As we headed towards Squamish on the morning of August 19 it didn't look like too bad a day. It was overcast and a shower had occurred in North Vancouver, but the road was dry north of Horseshoe Bay. Such wasn't to be, however, as the rain started near Britannia and kept on all the way to Squamish. Once there, it continued and just didn't let up all day - until after 2:30PM. It was a wet one.

By 7:30AM, several of us were busy digging drain channels from the puddles in the parking lot - but to little avail - it would remain that way all day. Still, the depth of some was reduced. Volunteers and staff started arriving undeterred and things started happening. Sherry Elchuk and Glen Wideman and their gang started working to ready the inside of the station building, still undergoing finishing work right to 1100! Jim Brown washed and moved the 1937 Ford into position in front of the Brightbill Heritage House. Don Evans organized volunteers to help with the parking. Elaine Pruden and her group got ready to greet guests at the gate. Trevor Mills moved all three buses across the street in preparation for a busy lunchtime period. In spite of the rain, we were going to have a good day!

Guests started arriving at 1000, were handed a program for the day and a copy of the Squamish Chief supplement on the Heritage Park opening as they arrived. Volunteers directed the parking and tours of the exhibits were underway. At 1100, singer Dave Baker started his performance inside the CarShop - out of the rain and enjoyed by a good crowd. Vintage cars were now on display in the Centre Court thanks to the Canadian Route 66 Association and several individuals, and some very special 1930's vehicles were positioned in the new Town Centre area as well.

By 1130, our parking area was full and the overflow was being directed to BC Rail's nearby lot. Mary Lou shuttled back and forth with her bus to help guests avoid the rainy walk. All was ready now for the next peak, the arrival of the BC Rail "steam" train at the Squamish station. The train pulled in right on time, hauled by the WCRA's CPR FP7A #4069. Our three buses went ot work shuttling their guests downtown to link with the boat, while other bus operators met the train here today rather than downtown as usual. #4069 had a busy time ahead of her, as she now had to wye the train, then uncouple and make her way to the Heritage Park for our special inaugural run! The other guests, including a special BC Rail Parlour Class media event walked over to the Heritage Park.

The ceremonies were about to begin, and a sea of umbrellas was the picture as the rain kept falling.

At 1215, MC Don Evans opened the Town Centre area for guests to come in, asking them to please stay off the beautiful - but soaking wet - new lawn. They did, and no damage was done all day! Bernie Tully made the final adjustments on the PA system and we were set to go. The podium was set up on the covered porch of the new station.

At 1230 precisely, the official activities began:

• Don Evans welcomed the crowd and acted as Master of Ceremonies
• MLA Ted Nebbeling said a few words on behalf of the Province of British Columbia
• Squamish Councilor Wendy Magee welcomed the group on behalf of the District of Squamish
• Trenton Poy spoke on behalf of our Member of Parliament John Reynolds
• Councilor Bruce McFayden from Pemberton said a few words

Following that, a couple of special presentations were made as Jack Zaleski presented a gift of $50,000 on behalf of the John Hardie Mitchell family foundation (Mrs. Mitchell was present and thanked by all) and Denise Rittberg of the Royal Bank presented their $8,000 annual installment for their gift to the campaign. It was now 1250, and time to cut some ribbons. The first activity was the raising of the Canadian flag on the flagpole for the first time. Glen Wideman did the raising while Shealagh King led the singing of O Canada. Then, MC Don Evans headed over to the Brightbill Heritage House, knocked on the door, and was greeted by Donna Fourchalk in period costume. After a few words about the house and its restoration, Donna cut the ribbon and the house was officially declared open for guests to visit. Guests couldn't wait to get in and Donna had special treats, with cookies and fresh baking bread!

Next stop was the new Silver Fox mini rail station, a gift of the Roy family and named after a family legend (see page 11) Paul & Mary Roy and the whole family were there, and after a few words, cut the ribbon to officially open the new Mini Rail station. Then, the first train was dispatched from the station, with the orders given and confirmed in true railway fashion over the radio. Upon receipt of orders, the first train - headed by West Coast Express engine 4069, departed with the Roy family aboard.

Now it was back to the station for the official opening of the gorgeous new 4,800 square foot building. The official party here consisted of MLA Ted Nebbeling, Councilor Wendy Magee, with Don Evans and Glen Wideman from the WCRA. Glen did the honours with the scissors, and - as the ribbon was cut - fireworks roared skyward north of the building. The group moved inside to await the arrival of the train and to enjoy some cake.

1305 - a horn was heard and the group moved out onto the station platform. Canadian Pacific FP7A #4069 had made all of her moves and was on the property. Clearing the switch, she looked grand as she rolled the first train into the new station - with RPO #3704 and coach Quesnel in tow (cover photo). Lots of pictures were taken of this arrival, and she remained for 30 minutes for photos. Media interviews were done on the platform by Global TV (resulting in good coverage on the 6:00 News) and CKWX radio as well as the Squamish Chief.

Inside the station, guests were enjoying the cake - including an anniversary cake for Glen & Sandi Wideman! - and the great music of Daniel Ross and the Jones Collective. Max Jacquiard's lovely painting of #4069 hung in the station entry and several of his pieces adorned the station as well. It was a great scene. The gift shop was busy and sales of special passports were underway. The winner of the grand prize from the passports - a trip for two on our Northern Wilderness tour - was Henry Gottardi of Squamish.

And, so it continued all afternoon. By 1430 the rain stopped, and by 1530 the sun started to peek through! As the event wound down, we had hosted 1,040 at the Heritage Park - our largest day ever!

The day received some great media coverage, including the Global TV news, CKWX radio, and many event listings in publications from Vancouver and Whistler. The Squamish Chief did a special eight page supplement that went out with the paper that week. the Province features a full page article by Mark Wilson in the Sunday, August 20 edition. We especially liked his headline - "The trains may be on time, but the station's really late" - playing off the station designed in 1915 and built in 2000!

A special thank you to our volunteers and our staff, all of whom worked very hard to make the day a success in lousy weather conditions. To try and list everyone would be fraught with problems, as I would surely miss someone. In the chaos of the wet day, a full inventory of participants was not done. Thanks to all of you for being a part of our biggest day ever!