In 1956 when the final link in the PGE line to North Vancouver was completed, the Directors of the PGE decided to overhaul the passenger services on the line. The old collection of converted interurban cars and heavyweight cars was sold off or scrapped. The replacements were shiny new self-propelled stainless steel "Budd" cars from the Budd Company in Philadelphia.

First to arrive on the property were three RDC-1s numbered BC-10/11/12. These cars contained 80 seats rather than the standard 90 seats and a small mail baggage compartment at the 'A' end. They entered service in August 1956. These were followed by three RDC-3s numbered BC-30/31/32. These cars entered service in September (BC-30/31) and October (BC-32) of 1956. Again, these were not standard cars. Having 49 seats and a baggage compartment, the RPO section was fitted out with a small propane powered kitchen/galley. In January 1957 the final RDC, another RDC-3, BC-33 entered service.

BC-33 and her mates settled down to a regular routine of daily runs between North Vancouver, Lillooet, and Prince George for many years. Surviving accidents, rockslide, fires and other mishaps. Most survived, some did not. By the early 1980s the Budds were showing their age and suffering from the rigors of their daily grind. A service reduction brought forth a public outcry and service was again restored to former levels. The BC Government promised financial help to fix the aging Budds. BC-33 was sent off to Vickers Inc. in Montreal for a complete re-build. She returned with new Cummins engines, airline style reclining seats, a new galley, new air conditioning and a new interior. The engineman's controls at the 'B' end were removed. The bill for the work was $1,4000,000 presented when BC-33 returned home in November 1982.

Knowing that they could do just as good a job themselves on the remaining cars, the shop staff at Squamish embarked on re-builds of the remainder of the fleet.

BC-33 figured prominently in the history of the West Coast Railway Assn. As this was the car used for our first ever Winter Budd car excursion from North Vancouver to Kelly Lake and return. Wondering just what to do in the dull days of February 1964, the members hatched a plan to operate an excursion on PGE using the Budd cars. Arrangements were made, tickets sold at meetings and a drumhead sign was produced for the rear of the train. BC-33 was coupled on to the end of the regular train on February 22, 1964 and we proceeded to Lillooet. Once there, BC-33 was uncoupled from the train and we proceeded up the grade of the Pavilion hill to turn on the wye at Kelley Lake. A stop was made for photos in the fresh snow and bright sun. We all re-boarded and proceeded back to Lillooet, joined the regular train and headed for North Vancouver. Thus began a long tradition of Winter Tours on PGE and BCR. Possibly the longest running regular excursion in BC railway history.

When passenger service ended for good on BC Rail in October 2002, the Budd cars were put up for sale. All but BC-33 and BC-21 were sold as they were not in operating condition. The West Coast Railway Assn submitted a successful bid for the pair in early 2003 and they were subsequently delivered to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. In the summer of 2005, BC-33 has been restored for limited operation giving Park visitors a short ride on the site. The ultimate goal is to have the car fully operational for use on the mainline. Parts to achieve this were acquired with the two cars and with the help of former BCR/PGE employees in Squamish this is a very realistic goal. BC-33 will represent a very important period in the passenger rail history of PGE/BCR and of the Province