no overhead wiring in the Heritage Park."I've responded that a Genset in the BCER A 15 caboose is a potential option, but failing that, a heavy duty long extension cord might work... Some laughs, for sure, but at the Illinois Rail Museum traction barn last year, I discovered another option! A vintage electric steeple cab with a heavy duty powered cable drum on the rear hood used for paying out and recoiling a powering cable which went through rollers on the hand rail. The steeple cab could then access trackage, where obviously, overhead wiring was missing. (M.McG.) PGE #2 PROGRESS Work has been progressing on PGE steam locomotive #2. The unit is currently in the service building over at the MP 2 shop (over the pit) where access to the axles and running gear is possible. Here are a series of updates from Mike Lloyd on some of the things being encountered, and worked on…. Friday evening August 16, #2 was spotted in the service building at M.P.2 shops, (photo, page 8) Saturday afternoon, scrapping and cleaning started at the front end around the forward leading truck axle and journals. Following some cleaning around the journal boxes the retainer pins were pulled and the lubricating cellars were removed. The bearings were completely dry and had suffered overheating at some time in its working life as shown by the melted babbitt extruding from the top of journal at the brass block. The lubricating cellar/box was entirely dry and complete with spiders nest and web. The right (engineers) side is in the same condition except that the babbitt is still in place on the brass, the bearing is discolored


from running hot but the babbitt shows no sign of run out. Apart from this sad looking state, I feel that with a good cleaning and fresh packing, and with fresh lube in the cellars this will not impede our restoration project, but this is only the first of 8 axles on the little locomotive. We are going to work on the lead drivers next. On Monday, 19th of August, the crew of Donna Fourchalk, John Jellis, Mike Lloyd and Bill McEnery applied 6 of the 2 inch permanent boiler cladding bands to PGE #2 and a substantial amount of scraping and cleaning was done around the leading truck area. Wednesday August 21st the last 3 boiler straps were applied, making a total of 9 throughout the length of the boiler. All is now secure here. Again plenty of chiseling, scraping and cleaning under the front end on the locomotive, we are now working back on #1 driver axle were we have discovered that the journal boxes have at some time been modified from oil to grease block, or cakes as they are also known as. The back wall of the journal lube oil cellars (on all 6 Journals) have been removed and replaced with removable trap doors that permit the insertion of the hard grease blocks/cakes. While this system works well on hard working locomotives that warm up as they operate, softening the grease permitting the required application to the journals, I feel that this would not suit


our needs and a softer general propose grease should be applied. There is no need to remove the old cakes of hard grease from their present locations. We will simply remove a layer of grease off the top of them approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick, next to the journal with a brass tool to avoid damaging the journal surface, and with an application needle on the grease gun, fill the area with an 'EP' type automotive grease to lubricate the main journal(s). Then annually, a fresh shot of grease and a wipe-off of the excess should do the job for us. Work will continue as time permits on the ongoing cleaning of the underframe, working our way slowly, and carefully to the cab/back end of the locomotive...... Back in the middle of July, when preparing #2 for her move from the park over to the shops, it was noted that the left-hand rear truck journal oil box was hanging down and out of its proper position and the retaining pin was missing, I applied a couple of squirts of oil to the axle and let it go at that. A work report on August 23rd said that we had worked our way back to the rear truck, here is a photo taken on that date with the oil box hanging down account of the pin missing, Today, August 30th, after a lot of cleaning and scraping, a replacement pin and the oil box were installed in place, we are now working on the packing for these rear journal boxes. (before and after photos below)

TENDER NOTES

The discussion over the tender with our PGE #2 is intriguing, and not fully complete. Of course, the loco originally was built as a tank engine and served that way for its early days on the Howe Sound & Northern as well as the early PGE. The loco entered service as Howe Sound, Pemberton Valley & Northern #2 in February 1910, becoming Howe Sound & Northern #2 and then PGE #2 in 1912. She was sold to Comox Logging & Railway in 1920 becoming their #7, which was her number and assignment until October 1967. As for the tender, that is not fully clear, but a photo shows #7 with a tender in 1938 at Royston, but it is


a different tender from the 1940’s that matches the one she has today.

