It all got started in earnest back in early October, 2002, when Paul Roy (our overall event lead on the project) and Doug May met with event manager for Canada Place, Deborah Jones. The event was to locate in the new cruise ship area on the CS level, and Canada Place supplied a drawing of the planned track layout and the terms of the arrangement. WCRA would be on our own for the train this year, with the responsibility to install the track, operate the trains, and take it all down again. And, the new floor had to be protected and left as when we started (no scratches or marks). We would collect the fares and retain the proceeds from our operation.

The event would run from December 6, 2002 until January 1, 2003 and would open from 1200 through 2000 each day except Christmas. Paul & Mary got to work and determined a shifting plan of five per day on a single eight hour shift for operations, plus one person for the sales kiosk. Doug May and Kurtis Tylor got to work as well, designing the track plan details and the method of floor protection. The final design was to cut plywood and attach the rails to this base, then set the sections on heavy carpet foam underlay and bolt it all together. It worked very well!

On November 15, 2002, a work party cut and painted 100 sheets of plywood into the sections needed for the 700 foot track plan. Three days with a good gang (see last month’s report) succeeded in installation of the trackage. A shop and storage area was set up and equipped with all the needed items for the volunteers and the trains. The locomotives and cars were transported to the site and all was ready to roll well in advance of opening day.

Southern Railway of British Columbia came on board as a sponsor for the train, providing a cash donation that helped offset the much of the costs of the set up, Canada Place Corporation assisted with the purchase of the plywood, and WCRA purchased the other materials needed. SRY also supplied Operation Lifesaver coloring books and railway safety information pamphlets, and a nice sponsorship sign at the train entrance.

Two trains were on the ready tracks—the main train was powered by BCR M420 #646 and typically had six or seven cars, including two painted for our sponsor SRY. Backup was CPR F7A #4069, although it got only an occasional run in. The ride length and the efficient boarding process rendered a second train unnecessary. Operating speed was restricted to 2 mph—a perfect speed to enjoy the decorated trees and the restored Woodward’s windows, while making the ride long enough. A “minimum donation” of $1 per ride was charged, proceeds in the fare box.

A volunteer orientation was held on December 5, 2002 and our helpers were given the full instructions for the event and our operations. Canada Place provided nice sweat shirts for all volunteers. The Vancouver Port Authority allowed us the use of a sales kiosk, and the Heritage Park sent down a selection of merchandise for sale. Barry Samson looked after that entire operation for the duration! We were all set!

Opening day wasn’t that busy, but media sponsors the Vancouver Sun and BC CTV looked after that. BC CTV’s Tamara Taggart did the weather live from the event December 6, and got good coverage. Paul Roy, after getting in a good photo with Tamara, snared her for engineer training and, as the final shot, Tamara drove the train with a full load of passengers waving to the news viewers at the end of the program. We got noticed!

And, away we went. From 492 riders on 43 trips on December 6, the crowds grew and grew, peaking with the loads on December 22 when we carried 2,928 riders on 86 trips around the tracks. The donations followed, running just over the $1 a ride plan overall. By the end of service on January 1, 2003, we had carried 32,832 riders and made a total of 1,618 trips. In addition, Barry had managed almost $2,500 in souvenir sales.

On January 3, 2003 it was time to take it all down. A good turnout of 12 members for this work party had it all done in no time. In fact, the entire project was apart and ready for shipping by noon! The track sections and rolling stock were loaded and shipped and are all available to do it again next year.

No event such as this is possible without our ever present volunteers, so we salute you all. First, to Paul & Mary Roy who oversaw and coordinated the entire event, as well as worked shifts on 13 of the operating days. Also, to Doug May and Kurtis Tylor who did the pick up and delivery work, the overseeing of the track installation and the maintenance of the trains at Canada Place. Doug also worked in his conductor’s uniform for eleven of the operating days. Also helping with the event, including set up, operations, and take down or portions thereof, were Keith Anderson, Karl Anderson, Howie Biehl, Ed Bowman, Len Brown, Jim Crutchley, Colin Dathan, Nini & Dave Durward, Dave Emmington, Bill Esdale, Gordon Hall & son, Doug Hicks, John & Fay Lighthall, Bruce Mackay, Bill Marchant, Dorothea Matewish and friend Abraham, Alan Milligan, Kelly Noakes, Paul Ohannesian, Tomo’o Oshikawa, Andy Preddy, Walter & Ione Pruden, Tom & Elaine Pruden, Charles Roy, Denis Roy, Max & Nadja Roy, Barry Sansom, Earl & Lavina Shaw, Lea Sheppard; Roy, Beth & Carol Trask, Bernie Tully, and Glen Wideman. Hopefully, we have not missed anyone.

Our sincere thanks to all of you, as well as to sponsor Southern Railway of British Columbia, and to Canada Place Corporation for the opportunity to delight more than 30,000 people with this very successful fundraiser.