People Train Gathering Steam
The Interurban/Rail for the Valley message is starting to sink in in a big and exciting way. Just this morning while collecting bottles for the UCFV Environment Club, I overheard a spontaneous conversation that took place at the “Use Your Bean” cafe, otherwise known as “Rita’s Cafe” that centered around how wonderful it would be to be able to take a train out to Vancouver, spend the night, and then return in the morning without having to drive and find parking. I paused outside the elevator to eavesdrop for a few moments, hardly believing my ears. When an issue becomes the subject of coffee-table conversation, hallway chatter, it shows that it has penetrated the public consciousness. There are now huge political points to be gained by any government that recognizes the groundswell of awareness and gets this train moving.
The fact that Rail for the Valley has transcended the realm of obscurity and the world of a small group of core advocates, and morphed into an issue with a broad spectrum of awareness shows that John Buker’s Rail for the Valley and VALTAC have been tremendously successful in raising awareness. I’d go so far as to say that the battle is half won – the worst thing that could happen now would be for the sustained concentration that has been focused on this issue since last summer to lapse. Like lighting a fire, eventually, with enough fuel focused on one spot, and enough heat generated, it will eventually develop a life of it’s own. But it’s not there just yet.
Civic elections are upcoming next fall, and this represents a tremendous opportunity to make Rail for the Valley an election issue. Ensuring that all the candidates are aware of the enormous practicality of a South Fraser Passenger Rail Line, and then voting for those who commit themselves to supporting the concept will be an essential part of the process. Neither Mayor Hames in Chilliwack, or Mayor Ferguson in Abbotsford have been particulary enthusiastic about the concept to date…
That’s awesome – this train is gathering steam.
Yep, that it is. I’m seriously considering joining the Yarrow Ecovillage community, so when the line is restored, and I’m now more optimistic that it will be than I have since I first heard about the existing right-of-way, it’ll be just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
The “steam” reference I used is a little outdated though, don’t you think? Shame, in a way.
–Daniel
barefootpoetry
February 29, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Hey, Daniel. Thanks again for collecting bottles this morning. I know you’re working during the meetings, so don’t feel badly about not being able to make it. We don’t have much going on this semester anyway.
Hope all is well.
So you found my weblog. Welcome. More than likely, the better weblogs are found in my blogroll.
–Daniel
Michelle
February 29, 2008 at 11:55 pm
What you are talking about is the British Columbia Electric Railway right of way from Carrall Street in Vancouver to Chilliwack in 2-1/2 hours in 1910.
The more you talk about it the more people will remember and ask for it to be restored.
Surrey is in the process of restoring service in their city of the electric interurban streetcars.
Most of the world is also restoring their electric streetcars systems including Vancouver where every Saturday, Sunday and holiday you can ride two restored Interurban streetcars from Granville Island to LegInBoot station for a toonie return trip. When the South False Creek area is complete a streetcar system will be serving the area. Check out the Downtown Historic Railway at http://www.trams.ca, the City of Vancouver website or the Fraser Valley Historic Railway Society at fvhrs.org for more info.
Cheers,
Greg
Greg
May 30, 2008 at 12:57 pm