Some of the latest info from the logging railway history buffs over on Vancouver Island... Yes, the #2, (Comox #7) did receive a tender around 1943 or 1944 but they think that the tender was from their loci old #1. They are sure that locomotive #3's tender went to #16 in 1944.

All that aside they have a picture of the #7, (our #2) working the Royston log dump trestle in 1938 and as far as they know, #7 (our #2) always had a tender on the Island, but it was changed in 1943 or 1944 when they scrapped out a couple of their early locomotives. I can offer a bit of info to add to the tender intrigue. Comox #3's tender did go to the #16. I have a theory about the source for the tender that ended up on the #7, and the photos above tell my story. I am convinced the old #1's tender and the #7's “new” tender are the same one. There is the same curved edge at the front, top by the gangway and the truck bolsters/springs look the same as well as the high arch. It is this tender that is with our PGE #2 today. (M.L.)


WOODINGS SPEEDER COMING The WCRA has accepted the donation of a Canadian built Woodings model CBL motorcar. It is operational and NARCO compliant, and should have been delivered to Squamish by the time you read this newsletter. Thanks to Maynard Laing and Mike Lloyd for facilitating this donation.

FUNDRAISING SPECIAL SUMMER FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN Thanks to those who have supported our Special Summer Fundraising Campaign to date, your support is very much appreciated and most helpful; at this time. The campaign remains active through September and, of course, your donations are always welcome. Please consider your support to us in 2013 as we work through a major financial restructuring of the association for the future. AUGUST REPORT August was a better month for fundraising, as renewed energies in this area are starting to bear fruit. The summer campaign started to show results and several new initiatives are underway. Funding Asks Made • Submitted grant application for Schoolhouse project (Squamish 2014 Centennial fund)


Major Funding Received • Debenture Interest donated $9,558 • Gaming Grant received $37,000 • Royal Hudson Fund $50 • Tours Donations $300 • General Donations $1,686 • In Kind donations for retail and beanery $13,240 • Donation of Expenses $2,300 • Direct Mail Campaign donations $10,425 Month Total $74,554 Year to date Total: $351,110

General Funds $311,735 Roundhouse Funds $200 Royal Hudson Fund $350 BCER 960 $2,050 Gaming Funds $37,000 Other Significant Activities • Ongoing work to develop case for mortgage • Meeting with Mayor Kirkham and letter of support • Meetings re funding with Bob Philip and Marty Zlotnik • Meetings with Mel Zajac • Board meetings re Mortgage case development • Meeting with MLA Jordan Sturdy Of note is the receipt of our annual Gaming Grant for 2013—14; as always this provides funds for two restricted purposes—the printing and distribution of our newsletter (Public Education program) and the opening of the Heritage Park to community events where admission is not charged (Community Outreach program). We very much appreciate this support we receive via the Gaming Branch in Victoria. FOLLOW UP TO WILLS ARTICLE In follow up to our feature article last month on the topic of wills, member Michael Berton writes, “I read the article on charitable giving in the September issue with great interest. This is a good way for many railfans to provide a lifetime or testamentary gift to a worthy cause. I am a registered and Certified Financial Planner working with retirees every day. Discussions on estate planning and charitable gifts are quite common among my clients—sadly not a lot are railfans. If I can be of assistance to any member who would ,like to review how such an arrangement might work, I’d be delighted to help.” Michael can be reached at 604-678-3096 or [email protected] Keith Anderson, another long time member of WCRA, is also a professional in this field and can be of assistance. Keith is at 604-935-8501 or [email protected]


WEST COAST RAILWAY HERITAGE PARK Home of the Royal Hudson

MOVIE SHOOT AUGUST 23 As if an Out of Africa show didn’t create enough traffic, the Heritage Park also hosted a movie shoot on the night of August 23. Front Street Productions shot all night using a passenger train (FP7A #4069 / Power car WCXX 9622 McDonald Creek / coach WCXX 5596 Paul D Roy) for a scene in a remake of the movie Flowers In The Attic. The shooting went on all night to 5AM keeping the train crew of John Jellis and Rob MacBeth busy “All these hours and moves for four minutes in the movie”! Movies are great use of our facility and good revenue as well. Thanks to Gord Bell and Pat Doiron of IWL Filmworks for facilitating this opportunity.

