Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
Like coal in a steam engine, West Coast Railway Heritage Park volunteers are keeping operations moving at full speed ahead.
"Many of the projects wouldn't proceed without the volunteers," said J. Singh Biln, manager of special projects at the WCRHP "They save us thousands of dollars by restoring old parts, that would otherwise have to be replaced."
Biln said the contributions volunteers make are wide spread, and ranges from gardening, to rust repair, to mini train conducting."The people here are amazing," he said. "They each have something to offer the park."
Chris Forget is one of these volunteers and Sherry Elchuck, WCRHP general manager, said his unique contribution is filling a gap in the museum's needs.
"We always wanted a model railway and thanks to Chris now we do," she said.
Forget is currently constructing a small-scale train in the Skeena Car, something he hopes to have completed for the summer. While based on Gambier Island, Forget has been living in his truck to be able to work on the model nearly everyday.
"My wife passed away in February '05 and so I decided to volunteer my time at the park," he said. "I filled out a volunteer form and when I came to the special interest part I wrote down I like to make model trains and everything went from there."
Forget has been working on the model since November and Elchuck said his work is an important part of incorporating children in the railway museum.
"I would like to start a railway club, including activities that involve kids," she said. "I am hoping to organize classes for spring break that teach kids how to make the model trains."
Don McAllister is another example of a tireless volunteer at the heritage park. Paid contractor Trevor Mills, described the importance of McAllister's work with the restoration of the Royal Hudson.
"He is one of the few people who remember what it looks like to have steam engines around," he said. "We need people like him to pass this information on."
Despite the gratitude he receives, McAllister is quick to confirm the hard work the employees do at the park.
"You have no idea the work that goes on here," he said. "These guys are just amazing."
McAllister has volunteered at the park for four years and is proud of his work on the Royal Hudson.
"When I got here it was all rust," he said.
Mills said the WCRHP would always have a need for volunteers."We are creating a heritage park so there is never a finish date. Once you have one car up and running you will have another one waiting for repair."
Elchuck said there is something for everyone who wants to volunteer and anyone interested is welcome to speak to the staff at 604-898-9336 or to come by the park, open daily from 10- 4 p.m.
