All members of the West Coast Railway Association can be proud, as we put on a great show for the 1999 annual convention of the Association of Railway Museums. The organizing committee and many members volunteered in one way or another and, aided by a streak of perfect weather, put on a week that will be remembered for a long time by those who attended.

Also to be noted are the staff who worked very hard on the event, SUSAN STEEN and MARILYN BOE of the Development office. Without their efforts we would never have pulled the event off so professionally. The convention headquarters was Vancouver's Renaissance Hotel on Hastings Street, who also did a great job with all the facilities at the base location. The delegates had a busy and varied itinerary.

Wednesday, September 29 - Off to Fort Langley

The day started as we boarded three Charter Bus Lines coaches at the hotel, and headed over to Canada Place and the CN / IMAX Theatre. Here we were treated to two IMAX films from Expo 86, Freedom to Move and Transitions. Back on the buses, we were off to Fort Langley for the day, with a variety of activities. Arriving at the Fort, we were greeted by several WCRA volunteers in train uniforms under the direction of DAVE EMMINGTON, who split us into three groups for the activities there.

In the National Historic Site, we had a fort tour, seminar on metal restoration, and talk by Michael Kluckner - Chair of Heritage Canada. We then enjoyed lunch by the Friends of the Fort, and had time to wander the other local attractions, including the Farm Machinery Museum, the Langley Centennial Museum, and the Fort Langley Station Museum. All were well worthwhile and enjoyed on the warm sunny day.

At 1445, we reboarded the buses for the ride to Skytrain's King George station, where we were met by Skytrain folks and treated to a ride of the line all the way back downtown to Waterfront station. That evening, about 90 of the group enjoyed the optional trip on the Pacific Starlight dinner train, a perfect end to a great day as we dined while watching a classic west coast sunset over Howe Sound from the windows of dining cars Apollo and Rainbow.

Thursday, September 30 - Official Welcome and $100,000!

The Convention was officially opened at 0800, with a welcome from ARM President Scott Becker to the assembled throngs. On hand was BC's Minister for Small Business, Tourism & Culture Ian Waddell, who welcomed the delegates to British Columbia and then announced the award of a $100,000 BC 2000 grant to the WCRA towards the station completion! Also on hand was Mayor CORINNE LONSDALE of Squamish to welcome the delegates personally and to express appreciation from her community for their forthcoming visit. WCRA President DON EVANS composed his words of thanks to the Minister and combined them with his welcome to the delegates on behalf of the West Coast Railway Association. The group then broke to take in a pair of the eight offered seminars in the morning.

1200 hours and we're on the road again. This time, we're on two of TRAMS (Transit Museum Society) vintage buses, both GM "fishbowls" - #4601, the first GM from 1964 in North Vancouver and painted in BC Hydro blue / green striping, and #3213, one of the high seat "Fastbuses" introduced in 1973 for suburban service. We shuttled over to the Drake Street Roundhouse for a special lunch, with historic CPR #374 moved outside in the sunshine and hooked up to steam, allowing the whistle to sound as we arrived and steam to swirl throughout our stay. Running alongside was WALTER PRUDEN'S one-eighth scale #374, with TOM PRUDEN at the controls. We enjoyed lunch there, organized for us by HOWIE BIEHL .

1315k and we're off again, this time to the Downtown Historic railway, where both BCER interurbans #1207 and #1231 are out. Again we are really treated specially, two line trips and a photo runby are the order of the afternoon. Several WCRA members are among the operating crews, including RON PAJALA and BILL GREEN. The beautifully restored interurbans put on a great show for the group.

1600k finds us in North Vancouver for a chat with AL BROADFOOT at the BC Rail steam shop. Al is his usual self, and the group is fascinated with the stories of the rebuilding of #2860 and #3716 over the years. Inside, we see firsthand the progress underway on the restoration of Hudson #2816 for Canadian Pacific. The Steamtown delegates are pleased to see the progress. We return to the hotel for the evening, enjoying the exhibit hall with the great exhibits and a reception, along with video entertainment organized by BILL MARCHANT.

Friday, October 1 - Pacific Central Station Day

Once again the day starts with the delegates choice of a pair of seminars from another eight offered - the topics are varied and the content very interesting and educational.

1200k and we're off again, Dale Laird is somehow keeping the buses on time and we are getting around just fine. Our first destination is the Maritime Museum and we are in for a real treat. After lunch in the St. Roch pavilion and a welcome by JIM DELGADO (as well as an informative seminar), we go out into the beautiful sunshine to witness the arrival of the replica of Captain Cook's ship Endeavour, arriving here on her around the world voyage. It just can't get much better than this, can it?

Well, maybe it can, as we next head over to Pacific Central Station for a triple-header with Amtrak Cascades, VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer Railtours. This is a complicated logistical exercise, as we must juggle around the operations of all three passenger trains, clearing Amtrak first so their customs clearance and boarding process can commence on time at 1700k. Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountaineer is scheduled to arrive at 1640k and VIA's Canadian is being prepared for departure at 1900k. It is hoped that we can keep out of the way of all this activity while getting to see all three! 1600k, we start our tour through the Amtrak Cascades Mount Olympus Talgo train. Several of the delegates rode to train to Vancouver, and the others are very impressed. The train is all made up for departure and staffed for questions and explanations, Amtrak Cascades souvenirs are offered at employee prices.

