Word from out West is that BCRail ex CPR 3716 2-8-0 is out of service (likely for the season) due to defective crown sheet.

This leaves BC's Royal Hudson excursions dieselized for 2001 as 2860 is awaiting major overhaul not having operated all of last year.

Too bad as this will seriously affect Tourists wanting to ride behind steam. I understand last year many people demanded refunds when they found no steam and worse yet overseas tourists were cancelling their vacations to BC!

It remains to be seen if BC will get another steam engine from somewhere.


http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains
oldtimetrains@rrmail.com

Why doesn't the BC Train try and rent one of the big west coast steamers, like the SP&S 700 or one of the SP Pacifics down in California. They'd probably enjoy a chance to let the engines get out and roll again.

Thanks, Taylor

thrush@smt-net.com

didn't 6060 run as a guest engine on that line a few years ago? Seems like a good opportunity for 6060 to stretch her legs if shes servicable (I believe so) and a deal can be arranged.

> didn't 6060 run as a guest engine on that
> line a few years ago? Seems like a good
> opportunity for 6060 to stretch her legs if
> shes servicable (I believe so) and a deal
> can be arranged.
6060 was a big hit on BC Rail just after Expo 86 but her wheel base was just a bit too long for comfortable operations on the railroad at the time. As I understand it 6060 is committed to several excursions on the Central Western out of Stettler Alberta this year. BC Rail has entered into an operating agreement with the West Coast Railway Heritage Park at Squamish to lease thier ex-CPR FP-7 #4069 for the entire season this year. Also on the train will be the restored ex-CPR Mountain Observation car "Mount Garibaldi". (ex-CPR #598) For photos of #4069 go to the WCRHP web site.


grantf@apexmail.com