[Bcma-l] Royal Hudson Press Release

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

*ROYAL HUDSON TO STEAM TO WHITE ROCK APRIL 15*

For Immediate Release:

*Vancouver, BC, April 9, 2007* - The world famous Royal Hudson steam 
locomotive #2860 will make its first “Special Event” outing for 2007, 
with a gala public excursion from Vancouver to White Rock and return on 
Sunday, April 15^th for the occasion of that city’s 50^th birthday 
celebrations. The train is set to depart Vancouver at 10:00AM and arrive 
in White Rock for the ceremonies at 12:00PM with a sold out crowd of 
more than 800 passengers. It will make a return trip later in the afternoon.

“British Columbian’s will once again delight to the sights and sounds of 
steam, as the classic Royal Hudson makes this historic outing”, said Don 
Evans, Executive Director of the West Coast Railway Association, which 
rebuilt and now cares for the locomotive. Those along the railway line 
between Squamish and North Vancouver may also see the train pass as it 
comes south on April 14, and heads north again April 16.

Plans for this icon of British Columbia tourism are for her now to play 
a role in occasional special event activities, such as this one 
happening in White Rock. Over future years many will be able to see and 
understand this piece of our history as she makes live appearances to 
various locations for other special event functions.

Royal Hudson #2860 carried tourists between North Vancouver and Squamish 
from 1974 until 1999, becoming one of British Columbia’s top 
attractions. After completing the 1999 season, however, the locomotive 
was not able to pass inspections for continued operation without major 
boiler work. She was pulled from service and set aside for this future 
work, but then put up for disposition by the Province in 2002. A joint 
proposal from the West Coast Railway Association and the District of 
Squamish was made and accepted. #2860 moved to the West Coast Railway 
Heritage Park, now the “home of the Royal Hudson” in that year. The 
boiler repair project started in 2004 and was completed in September 2006.

The West Coast Railway Association gratefully acknowledges the support 
and cooperation of BNSF Railway, CN and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations in 
the operation of this special event trip.

More information at www.wcra.org <http://www.wcra.org/> , or call: Don 
Evans, Executive Director

604-988-3435 res., 604-290-4633 cell executivedirector@wcra.org 
<mailto:executivedirector@wcra.org>

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