Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Monday, 12 May 2008 |
The Fort George Park train runs on its track on a sunny afternoon. The six-tonne work engine is known as a dinkey and was used to build the railroad grade for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad which reached Prince Rupert in 1914. (Citizen file photo)
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However, Ron Walker, who's driven the miniature steam train for 30 years, is optimistic it will be huffing around the track by Canada Day.
Walker said the train must undergo one more boiler inspection to be given the green light.
Walker wonders what the future will be for the miniature train.
"I can't do this forever, and there's not a lot of people who have that steam engineering experience," said the 78-year-old, who worked with steam trains for seven years during his 45-year career with CN and Via Rail.
The train was down last summer due to a leak presumed to be in the boiler, but was later determined to be a leaking gasket, said Walker.
"It has passed the pressure test, but we have to make sure there are no leaks," said Walker, who was making arrangements Monday for the final inspection by a local boiler inspection company.
On an average weekend, Walker spends about 16 hours driving the train, but there are many additional hours required to service, repair and maintain the miniature engine, which once pulled a work train during the building of the Grand Trunk Pacific, which arrived in Prince George in 1914.
"It may be a little slower, but it is easier to handle and can do the same work as the bigger engines," said Walker, who's also the president of the Fort George Railway Society.
He said the society suffered a big loss last February when Don Holzworth died suddenly at age 51.
Holzworth, a former BC Rail engineer, was a strong advocate and worker for both the Railway and Forestry Museum and the Fort George Railway.
"We worked together for many years to keep the train running," said Walker, who's been with the Fort George Railroad Society since its inception in 1973.
The three-car train can transport about 35 people on a trip, including those in wheelchairs, and has had as many as 15,000 passengers during past summers.
"Our biggest years were those when the (Canadian Northern) Children's Festivals were held in the park," said Walker.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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