SINGH BILN TO LEAD 2860 PROJECT

Some very exciting news this month is that J.S. (Singh) Biln, P. Eng., long with the British Columbia Railway / BC Rail, and most recently CN’s Manager—Corporate Affairs in North Vancouver, will join WCRA in February 2005 and lead the repair project for Royal Hudson #2860.

Singh will become WCRA’s Manager—Major Projects. In this role, Singh will report to the WCRA’s Board of Directors through the Executive Director, and be responsible for the leadership of two or three major projects as determined by the board each year. He will be based at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, and will also be a member of the WCRA’s leadership team (Operating Committee).

Three major projects for 2005 are identified:

  1. Royal Hudson #2860 – Singh will be the project manager, working with our steam advisor Doyle McCormack and leading staff working on the boiler and other repairs to make the locomotive operable once again.
  2. RDC BC 33 – lead the team of contracted staff to repair Budd car BC 33 and return it to serviceable condition by mid 2005.
  3. Turntable installation – (subject to funding) , provide technical and engineering assistance to the design and installation team to install the turntable at the Heritage Park.


Singh will be well known to many of you. He has been active in the past in many facets of the WCRA, and has been a strong advocate and resource for us in the railway over the years. A resident of Squamish, he retired from CN effective January 14, 2005 after 28 railway years .

Singh brings to WCRA a vast array of railway experience, and is well qualified for his new role with us. During his years with BC Rail, he held a number of senior project engineering and management positions, including being the railway’s Chief Mechanical Officer. Most recently he has been Assistant to the President and Manager of Corporate Affairs for the railway. Of particular interest to us are several things—first that we now have a Professional Engineer on our staff. Singh led the Budd Car re-engineering and modernization program for BC Rail, and designed the upgrade electronics and electrical systems. He also had extensive leadership roles with both the BC Rail steam program and was the project manager for BC Rail with CPR’s rebuild of Hudson #2816. Throw in his experience with passenger car equipment, locomotives and power systems and we have a great new resource.

Please join with me in welcoming Singh to the WCRA in his new role. We look forward to his ability to lead us forward on our major projects, starting with the high profile Royal Hudson repairs.

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