Train aficionados young and old lined the rails at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park on Saturday (Sept. 29) to transport their senses to the past. The hot kettle whistle and big bursts of steam from the world famous Royal Hudson steam locomotive marked one year since the train's resurrection.
"People from all over the world come to see her," said carman Dwayne Potter. "It's majestic, a thing from years past you never really see anymore. It's of a time gone by when things were simple."
Built in 1940, the train is one of the last five steam locomotives of the famed Hudson class, now incorporating the latest steam technology. After carrying tourists between Squamish and North Vancouver from 1974 and 1999, the province decided the train was on its last wheels because of much needed boiler repairs.
In 2002, the West Coast Railway Association and the District of Squamish assumed responsibility for the steamer and, through intense fundraising and dedicated volunteers, fired the old girl up again one year ago. Since its return to the burner, the train has attracted international attention, said Heritage Park employee Wallace Audley.
"We get Germans and English here every day and they're over the moon. There was even a German television crew here the other day so one day we'll be on German national telly."
At the park, however, visitors were able to witness the train's details firsthand. Some took a ride around the grounds and others, like 10-year-olds Sam and George Sherlock, were even able to grab hold of the whistle.
"They just love trains," said their mother. "They've graduated from Thomas [the Tank Engine] to electric trains now."
Lucky for the boys, the Skeena River model railway car was open, where volunteer modelers put in months of work to transform the car into a model train world of extensive detail.
"People are so passionate about trains," said Heritage Park manager Sherry Elchuk. "Train fans are a truly unique breed."
The Heritage Park has 80 cars dating back as far as 1890. The WCRA continues to develop the grounds to simulate an historical town central, and is also running an education program for elementary students. Over $12 million has been invested.
