West Coast Express

[Doc Murdock]

On my next vacation I'm heading to the West Coast of B.C. to take the West Coast Express from Mission to Downtown Vancouver.

Anyone here been on it and willing to tell of their experiences on it? 

[CPRail modeler]

Hi there,

i have rode on the West Coast Express and it is a great ride. compared to the Vancouver Skytrain, the WCE is smoother, faster and cleaner. its also a great place for spotting locomotives from CP Rail and others. i think there are also some small yards in between Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. My advice, try and get the top seats so train spotting is a little easier.

Happy riding!

[daveklepper]

When I rode Skytrain, it reminded me of Manhattan elevateds!

[Doc Murdock]

Hey CP Rail Modeler. I noticed you're in Burnaby. What part? I ask because I grew up near Canada Way & Smith Avenue. My grandmother lived right by the Willingdon Overpass, a great place to watch trains. On the south west corner of the Willingdon Overpass there was a small clump of trees across from a McDonalds. Has anything gone in there as in a business?

[CPRail modeler]

Doc Murdock,

you know Lougheed Mall? i'm right around there. there is this interesting place at the Braid Skytrain station where there is this warehouse. that warehouse has an old passenger train. not ready for display at all. some cars are covered in tarps and there was also some steam-generater cars. i counted two steam generater cars and about 7 passenger cars. if anyone has info about that, let me know. Willingdon Overpass huh? i gotta get out google earth or something...

[cprted]

Doc Murdock,

you know Lougheed Mall? i'm right around there. there is this interesting place at the Braid Skytrain station where there is this warehouse. that warehouse has an old passenger train. not ready for display at all. some cars are covered in tarps and there was also some steam-generater cars. i counted two steam generater cars and about 7 passenger cars. if anyone has info about that, let me know. Willingdon Overpass huh? i gotta get out google earth or something...

The cars at Braid are owned by a fellow who's named has currently escaped me. A few of the cars are in good shape, most are rotting. Among the nice ones is a CPR fast mail car and the green open coach that used to be part of the Royal Hudson train in the 90s. Scuttlebutt was the owner was a bit of a *** to deal with and doesn't want anyone to have anything to do with his cars. I could be wrong though.

[Doc Murdock]

Thanks CPRail modeler. I'm somewhat familar with the Lougheed Mall area. It's been about 17 years since I've been around there and 12 years since I've been in the Lower Mainland. Willingdon Junction is about 3 blocks south of Brentwood Mall. It's where the south end of the tunnel that Canadian National uses to get to the North Shore. The other end is under the Second Narrows Bridge.