23 November 2004 Royal Hudson Could be Back on the Tracks This time next year steam train enthusiasts and tourists may be sitting aboard a vintage coach as the Royal Hudson steams its way up to Squamish from North Vancouver and back again.   Thanks to a federal grant of $210,000 to the West Coast Railway Association (WCRA), Royal Hudson-class steam locomotive 2860 may be able to get the repairs necessary to put it back on the tracks.   "Well, I think if they get it refurbished and running again it's going to be great for tourism," West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast MP John Reynolds said from Ottawa. "It was always a very popular train from North Vancouver to Squamish and back. I think it's tremendous that we are going to fix that engine and get it back on track."   Of the $210,000 grant from Western Economics Diversification, a federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada, $110,000 is going directly toward the Royal Hudson repair project, WCRA executive director Dan Evans said from Toronto Friday.   The remainder of the grant will allow the WCRA to acquire some coaches for operating the vintage excursion train.   The main goal for the WCRA is to have the "world-recognized tourism icon" up and rolling next year. The locomotive was put away indefinitely after a charter trip in 1999 as it was deemed unfit for further service until a rebuild could be done.   Now, it's underway, Evans said. "All of the needed parts are in the process of being manufactured right now."   After operating for 25 years, the Royal Hudson boiler needs repairs. BC Rail previously said that engine 2860 sustained considerable boiler damage in June 1998 after too much water was put into the boiler.   "A lot of tubes and flues in the boiler are worn out and would not meet operating standards," Evans said.   It will take about 12 to 16 months of specialized labour to replace the parts, according to Evans. He said the WCRA is hoping to hire a lead hand with specific skills who can in turn help train others so they can acquire some steam skills.   In total, Evans estimates the project will cost at least $600,000. To date, the WCRA has raised $160,000. Evans estimates they need about $350,000 more to complete the project.   "We are very successful at fundraising generally. So I'm very confident that with this in place and with the parts now being made that we will be able to find the funds as the year goes on to see the job through." Even though the Royal Hudson has not been in operation since 1999, people are still trying to find it and book a ride on it, Evans said.   "It's got a world-wide reputation. Historically it's a very significant piece. It's the only class of engines that was given the official right to bear the royal crown."   The Royal Hudson had a "significant" impact during its many years of operation, Evans said. "It carried over a million people in the 25 years it ran between North Vancouver and Squamish. "It contributed more than $300 million in positive economic impact to the tourism economy."   While the WCRA plans to have the Royal Hudson operating next year, it also hopes that the engine will help out with the Winter Olympics in 2010.   "We think that the Royal Hudson would be a natural thing to help raise some profile for the Olympics," Evans said.   For now, people can get a close look at the Royal Hudson while it's going through the repair process at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish.