The West Coast Railway Association (WCRA) is a non-profit society incorporated in 1961 under the Societies Act of British Columbia, and is a registered charity. Its mandate is the Preservation of British Columbia's Railway Heritage. It is one of the larger non-profit societies in the province, having over 1,500 active members who restore, preserve and maintain vintage locomotives and railcars as well as administer and volunteer in the Association's activities. Its operations have grown to also support a paid staff of 15, but its active volunteers are the heart of the organization.
In carrying out its mandate, the Association has assembled the second largest collection of heritage railway rolling stock in Canada, now numbering over 95 pieces, as well as a significant collection of other railway artifacts. These are the nucleus that the group uses in telling the story of what the railway meant to the formation of Canada, the settling of the West, and the development of B.C. Also portrayed is the vital transportation role that the railways perform today. The collection includes 80 pieces in the heritage exhibit collection, and 15 pieces in the operating collection maintained to Transport Canada standards for occasional excursion operation, leases and charter trips.
The Association is developing its major heritage attraction, the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Having celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2009, the home of the world famous Royal Hudson steam locomotive showcases a working railway based community and yard with operable trains and railway related artifacts. Located in Squamish on a 12-acre site, the Heritage Park opened its first phase in 1994 and continues its development. This year, 50,000 guests will visit, bringing the total since opening to almost 450,000. Currently the Heritage Park is just completing the major construction of its third phase, comprising of the CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre (to open June 2010) and Turntable Plaza. To date, the Heritage Park has created more than 200 person years of employment and has contributed over $15 million to the local economy. When completed in approximately ten years, the Heritage Park will have seen a $25 million investment, will employ 16-20 persons year round, and host 80,000+ visitors annually.
The Association also operates the Locomotive 374 Pavilion in Vancouver where historic CPR locomotive 374, which pulled the first train into Vancouver in 1887, is open daily to the public in a special pavilion at the Roundhouse Community Centre, staffed by WCRA volunteers.
The Association is also a rail tour operator, using this endeavour to introduce the public to rail travel as well as to raise funds for its heritage projects. Many unique rail tours are offered, from day trips to Vancouver Island to extended tours of British Columbia and Western Canada. In 2004, the Association partnered with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations to introduce their North Coast Explorer, a cruise ship shore excursion out of Prince Rupert. The relationship has continued with RMV's new Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train, where WCRA's open observation car operates to the delight of guests.
A major achievement occurred in September 2006, when the rebuild of the famous Royal Hudson #2860 steam locomotive was completed and she was prepared for entry to active service once again. After an unveiling in steam September 28, 2006, the classic locomotive returned to service with a sold out gala excursion to White Rock on April 15, 2007. The Royal Hudson now makes appearances at special events each year, both out on the mainlines as well as at the Heritage Park. Efforts continue to complete restoration details on this classic locomotive.
Also in 2006, West Coast Railway (WCRA's operating arm) leased the former BC Rail shops complex in Squamish from BCR Properties and established it as the base to maintain the WCRA's operating fleet, as well as enter into some railway educational training and contract maintenance work as new fundraising initiatives for the society. Plans are for this facility to develop into a new Museum of Railway Technology at some future date.
The Association has won many awards over the years, including two preservation awards in 1990 for its restoration of the 1890 built Canadian Pacific business car British Columbia. In 2001, the association was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Heritage Society of BC for the preservation of CPR locomotive 4069 and open observation car 598. In 2007, the Tourist Railway Association (TRAIN) awarded its Locomotive Preservation Award to WCRA for the return to steam of Royal Hudson #2860.
The award it holds most dear, however, is the 1994 Volunteer Achievement Award from the Heritage Society of British Columbia - recognizing its volunteer workers who put in 10,000 hours to successfully open the Heritage Park that year. The efforts continue and grow, with over 28,000 hours in 2009, totaling more than 365,000 hours since 1994.
