Monday, April 19 at BC Rail's North Vancouver station, ticket in hand, off for a day trip ride to Lillooet and back. Amazingly, I haven't done this trip in a couple of years - it really is time! The station is bustling with activity, a full train is promised with a camp group of kids headed to Cheakamus and the North Shore Outdoor Camp. The group is boarded first and then we all climb aboard our two car RDC train, BC 33 up front and BC 15. The front RDC 3 is full and we have about a 60% load in the RDC 1.

Two toots and we pull out on the advertised at 0700, sliding through North Vancouver yard and out under the Lions Gate bridge. The scenery is always a delight and it starts right away, as we leave the Horseshoe Bay tunnel breakfast is served (choice of pancakes or egg benedict). The egg is like an open face Egg McMuffin, but satisfies and is quite ok. We roll out of Squamish and past the Heritage Park right on schedule and stop to detrain the campers at Cheakamus in the rain. At Whistler at 0934 lots more get off, but several board as well.

There is still some snow as we cruise the Whistler Valley and then descend the steep grade into Pemberton, where we back into the wye after a brief stop at the station. Sure enough, through comes a southbound freight with two Dash 8's on the point, a four unit set of SD's including a lease HLCX unit mid train, then the normal Dash 8 mid train unit further back. As the helpers pass they are in run 8 as the train is already tackling the 2% plus grade.

Further north, the rural nature of this daily train unfolds as it has for years. Lots of brief stops for mail delivery and local transportation make life on this segment of the Prospector very interesting. At Marne, a small bag of mail to a single gentleman who heads off up the hill on an ATV. Seton, South Shalalth, Shalalth and all the points along the lakes, and then the final glide into Lillooet five minutes ahead of schedule at 1230.

The weather isn't cooperating for walking, the rain and wind are not too pleasant, so its time for lunch and a walk to the Museum, which unfortunately isn't open. So its back to the station to await the train's southbound departure. A tour group of Koreans arrives on a large bus and prepares for a rail trip, there will be a good crowd on board again.

With BC 33 and BC 15 positioned at the platform, we await the arrival of the Prince George section, which arrives on time with BC 31 and BC 14. The Korean group goes into the front section along with local passengers, us North Vancouver passengers board BC 31 and settle in for the trip. We depart on time at 1520, but via an unusual route as we back to the mainline, then run through the Lillooet yard to get around freight 4601 south.

Once again, the train has a good load and we enjoy the run south along the lakes. Dinner is served and is very adequate, we continue into Whistler, arriving 1810 on time. There is lots of activity here, as the Koreans disembark and a large crowd boards in their place. Interestingly, the Whistler station has been closed in and is now staffed for check in - lots of Whistler traffic it would appear. We depart 1816 and continue on our way, through Squamish at 1924k.

The line is busy as we continue to North Vancouver, meeting freight 4620 north at Brunswick then taking the siding at Horseshoe Bay where we meet the evening hotshot behind Dash 8 #4612 / B36-7 #3607 with Dash 9 #4644 mid train. Back on the mainline, we roll the last miles into North Vancouver, arriving slightly early at 2055k after a most enjoyable and relaxing day.

Try Prospecting yourself - it makes for a pleasurable day with fantastic scenery to boot.