MYSTERY OF THE MAGIC PUMPKIN—OCTOBER 24 TO 29 This magical event geared for pre-school to grade 4 children brings back the thrill and mystery of Halloween without the scary stuff. Families will board the Pumpkin Train (at the MP2 shop) and take a ride to the magic pumpkin patch at The West Coast Railway Heritage Park. At the Pumpkin Patch children will learn the legend of the magic pumpkin and then each child will try to choose their magic pumpkin and take it to the Roundhouse where they will transform


their pumpkin into a Halloween Jack-O-Lantern with the help of an array of costumed Halloween Characters. Magic and mystery abounds as Children are also treated to a Halloween mini rail rides, garden and model railway displays as well as multiple play and craft stations. Families then board the train back to the parking area for the trip home. Happy family memories and Magic Pumpkin in hand to take home. Note the unique pricing, give us a call and reserve space for your family today. (G.B.) Children $24—Parents Free! Parking $5 Includes full Heritage Park Access Tickets sold through the gift shop 604-898-9336 www.wcra.org CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE West Coast Railway Association has been contacted and invited to participate with provision of a mini rail train for a re-invented Christmas at Canada Place this December. Members will recall that the trains were a hit for many years until the event changed format and location at their facility. This year the event is moving back indoors to the Cruise Ship Terminal. Other details yet to be developed, watch for more info next month. BUNKER BEAR TO GET MORE ACTIVE WCRA’s Bunker C Bear is going to get more active for the Heritage Park, with participation planned for many events coming up this fall. Bunker C was the Royal Hudson mascot for many years, and came to us along with the Royal Hudson in 2002. He has always been popular when he gets out, so watch for him more often in the days ahead. Short term plans are for him to appear in a promo for Mini Days in September, and to participate in the Walk a Mile In Her Shoes event to raise funds for the Howe Sound Women's Centre. Who knows where he might turn up next? - wherever, he is sure to be a hit with all. (G.B.)


OUT OF AFRICA SHOW ATTRACTS GOOD CROWD More than 60 people turned out on the evening of Friday, August 23 to enjoy a community show titled “Out of Africa”. The show featured still photographs and videos from a recent trip to East Africa by Don Evans (and Deb) with predominately a wildlife theme. Thanks to all who helped with the evening—Devin Van Hierdan who set up the room and tended bar, Jeanene Nelson and Danielle Fourchalk who handled gift shop and light snacks, and Gordon Bell who helped wherever needed. SHUTTLE WAGON DONATED BY KINDER MORGAN Kinder Morgan Terminal in North Vancouver has donated a “Shuttle Wagon” (Trackmobile) to the WCRA. Not only has this unit been donated to us (from work started some time back by Russ Grycan), we have also had trucking of the unit to us in Squamish donated. Thanks to all involved! You might wonder why this item is included in the Roundhouse section of the newsletter—until you need to be the one to move rail vehicles in and out of the new facility. In spite of all the grand design work we did on the new roundhouse facility, the fact that we had not been able to acquire the property in front of the Heritage Park on Government Road necessitated locating the building footprint a bit north of where we really wanted it. This shortened the length of the outside access tracks to the roundhouse bays. In addition, our turntable is only 92 feet in length, so a locomotive and passenger car don’t fit. In this more cramped than desired setup, movement of long cars (such as passenger cars) with a locomotive became more difficult. The solution is a shorter “locomotive” - the trackmobile— which will add greatly to our flexibility and speed in moving rail vehicles in and out of the building. Watch for more info and photos next issue as the unit is expected soon. (G.B.)

