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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
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Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
By Don Evans - Photos courtesy West Coast Railway Association
Nestled in the beauty of the Squamish Valley, just on the north side of the town itself is a wonderful but not that well-known attraction called the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Surrounded by spectacular mountain vistas, it is a most unique and beautiful setting for what started out to be a railway museum - but today has expanded considerably in scope.
The Heritage Park tells the story of how Western Canadian communities were often located and developed by the arrival of the railways. This is a story unique to the west, where railways did more than just connect communities; rather the communities themselves established and grew around the station and the tracks. The layout of the Heritage Park sets this in context as a typical small town built around the railway station. There are more than 12 acres to explore with many buildings as well as the trains themselves. You are welcome to climb aboard.
The Heritage Park tells its historical stories through Canada's second largest collection of railway rolling stock and associated artefacts. The West Coast Railway Association, a nonprofit charitable organization, was established in 1961 with a mission of Preserving British Columbia's Railway Heritage. The first piece of its historic collection was purchased in 1963 - a Canadian Pacific business car built in 1890. Today the collection has grown to number 95 locomotives and cars, the second largest heritage railway collection in Canada.
The society needed a home for the growing collection, and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish first opened in July 1994. It has grown continuously since then and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Heritage Park has developed in three stages to date.
First was the Industrial Zone (1994), centered around the historic Pacific Great Eastern carshop - built in 1914. This is the largest building ever moved in one piece in Western Canada, and today is home to some exhibits as well as viewing restoration work in progress.
Next came the Community Zone (2001) - when the railway station (Mac Norris Station) was built along with the town park area and gardens. Interestingly, the station was designed for Squamish in 1915 by the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, but not built until 85 years later by the Heritage Park! The Brightbill Heritage House also arrived - an original structure moved to the park and now fully restored as it would have been circa 1940. It is a delight with its antiques and period music playing from vintage radios. Also added in this era was the miniature railway that encircles the Heritage Park - a delightful 2.3 km ride enjoyed by folks of all ages.
Always a licensed operating railway, a real step forward came in 2004 when the Heritage Park acquired and started to operate its full size trains during special events and on special occasions. This led to the start of a series of annual special events (first was Day out With Thomas in 2004) as well as train operations for special functions and galas, such as the Valentine's Dinner train held in February this year.
Most recently, the spectacular CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre (2011) was built creating a grand showcase for eight precious pieces of rolling stock in climate-controlled comfort. Here you will find the iconic Royal Hudson 2860 steam locomotive - maintained in operating condition - an amazing machine to stand beside. Also here are the spectacular 1890 business car British Columbia with its restored original mahogany interior and its contemporary deluxe sister railcar Alberta - yes, you are welcome on board both.
This fully geo thermal 22,000 square foot roundhouse with three levels has also become a major community events space, with many banquets, weddings, public markets and other functions regularly held at the site. The building, with its curving glass feature wall over 280 feet long and its upper level viewing deck, offers spectacular views of the Heritage Park and the surrounding mountains in all directions. To move the trains in and out, a vintage railway turntable was refurbished and installed and is fully operational.
Still ahead - the building of the heritage village into a complete historic main street and a new parking and entry facility. There is always more to do - and always something new!
The Heritage Park is now a home for several major seasonal events that attract families from all over the Northwest. Spring Break sees the arrival of Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train, a train ride and exploration that includes dinosaur characters from the TV cartoon series, digging for bones and other crafts and activities. June sees the annual visit of Thomas the Tank Engine, as Day Out With Thomas transforms the site into a theme park for a couple of weekends. In October, the Mystery of the Magic Pumpkin is a real hit, and the annual running of the Polar Express trains in early December is highlights of the season.
The West Coast Railway Heritage Park is open year round every day from 10:00AM. In 2014 total visitors are expected to top 60,000 as the Heritage Park grows in use every year. If you are in the Vancouver BC area, or travelling on Highway 99 north to Whistler, it is well worth a stop. There's lots of onsite parking and recreational vehicles are welcome. For details, check out www.wcra.org or call the Heritage Park at 604-898-9336. You'll be glad you did.