The whole saga got underway on Sunday, April 30 as the WCRA consist prepared to depart Squamish for SRY New Westminster in a transfer move on CN. After a bit of a delay with the brakes on 4069 (turned out to be an electrical fault in the 2860's "modern" electronics communications system and not the F unit) we were on our way. The train looked real pretty coming out of Squamish on the sunny morning with Hudson #2860, FP7A 4069, generator car WCXX 9622 MacDonald Creek, coach WCXX 5652 Capilano, coach WCXX 5596 Paul D Roy, and open car WCXX 598 Henry Pickering. (Photo, Squamish Trevor Mills)

"Long gone are the days from 30 years ago when I used to watch the Royal Hudson make its way past Ambleside Park and the West Vancouver seawall each summer day, listening to its mournful whistle and waving at the passengers on board.  Also long gone are the road trips with Dave Wilkie from twenty years ago when we used to chase the train along Howe Sound to Squamish and back, stopping at the Klahanie Inn for a burger and the obligatory butter tarts while the train laid over on Logger's Lane.  But this morning, I got to do it all over again.

In those days I didn't own a car, my camera was a $30.00 Instamatic, and the highway was two lanes undivided.  I found myself reflecting on the old days as I drove north to Porteau, this time in my own car, on what is essentially a brand new highway, and for the first time in my life with a decent camera at the ready.  I had hoped to duplicate the B.C. Travel Bureau photograph at Porteau (a telephoto view of it coming around the bend with the snow-capped mountains behind), but where once there were weeds barely as high as the rails, there are now trees as tall as the train.  I would have to settle for a photo from the other side of the tracks, which was just as well because what had so often been a mid-afternoon photo was now a morning shot. 

Howe Sound looked fabulous in the morning sunshine, with sparkling water and distant snow-capped mountains.  Presently the track patrol came along – not the familiar putt-putt of the old Fairmont M19 speeders, but a quiet white CN hi-rail pickup.  And then I heard it – that familiar whistle not heard in so long, then the plume of crisp white steam above the trees obscuring our view, and then around the bend she came, and into my viewfinder.  In a moment she was past, leaving me to revel in the smell of a working steam locomotive.  This time, however, something was different.  As Trevor Mills would explain to me, 2860 was running on diesel fuel instead of Bunker C, and the result was very similar to the smell of the coal-burning locomotives I frequently see back in England. (photo, Porteau, Tim Horton)

Here there was a CN crew change and on to New Westminster. The trip continued as planned until the New Westminster bridge, where it had been the plan to wye the consist and back in to SRY. That was not to be, however, so the train continued to CN Thornton and travelled the loop track, ending up later in the afternoon at SRY but facing in the wrong direction. That had to be corrected later in the week when SRY ran the power consist to the bridge and wyed the locos, now all was set.

Sunday May 2 dawned a nice morning, dry and just the right temperature. The train had been assembled and was being prepared, with the WCRA consist plus three loaned Rocky Mountaineer Red Leaf coaches (thanks RMV). The guests started arriving at the Fraser River Discovery Centre where Executive Director Catherine Ouellet-Martin and her staff had graciously opened early for our guests each day to let the centre serve as a check in point where our guests enjoyed the exhibits as well as muffins and coffee before boarding. At 0930 we moved outside to witness the grand arrival of the train. It was a sold out crowd of around 325 passengers plus many onlookers from the area. Among those aboard was New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright, as the event was also a part of the New Westminster 150 celebrations. Naturally he handed out pins to everyone as the trip progressed!

At 0940, right on schedule, #2860 appeared to the west, and put on a grand show as she steamed around the curve and into place along the Front Street Parkade for boarding. Many photos were shot here, the overpass afforded a great view. (Photo May 2, Deb Sankey)

Across the Fraser River, and the show began as we dropped to the Scott Road crossing, then began the assault on the Kennedy Hill—with its grade to 2.8%. There were throngs of onlookers at every vantage point, The 2860 slipped a couple of times, then dug in to chug up the grade with stack talk that railfans said was louder than they ever heard her before. (photo back cover, Trevor Mills) The skill of the steam crew (Mark Liggins, Jim Bogdan and Andy Faris) got us up the hill—and with quite a show! (Photo, May 3, Ken Storey)

Up next was the steep downgrade of the Bear Creek Hill, 2.6%, towards Sullivan Station and then the flats on to Cloverdale. This was one of my favourite parts of the ride, as once clear of the grade we picked up speed and did some real nice mainline running at track speed. Now the sounds of the steam train moving at a nice clip on the well maintained jointed rail evoked classic sounds and memories. Across the Serpentine River, and then curving across Highway 10 was particularly special as the onlookers stopped to see—and then paced us along Highway 10. (Photo May 2, Ken Storey)