WEST COAST RAIL TOURS

2014 TOURS PROGRAM ANNOUNCED West Coast Rail Tours is a fully licensed travel agency that supports the West Coast Railway Association and its members. We organize group tours and can book any of your independent travel including rail, air, coach and hotels. All commissions and


Income received goes towards our mandate to collect, preserve, and exhibit railway artifacts at our Heritage Park in Squamish. Join us on one of our upcoming group tours:

Bavarian Christmas in Leavenworth, WA, Dec. 9th – 12th, 2013 4 days Join us for some Christmas magic. Do some Christmas shopping at the duty free shop before your winter adventure in Leavenworth. Travel to Cashmere and visit the Aplets and Cotlets candy factory. See the Christmas lights of Leavenworth, and take a sleigh ride at Red Tail Canyon farm. (photo, right) Double $797 (seniors $765), Single add $285 includes 1 dinner and includes tax

Butchart Gardens & Chemainus Theatre, Dec. 17th – 19th, 2013 3 days Get ready for the holidays and join us on Vancouver Island and experience the spectacular Butchart Gardens Christmas lights and the Chemainus Festival Theatre. This tour also includes a Victoria city tour, the traditional “It’s a Wonderful Life” play at the Chemainus Theatre, lunch buffet and the Christmas lights of Ladysmith. Double $625, Single $735 includes coach transport, all accommodation , and 3 meals (does not include ferry/flight to Victoria or GST)

Plan now for 2014 with these group tours: Long Beach Storm Watching, Feb. 16th – 19th, 5 days Ferry to Nanaimo, visit Cathedral Grove then off to Tofino. Cozy up to a warm fire and watch the winter storms at Long Beach or venture outdoors and stroll the lovely beach at the Tin Wis Resort. Tour Pacific Rim National Park and the Amphitrite Lighthouse in Ucluelet. Visit Parksville and Chemainus followed by a buffet dinner and show at the Chemainus Theatre. Double $995, Single $1,270 includes coach transport, all accommodation, and 9 meals (does not include GST)

Magic and Splendour of Haida Gwaii, June 17th – 27th, 10 days Our most popular tour! This well guided tour explores the majestic most westerly point of Northern B.C. made up of quaint villages, secluded inlets, rainforests, and beaches. You will experience the First Nations culture closely with museum visits, native dances and authentic feasts. Includes rail from Vancouver to Jasper, Prince George and Prince Rupert and then ferry to Haida Gwaii for 4 days, and fly back to Vancouver. Limited space available. Pricing still to be determined. Please email [email protected] for more information.


Trains of the Colorado Rockies, August 8th – 16th, 9 days Experience the majesty of the Colorado Rockies from four trains that celebrate the can-do spirit of the Old West. Scale Pike’s Peak on the world’s highest cog railway. Climb aboard an 1881 steam train for a journey through the San Juan Mountains. Travel the Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the U.S., reaching 12,183 ft. Discover the ancient culture of the Anasazi Indians at Mesa Verde National Park. Relish cowboy culture in an evening of authentic dining and entertainment. Double $2,949, Single $3,649, Triple $2,919, includes all accommodation, 12 meals, door to door pickup, round-trip airfare, air taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers

Seattle Sights and Alaskan Cruise, Sept. 12th- 20th, 8 days Amtrak to Seattle in the morning, followed by lunch and an underground walking tour. Overnight before shuttle to the terminal to board cruise to Alaska for scenic vistas and wildlife like nowhere else. Witness the massive ice chunks of Sawyer Glacier calve into the sea, take the reins of a dogsled in Juneau, and take a railroad ride on the White Pass and Yukon route in Skagway. Cruise back to Port of Vancouver and return home. From double $1,349, Single $2,499 depending on cruise rooms, includes all accommodation, 12 meals, door to door pickup, round-trip fare, taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers

