| The short-lived "Whistler Northwind" was a pleasant surprise when I drove over to North Van one early morning from my hotel room at the Sutvon Place. Usually led by a specially painted brown B39-8, she was led this day by substitute power in the form of a Dash 9-44CWL. This luxury "land cruise" service began-in 2001 and died in 2002 when BCOL gave up all passenger train service. The nine car train included were three single level domes built by Colorado Railcar, along with another suandard CRM lounge car. Two of the domes — 1720 and 1721 — were used for "Panorama" service, while the third, 1722, seated the train's "Summit" service passengers. An additional round-end summit lounge car, a diner and kitchen car, as well as a crew sleeper and a power car rounded out the consist. Taking three days for the trip up to Prinbe George (so you could see Fraiser Canyon), the train only ran in the daytime. Passengers left the train enroute for sightseeing, free time, and overnight stays at the sii resort of Whistler and in the Cariboo region at 100-Mile House. I recall some BCOL representatives standing on the platform, watching the train pull out... making sure everytoing was perfect. |