The FVRHS put on a really good show for everyone, we were able to see the fine restoration work on BC Electric Railway interurban #1225, as well as the very recently arrived BCER 1304 (see cover). The group's goal is to operate interurban service in the Fraser Valley once again, starting as early as next year. (photo page 27, Deb Sankey)

We reboarded the train and headed for New Westminster. Now we had to tackle the 2.6% grade, and here it was a bit of a struggle. The 2860 worked hard with some help from the F unit, but we had not considered that, operating in reverse, the sanders on the steam loco were only partly effective. However, once again she dug in and conquered the grade, her stack talk bouncing off surrounding buildings making and incredible sound for all to hear.

Sunday May 3 dawned a surprisingly lovely morning, as rain had been forecast and had blown through with a fury overnight. As a result of yesterday's run, and the prospect of wet rails, a decision to add an SRY unit to the consist was made and Chief Mechanical Officer, Singh Biln, appropriately arranged for GP9 #124—the unit that was modeled in 7 1/2" gauge for our West Coast Mini Rail and built for us by Shane Carr (who was aboard on the Saturday trip).

The routine was the same as yesterday, and came off without a hitch. The train steamed in at 0940 on the New Westminster waterfront with 2860 / 4069 / 124 for power and the same consist. A sold out crowd of 340 boarded and we were off. The difference was on the Kennedy Hill where great conditions and more power saw us march up the hill at 17 mph, again the show was incredible.

Arrival at Cloverdale was a bit early, and this time the 2860 backed us right in without first disconnecting affording our passengers about 15 extra minutes for their community stop and lunch. The 2860 was watered again, and then returned to the boarding point solo on the west end of the train. When we departed, she backed us out to the mainline where SRY 124 / FP7A 4069 were added, and we were off.

Again, a good stop at the FVRHS at Sullivan, then a smooth ride up the hill, through Surrey and into New Westminster arriving right on schedule at 1500 hours. Couldn't have been better.

It was a wonderful two day outing for the Royal Hudson, and internet postings and video clips were already out. Comments were all good and the feedback from our guests aboard as well as those we worked with all positive. The Royal Hudson performed very well, and the braking interface problems were gone. As we go to press, the 2860 and consist are new being readied for the May 12 inaugural trip of this year's Whistler Mountaineer, which will be covered in our next issue.

There are many to thank—let's start with our railway partners. To Southern Railway of BC, our sincere thanks for hosting these two trips. Aboard the train from SRY were President Frank Butzelaar, VP Ken Doiron, COO Dewie Knisely, CMO Sigh Biln, and VP Southern Vancouver Island Don McGregor. Of course, SRY pilot crews also operated with both trips and they were said to have had quite a "blast" with the unique assignment, and many people in the shops area got involved as well. Thanks to them all.

To CN, our appreciation for handling the transfer moves of the Royal Hudson and consist from Squamish to New Westminster on April 30, and then return from New Westminster to North Vancouver on May 10. These came under the assistance of Superintendent Charles Ables and Assistant Superintendent Bruce Feltham and their operating pilot crews.

To Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, thanks for the loan of the three coaches to add capacity for the two SRY trips (which we filled up with two sell outs) and appreciation to James Terry, Gord Miller, and Hubert Wat and their staffs for helping make the trips a success as well as for the May 12 inaugural run arrangements for the Whistler Mountaineer.

To the WCRA volunteers who operated things very professionally—Bill & Sylvia Johnston / Aileen de la Torre who handled the bookings and the guest check in, Dave Emmington who handled the on board staff on the train both days, Arlone & Shawna Emmington, Gordon and Karen Hall and family Michelle, Tim and Charlotte who looked after the catering as well as on board snacks, Craig & Nora McDowall / Lisa Flatla and Karen Moodie for providing and selling the souvenirs, and coach attendants Terry Dougan, Ron Pajala, Bill Johnston, Joe and Marietta Fischer, Keith & Vera Anderson, Jim Saunders and George Massey who helped our guests have an enjoyable experience.

To the 2860 Steam Crew, our lead hand Andy Faris, engineers Mark Liggins and Jim Bogdan, Gary Faris, Richard Courage, Warren Cowan who kept the 2860 lubricated and cleaned and our technical support crew of Dave Thethi and Tomo'o Oshikawa.

And to our partners in the operations—New Westminster 150 Celebrations, The Fraser River Discovery Centre and the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society.

Now, on to May 12 and a triumphant return to Squamish!