Alpine Lakes and Scenic Trains (Switzerland, and Italy), September 12th – 21st, 10 days, Experience the enchanting Alpine cultures of Switzerland and Italy as you journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque towns. Ride aboard three of the legendary Alpine railways: the GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Gstaad to Montreux; the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz; and the Bernina Pass Train, which takes you into Italy. Cruise across two of the most scenic lakes in the world, Lake Zurich and Lake Como. Relax in some of Europe’s most stunning and exclusive resort villages, including Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lake Como, Italy. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy traditional regional cuisine such as Swiss cheese fondue and Italian delicacies. Double $3,099, Single $3,749, Triple $3,069, includes 12 meals, door to door pickup, round-trip airfare, air taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers

Trains, Wineries & Treasures of Northern California, October 20th -28th, 8 days Experience all the uniqueness Northern California has to offer. Take in Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Marvel at the beauty of one of the nation’s most beloved National Parks, Yosemite and glide on the pristine waters of breathtaking Lake Tahoe on a paddlewheeler. Discover some fascinating facts about train travel at Railtown and the California State Railroad Museum. Sip California’s wines at a wine tasting. Relax on one of the most plush historic trains, in a Pullman car, aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train and take in the beauty of the vineyards while enjoying a delicious luncheon. Double $3,099, Single $3,749, Triple $3,069, includes door to door pickup, round-trip airfare, air taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers


WEST COAST RAIL TOURS - YOUR EXPERT IN RAIL TRAVEL

Phone: 604 524 1011, toll free call us at 1-800-722-1233

Fax: 604 876 4104

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.westcoastrailtours.com (J.Mi.)

374 PAVILION

LOCOMOTIVE 374 REPORT The visitor count for 2013 to the end of August for the historic locomotive is now almost 30,000 as compared to about 23,400 over the same period in 2012. August saw a record 5,470 guests to the site. Many foreign tourists are dropping by thanks to notes in some guidebooks. Our student, Brendan Pearson, has finished assisting us for the season and we thank the donor responsible for funding this. It provided much needed help during the busiest season. Thanks also to George Game for his ongoing maintenance of the engine, especially paint touch ups which were badly needed. If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering at the CPR 374 Engine Pavilion contact Bill Johnston at [email protected]. Your interest in railroads and meeting people will be put to good use for the Association’s benefit. We have a training program and provide drinks and free parking, if needed, at the adjacent Roundhouse Community Centre. (B.J.)

RAILWAY NEWS WELDED RAIL TRAIN A CN welded rail train was observed working north through Squamish on Friday, August 23 at 1735 hours. Motive power was SD60F’s 5513 / 5545, and only a few lengths of quarter mile rail were left on the train. The train was fully crewed for laying down lengths along the line. The southbound Rocky Mountaineer met the train on its arrival north and headed for North Vancouver as soon as it had cleared the south switch at Squamish. DISTRIBUTED POWER RETURNS TO SQUAMISH SUB As noted in our last issue, CN has returned the use of distributed power to trains operating over the Squamish subdivision. As your editor observed on August 6th, a long train upgrade at Rutherford Creek bridge had SD70 ACe 8017 / Dash8-40cm 2450 / ES44AC 2818 on the point


As it struggled upgrade (photos below at Nairn Falls and Rutherford Creek), with two mid train units ES44DC 2613 and SD70ACe 8934 (photo, rear cover).


Interestingly, that motive power was then included in a northbound train out of Squamish that afternoon with a block of eight units on the head end—CN 8910 / 5547 / 8934 / 2613 / 2818 / 2450 / 8017 / 2802 - 33,900 horsepower hauling 52 cars on the drawbar. (J.M.) CLASSIC STREAMLINERS HELP PORT MOODY AND PORT COQUITLAM CELEBRATE CENTENNIALS The cities of Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, British Columbia, each marked their Centennial this year with community events on the weekend of August 17/18. Canadian Pacific sent a special train to offer public train rides for the occasion. On Saturday, the train travelled five times from Port Coquitlam to Port Moody and return. On Sunday, the train travelled twice from Port Moody to Mission and return. The train included CP FP9Au 4107, F9B 1900, FP9Au 4106, Power Car 96, Coaches 101 Dominion and 102 Ernest “Smoky” Smith, and Business Car Mount Royal. (C.D.) The A-B-A set of F units is as classic a site as you can get. Thanks to Corwin Doeksen for these photos on the front cover, below at Mission, BC and on page 21 along the Fraser River at Haney, BC.


