The British Columbia was built by Barney & Smith of Dayton, Ohio as the sleeper
Sherbrooke for the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1912 she was rebuilt in the CPR's
Angus shops as a Business car and was used all across Canada until she was retired in
1961, an incredible 71 years of service for a wooden car. During those years she bore
many names reflecting the areas where she was based.
In 1961 she was purchased from the CPR by founding members of the West Coast
Railway Association for her scrap value of $400! The car was leased to the Victoria
Pacific, a tourist railway operator in 1971. By the time the car was returned to the WCRA
in 1983 it had suffered serious damage. Restoration began that year and continued
through until 1990. The car was completed in time for its 100th birthday on July 30,
1990. It is estimated that some 80,000 person hours and $360,000 have gone into
bringing British Columbia to her present condition.
British Columbia is 85' long and has a wood frame which precludes her ever operating in
regular rail service again. As a Business car she would normally carry a complement of
three, a Railway Executive, his assistant and a steward. The car could, however sleep up
to 10 people in a comfort rarely equalled today.
Her interior is Honduran mahogany inlaid with birch, maple and walnut finished with 12
coats of varnish, each one sanded between coats and finally French polished. All the
fittings are solid brass and she rides on 6 wheel trucks. British Columbia is a rare
surviving example of the classic car builder's art. She has an Observation platform at
each end and there is no corridor connection with the rest of the train, thus ensuring
complete privacy. The exterior is mahogany sheathing finished in standard CPR Tuscan
Red.
