At 7:45 the train reversed past the gathering throng to reveal the Royal Hudson on the point. After a show of blowing steam enhanced by the cold damp atmosphere number 2860 pulled ahead with FP7A 4069 in reverse mode - in turn followed by the usual gleaming Whistler Mountaineer consist. WCRA’s open car Henry Pickering was in its central place of pride newly painted and ready for another season. Bringing up the tail end was WCRA’s vintage maroon coach set: Paul D. Roy, Capilano and our power car MacDonald Creek.

Following a brief ceremony by The Armstrong Group’s VIPs welcoming those assembled – and acknowledging WCRA’s involvement, some 200 Whistler Mountaineer guests and 80 WCRA joiners were boarded and ready to go at 8:30 AM. Being ready doesn’t mean you go, however, as we had to wait at least 20 minutes for a late arriving tour bus.

Once underway the Royal Hudson steadily pulled us along West Vancouver’s shoreline up the winding hill through Canada’s most expensive real estate and then through the Horseshoe Bay tunnel. Finally at a steady 25 mph we enjoyed the ride so many experienced prior to 1999 when the sight of a steam locomotive pulling us around the curves along Howe Sound were a fond memory. (see cover photo)

Two hours later we pulled into the Squamish station (Photo page 25, Trevor Mills) where the WCRA “joiners” disembarked, ran ahead to catch loco photos then waited for the shuttle to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. The Royal Hudson and F unit were disconnected as were the maroon cars, and the Whistler Mountaineer was on its way to its namesake village.

A warm welcome to the park from Susan Steen and a Tim Horton’s lunch was followed by a visit to the displays, mini-rail rides and a purchase or two in the station gift shop. By 1:30 PM we had boarded our coaches supplied by the Blue and White Bus and Coach Co. for the return to North Vancouver and other stops.