All WCRA members and friends of the association are invited to participate in all events.

WEST COAST RAILWAY ASSOCIATION, THE STORY

So when and how did all this start?

First there were the people. The Hi-Ballers got together in the last days of steam in 1958, to record the changes occurring in railway motive power. This was an era of transition in the railway industry, and changes were occurring at a rapid pace. The young group of ten railfans determined to at least do some recording and documentation of this transition, so that the story of the railway as it was then would somehow be preserved. In addition to photographs, a collection of artifacts and memorabilia was begun.

We're fortunate indeed, that many of our original founding members are still with us. Keith Anderson, one of the original Hi-Ballers, remains an active member and is now joining the new board of directors. Gary Oliver remains active and operates his business GTC Collectibles, specializing in railway china and silver as well as historical photographs. Hugh Little, operates Westran and sits on our fundraising committee. And others, such as Roger Burrows and Doug Cummings, though no longer WCRA members, remain active in the local rail scene. Today, the WCRA boasts its fastest rate of membership growth ever and is attracting new families to the railway preservation scene, something absolutely necessary if our collection is to survive us.

Then there were excursions. The very first was on familiar territory, a run from North Vancouver to Squamish on August 5, 1961 (cover photo). Pacific Great Eastern gas car #107 and hayrack was the consist. Keith Anderson recalls that the fare was $5 and we had a real hard time selling it.

The legacy of rail excursions has continued for forty years, with development of West Coast Rail Tours today as a major internal fundraiser for the association. An annual tour that still runs every year is the Snow Trip to Lillooet. In 1987 another legacy stated, the BC Rail System Tour to Fort Nelson. Now called the Northern Wilderness tour , this trip operates annually as a nine day all-inclusive tour. Our customer base has grown, we typically now operate 15 to 20 trips a year, gross almost $500,000 and have contributed over $300,000 to the preservation of our collection in the past ten years from this source.

The collection started in 1963. It all began with the acquisition of the business car British Columbia or CPR 16 as it was then. Discovered in 1961 by the WCRA in Medicine Hat, Alberta, (Keith Anderson photo, December 1961) the car was purchased for the sum of $400, and the collection was started. By May of 1963 the car was in Vancouver and became a catalyst for the development of the association. It operated twice for the group, on excursions to Hope on CN and on the PGE in 1964. It then had an unfortunate lease to Vancouver Island where it deteriorated significantly and had to be returned under threat of lawsuit. Fortunately, it became a major restoration project in the 1980's, was displayed at Expo 86, and re-christened by the Federal Transport Minister for its second century at Cloverdale on July 31, 1990. Today it is the showpiece of the collection, is protected under cover, and has been toured by over 200,000 people since its restoration.

The next two pieces were also of significance. Comox Logging steam locomotive #16 was acquired in 1964 and operated several times for the WCRA (see page 35, Keith Anderson photos, Squamish excursion, August 30, 1964) before going on lease first to the Alaska Railroad and then to the Victoria Pacific. She is currently in the shop at Squamish in the first stages of a full rebuild to operating condition again with hopes to steam her in 2002 or 2003. Canadian Pacific open observation car #598 joined the collection next, and later saw service on the Royal Hudson steam train from 1974 to 1984. Pulled from service then needing brake upgrades and other work, she has been an exhibit car at the heritage park. In 1999, an agreement was reached to return the car to service and a major rebuild was undertaken. One year and $130,000 later, #598 (now renamed the Mount Garibaldi) once again is part of the Royal Hudson consist to the delight of passengers, fully rebuilt including new brakes and roller bearing trucks. Today, our collection numbers almost 70 pieces, and is managed under an overall Collections Policy and plan. Both Open Observation car 598 and diesel electric FP7A locomotive 4069 are operated regularly on lease to BC Rail.

Finally came the museum. Originally part of the WCRA's constitution back in 1961 was the goal of developing a railway museum. It seemed a far off and unattainable goal for some years and not much was done beyond the idea until the 1980's except for the collection, which ultimately became both the problem and the solution to this important idea.

By the early 1980's the collection was a major concern for the group. It had no home, and storage was more and more difficult. First, the number of pieces kept on growing as acquisitions were made. Second, storage sidings were becoming harder and harder to find as railways moved form local distribution to mainline long haul transportation and sidings were continually removed. In addition, the condition of the collection was worsening as resources and working locations just were not available to do the work needed. The prospects for preserving this very heritage that we cared so much about were bleak.

Fortunately, several members of the association got going in the mid 1980's and work began to locate a permanent home. The Squamish site was selected and in May 1990 the arrangements were made with the District of Squamish for the property we have today. Then started some very valuable work, the work with Commonwealth Historic Resource Management to create both the Development Plan for the museum and the collection, and the Business Plan for the project. The most important planning work we have ever done.

The rest is history. The project became the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, its first phase developing from 1991 through 1996, the move of the PGE carshop in 1991, rail infrastructure in 1993, site move in in May 1994 and public opening July 10, 1994. Just 4,300 guests visited us that first year, but we were off and running.

Today the Heritage Park has hosted over 120,000 guests since opening (31,500 in 2000 alone), has full time staff and is well through development of its second phase. It is on its way to becoming Canada's most visited railway heritage attraction (perhaps this year) and is a constantly growing facility. It has broadened our group to include partnerships such as with Capilano College and community groups, and has developed facilities that introduce others to railway preservation big time. It has stimulated high interest in our endeavours and generated new and growing membership in the association. Most importantly, it has introduced families and children to the railway, past and future.

The bottom line for all of this is our collection. For this precious collection to survive we need several things. We need funds 70 pieces of rolling stock are costly to restore and maintain, and could never be done without a major attraction to sustain them. And, we need people. Its nice that all of us have taken the steps to acquire the pieces that we have, but we also need to look ahead. Where will we be 25 years from now? Are we doing this to just have it all disappear after we are gone? No, we need to get others involved in a big way. We especially need to teach children about this valuable history and to secure their interest. And we need to pass on to them the skills necessary to see this collection preserved. Thanks to he West Coast Railway Heritage Park this writer is now confident that our collection will be around for future generations to enjoy and to thank us for. The Heritage Park is achieving the goals that our founding members set in place.

To all who have been a part of this great association over the past 40 years, sincere thanks and appreciation. Without you we would not have what we have today. To all of you who are with us today, we need every one of you regardless your skills and area of contribution. With your help and participation, the West Coast Railway Association will proudly carry on with its mission of seeing British Columbia's railway heritage preserved.