Here are a few photos and original references to show the PGE/BCR in the late 1950s and 1960s.
At the end of this piece are a few photos taken from the moving 2860 excursion train which we took to Squamish in 1984.
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The new Crown Colony of British Columbia was proclaimed at Fort Langley on November 19, 1858.
... So in 1958 the province published a lavish 'history' book in colour announcing "A Century to Celebrate". This hi-lited aspects of the province's economic and cultural history - and featured one-page articles about the companies active in BC at that point. Cultural events for the year were listed and 'history caravans' - transport trucks with history displays inside - toured the province as part of the celebrations.
An election was subsequently held in September 1960 which maintained WAC Bennett (Social Credit Party) as Premier with a five-seat majority - receiving 39% of the popular vote. In 1956, he had received a twelve-seat majority with 46% of the popular vote.
It was a good thing they celebrated in 1958 or Bennett might have lost to the NDP.
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| from: British Columbia Official Centennial Record, 1858-1958; Evergreen Press; 1958. |
The sponsoring advertisement, above, was the only 'celebration' of the government-owned Pacific Great Eastern in the 1958 book.
For those with an interest in the history of Canadian National Railways - back when the CNR promoted its heritage - you might be interested in the 1958 tour made by its Museum Train. This rolling stock was stored at Montreal in the early 1960s.
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| from: British Columbia Official Centennial Record, 1858-1958; Evergreen Press; 1958. |
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The followed extracts from the Official Guide and its Canadian cousin show some of the development of the PGE/BCR.
1958 |
| from: Official Guide of the Railways; November 1958; National Railway Publication Co. Collection of LC Gagnon. |
1969
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| from: Official Guide of the Railways; June 1969; National Railway Publication Co. |
1972
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| from: Canadian Guide; October 1972; International Railway Publishing Co. |
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The handy map below helps to illustrate the benefits of finally finishing the PGE/BCR. It facilitated the development of the mineral and forest resources of the interior.
As indicated, the following images appeared in a book written by Oswald Stevens Nock, the prolific British railway author.
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| from: Railways of Canada; OS Nock; 1973; A & C Black Ltd, London. |
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| from: Railways of Canada; OS Nock; 1973; A & C Black Ltd, London. |
701 is an M-630, built in 1969.
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| from: Railways of Canada; OS Nock; 1973; A & C Black Ltd, London. |
In contrast to the North Vancouver to Squamish segment, much of the PGE/BCR line is in the dry rain shadow of the mountains of the coast.
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The following film (for as long as the link works) illustrates some of the rustic charm of the old PGE.
Rails to Romance - a film from about 1946 about the PGE made by the BC government
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The following film (for as long as the link works) illustrates some of the rustic charm of the old PGE.
Rails to Romance - a film from about 1946 about the PGE made by the BC government
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Photos taken from the 2860 excursion train in 1984 ...
I believe the first photos were all taken at North Vancouver.
An ex-Lehigh and Hudson River C-420 (built 1966) and its ex- RS-3 slug (rebuilt 1983).
585, 582: RS-10s units built 1956.
The tailend of the train from the photo above.
Notice the carman's flag at the right margin.
The tire is a mystery, but it would slow you down if there was a slack runout.
Notice the carman's flag at the right margin.
The tire is a mystery, but it would slow you down if there was a slack runout.
1003, 1002: S-13 built 1959.
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I believe the last two photos were taken at Squamish.
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I believe the last two photos were taken at Squamish.