NO ROYAL CANADIAN PACIFIC FOR 2014 Speaking of news, the RCP website notes that there will be no public tours for the train in 2014, though there may be private charters."Royal Canadian Pacific is not available for public tours in 2014.Please contact us directly to inquire about private charter." (C.D.)

MOTIVE POWER NOTES

Coquitlam has once again become a main line diesel shop with the assignment of AC4400CW units 9800 to 9844 there…….A second order for 40 more GP20C-ECO units will go ahead for delivery second half of 2013. These are converted from former GP9 units. However, it appears that further orders for SD30C-ECO beyond the initial 20 units may not proceed as CPR is scaling back on mainline power. (SDHSE)

WHISTLER TRAIN OBSERVATIONS The Whistler Sea to Sky Climb has been seeing some changes in late August. Noted on Friday August 23 southbound, the Whistler Dome has been moved to the rear of the consist—consist now is locomotives, gen car, commissary car, two coaches, Henry Pickering open observation car, two coaches, Whistler Dome. This avails the dome guests with the open platform on the tail end of the train—a great outdoor viewing place.


Then, on August 24, the train deadheaded a second dome car south with the train. Sunday morning, August 25, the train left with the first nine car consist your editor is aware of—consist was locomotives 8011 / 8017, generator car, commissary car, two coaches, open car Henry Pickering, two coaches, and two Whistler Dome double deck cars. Load looked good—all four revenue coaches and both domes appeared full. The train was back to a single Whistler dome on the rear of the train the next week. FIRST SEATTLE TRAINS OPERATE On August 24 and Sunday August 25, Rocky Mountaineer operated trial runs of their new Vancouver to Seattle trains. The southbound RMR train departed Vancouver between 0800-0900, and the northbound RMR train from Seattle was to arrive in Vancouver around 2000-2100. Consist was GP40-3’s 8013 / 8014, generator car 9632, coaches 3204 / 3213 / 5726 for baggage and crew, and two domes for passengers. The train made a nice site on BNSF at White Rock (Corwin Doeksen photo)

These trains used the Amtrak platform at Vancouver's Via Rail Pacific Central Station, the operating crews were provided by Amtrak. In Seattle, the RMR trains will not being using Amtrak's King Street Station, rather they will disembark and load passengers alongside the BNSF line in Seattle's Bell Town area, next to the cruise ship dock. In Vancouver, as they do for Amtrak, Via Rail staff take care of the baggage handling and maintenance, however RMR will have some of their own employees at Pacific Central.


This is the first time that RMR has used the Via Rail Vancouver station since Christmas 2003 (since 2004 RMR have used their own station at 1175 Cottrell Street, which once was CN's diesel shop). Southbound RMR passengers in Vancouver will go through the Pacific Central customs room inspection before boarding, just like Amtrak passengers do. Upon arrival in Vancouver, like Amtrak travelers, the RMR passengers will disembark from the train and go through the customs room inspection. (Greg Menard / B.J.) Twelve round trips for this service are planned in the 2014 season. These operate as three day trips—Seattle—Vancouver—Banff / Jasper and reverse. CANADIAN OPERATES BOTH WAYS ON CP LINE Due an incident on the CN line with a fire, VIA’s Canadian #1 departed Kamloops on Monday, August 12, and ran through to Mission on the CPR line. VIA #1 met VIA #2 at CPR Spences Bridge. (J.M.) LOCOMOTIVE RENUMBERED VIA Rail has made it official-- "This is to advise you that VIA locomotive 6403 has been renumbered to VIA 6459 since July 23rd, 2013. As our "Canadian" (Vancouver - Toronto Service) will be featured on the next Canadian ten dollar bill, VIA has decided to retire that number so as to prevent any negative historical stories if ever one day there was one to be associated to this locomotive id. The reason we chose 6459 was simply because it was the next identification number (in chronological order) that was not chosen." (J.M.) VIA ADOPTS AIRLINE TYPE PRICING MODEL VIA has adopted a new pricing model that works much as airline pricing where tickets can go low—or high—depending on load factors, month, day and even the hour of travel. Accordingly, instead of predictable price levels, one can find great last minute deals—or—much higher than anticipated prices on busy days. The system is called revenue management and is used by pretty much all travel and accommodation organizations these days. The goal to get as many people on every train as possible with the highest possible yield to the company. (BL)


