User:MarcoD99/pagesandbox/Railway Museum of British Columbia

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Railway Museum of British Columbia
Railway Museum of British Columbia Logo.png
Switcher No. 6503 and coaches at the station
Locale	Squamish, British Columbia
Coordinates	49°43′41″N 123°09′38″W
Connections	Canadian National Railway Company
Commercial operations
Built by	West Coast Railway Association
Original gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Operated by	West Coast Railway Association
Reporting mark	WCXX
Stations	Mainline: 1
Length	1 km (0.62 mi)
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Preservation history
1994	Opened as West Coast Railway Heritage Park
Headquarters	Squamish, British Columbia
Website
wcra.org

The Railway Museum of British Columbia, formerly known as the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, is a heritage railway in Squamish, British Columbia operated by the West Coast Railway Association.

The museum runs excursion trains over Canadian National track throughout the year. Their primary event is the "North Pole Express", a short operation hauled by two diesel locomotives. They also host the "Buddy and Friends Children's Festival" and "Sea to Sky Model Train and Hobby Show". They previously operated a "Day Out with Thomas" event.

History

The West Coast Railway Association was established in 1961 by a group of enthusiasts, who operated rail excursions in British Columbia with historic rail equipment. As their collection grew, the association began making plans to open a museum in the 1980s. Squamish was chosen as the site, and a sublease agreement was signed on 25 May 1990 with the District of Squamish for a 12 acre plot. Construction began the following year in 1991, when the association purchased a former Pacific Great Eastern carshop and had it moved to their site. After two years of construction, they moved their first pieces of equipment into the park on 1 May 1994, hauled by PGE RS-1 #561.

The museum had a grand opening ceremony on 10 July 1994 and began its first season, attracting 4,300 guests in its first year. In 1996, a ridable miniature railway named the West Coast Mini Rail was opened.

Equipment

Locomotives

Locomotive details

Number	Image	Type	Model	Built	Builder	Former owner	Status
2		Steam	2-6-2ST	1910	Baldwin Locomotive Works	Pacific Great Eastern Railway	Display
960		Diesel	Electric	1912	American Locomotive Company/General Electric	British Columbia Electric Railway	Display
182		Diesel	RS-1	1951	American Locomotive Company	Great Northern Railway	Display
561		Diesel	RS-1	1951	Montreal Locomotive Works	Pacific Great Eastern Railway	Display
2860		Steam	4-6-4	1940	Montreal Locomotive Works	Canadian Pacific Railway	Display
4069		Diesel	FP7A	1952	General Motors Diesel	Canadian Pacific Railway	Operational
6503		Diesel	RSC-3	1951	Montreal Locomotive Works	Canadian Pacific Railway	Operational
6520		Diesel	FP9A	1957	General Motors Diesel	Canadian National Railway	Operational
8000		Diesel	DRS-4-4-1000	1948	Baldwin Locomotive Works	Canadian Pacific Railway	Under cosmetic restoration

Passenger Cars

Passenger car details

Number	Name	Image	Type	Built	Builder	Former owner	Notes
8	Alberta		Business car	1929	CPR Angus Shops	Canadian Pacific Railway
598	Henry Pickering		Open observation car	1914	CPR Angus Shops	Canadian Pacific Railway
714	H "Bud" Butterworth		Troop sleeper	1943	Pullman-Standard Company	Pacific Great Eastern Railway
1910	Pullman Spirit		Business car	1910	Pullman Company	Canadian National Railway