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BC Rail formally introduced its new Whistler Northwind tour train with a line tour in early April. On a cool and partly sunny
April 2 afternoon, invited guests were treated to a gala affair at the North Vancouver station. Decked out in blue bunting, the
station looked different from its normal utilitarian role.
There was carved beef and turkey for the guests, the compulsory speeches of welcome and congratulations, and then the new
train, led by B39-8E #1700 pulled forward and broke through the banner to inaugurate the service. It was a gala affair, and
then it was All Aboard! The guests climbed aboard for an inaugural run, a 1430 departure to Porteau.
The new train is very nice, and a beautiful addition to BC Rail's passenger services. Its earthy colours and well thought out
theme and design are apparent throughout the consist. On the way to Porteau, guests were treated to different cars as the trip
progressed and enjoyed chocolate delicacies. A film helicopter paced the train all the way, capturing the first promotional film
of the train in operation. Arrival at Porteau was at 1550 hours. (B.J.)
The Northwind at Pemberton, BC - Doug May Photo
The consist is all painted in the train's brown and gold scheme, including the locomotive which has the Whistler Northwind
logo in silver on the nose and sides. Motive power is recently received General Electric B39-8E #1700 and train consist is:
- Power car (former VIA / CN baggage car) created at BC Rail's steam shop
- Crew Sleeper (former VIA/CN sleeper Enfield, Pullman-Standard 1954), purchased from the Okanagan Wine train and
refurbished at Livingston, MT
- Panorama dome car built new by Colorado Railcar
- Panorama Lounge car former VIA/CN coach, purchased from Okanagan Wine Train
- Panorama dome car built new by Colorado Railcar
- Kitchen / Diner twin unit set former Union Pacific, ACF 1953, refurbished by Northern Railcar in Milwaukee, WI
- Summit dome car built new by Colorado railcar
- Summit observation round end car, former Florida East Coast Bay Biscayne, Budd 1939
Following the inaugural run to Porteau, the train continued north towards Prince George with stops along the line for a
public relations tour. It arrived in Prince George on April 4, and then returned south on a two day schedule, arriving
back at North Vancouver April 6. The train is pictured below in a photo by Doug May, taken April 3 at Pemberton. The
Pemberton station has been redone as it will serve as the train's Whistler depot guests will bus into Whistler village from
here.
BC Rail has taken a professional and aggressive development on this new rail tourism product, and intends that it pay
off. The company has invested not just in the train and its development, but also in its marketing and service plan. Goals
are for 6,000 guests this year and for the new service to be profitable from operations by year three. It is BC Rail's largest
passenger product development to date and has received good response from travel promoters around the world. In
addition to BC Rail itself, the Whistler Northwind will generate economic spin offs to communities along the line to the
tune of $3 million per season . Additional tourism expenditures through tour add-ons could generate another $20 million
in the province. Without doubt, British Columbia is the passenger rail capital of North America and the Whistler
Northwind adds another new product to our rails.
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