There is nothing like the passage of time to add interest and value to historic railway equipment.

I see in the Flimsies that another BC Interurban has gone home to the area that it was once operated.

BC Electric #1304 is a wood and steel Interurban that has been at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum for something like 50 years.

Another similar Interurban was purchased by a Surry, BC group a few years ago from the Orange Empire Railway Museum. They have now put over 10,000 hours of volunteer time into restoring the Interurban.

As usual the newspaper did make it clear if the #1304 is going to the same group as has been working on the former Orange Empire car.

I saw the start up phase of the BC Interurban line at Grandville Island a few years ago. If they can get over the ever present in-fighting that seems to be going on; then it should be quite an interesting operation on some original right of way.

Ted Miles

I do have a question concerning this car: for a time, at least, 1304 was reported to be actually owned by Seashore Trolley Museum and was held by OERHS on some kind of long-term loan. Does anyone involved with this project know whether Seashore still technically owns the car, and if not, about when they relinquished ownership to one of the local groups in the Pacific Northwest?

Hi,

My understanding was that Seashore and the museum at Brooks came to an mutual agreement and #1304 was returned to BC for a sum of cash that benefited both museums.

Karl Johnson

Ted
I do hope you are talking about DHR re in fighting, because as a founding member and board member of the FVHRS our group, IMHO, is a model of harmonious group action.
BTW, 1304 made a successful trip to our location (close to its original route) and will have an opportunity to make its first public showing this weekend as the WCR's Royal Hudson steam train will be stopping at our location to allow its passengers to view the two cars. (http://www.fvhrs.com)
PS As mentioned Seashore and Oregon came to mutual agreement with 1304's new owner.

Robert Ashton, vice chair, FVHRS

Attachment is from Bob Webster collection

Not knowing much about the Vancouver preservation stuff and looking into it, I think DHR means Downtown Historic Railway. That one is interesting too, and from all appearances it is doing well in their newsletter.
http://www.trams.bc.ca/index.html

Balancing the interests of a varied group requires much effort and openness. Apparently with the Trams group in BC... they have gas bus fans, electric bus fans, an operating department for an interurban car, restoration activities, City involvement with (funds for line extensions, restoration, and maintenance), and sponsorship by the local transit company. In addition, they are preparing for the 2010 winter Olympics! Obviously there is overlap in all of these areas for people to be involved, but it does seem like a lot of cooks in the kitchen. I know there are other museums that have as many or more activities going on. The trick is to keep the pot simmering, but not to boil over! Inevitably there are boil-ups, and most of the time things settle back down after a while.

It's my observation that single-focus groups seem to do better at keeping the peace. In part because there is an agreed agenda at the get-go.

Congratulations are in order for FVRHS in bringing a second BCERy car home. As one of the Orange Empire volunteers who helped prepare 1225 for loading, I've been following the progress on that car's restoration, assured that it has found a good home.
That's a great photo of the crane hoisting the body of 1304 (should we call it "The Duke"?) like a model railroader rerailing an HO or G scale car. Nothing like having the right equipment for the job.

I got my new copy of the Dispatch yesterday after I asked about the car #1304
and they mentioned that the Seashore board of Trustees had radified and agreement between the Oregon electric Railway Museum and the people in Surry British columbia
about the car.

The purchase price was to be split between Oregon and Seashore.

As I said it is good for an Interurban to be returned to its home territory. And hopfully it will get to running again some day. I liked what I saw at Grandville Island.

Ted Miles