Rail Archives - Island Corridor Foundation

Railway key to sustainable growth – Lake Cowichan Gazette

cwieler — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:15:05 +0000

Railway key to sustainable growth
My late father, who’d lived with his family on southern Vancouver Island since 1919, once told me that, during his life there had been four railways in the area; the woodburning steam railway between Victoria and Sidney, the Interurban from Victoria to the Deep Cove Chalet (he’d ridden the last train), the CN and the E & N.
In his later years, this conservative and very open-minded gentleman realized and stated that we’d regressed relative to most of the world in this regard.
Seeing, now, the extent to which Duncan and even Nanaimo have become bedroom communities for commutes to Victoria, I believe that saving, restoring, and possibly extending, the rail corridor of the Esquimault and Nanaimo Railway as a commuter line is essential for future sustainable growth.
While I do not object to some of my tax dollars going towards the Malahat expansion, I want, for my children and grandchildren’s sake at LEAST equivalent expenditure on more sustainable, safer, and climate-sensible transportation such as commuter rail.
Peter Lake
Lake Cowichan Gazette
Duncan
For full article click here.

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Board Meeting Notes July 2017

cwieler — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:02:39 +0000

Vancouver Island Friends of Rails to Trails
The VI FORT gave a presentation to the board in support of converting the railway tracks to a hiking and biking trail only. The group has presented to several councils and boards. The ICF Board is in the process of redrafting the ‘Strategic Priorities Plan’ and has reaffirmed the ICF commitment of ‘Rails with Trails’.
McLean Mill Steam Train Tourist Attraction
A comprehensive plan for the expanded McLean Mill & Steam Train attraction was presented to the board including a detailed track & bridge upgrade for the six miles of track that the steam train operates on. The ICF will seek the ACRD approval to redirect the $75,000 committed for the Victoria sub to the six miles of track on the Alberni subdivision.

Federal/ Provincial Track Infrastructure Funding
A new Federal/Provincial infrastructure application will be drafted and submitted to the respective governments for approval. The plan will focus on track improvements between Nanaimo and Victoria as the first phase of the incremental plan to restore rail service to the Victoria sub and the Alberni subdivision.
Very strong support was indicated by MLA Sonia Furstenau on behalf of the Green Party after meeting with ICF and Southern Rail of Vancouver Island (SVI) representatives. Meetings are being arranged with Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena (North Island) and Minister of Indigenous Relations Scott Fraser (Alberni) as formal first steps to updating the new government. Recent comments by government members and the Premier have signaled a keen interest in restoring Island train service.
First Nation Liaison
Meetings have been held with Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation and Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group to update on recent ICF activities and the Snaw-Naw-As litigation. Concerns of safety and community impact when trains recommence operation were discussed.
Local Government Liaison Meeting
Municipal councillors attended the summer liaison meeting in early July. SVI representatives presented the new incremental track infrastructure plan that will support the VIA Inter-city passenger service; tourist excursion train; freight; and base improvements for commuter rail between Victoria and Langford. It also provides for Safety Sight & Sound barriers through member First Nation Communities and a walking trail across the Chemainus River Bridge.
Admirals Road Improvements
A section of Admirals Road between the Songhees Wellness Centre and the Admirals Walk shopping centre is being widened and repaved this year to improve access for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Improvements to the one-kilometre stretch from Hallowell Road to Maplebank Road will include upgrades to intersections and the stormwater drainage system along with new curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
The road improvements coincide with work on the E&N Rail Trail, which will run alongside Admirals at that location.

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PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK BY THEFT OF SIGNAL BATTERIES

cwieler — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:41:18 +0000

Press Release

PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK BY THEFT OF SIGNAL BATTERIES

Thieves targeting Ni-Cad batteries are putting the public at risk by tampering with safety items at railway crossings. Since early June, brazen thieves have broken into five Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI) signal sheds and stolen 45 batteries worth about $30,000.
SVI Superintendent Al Kutaj commented, “Our railway line is still active and our track service vehicles regularly pass through these crossings. Although our operators are vigilant when approaching any grade crossing, the risk of an accident with a vehicle increases when signals don’t work.”
Kutaj believes the thieves are supplying specific clients looking for batteries for solar systems. They are not simply looking for a few dollars in scrap value as it actually costs to dispose Ni-Cad batteries.
Although police have some witnesses to the last two thefts, Kutaj encourages the public to be vigilant and report all suspicious activity around the signal sheds to the police. Anyone approached with offer of a deal on Ni-Cad batteries should also report this to the police.

