11 August 2009
Why No Passenger Rail Service to Revelstoke?
The Revelstoke Railway Museum contains proof positive that we
used to
have passenger rail service, so why can't we do it again?
Revelstoke British Columbia - Revelstoke steams
into Railway Days this weekend, which is our annual celebration of all things railway. The Revelstoke Railway Museum, located right
next to the CP Rail line, hosts the event. James Baring, 6th Baron Revelstoke, was the guest of honour at the 2009 Revelstoke
Homecoming due to his historical connection with the completion of the the CP Rail line, which was arguably a significant factor
leading to the creation of Canada. CP Rail is a major employer in Revelstoke, with a proud history stretching back over a century.
Yet, despite these and many more connections our community has to the railway, you can't take the train to Revelstoke. This despite
the fact that many Third World countries enjoy better point to point passenger rail services than Western Canada - or Canada in
general for that matter. Concerns about reducing greenhouse gases, treacherous winter road conditions, and provincial goals to
increase tourism in B.C. all support the concept of improving rail service to Revelstoke.
This lack of service to his namesake community did not escape the attention of Lord Revelstoke, who penned a letter of thanks
published in the 5 Aug 2009 issue of the Revelstoke Times Review. In the letter, he expresses his hope that he can arrive
by train for the next homecoming event in Revelstoke. "I have been studying the Internet booking system which is succeeding in
filling every seat on the EuroStar express that runs between London and Paris by balancing supply, demand, and price," writes
Baring. "A package offering to the world a skiing break at Revelstoke, arriving by train from Toronto, Calgary, or Kelowna,
advertised and bookable online all over the world, would be fully subscribed."
He isn't the only one with that goal in mind. At their 30 Jun 2009 meeting, the Revelstoke Economic Development
Commission discussed the matter, saying it was a "high priority" and asked that Director of Community Economic Development
Alan Mason follow up on the item when he meets with CPR officials at a regularly scheduled meeting in September.
Mason says the matter comes up every couple of years and he will pursue it further at the September meeting.
So, why can't you catch the train to Revelstoke? Putting aside the past, especially federal government changes to VIA Rail in the
1980s, is there an opportunity for passenger rail service now and into the future? Why isn't there a swanky overnight service catering
to high-rolling European skiers en route from Calgary or Vancouver for a weekend of skiing? Or, at least, a quick
five-minute stop of the Rocky Mountaineer to allow passengers off?
Canadian Pacific media relations manager Kevin Hrysak says there are multiple barriers to either one of these scenarios.
He says that CP is primarily a freight railroad, and that passenger carriers "operate on our lines based on their business plans
and feasibility studies."
Hrysak says these private carriers come in a number of forms. They can be strictly private like the Rocky Mountaineer. Others are
supported by the government like federally-subsidized VIA Rail or the West Coast Express, which is subsidized by
regional, provincial, and federal partners.
VIA Rail operated the last passenger service to Revelstoke, but that came to an end in the 1980s.
When asked how realistic the idea of passenger train service to Revelstoke is, Hrysak is rather blunt. "CP is not in a position
to operate such a service and no proponent has ever come forward to pursue one. Would suggest such a service is unlikely," he
writes.
When we mention the new Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and float the idea of a ski-related service to Revelstoke during the
winter, Hrysak says we'd be facing additional barriers.
The winter weather, including the legendary snowfalls in Rogers Pass, is a problem. Schedules get disrupted, leading to not just
delays, but actual safety issues caused if a train full of people get stuck on a remote portion of the line, he says.
So, with a more-or-less "no" from CP, what about the Rocky Mountaineer? How about a quick
five-minute stop here at least, or a new winter destination service to RMR?
The latter is not likely, says Ian Robertson, spokesperson for the Rocky Mountaineer. The private company used to operate a winter
service, but they discontinued it in 2007. Robertson says that demand was not there, and there were also significant staffing issues.
They rely on seasonal summer staff. Laying everyone off and then rehiring for a short winter season is problematic.
Robertson notes that as opposed to VIA, which is a point to point service, "we're more about the overall journey and the
experience."
"As much as we invested in marketing the product around the world, we weren't able to grow the business," he says, adding
that it was disappointing.
What about a summer stop here? "Would we consider stopping in Revelstoke? The answer is absolutely, if there was sufficient
demand in the marketplace to warrant stopping in Revelstoke, or any other town, or community, for that matter, we would consider
it," he says. "If there was demand from an international perspective for guests to get off the train in Revelstoke and spend
time in the region we would certainly look at that."
However, the concept does have some strikes against it. He says they have tested the idea in Quesnel in the past, but the results
there were not positive. "To be quite honest, we found there just wasn't the market or the demand to warrant the stop."
He notes that their client base is primarily foreign tourists, listing Europe, Australia, and the U.S. as examples of their big
markets. "People in Atlanta, Georgia, don't wake up and say, I want to spend a day in the Cariboo", he says.
Robertson indicates that the idea of having a passenger stop in Revelstoke is not just up to the Rocky Mountaineer, but would be more
of a group effort from tourism stakeholders. "If there is an opportunity, and there is demand, we would certainly consider
it," he says.
Aaron Orlando.
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