SteamFest 2008 will go down in the books as a great event. While we fell short of our goal of 5,000 visitors, we estimate around 2,500 enjoyed the show. And a great show it was, as we were entertained by the majestic Royal Hudson (with crew of Mark Liggins, Andy Faris, Warren Cowan, Richard Courage, John Jellis, Roy Crowston, Rob Payette).

Out in the parking area were fabulous steam shows, with two large steam traction engines on display (Geroge Hoffman), two smaller steam traction engines in operation (Randy Rae and BCSME Bill Mellors), a whistle manifold that delighted the kids as they made different steam whistle sounds (George Hoffman) and a steam powered saw that cut away at our giant log.

Guests were also treated to steam automobiles with Richard Roberts and Neil Brady Brown in the 1906 Stanley Steamer (wow– can it go!) and, from Vancouver Island, an 1899 Locomobile with Vern Wellburn (brought over from Duncan with Michael Jansson and Vicky from the BC Forest Museum at Duncan).

The West Coast Mini Rail was in full steam as well…..Jeremy Davy files this report:

The Mini Rail proved to be a very popular attraction thanks to the generous support of a group of Mini Rail Steam Locomotive owners, three of whom came up from Seattle. Good work by Tomo’o to improve the track in several areas made the running very good.

The Steam Engines / owners were BR 70000 Class - Britannia / Lindsay MacDonnell; British Industrial Loco – Wren / Bruce Wilson/; CPR H1a Hudson - #2816 / Shane Carr; Mogul - #73 / BCSME (operated by Edwin Bussey); American - #374 /Tom & Elaine Pruden. Up from Seattle were 0-6-0 Switcher - #99 / Ken Olsen and a Grasshopper / Al Von Rueden & Deane Bush (The Grasshopper was built from scratch by Al).

While some of the engines pulled passenger cars; others travelled “light-engine” adding to the atmosphere of Steam by their continuous presence on the track. One, CPR 374, as it has for a number of past Mini Rail events, spent the whole time trying to get its passengers to the Teddy Bear picnic.

The Steam Loco’s were supplemented by the park’s two electrics BCR#4601 & SRY #124 and BCR #646 loaned for the event by Mary Roy. Crewing the electrics were: Doug Bach; Len Brown; Jeremy Davy; Don Knudsen; John Lighthall; Roy Liden; George Massey; and D’Arcy Nelson. Trains were kept on schedule by the crew at Silver Fox - Donna Simon; Catherine Mac Donnell and Mary Roy. Paul Roy kept seasoned eye on the operations from Twin Cedars.

Despite some less than ideal weather over 1,350 visitors enjoyed the train ride and Garden Gauge Steam on the Garden Railway provided by volunteers from the Vancouver Garden Railway Club and running under the direction of Les Duke.

Special thanks to Bruce Wilson for doing emergency repairs on 4601 4 days before the event -can’t pull much with power on only 1 of 6 engines. Although not part of Mini Rail, I would also like to thank the BCSME Executive for the loan of their 1/2 Scale replica 1896 Case 64HP Traction Engine; Carl Vanderspek for transporting it to and from Squamish and Bill Mellors, George Massey & Edwin Bussey for operating it. (J.D.)

The exciting part about the event, was seeing so many people have so much fun. Even the rain on Saturday didn’t dampen the atmosphere as things kept right on humming along.

There was so much for everyone to do:

• The Royal Hudson departed hourly from the Mac Norris Station for steam train rides, and special trips to salute the passing Whistler m Mountaineer operated both days
• Cab rides on the 2860 were heavily subscribed (extra cost)
• Rides in the 1937 Ford were a delight (thanks to Jim Brown’s two sons Ron and Tom who came and drove the car both days)
• The Mini Rail ran non stop with lots of live steam
• The Garden Railway operated continuously with scale steam as well as other trains
• The 1906 Stanley Steamer (both days) and the 1899 Locomobile (Sunday) were a real hit as they chuffed around the site
• The two steam traction engines (BCSME and Randy Rae) were fun to watch and provided the steam to run the whistles and the steam saw
• The kids enjoyed the Howard Lyttle Park with the play train and the Bouncy Castle from Par-T Perfect
• In the carshop, the music of the Kettle Valley Brakemen was a welcome place to sit and relax a while
• The Lions Club of Squamish BBQ kept busy the whole time both days.
• All regular exhibits were open, thanks to volunteers who staffed the house (Faye Lighthall) and the British Columbia (Deb Sankey)

So—enjoy these photos by Don Evans as a sampling of all the things that went on, and when SteamFest comes up next be sure to be there!

Above, Royal Hudson train crew holds safety and planning meeting before starting off on Sunday’s trips with the Royal Hudson train. The train had coaches Paul D Roy and Capilano as consist, and departures were hourly from 1000 through 1700 each day. The train carried good passenger loads on every trip and cab rides were well subscribed. Added attractions were salutes to the Whistler Mountaineer and a “race” with the 1906 Stanley Steamer automobile (cover photo) .

Susan Steen files this closing note:

SteamFest, while over for now, continues to draw comments and the staff was well-served when volunteers and staff came together for lunch and a SteamFest de-brief last week in an effort to ensure that all ideas and suggestions for improvement for next year’s event were recorded.

We couldn’t have done it without the Mini-Rail volunteers (all of you!!), Les and the garden train volunteers, Ernie and Lynn Ledgerwood, Faye and John Lighthall, Sally and Keith Magee, John Jellis, Roy Crowston, Trevor Mills and his mom Marian, Colin Dathan and Judy, Lynne Kinnell, Don Evans and Deb Sankey, Jeremy Davy and Donna, George Hoffman, Randy Raye, Neil Brady-Brown, Michael Jansson, Bill Mellors, Carl Vanderspek, Nick, Chris Forget, WCRHP staff and so many more who provided us help in so many ways. (S.S.)

Our sponsors, CTV, Van Net Newspapers, Tim Hortons, and Greg Gardner GM – we couldn’t have done it without you all.

To all those who assisted, thank you all for your help and generosity.