-30-

For more information, contact:

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Greater Victoria residents show support for rail

cwieler — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 22:40:36 +0000

Significant number of respondents ‘very supportive’ according to Island Corridor Foundation survey
The renewal of rail service has the strong support of more than 84 per cent of Greater Victoria residents according to a new survey from the Island Corridor Foundation.
Less than 5 per cent of the region’s 82 respondents said they were either ‘not supportive’ or ‘somewhat unsupportive’ of restoring service. Overall, 62 per cent of the survey’s 429 respondents were ‘very supportive’ of rail service, while nearly 18 per cent were ‘not supportive at all.’
“There’s nothing really surprising (in the report),” said Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton. “Everyone seems supportive of retaining the corridor for some purpose (and) everyone seems to be fully supportive of it being rail service.”
Among the feedback received by the ICF, support for a Langford to Victoria commuter service received frequent mention, while many respondents showed support for tourism trains that could service cruise ship passengers, skiers and wine tours.
Prioritizing rail repairs, upgrades and services incrementally based on economic feasibility and seeking government funding accordingly were other common themes to emerge in the report.
While the existing E&N tracks don’t pass through Colwood, Hamilton has been a part of discussions at the CRD and sees her role as being one of engagement with BC Transit, which would ultimately have to play an important part in the success of any commuter rail project.
Hamilton recalls that rail efforts have been ongoing since her husband, Arnie Hamilton, was the MLA for Esquimalt Metchosin in the early 2000s.
“We don’t need more studies to study this to death, we need commitment. Are we or are we not interested in keeping the corridor viable for some use?” she said.
Rail received the least support from the 75 Parksville and Qualicum Beach respondents, where 44 per cent of respondents said they were ‘not supportive at all’ of a renewal of rail service, but all other regions surveyed were behind the restoration of rail service in the survey results released last week.
The continued development of rail-with-trails within the corridor received strong support from more than 48 per cent of respondents and mild support from another roughly 21 per cent.
In terms of next steps, the report said Southern Railway of Vancouver Island will provide cost estimates for upgrades to the rail infrastructure and foundation staff will prepare five-year financial projections. The board will choose a preferred rail infrastructure option and establish goals and performance indicators for a business plan.
However, Graham Bruce, foundation CEO, said it was too early to discuss business plan timelines as the board is hoping to meet by the end of this month to discuss the results.
It is a step in the process, he said.
“They haven’t had a chance to collectively come together to review the information and so this is just that information that was gathered, it was posted, made public … we wanted to share it with everybody initially,” said Bruce.
For the full report, click here.
goldstreamgazette.com
JOEL TANSEY Jun 5th, 2017 2:30pm
–with files from Karl Yu, Black Press
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com

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Work continues towards commuter-rail service on Vancouver Island

cwieler — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 16:44:54 +0000

Capital region mayors remain optimistic about the prospects for commuter-rail service on the E&N Rail corridor from Langford to Vic West, despite a pending change in the provincial government.
Langford Mayor Stewart Young said he expects the project to receive strong consideration, whether the existing Liberal government survives or falls to a new NDP-Green alliance.
“I know the NDP support the E&N,” he said. “Pretty well every government has.”
Young stressed the need for a strong business case for the project, no matter which party takes power.
“We’ve got to be really making sure that we have a good understanding of what we think the ridership will be, because that really dictates how much of a subsidy the government gives,” he said.
B.C. Liberal Transportation Minister Todd Stone launched a working group in March to look at options for the 15-kilometre stretch of track and report back following the May 9 election.
“I have said I expect a business case to be completed and on our desks, ready for the next government to consider, so that we can finally move forward with commuter rail here in Greater Victoria,” Stone said at the time.
The Liberals, however, fell one seat short of a majority in the 87-seat legislature, winning 43 seats to 41 for the NDP and three for the Greens. B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark remains in power for now, but NDP Leader John Horgan and B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver signed an accord last week to defeat the Liberals and install an NDP minority government once the legislature returns, likely this month.
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberals in Esquimalt-Metchosin, said the E&N commuter-rail project will be in good hands no matter who forms the government. “The NDP, having been here for a long period of time and representing us, know that this is a significant issue,” she said. “It would be a low-hanging fruit, early win for them.”
Desjardins said it also bodes well that both Horgan and Weaver represent ridings on southern Vancouver Island. Horgan was re-elected in Langford-Juan de Fuca, while Weaver won a second term in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
“It’s my hope that they really focus some attention to the lower Island and particularly the E&N,” Desjardins said.
“Much of the work has been done in terms of costing.”
Horgan said last week that an NDP minority government would focus on Island issues in ways that the Liberals did not.
“I know the Island Corridor Foundation and E&N corridor is one that I feel very strongly about and have been working on for a decade. I’m going to be focusing on that, for sure.”
The NDP’s election platform promised that the party would “lead and promote efforts to fix the E&N railway tracks so that commuter rail can become an option to eliminate gridlock.”
The B.C. Green Party’s Adam Olsen, who won the riding of Saanich North and the Islands, urged action on the corridor.
“The E&N rail line is one … that should have been done a long time ago,” he said during the campaign.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said transportation is the biggest challenging facing the region.
“How do we move more people, more quickly around the region, particularly as the population continues to grow? So the train is an answer, rapid bus is an answer, bike lanes are an answer, but the train definitely needs to be part of it and, hopefully, we’ll see that commitment continue.”
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton is also optimistic.
“My expectation would be, regardless of who forms government, that the opportunities of utilizing the E&N railline are not studied to death, but looked at realistically as a solution to a number of issues facing the South Vancouver Island commuters,” she said.
Passenger service ceased on the E&N line in March 2011 due to safety concerns with the tracks.
lkines@timescolonist.com

