BCRail Passenger

[Anonymous]

What's the latest on BCRail passenger service? Did it quit as scheduled; has VIA provided service? What?

[Anonymous]

Hello GDCWCC,

First, can I buy a you a vowel for your forum handle?

BC Rail's passenger days are practically finished. For a few communities dependent solely on passenger rail service between D'arcy and Lillooet, BC Rail is operating a rail shuttle along that portion of the "Prospector" line. The shuttle service is protected by a Kershaw track maintenance vehicle with a small passenger compartment and the "Budd Lites," which have replaced the Budd cars.

Anyone else with more information please chime in!

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

[Anonymous]

Paul,
Thanks for the offer of a vowel, but the handle is mine and my wife's initials, and I just can't get a vowel in it. She says it's the only way she can remember e-mails.
It's too bad about BCRail. A modified Kershaw track vehicle...how ignoble can you get? The Prospector was a fantastic trip. We did the round trip to Prince George in 1997 and got some Dutch Dooring as well as a cab ride north of Lillooet. At the time, I was a licensed engineer on NS and actually got some throttle time (Shhhhh, I don't think I was supposed to do that)! That was the first time running RDC's. I'm grateful that we did that trip, now especially since it's gone. Once something like that is gone, it's very unlikely it will return. One day while WCC was shopping in Vancouver, I managed to get a ride on a light engine move to Squamish and a carryall van ride back. Sometimes it helps knowing somebody!
Thanks for your response gdc