NEW WESTMINSTER STATION The former Canadian Pacific Railway station in New Westminster sits empty these days with an uncertain future. After being a Keg restaurant for many years, the deteriorating condition of the structure led the Keg to close business there at the end of 2012. They are continuing to work with the building owner and landlord to see if repairs will be made. From The Steam Chest - September 1961 -thanks to Craig McDowall The History of the Toronto Transit Commission - Part 1 On Sept. 11th, 1861, the first horse drawn car of the newly formed Toronto Street Railway Co. operated down Yonge Street in Toronto. Ontario didn't exist then as Confederation was still 6 years away. At the end of 1890, the Street Railway owned 68 miles of track, 262 cars, 100 sleighs, 99 omnibuses, 1372 horses and was serving 55,000 passengers each day. Their franchise expired on May 16th, 1891 and the city took over the operations for just over $2 million but less than 4 months later the city sold the operation to the Toronto Railway Co. for the same amount. Thirty year franchises were granted in 1891 to private operators for operation of public transportation in the City of Toronto. By 1920, there were nine different transit systems in operation, each collecting a separate fare and not wishing to expand operations past the city limits set in 1891. Thus, development of outlying districts was seriously hampered by this disjointed public system. Finally in 1920, the citizens voted to take over the private operators and unify the system. In June 1920, the Ontario Legislature passed the act setting up the Toronto Transportation Commission. This new commission began operations on Sept. 1st, 1921 and was responsible for all local public transportation within 35 square miles of the City of Toronto. Their first major step was to apply universal rates to the nine separate systems into a single unit. A one fare system was in place by the end of 1922. By then 100,000 passengers were riding the system daily. By December, 1923, 85% of the area serviced by the system were within 1000 feet of streetcar or bus service. There were 222 miles of track now in place for streetcar service. In June, 1922 an experimental 'trackless trolley' (trolley bus) was inaugurated between Yonge and Eglington Ave replacing a motor bus service. But the biggest challenge was to upgrade the badly deteriorating track work. A most impressive example of the new commission's efficiency was the speed in which 43 miles of new track, complete reconstruction of 67 miles of track and major repairs to 42 of existing track. To permit continuous service during all of this construction, temporary single track and overhead wire was installed on the roadway beside the right of way where repairs


