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By all accounts, we put on a great show as ARM 2009 swept into Squamish and ran for five days based at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. The conference was themed “Changing Scenes—10 Years of Development at a Railway Museum.” The theme was played out not just by what had changed at the site since we hosted our first ARM Conference in 1999, but also by the continually changing scenes at the Heritage Park throughout the conference as we operated a different train on the main track each day. Each day of the event, delegates were treated to a different “scene” at the Mac Norris Station as our collection performed live.
Wednesday, September 16 started it all off. Most of the 112 delegates had arrived and were checked in at the two hotels -most at the Garibaldi Springs Executive Inn and the remainder at the Mountain Retreat Hotel and Suites. More than 70 had gone off on the two pre-conference tours—the “Electric Tour” led by Bill Watson and the BC Museum of Mining tour led by Deb Sankey. The shuttle buses between the Heritage Park and the hotels, operated by Blue & White Coach Lines were in service. It was all coming together.
A 1615 the buses started arriving at the MP Shop tracks and the guests were boarding the train. It was raining, but happily this would be the only time we would get wet during the conference. The train wasn’t quite the Super Continental we had envisioned, as the F units still were still not delivered from the east, but we had PGE 561 pulling our two recently arrived ex CN coaches, so it was as close as we could come. At exactly 1630, conductor Roy Crowston gave engineer John Jellis the “highball” and we were off to the Mac Norris Station for the official arrival of the delegates for the start of the conference.
As the train rolled into the platform of the Mac Norris Station, we demonstrated the first of the changed scenes—different from the arrival of ARM 1999 ten years ago. This time the train was our own (not BC Rail’s) and the station itself was completed and operating (in 1999 it was a plywood shell under construction). In spite of the rain, it was a grand arrival in full style. (Deb Sankey photo on rear cover shows 561 and train pulling into the station)
The crowd made their way to the PGE carshop, which was all set up for the opening reception, and settled in for a great opening. It was amazing what Susan Steen and her group was able to do, transforming the workshop into a grand hall for the event. The conference exhibitors were set up on the west side of the building, while Tracks 1 and 2 were occupied at the south end by the 1890 business car British Columbia and the 1929 car Alberta, which had just been painted and was quite an attraction. The north end was set up with the buffet tables and rounds with chairs for all, while the stage was in the northeast corner. The whole thing exuded railway ambiance and worked well. The reception was enjoyed by all, with great live entertainment by the Kettle Valley Brakemen.
Thursday, September 17—The Official opening, seminars and host museum day. After a great hot buffet breakfast, the crowd moved into the new CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre for the official opening of the conference. (Trevor Mills photo, rear cover) Once again a first, as this became the first official function ever held in the new facility.
The delegates were welcomed by Bob LaPrelle, President of ARM, then Greg Gardner, Mayor of Squamish, and by Colin Smith, Chair of the WCRA Board. This accomplished, and the conference declared officially open, the crowd headed for the Mac Norris Station and boarded the Budd RDC train for their ride over to the MP2 Shop, where seminars were to be held this morning and early afternoon. (Trevor Mills photo) A series of great
seminars were presented by many different presenters, and were well rated by the delegates as informative, relevant and well worth attending. Box lunches were served and the Budd car train shuttled back and forth again between the Heritage Park and the shops over lunch time.
Seminars over at 1430, the remainder of the day was the visit to the host museum. The Heritage Park was in full operational mode, with all activities operating. Our guests rode the mini rail, saw the Garden Railway and HO scale trains in operation, toured the exhibits, visited Vivian at the Brightbill Heritage House, and enjoyed all the Heritage Park had to offer. All the time, PGE RSC-3 #561 performed on the mainline with a 1950’s freight consist. At 1600 the delegates gathered at Royal Hudson #2860, which was steamed up, for the annual conference group photo. (see front cover)
The evening was also held at the Heritage Park, where the Lions Club of Squamish opened their lounge car Discovery to the delegates as a place of social enjoyment, and then they provided a barbecue dinner enjoyed by all. After dinner, the shuttle buses operated to the hotels, but many stayed behind to see the Museums Show and Tell.
Friday, September 18—seminars and then off to Whistler! The morning started off with breakfast in the PGE CarShop, followed by one round of seminars, including two hands on ones around passenger car restoration and steam locomotive maintenance. Meanwhile, CPR FP7A #4069 moved her train to the platform of the Mac Norris Station and we all climbed aboard for a unique trip to Whistler.
We departed the station at 0945 and we pulled out of the Heritage Park and onto the MP2 shop track where #4069 uncoupled and we awaited the arrival of the Whistler Mountaineer. Right on time at 1010 she arrived, however instead of just passing through Squamish, backed down the pass track and coupled onto our three cars—coaches Paul D Roy, Capilano and power car MacDonald Creek. We departed to Whistler in our own coaches but as part of the Whistler Mountaineer train, and we also had access to the open car Henry Pickering en route as well. The climb up the spectacular Cheakamus Canyon was a highlight for our guests, and we arrived Whistler around 1200.