1620k, and the first groups are over to VIA Rail where DAWSON WOLK and BILL GREEN have put together something quite special. (The Rocky Mountaineer now arrives early - creating a busy platform area!) A "mini" Canadian consist has been assembled, prepared for "departure" and staffed. The group is treated to champagne and appetizers on board, while enjoying a good look at the equipment. Even the scrabble game in the dome has the word "railway" in its layout! We view a Park observation car, Manor sleeper, coach, baggage car and Skyline Dome in our special consist. The real Canadian is being readied with 28 cars out that evening!

At 1745k its time for the final event for the day - a hosted reception aboard the Rocky Mountaineer's Gold Leaf dome cars. The train has only arrived a little over an hour earlier, but it is ready and staffed as we walk the platform to the train with JJ BELANGER and JAMES TERRY. The flags and red carpets are out for our boarding, and we spread into the three cars - the Mac Norris, the W.C. Van Horne and one of the new cars - for an hour and a half of Gold Leaf service. Comfortably seated aboard the train's premier seating, we watch the Amtrak Cascades train depart for Seattle while enjoying our first glass of wine.

The kitchen has been busy, and soon we are delighted with a continuing selection of fresh appetizers as we watch the boarding of the Canadian on the platform and the sun setting over the station behind us. This is really something special! We alight at 1915k, the Canadian is late departing and is still at the platform, but starts to pull out as we near the station. We saunter across the park to Skytrain and return downtown - the delegates wowed by the hospitality and courtesies shown by Vancouver's passenger rail operators.

Saturday, October 2 - Steam, and Several Heritage Park Firsts

Its an early start today, as three buses depart the hotel at 0715 for the BC Rail station in North Vancouver. But a special day it will be, as we board our charter train pulled by Royal Hudson #2860 bound for Squamish, and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Our four car train pulls out of the station right on time at 0800, trailing the steam locomotive is power car Shalalth, coaches Capilano and Brandywine, and table car Birken. A small problem emerges as we discover that one of the coaches has not been converted to electric heat and is very cold on this fall morning. We pour lots of coffee, the train reaches Horseshoe Bay and takes the siding for a meet with a freight. SEAN FITZSIMMONS, one of the operating crew cleverly connects the steam pipes - we do have a large steam generator at the front! - and the cool coach warms!

On to Squamish on a beautiful sunny morning, the weather folks are certainly on our side this week! The scenery is spectacular as always and enjoyed by everyone, but the piece de resistance awaits. As we cross Government Road north of Squamish, there it is - our brand new restoration of Canadian Pacific FP7A #4069 with two loaned coaches courtesy BC Rail. This is the beautiful diesel's inaugural run - and will be the first train to our new station over newly laid track, completed only yesterday.

We transfer from the steam train and board ARM Extra 4069, flying the appropriate white flags for the occasion. All aboard and the smooth sounding GM diesel notches up - Oh what a lovely sound - and we back in the Heritage Park lead. Clearing the switch, we then head forward along the new mainline, horns sounding as we approach the station with the first train. A crowd has gathered to witness the event as we pull to a stop, and step off onto the newly completed station platform. Mayor CORINNE LONSDALE is among the crowd and welcomes the convention to Squamish - we just stand and take in the scene. We Did It!

The delegates enjoy the Heritage Park and a have a box lunch, then we reboard ARM Extra 4069 at 1245k to depart. Retracing our route, the train takes us back out to the BC Rail line, where Royal Hudson #2860 has been positioned for a side by side photo shoot with the F Unit. These two locomotives worked on the CPR roster between 1952 (when #4069 was built) and 1958 (when #2860 was retired). Following the photo session, the convention delegates pose in front of the locomotives for their traditional panoramic photo.

We then reboard the steam train and chug across the street to the BC Rail shops complex, where we are broken into three groups and tour the wheel shop, carshop and diesel shop. At 1430 we board the Royal Hudson once again, and depart for North Vancouver, arriving right on time at 1630 at the BC Rail station.

Evening sees the ARM banquet, with a couple of local entertainers on the keyboards during the reception in the foyer. We enter the Ballroom at 2000k for an enjoyable dinner, followed by a great presentation by HENRY EWERT entitled "The Extraordinary Road to Skytrain". The group is enthralled with this glimpse of local history, which is followed by a short musical revue entitled "Salute to Rail".

Sunday, October 3

Its all over! The morning starts with the ARM Annual General Meeting, attended by a good crowd of delegates. A board meeting follows, and in the afternoon several take in the vintagerolley bus tour of the city.

The delegates head home to their respective cities all over the continent. We have put on a great show, and those that came are bubbling over with their experiences. Well done by everyone. Vancouver shone, and the WCRA did a great job of creating a memorable ARM 99.