This was the second year of direct involvement of the West Coast Railway Association as the

Roy family wind down from their direct management of the show. The Western Rails Committee remains active and responsible for all show arrangements with new assistance from enthusiastic WCRA volunteers.

Directly responsible for organizing and registering this year’s participants were Dave Emmington (Show Chairman), Mary and Paul Roy, Patty Roy, Nini and Dave Durward, Kevin Dunk, Ralph New, Bill Marchant, Bob Gartin, June Garrett, Beve and Bob Bowman, Kathy and Bill Dixon, Bob Webster, Dave Manzer, Gerry Wolfe, Barbara and Robert Moore, Kathy & John Cox and Jeremy Davy (who will be the chair of the 2004 show). We also wish to thank other friends who helped set up the hall and accepted duties during the show. Doug Hicks has been a regular for several years, George Massey, Bob Spencer, Donna Simon, Kayla Simon as the "hand stamp official", Dick Sutcliffe, Al Mitchell and Terry Moore.

WCRA volunteers assisting the show committee were Faye and John Lighthall, Bruce McKay, Barbara Brown and Glen Wideman. Tom Pruden assisted Walter Pruden with the delivery of Walter’s live steamer, engine 374. Super Chief Doug May, Little Chief Curtis Tyler and Dennis Roy worked to set up the mini rail track and operated Mary Roy’s engine all day to the joy of kids of all ages. Kelly Noakes, Bruce Wilson and Kirsten Roy also helped with mini rail, the proceeds of which were turned over to the Royal Hudson Preservation Fund.

The West Coast Railway Association venue also promoted the Royal Hudson Preservation effort and displayed recently acquired steam engine artifacts. The display was headed up by Bill Marchant. Glen Wideman and Sherry Elchuk provided able assistance from the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Several WCRA members attended the show, Ryan Cruickshank, Bernie Tully, Harold Holtby and Bill Marchant hosted many interested guests. Bill Johnston and Gord Hall dropped in with promotions for the West Coast Rail Tours. Nini Durward conducted a Royal Hudson raffle and was seen trying to sell a bucketfull of steam (and she did, raising over $500!). Others mentioned also did double duty at the WCRA venue.

WCRA members Lavina and Earl Shaw and several Morse Telegraphers demonstrated their skills and lifelong love. The Toy Train Operating Society operated a flurry of trains on their elevated trackwork.

Heritage and preservation were well represented, the Kamloops Heritage Railway (CNR 2141), Friends of (streetcar) 1223, TRAMS, B.C. Steam Society and the Alberni Pacific Railway participated. The Surrey Museum promoted their displays and speaker series, "Railways Run Through It".

We are grateful for support and prize donations from the Southern Railway of British Columbia, West Coast Express, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, Art Knapp’s Train Department, Charlie’s Chocolates, Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, The Hobby Shop, Pacific Scale Rail, Central Hobbies, On Track Hobbies, Van Hobbies, The Backshop, C.N.R., Operation Lifesaver, New China Kitchen, Moorefield Collectibles, BNSF, Grinnel/Tyco Fire, West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Union Station Video and Pacific Northern Rail Contractors.

A growth in attendance of 500 over previous years is due in a large part to media coverage. Paul Roy was interviewed trackside by Shaw Cable and featured on a cover page story in the Burnaby NewsLeader. The NOW newspapers in Burnaby and the Tri Cities also featured Western Rails with photos and listings in their Community Calendars. CTV’s Tamara Taggart promoted the event as did TV Guide and radio stations CKNW and CISL.

The show was a lot of work, but the efforts of everyone involved made it a success and all worth while. My thanks to all who helped and best wishes to Jeremy and the Western Rails Committee for success in 2004.