Our buses were waiting and we headed over to the village and up Whistler mountain for lunch and an afternoon of exploration. Most rode the new Peak to Peak gondola and enjoyed the mountain and village before re boarding our buses for the ride back to Squamish and the evening.
Saturday September 19—It had been a disappointment for us all to learn that a labour dispute on CN had scuttled plans to head for Vancouver on board the Royal Hudson steam train, but we were determined to make the best of it regardless. So, as the day dawned fresh from overnight rain and the skies cleared, it was perfect conditions for steam—and steam it would be as Royal Hudson #2860 put in a memorable show for the delegates with four runs between the Mac Norris Station and the MP shop. A lucky eight had their names drawn for cab rides this morning, and the crisp air made for a steam show to remember.
At 0900 we boarded the buses and headed for an active day in Vancouver. Although we were not on the train the beautiful morning made for scenes our guests would remember as we travelled the Sea to Sky highway.
Our first stop in Vancouver was at the Locomotive #374 Pavilion, where we presented our way of marketing our museum in Squamish from a downtown Vancouver location. The 374 Pavilion volunteers had #374 outside on the beautiful morning, blowing off steam and sounding her whistle for all in the neighbourhood to hear. (photo, Deb Sankey)
Then we were off to a great lunch and tour at the Rocky Mountaineer’s Vancouver station. Here the delegates enjoyed a very nice lunch, while seeing how the former 1954 CN Diesel Shop had been turned into a wonderful station and community facility, as well as touring the Rocky Mountaineer train’s Gold Leaf, Red Leaf and lounge car services. Our thanks to Rocky Mountaineer Vacations for their sponsorship and support of the conference.
Next, we headed for a ride on Vancouver’s SkyTrain and SeaBus, courtesy of TransLink who provided all the delegates with a Faresaver pass. We boarded a train at VCC Clark station and then rode all the way around on both the Millennium and Expo lines, arriving at Vancouver's Waterfront station. Here we changed onto the SeaBus for a beautiful ride across the harbour on this sunny afternoon. Our motor coaches were waiting at North Vancouver, and we headed back for Squamish after a great day in the city.
After time to change and freshen up, we were set for the gala banquet. Susan Steen and her team had the PGE Carshop all decorated up in grand style, with the tables all set beautifully. Centre pieces were made for each table by the West Coast Model Railroaders. As the crowd arrived, Tyler Magee had the bar open and the social time started. A great crowd was on hand, as we were joined by several partners, some WCRA board members—an estimated crowd of 130 or so. (Photo page 28, Deb Sankey)
At 7:30PM, MC Don Evans asked the crowd to be seated for dinner. The US and Canada national anthems were led by D’Arcy Nelson with Don Evans at the piano.
Then it was time for dinner, and Donna Simon took over with the task of calling the tables up. The food, provided by Rockwell’s, was delicious, hot and plentiful and earned many kudos from the guests. Following dinner, Susan Steen led the group through the custom of making a Toast to the Queen, and then it was time for dessert before the introduction of our special guest speaker.
Don Evans introduced Peter Armstrong, the Executive Chairman and CEO of the Armstrong Group—known better to the group as the founder and creator of Rocky Mountaineer Railtours. Peter told several aspects of the story of the creation of North America’s most successful private passenger rail operation, and also talked a bit about the future of rail as he saw it. His talk was informative, interesting and also provocative—and was enjoyed by the delegates. Peter opened the floor to questions and comments, and received many of both from the audience.
Following the speaker, Ken Rucker than spent a few minutes at the podium talking about ARM 2010, which will be held in Maryland. The evening closed with a draw for a Max Jacquiard limited edition print, which was won by Mike Walker from Colorado Springs. A fitting winner, as Mike (and Sigi) had been chair of last year’s ARM conference. The evening closed right on time at 9:45PM.
Sunday, September 20—Hard to believe it, but ARM 2009 is coming to a close. To start the day off right, the Lions Club of Squamish cooked up fresh pancake breakfast for all to enjoy, and then most headed off to the ARM Annual meeting, which was held in the meeting room of the Mac Norris Station starting at 0830. At around 0945, the last of the operating train sets made an appearance for the crowd, this time featuring CPR S3 #6503 and a freight train arriving at the station. The 6503, resplendent in her new paint and looking fresh from the shop, then entertained the crowd and photographers with several runs in and out of the station on the main track, and even a few cab rides were given!
And, then it was over! At 1000, the first bus departed for Vancouver, and at 1100 the next group left, most destined for the vintage trolley bus tour of Vancouver (photo p 30). The feedback from the delegates was very good, and we were—although all exhausted—delighted to have been able to host ARM 2009, and to have done it in our own unique way.
We would recommend the experience to any museum, as you really get a chance to learn from others and to experience organizing a major event. Not to be overlooked as well, is that the deadlines imposed and the desire to show off thongs to your best of ability hastens along projects that are nearing completion, thus benefitting the entire operation of your museum and your everyday guests. A hearty thank you to all of the Heritage Park’s staff and volunteers, to our guests, and to ARM for this opportunity.
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