LINDSAY KINES, VICTORIA TIMES COLONIST
Lindsay Kines, Victoria Times Colonist

Published on: June 4, 2017

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Nanaimo residents ‘very supportive’ of rail

cwieler — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 16:43:35 +0000

Almost three-quarters of respondents from Nanaimo are ‘very supportive’ of rail service, according to an Island Corridor Foundation survey.
The foundation conducted the online survey between April 7 and May 15 with a total of 438 people responding. Sixty-four responded from Greater Nanaimo, with 72 per cent very supportive of rail, 1.6 per cent somewhat supportive, 9.4 per cent somewhat unsupportive and 17.2 per cent not supportive at all.
Overall, 85.5 per cent said it was very important to them that the Island rail corridor be “preserved for public use in the long-term future” and 62 per cent were very supportive of rail service on Vancouver Island.
There was also support for continued development of rail with trails within the corridor, with 48.3 per cent very supportive, 20.8 per cent somewhat supportive, 13.6 per cent neutral, 5.3 per cent somewhat unsupportive and 12 per cent not supportive at all.
The survey report said common themes from respondents were general support for prioritizing rail repairs, upgrades and services incrementally based on economic feasibility and seeking government funding accordingly.
In terms of next steps, the report said Southern Railway of Vancouver Island will provide cost estimates for upgrades to the rail infrastructure and foundation staff will prepare five-year financial projections. The board will choose a preferred rail infrastructure option and establish goals and performance indicators for a business plan.
However, Graham Bruce, foundation CEO, said it was too early to discuss business plan timelines as the board is hoping to meet by the end of this month to discuss the results. It is a step in the process, he said.
“They haven’t had a chance to collectively come together to review the information and so this is just that information that was gathered, it was posted, made public … all of the questions you’re asking me I can’t really give you an answer to till the board’s had a chance to look at it, but we wanted to share it with everybody initially,” said Bruce.
http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/island-corridor-foundation-says-nanaimo-residents-very-supportive-of-rail/
Karl Yu June 3rd 2017

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ICF Feedback Form Results

cwieler — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 17:09:12 +0000

The Island Corridor Foundation wishes to thank everyone who took the time to complete our recent online survey regarding the draft Business Plan. A total of 438 responses were received, which surpassed the ICF’s goal of 400. The results have now been summarized and are available for download below. Next steps are outlined on the last page of the file. Click here or the image below to view the results.

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ICF can’t say when passenger rails will come back

