Ed. Note—Our Prince Rupert member David Walker sends this account of a day in the operation of the North Coast Explorer (which operated Thursdays in 2004), on which WCRA partnered with GCRC. David worked the train as one of the guides. The operation will run again in 2005, with an expected three days a week service based on planned cruise ship arrivals in Prince Rupert.
What an incredible summer in Prince Rupert this summer past. The new cruise ship facility at Atlin Terminal was completed just as the Norwegian Wind was cruising down the harbour on her first official visit, literally. Thursday June 10th., was a glorious summer day on the north coast as was every Thursday until September. The cruise ship made a beautiful sight gliding down the harbour toward the Atlin Terminal. It appeared as just about every resident in town was on the waterfront to greet the vessel!
Throughout the summer the Thursday routine remained the same with the odd glitch that kept us all on our toes. During the rest of the week the consist was stored in a secure area at the Fairview Terminal out of harms way. Thursdays, the tour guides reported for work at Fairview Terminal approximately 1100 hrs. We got everything ship-shape. Windows
spotless, carpets cleaned and condiments put out for our guests. The maintenance crew were busy getting the mechanical and electrical equipment all tuned up for the days work. The train looked absolutely spectacular in the blazing Prince Rupert sunshine!
Time to reposition the train to Atlin Terminal. This is about a two-mile cruise along the Prince Rupert waterfront with the little CN GMD-1,1437 doing the honours. We always made sure that we had everything ship shape before we left Fairview so we could relax for a few minutes in the Henry Pickering open car as we cruised the waterfront. The Canadian National head end crew were called for 1300 hrs. Our days work was underway. We would arrive at Atlin Terminal at about 1400 hrs. just as the cruise ship was docking. The addition of the Henry Pickering made a huge difference to the operation of the train. (Once she arrived after her unscheduled tour of the province!) She was a big hit.
Approximately 1500 hrs. and it was time to get underway with our guests from the cruise ship on board. There was one guide assigned to each coach while Chris Woods supervised the train. Eagles everywhere! On one trip, I actually saw one eagle wander in to a fish reduction plant, help himself to a beak-full of goodies then fly off to enjoy the fruits of his raid. The rail trip between Prince Rupert and Tyee on the Skeena River is about as spectacular a journey as you will see anywhere. The trip was about ten miles out, ten miles back. WCRA’s CPR 4069 pulled us there, while the "little-engine-that-could" CN GMD-1-1437 pulled us back to Rupert.
Having bid our guests farewell and smooth sailing, it was time to clean up and put everything away as #4069 pulled us back to Fairview Terminal. So ends our day’s work for the week. This summer, 2005 we expect to be working three and possibly four days per week. Really looking forward to the prospect.
