I was riding SkyTrain last week for the first time in a year. My brother and his wife were my guides, and as I entered the tunnel into downtown Vancouver my mind went back to my CPR days when the tunnel was used to get from the Cambie St. yards to the CPR station and yard on the waterfront. I well recall many long waits at Carrall and Hastings before the tunnel was built, when trains took the surface route across the city. The people, the city , and the CPR got together as traffic tie ups worsened and the tunnel was the result. It was a big deal at the time, as they blasted away until it was built. Now we speed through it on SkyTrain.
I remember in my early railway years (1939), after a full day of switching cars at the waterfront, that the crew foreman told us one day we could have an early quit. The yardmaster needed us to take a long drag through the tunnel over to the Cambie yards. So, we backed up and hooked onto the cars and headed for the tunnel. The dwarf signal light went from red to green (clear board) so we highballed through the tunnel. I had built a good fire in the firebox because you could not throw in any green coal inside the tunnel or you would get gassed out!
Our engine was 0-6-0 #6262, a small yard goat. We were doing about 25 mph and the engine was really working hard when , all of a sudden, the flues burst from too much effort and we were dead in about five minutes. It was dark and black in the tunnel, there were no lights at all. We had to let the head end brakeman walk out to the dispatch office under the north end of the Cambie St. bridge. He reported our predicament and the yardmaster sent in 2-8-0 #6940. Finally, after about 2 1/2 hours we were in the fresh air again - so much for early quit!
The CPR is the railway that united all of Canada together with the arrival of the first train here in Vancouver in 1887. Still today, people are riding the rails to the future and all across the west. West Coast Railway is all about trains and their history. I fondly recall all the wonderful times I have had over the years with WCRA and hope to continue for many more to come.
I don’t get out as easily as I once did, and WCRA News is now my report every month. Its hard for me to get to Squamish, but thanks to members like Alan Cruickshank I do get out to many of the general meetings in Burnaby. WCRA is still my best railway past and future.
I am also a member of the Friends of 374, the engine that pulled that first transcontinental train into Vancouver. The new site at the foot of Davie (Pacific Boulevard) is wonderful and the people there are all rail buffs. I also always fondly remember my trips on the Rocky Mountaineer and the special moments provided by CEO Peter Armstrong to me when I have been along. It is possibly the very best railway experience I have had in recent years.
My days in the caboose 1817 at Cloverdale were also very special to me. We had a small but busy rail display there, and local people as well as many USA visitors stopped by over the years. Some times I couldn't get them to leave “my caboose”. Many WCRA members would also come by, and when Dave Emmington made buns and beans we always drew a crowd.
Last, but not least, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many WCRA members who keep in touch with me and come to visit or phone from time to time. While I was in Eagle Ridge hospital after my stroke, I thought I had “bought the farm”. But all the WCRA people who came, such as George, Don & Deb, John and so many others, kept me in this world. Thanks to all of you for helping keep me on track.