cwieler — Thu, 11 May 2017 16:45:11 +0000

A lawsuit has impeded the foundation’s quest for federal funding
It doesn’t look like the passenger train service on the E&N rail line on Vancouver Island is going to be restored any time soon.
When is it going to happen? Will it ever happen? Those are the questions some people are asking.
Unfortunately, the Island Corridor Foundation, a coalition of local governments and First Nation communities that owns the E&N rail line, is unable to provide an answer. The reason is mainly due to funding, which is a crucial component of the foundation’s plan for the rail line. It can’t proceed without it.
The federal and provincial governments have committed funds totalling $15 million to the ICF that will be used to fix the rail infrastructure and restore rail service between Victoria and Courtenay. That has yet to be delivered.
At its annual general meeting in late April, the ICF reflected on 2016. Chair Judith Sayers expressed disappointment they are still not able to acquire the much-needed federal funds of around $7.5 million. That quest for funding was dealt a major setback last December when the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation filed a civil lawsuit against the Federal Government and the ICF.
The Snaw-Naw-As want the portion of the corridor that passes through their reserve returned to them. They claim they have a revisionary right to have the traditional land returned to them if it is no longer used as a railway.
Sayers said the federal government has not shown leadership in negotiating this lawsuit. The ICF was told that no funds will be issued until this matter is settled. She added that the burden has been placed on the ICF to clear this issue.
“The taking of the lands for the E&N railway was an act of the federal government,” said Sayers. “They took the lands without regard for the fact that it was reserve lands. Though many First Nations have been trying for many years to have the federal government resolve the taking of huge tracts of lands for the E&N railway, the federal government has refused to work with them to resolve this long-outstanding issue.
“The federal government is now expecting ICF to resolve this issue they created. As you are aware, ICF acquired these lands from CP Rail who had operated on these tracks for many years.”
Sayers said ICF is open and willing to negotiate but the Snaw-Naw-As are not. The foundation is now looking at another legal recourse.
“ICF is working with our lawyer to bring an application to the court to determine whether or not the railway is still an operating railway,” said Sayers. “If the court concludes that it is an active railway, then the Snaw-Naw-As claim cannot proceed.”
Snaw-Naw-As chief Brent Edwards told the ICF board that it has been 14 years since the foundation was formed in 2003 and it has nothing to show for it.
“Everything seemed like a great idea then and it doesn’t seem like a great idea now,” said Edwards. “We are talking about 10 acres that you guys have not used and you will never use in the foreseeable future.”
Edwards asked the ICF board when the trains would again run north of Nanoose. That question was also made at the Regional District of Nanaimo board meeting recently by Qualicum Beach director and Mayor Teunis Westbroek, who asked how long the community must wait for it to happen. Westbroek also got the RDN board to support the idea to convert the rails to non-motorized trails from Parksville to Courtenay.
Sayers said the ICF can’t answer as it is still waiting for the federal government funding to come through.
Edwards said the Snaw-Naw-As are not benefitting from being part of the ICF. They want their land back.
“You’re in our way,” said Edwards. “You’re not using it for railway purposes. It was not expropriated for trail purposes. It was expropriated for rail use. It’s not going to be used for rail use north of Nanaimo.”
ICF CEO Bruce Graham said ICF has requested Southern Rail, the rail operator, to bring other options for incremental track improvements on the Victoria sub line. But that will not include the Snaw-Naw-As area of claim.
“However, whatever option is agreed upon, it will take a strong concerted effort to convince senior levels of governments to honour their commitments to fund track improvements,” said Graham.
For now, the ICF is working on updating its business plan. It is seeking input from stakeholders and the public on which goals and priorities the board should undertake in the future.
Sarah Morden, who was commissioned to draw the business plan, is currently collecting public feedback. The deadline for feedback was extended to May 19. The goal is to collect more than 400 responses for the survey to become credible. At the AGM, Morden said they were past the halfway mark.
Southern Rail, despite losing $5 million since it started operations in 2006, will stay on track with a goal of maintaining break-even status.
Graham said the key requirement for a successful rail operations is having a committed, well-funded professional rail operator and “this we have with Southern Rail.”
The rail operator has a “four pillar” business plan based on: VIA intercity passenger service; freight; tourism, excursions and rail-trail opportunities; and commuter service.
“The business case depends on (having at least) three of the four pillars, and this plan also depends on infrastructure funding for capital bridge upgrades,” said Derek Ollmann, president of Southern Rail.
Tue May 9th, 2017 pqbnews.com

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Former ICF chair ‘annoyed’ with RDN decision