continued. The other side of the street was kept free for trucks etc. The new or repaired portions were built with a far more sturdy base of cement with a mixture of fine stone stone dust to provide a cushion for the track work. When the tracks were secured to the ties on the tie plates, the joint plates were welded to the rails in addition to being bolted to provide a smoother ride. Then another layer of concrete was poured between the rails and then paved to provide a smooth surface for all traffic. Intersections produced a more complex problem so most of this replacement work was done in the late night hours. Instead of a concrete foundation which wouldn't totally set overnight, a nine inch base of crushed stone. After the rails were secured in place, the regular paving etc. was done. And electric switches were installed at any intersection requiring a route turn. This replaced the tedious process previously used where the motorcar had to disembark to throw the switch. Now it could be done by just throwing a handle in the car. A total of 120 intersections were completed by the end of 1923 - an amazing feat considering the technology from that era. Another innovation was the introduction of loops to change direction rather than the old time consuming use of wyes. Fourteen loops were built between 1921 & 1923. A second challenge was the need to replace obsolete, and in some cases streetcars deemed unsafe for further use. In the process of taking over the system, 250 "Peter Witt' streetcars were ordered with the first being placed in service in Oct. 1921. By the end of 1923, 415 of the 830 TRC cars acquired by the Commission had been scrapped. Capacity increased dramatically as the new cars replaced the older smaller singe truck relics of the old horse drawn cars. In addition, new car barns and repair facilities were built on a 22 acre site more centrally located on Bathurst Street at Davenport Road. A decade later, many cities started to use more busses in a trend to 'ride on rubber'. But the TTC decided wisely to adopt this trend by purchasing buses to provide feeder service from the outlying districts to the existing street car lines running from the city borders to downtown and other parts of the city. Around the same time, the TTC and other large North American transit companies got together to develop a new streetcar. The end result was in the fall of 1938 the TTC purchased 140 of these new streamlined streetcars which were called the President's Conference Car or more commonly the PCC. New upholstered seats replaced the old wooden ones. The acceleration and braking of these new cars rivalled the finest automobiles of the time. The driving controls were foot operated like a car. To provide fast and smooth starting, the accelerator fed power to the motors in sixty steps as compared to eight steps in previous models. A triple braking system involving dynamic, air and magnetic track brakes ensured smooth stops. Another vast improvement was the redesign of the trucks. Rubber springs replaced the old metal type and the wheels were built with rubber inserts providing a much smoother ride. From 1932 to 1944, 190 of the Peter Witt cars were extensively updated to modern 'pay as you enter' one man cars. Part Two will provide the history of the building Canada's first subway, started in 1949.


REMEMBER WHEN…….

BC Hydro Railway train crosses Scott Road (120th) in Surrey near the top of Kennedy Hill, in a photo taken many years ago by your editor. The sound of the three units working full out up the steep grade is unforgettable to this day. While SD38 #381 has left the roster, SD38-2’s 382 and 383 continue on the line to this day—now operated by SRY Rail Link of course. The yellow and red has gone, today they wear SRY blue.

WCRA News, WCRA News, Page 27WCRA News, Page 27WCRA News, Page 27 CREDIT LINES ISSN 1204-072X Vol. 52 Issue 10 Editor Don Evans Distribution Jeremy Davy & Donna Simon Contributors: G.B. Gordon Bell C. D. Corwin Doeksen J.D. Jeremy Davy B.J. Bill Johnston M.L. Mike Lloyd J.M. Jim McPherson J. Mi. Jennifer Mitchell M. McG. Mike McGaw BL Branchline SDHSE Sandhouse

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 <[email protected]>, phone news to

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Contact us: Tours 604-524-1011 / 800-722-1233 Heritage Park 604-898-9336 Office 604-681-4403 CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre 604-898-1082 www.wcra.org REAR COVER Top—Rocky Mountaineer train to Seattle is southbound at White Rock, BC on BNSF on Sat-urday, August 24 on one of two round trips to start service to that city. Photo by Corwin Doeksen, story on page 22. Bottom—Distributed Power was back on the Squamish sub after an absence of many years, as CN started use in July. Here we see a CN train with two units mid train, grinding upgrade across Rutherford Creek north of Whistler. (Don Evans photo, story on page 18) TRIVIA ANSWER The freight/passenger mixed train measured 34m (111.5') long and weighed 1285kgs (2832lbs) and was built over a span of 784 hours by Belgian master chocolatier Andrew Farrugia from Malta. The locomotive was a 4-8-0 but the first set of driver wheels were half the size of the rears. To put this length in perspective the distance between baseball bases is 90' or a basket-ball court is 94'. The creation was debuted at Brussels' Midi train station and then went to vari-ous chocolate museum's in Belgium before ending up at Brussels' train museum.

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CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR RAILWAY HERITAGE

Published monthly by West Coast Railway Association ISSN 1204-072X PO Box 2790 Stn. Term., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3X2 Vol. 52 Issue 10 www.wcra.org http://twitter.com/WCRailway Canada Post, Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40007853

october 2013 news - wcra.org

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