We welcome a new monthly feature this issue, to be provided each month by our Chair Craig McDowall. Craig will provide some insights into what was going on in the WCRA, and the local rail scene, with items sourced from our newsletters 25 years back. We hope you enjoy this reflection into our past.
MARCH 1979
Craig McDowall was the "editor du jour" . . you can tell as the newsletter this month was only four pages !! Notes of Interest from this issue:
CP Rail - CP Rail’s piggyback and container facility will be relocated from False Creek to Coquitlam at a cost of $5.5 million.
CP Rail business car #12 underwent major repairs at Drake Street late last year. Roof replacement and carbody repairs were completed and the car now has the "arched roof" appearance similar to the Van Horne and Shaughnessy.
BCR - The B.C. Government has approved an interim grant of $4 million to BCR to cover part of the operating losses incurred by keeping the Fort Nelson extension operating.
BCR has purchased two used passenger coaches from Brown Equipment of Chicago. One of the coaches will be used to transport school children from Shalath and Seton to Lillooet. The second coach will be used to provide improved service to railway camps and gang locations on the Fort Nelson extension. Built in 1947, the coaches were acquired for $11,500.
A new yard office and tower is being built at the Prince George Yard, cost $1.5 million.
Via Rail Canada An eight car westbound VIA passenger train powered by three units caught fire 13 kilometers west of Boston Bar on March 12th. The lead unit #1412 hit a rock which ruptured a fuel tank in the derailment. The lead unit caught fire which spread to GP-9 unit #8517 and scorched F unit #1411. There were no injuries reported among the 80 passengers and 20 crew members.
BN BN RS-11 #4196 has been sold for scrap to Simon and Sons in Tacoma. This is the first RS-11 to leave BN’s roster. Two other RS-11’s are currently stored unserviceable here in Vancouver.
Other News The "Good Times '79 Express" Vancouver Island tour was announced. Utilizing locomotive #1077 (ex MB 2-6-2), the train will tour Nanaimo, Courtenay, Port Alberni, Parksville, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Duncan and Victoria from May 12 to May 21.
