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There is little question that the North Country Tour of September 26 to 30 was the major event for West Coast Rail Tours of 2005. The five day tour, which served as the return of the North Coast Explorer train from Prince Rupert to Squamish was well received by those who traveled, with around 50 through passengers who were joined by day trippers out of both 100 Mile House and Squamish—Whistler.
We would like to acknowledge several groups / companies who helped make this possible in what was less than optimal lead-time—including the people at Great Canadian Railtour Co. CN, Transport Canada, the Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum, the operating crews, our volunteers helpers and the communities along the way.
We have two reports for you on this tour—from our West Coast Rail Tours tour leader Dave Emmington and from WCRA director and passenger, Colin Dathan who recorded the rail activity observed along the way. Hope you enjoy the coverage—and that you plan to make the trip in 2005! Photos are by Colin Dathan (north of Whistler) and Tomo’o Oshikawa.
NORTH COUNTRY TOUR REPORT - by Dave Emmington
Our train was marshaled at the old CN Station on the Prince Rupert waterfront on Sunday, September 26, preparing for our Squamish bound North Country Tour. Forty-four guests had arrived in Prince Rupert in days before by air or coastal ferries. But two of our guests missed an airline connection in Seattle due fog, and were at risk of missing the tour.
The “Amazing Race” was on! Tours Manager Bill Johnston took things in hand, and met Eady and Joel at Vancouver airport when they finally arrived after the fog delays in the US. He rebooked them to Prince Rupert on an early flight on the following morning, and then put them up overnight in Burnaby. The connection at Prince Rupert would not make the train; further delays resulted in their arrival after the train departure. There our member, Dave Walker agreed to continue the race by car to Terrace, our train lunch stop. Again delays in the flight arrival were against us, what choice did we have? Dave agreed to overtake the train at some point hoping it would be before Prince George. Fortune smiled on us as we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and walk about in Terrace and, by slightly delaying our departure, Eady and Joel joined our happy group. What a recovery effort—thanks to all involved!
WCRA’s FP7A unit #4069 had been deemed unsuitable to lead due to a fault in the event recorder and we had agreed to a pilot engine for the trip to assure that all would go without operational problems. Our hopes were for another classic engine, GMD-1 CN 1437. Then we received news CN planned to move a BC Rail engine working at Ridley Island to Prince George and this engine would be used. Sunday morning, however, found CN 5524 on the point. This is a GMD Model SD60F equipped with a full width ‘Draper Taper’ carbody. WCXX 4069 followed trailed by WCXX 1404. Power car Mac Donald Creek was next in line and four Great Canadian Railtour Co. coaches were bracketed by our ex CPR Mountain Observation Car Henry Pickering. (Consist below at Terrace, September 26, 2005)
We were pleased to have Chris Woods of Great Canadian Railtours as our Train Manager. Chris provided liaison between the WCRA volunteers and CN crews, he was also instrumental preparing the train for our guests. He conducted safety orientation for our volunteers and our guests and actively participated in guest activities. WCRA’s Mechanical Manager, Dave Thethi, arrived in Prince Rupert to assist in train preparation and kept the head end power in fine order.
Railway operating rules did not permit photo runbys due to trackside risks, but we were pleased when CN 5524 was cutoff after arriving in Smithers to afford a photo opportunity of WCXX 4069 leading the consist of six coaches.
We continued along CN’s north line, arriving Prince George on Monday afternoon. Here CN 5524 was cutoff and replaced by the former BC Rail Starlight Dinner Train engine #601 before backing into the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum. 601’s paint job is similar to our #4069’s tuscan and gray and blended in much better on the head end. Our guests were greeted by museum staff and volunteers and were conducted through tours of the extensive railway collection at the museum.
The consist departed the museum site in care of a Yard Crew to be “wyed” or turned for the BC Rail interchange. The train then returned to the museum where it remained for cleaning and overnight security. Tuesday morning the CN Yardmen moved our train to the care of a BC Rail crew and we boarded and headed southbound.
There was some delay getting out of Prince George and, at times, #601 did not seem up to the task, slowing to 15MPH on grades. Extensive trackwork also contributed to delays arriving in Exeter two hours late. Generally, our guests love trains and were not overly concerned, however, they were disappointed in the decision not to visit the Quesnel Museum due to BC Rail operating conditions. We stayed at the Hills Health Ranch on Tuesday night enjoying a wonderful barbeque and morning buffet.
Wednesday morning September 29, eighty-eight local folks from 100 Mile House joined us for a journey to Lillooet before returning home by bus. We were delighted with the enthusiasm and support from this local community.
#601 continued to labour and we fell behind schedule again, arriving at Whistler two hours late, but enjoying the spectacular scenery of the trip down the Fraser Canyon into Lillooet and the ride along the lakes and up the hill into Whistler.