cwieler — Thu, 04 May 2017 18:59:44 +0000

A staunch supporter of the restoration and retention of the E&N Railway on Vancouver Island was not pleased the regional district endorsed a group’s concept to turn railways into multi-use trails.
Jack Peake, co-founder and former chair of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), tried to convince the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board not to give up on the railway.
The RDN board went on to vote in favour of sending a letter to the ICF in support of converting the railway to trails from Parksville to Courtenay. The motion was made by the Town of Qualicum Beach director Teunis Westbroek, following a presentation by Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island (FORT-VI) earlier this month to the committee of the whole. The group called for the removal of the rails and conversion of the railbed into a non-motorized, multi-use trail. The E&N Railway include railways from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni.
Peake said he is angered by some of the directors’ lack of vision.
“I am particularly annoyed by the person who put it forward ‘cause I worked with him years ago and I think he is short-sighted in the worse way to believe that it makes sense to tear up infrastructure and leave it just blank,” said Peake. “It’s a step definitely in the wrong direction.”
Peake added that the RDN should “instead, get behind something that should have been supported all along and make the rail thing happen. The FORT-VI proposal, he said, is unreasonable and not a sensible decision.
“There is no way that a special interest group representing a minority of people on the Island should have their interest increased while the majority owners of the railway are ignored,” Peake told the board.
The ICF owns the right of way. He said it has property taxes exemption somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000 that is provided by the municipalities up and down the corridor.
“This means, each and every taxpayer, private citizens, commercial and industrial, are picking up the shortfall by using this tax exemption, not to mention the fact that many local governments pay also crossing fees to Southern Rail,” said Peake.
“This is a clear indication that a majority of citizens on the Island have a direct interest both financially and personally to see this railway operate to the benefit of all Islanders.”
Peake suggested the RDN board help the ICF by lobbying long and hard for money and support toward the restoration of rail services.
The railway line, Peake pointed out, provides the greatest opportunity to improve the region’s air quality by reducing the number of cars on the highway.
Establishing a passenger train will also boost the tourist industry on the Island.
“Support the restorations of the railway in whatever way you can,” Peake told the board. “Let me remind my friends from the cycling world you, too, will be old like me someday and you would appreciate an option to your car to move up and down our wonderful island. Work with us, folks. Not against us. Help make the best possible use of the rail corridor including the trails from all the corridors, and not displace the rail from their potential multiple use.”
Westbroek said the ICF presented its business plan to introduce passenger rail services five years ago, but to date nothing has materialized.
“How long do we wait?” Westbroek asked. “Then, we were told we would get one train a week from Nanaimo to Courtenay. I don’t think anybody would justify the expense of fixing the railway to accommodate one train a week.”
Westbroek also criticized the proposal of a coal train from Buckley Bay to Port Alberni.
Peake said he understood Westbroek’s comments. But he pointed out there are numerous business opportunities along the corridor that can be explored, which the ICF, Peake said, has failed to emphasize enough. He also knows there are investors waiting for things to develop.
“If we take away this opportunity, we are going to put us in a place where it’s not going to happen in the future,” said Peake.
“Remember all of this requires some vision and some investment.”
PBQ News – May 3rd 2017

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Board Meeting Notes April 2017

cwieler — Thu, 04 May 2017 00:02:07 +0000

Annual General Meeting well attended
Approximately 40 people attend the annual general meeting April 27th, 2017 at the
Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Reports from the auditors, the solicitor, the
Chair and CEO as well as presentations from the rail operator, Southern Rail and
the business plan consultant filled the agenda. A full report can be found on the
website. Directors elected to a two year term were Ken McRae – ACRD, Alec McPherson
– RDN, Albie Charlie – Cowichan Tribes, Jim Tatoosh – Hupacasath First Nation and
Mary Ashley – Director at large.

Board Appointments
Dr. Judith Sayers will remain chair of the ICF Board of Directors for the next year
and Mayor Phil Kent will take on the role of vice-chair. John Berikoff will serve
another year as Financial Officer and Nicole Norris will continue in the role of
Firsts Nation Liaison. Graham Bruce, CEO was named secretary. These are one year
terms.
Commuter Train Working Group
Don McGregor, SVI Island Project Manager and Singh Biln, SVI Community Relations
will represent the ICF and SVI as members of the Ministry of Transportation working
group to draft terms of reference for a feasibility study for commuter service
between Victoria and Langford. The Ministry has stated the feasibility report is
to be completed by July.
ICF Business Plan
The ICF Business Plan revision has received significant public submissions. Because
of the interest the Board has extended the public comment process until May 19 2017.
This is the first step of the review process. Public input will be reviewed by the
directors and then the Board will update the plans goals and objectives where necessary.
It is anticipated further public comment will then be sought. Click here to read
more about the business plan , click here to give us your feedback
Courtenay Station Looking For New Partner(s)
Courtenay Rotary is bowing out of the station restoration project after saving the
building with a new roof and upper siding. The restoration of the heritage station
has become a bigger project than what Rotary is able to take on at this time. The
search for community partners and possible tenants will continue.

Entrance Improvements to the Duncan Station
The Cowichan Historical Society received confirmation of funding for entrance improvements
to the Duncan Station. The $81,000 grant will also assist in the development of
the First Nation Gallery and the Asian Gallery. The station has been the home of
the Cowichan Valley Museum for many years.

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