PGE 1958 Official Guide ... and Other Items

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.

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.

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

from: Official Guide of the Railways; June 1969; National Railway Publication Co.

1972

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.

from: Railways of Canada; OS Nock; 1973; A & C Black Ltd, London.

from: Railways of Canada; OS Nock; 1973; A & C Black Ltd, London.

701 is an M-630, built in 1969.

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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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.

1003, 1002: S-13 built 1959.

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I believe the last two photos were taken at Squamish.

BCR 1984: 2860 from North Vancouver to Squamish

In 1984 we took the British Columbia Railway's 2860 excursion from North Vancouver to Squamish.

With our rental car, we made a pilot trip to locate the station and to take some photos.
I photographed the train facing into a foggy sun, by the looks of things.

We were fortunate to be able to ride this car in both directions.
Somewhat like the '200 year old historic axe' - which has had its head and handle replaced several times,
this car was 'built in 1914'.

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Day of the Excursion

Our assigned car was a CPR coach built in 1950.

We are leaving North Vancouver on a misty, rainy day.
Contemplating the technology: the volume of the locomotive's exhaust is clearly visible in these conditions.

The baggage car houses a Caterpillar engine for hotel power.

Although it is obviously an 'Eastern Canadian flatlander perspective'
this locomotive seemed too large for such a winding, cliffside route.
However, it made photography fun and easy.
It was a great trip.

At Squamish, the engine and the power car were wyed and coupled to the train for the return trip.

A friendly crew greeted visitors to the cab.
The MU panel to the left of the throttle is an interesting feature.

'... Has anyone seen my focal plane? ... I think I lost it somewhere.'

The view of the tailend before departure.

On the return trip, the open air car was second, and photography was still fun and easy.

Back at North Vancouver the fireman checks the oil.