(Seton Lake photo, Colin Dathan)
The final day, September 30, 2004. Joined by another group of 33 day trippers from Squamish, we boarded at Whistler for the great ride down the Cheakamus Canyon and into Squamish. This was to be the final cap to five days of spectacular weather, and it did not disappoint. Everyone was aboard for the 0900 departure from Mons and we were off. The Cheakamus Canyon did not disappoint (Tomo’o Oshikawa photo)
Just before Squamish, BC Rail 601 was relocated and cut in behind WCXX 1404, (photo page 21 at Brackendale, Tomo’o Oshikawa) allowing WCXX FP7A #4069 to make the final grand entry into Logger’s Lane where we greeted by the Squamish Nation as we off loaded the train. The first passenger train in two years along CN’s former BC Rail line had arrived at its destination, and pulled to a stop right where the Royal Hudson train used to terminate. We were a little late from the engine swap, but delighted with what had been a great trip.
From here we were escorted to the Howe Sound Brew Inn for lunch, then for short visit to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, a ride on mini rail, a visit to the Business Car British Columbia and the Royal Hudson completed the tour itinerary. Our guests departed by bus at 2:00 PM for various destinations in Vancouver and their return home.
From all of us at the West Coast Railway Association to all of the dedicated folks who supported this adventure, a very big Thank You.
The train also received some good media coverage and was featured on the front page of the 100 Mile House Free Press, with a photo of a young lady climbing aboard. On board the train from Whistler to Squamish, Dean Richards shot extensive video coverage for Squamish Cable 10 and interviewed many of our guests. Executive Director Don Evans did a live segment as we rolled through the canyon for Mountain FM, and the Squamish Chief ran a cover photo of the train after its arrival in Squamish. Thanks to all of these for their help in raising the awareness of the tour and the opportunity to talk about the future prospects for passenger rail on the Sea to Sky Corridor.
TRAIN OBSERVATIONS ALONG THE ROUTE—NORTH COUNTRY TOUR
- by Colin Dathan
VIA Malahat 199/198 24 Sept. 2004, Victoria to Courtenay (& return)
RDC-1 6148 (leading northbound)
RDC-1 6135 (leading southbound)
North Coast Explorer Equipment returning to various maintenance centres, consist departing Prince Rupert 26 September as CN train 616:
CN GF-638B 5524 (SD60F)
WCXX FP7A 4069 (Engine running, at idle, not trainlined)
WCXX FP7A 1404 (Shut down)
WCXX 9622 Power/Baggage Car MacDonald Creek
Coach RMR 5722
Coach RMR 5720
Coach RMR 5716
Coach RMR 5707
WCXX 598 The Henry Pickering (formerly Mt. Garibaldi)
26 Sept Prince George to Smithers and 27 Sept Smithers to Prince George, train CN 616 the same consist both days.
The only meet during the 2 days on the CN North line was Via Rail’s Skeena westbound at Endako, 27 September:
F40PH #6440
Coach 8616
Coach 4001
Glass topped Observation Car (ex BC Rail) 1722
Coach 4003
Dome Observation car 8710 Prince Albert Park
In Prince George Loco 5524 was replaced by BC Rail 601, Pacific Starlight CRS-20 4 axle loco (Cat Powered) for the 3 subsequent days. (Including wyeing the train, storage over night in the Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum & negotiating the CN/BC Rail interchange (which is being reworked)) Train number 616 was then replaced by identification BC Loco 601 for the trip south on CN’s former BC Rail route.
Schedule was 28 Sept Prince George to Exeter, 29 September Exeter to Whistler and 30 September Whistler to passing track MP 49.5 on the Squamish sub where the power consist was revised to the following for the entry into the down town Squamish station (On Cleveland Avenue where the Royal Hudson used to stop).
FP7A 4069 - Pulling the train
FP7A 1404 - shut down
BC Rail 601 - idling but not trainlined
Cars as before.
Meets/Passes 28/29/30 Sept (on former BC Rail track Prince George to Squamish)
28 September, 2004
Followed freight ex Prince George & overtook at Macalister (it arrived at Williams Lake as Train 601 was leaving after getting new train orders).
BCR Dash 9-44CW 4646
BC Rail Dash 8-40CM 4604
7 freight cars. (some switching completed en-route, notably at Dunkley)
29 September, 2004
Meet at Pavilion on the Lillooet Sub:
BCR Dash 9-44CW 4652
BCR Dash 8-40CM 4610
72 Freight cars, all apparently empties
Meet at Lillooet on the Squamish Sub:
BCR Dash 9-44CW 4649
BCR Dash 8-40CM 4603
80 Freight cars, all apparently empties
30 September, 2004
Meet at McGuire on the Squamish Sub:
BCR Dash 8-40CM 4601
BCR Dash 8-40CM 4609
BCR Dash 9-44CW 4641
85 Freight cars, all apparently empties
In Squamish the train was broken up after arrival
Loco 4069, cars WCXX 9622 & 598 to be switched into the West Coast Heritage Park
Loco 1404 to Southern Rail in New Westminster
RMR coaches 5707, 5716, 5720, & 5724 to Vancouver where they were to be moved to Kamloops on a regular Rocky Mountaineer scheduled train.
As a final parting—we offer this shot of the train after arrival in downtown Squamish by Ron Anstey — a great sight indeed!
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