The West Coast Railway Association (WCRA) is a volunteer non-profit organization, registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia. With full charitable status through CCRA, we issue tax receipts for both cash and in-kind donations.
The WCRA receives no operating funding from any level of government, and so relies on cash from operations (Heritage Park and Tours) to operate, and donations for the purposes of development. Donated funds principally are used for restoration projects on the 70 piece collection of heritage railway rolling stock, as well as for the capital development of the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, through the Full Steam Ahead capital campaign.
The WCRA has a number of regular fundraisers to which contributions are always welcome. Click on the links below for more information on these.
- Make a donation to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund
- "Tie Up With Us"
- Purchase A Heritage Bench
- WCRA Endowment Fund
- Bequests & In Memoriams
In addition, a number of fundraising events are held each year. These include the Annual Rail Ale Dinner, held jointly with the Squamish Chamber of Commerce each October at the Howe Sound Inn & Brew Pub, the Annual Auction in Vancouver held each March jointly with the Rotary Club of Vancouver, and other special events from time to time.
The recent arrival of the Royal Hudson locomotive #2860 has occasioned the start of a major fundraising initiative. The Royal Hudson Preservation Fund is now accepting donations towards the restoration of #2860 to steam. This is a massive task expected to cost up to $1 million. Currently the assessment work is being done to develop a restoration plan, the project is expected to last as long as three to five years. Work will get underway only when the fund has reached a level sufficient to ensure that the project can be realistically undertaken to completion, so funds are currently building towards this objective. To donate to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund, simply send your cheque or credit card info to the WCRA and note that it is for the Royal Hudson fund.
Donations can be made directly to the WCRA by cash, cheque, or credit card (VISA / MC / AMEX):
- Through our Development Office in Burnaby by phone 604-681-4403 or by mail to WCRA, PO Box 2790 Stn. Terminal, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3X2
- In person at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish
- Electronically by e mailing donations@wcra.org
Your support helps us ensure that we continue to preserve British Columbia's railway heritage. For information on how you can help, contact our Executive Director, Don Evans, at the Development office in Burnaby at 604-681-4403 or e mail us at donations@wcra.org
