The Pacific Wilderness Railway, an excusion operator on the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway(ex-CPR E&N Railfreight) may not make it to see the 2002 season , Ohio Central has taken all but three coaches and the three GP10's, ridership on the Pacific Wilderness is down to about 90 passengers a day, alot of people have fought with CPR, VIA, and RA to get an excursion train running and it seems that we may loose it. [ 18 July 2001: Message edited by: E&NRailway ]</p>
That's too bad, I was hoping to ride it this year or next. I hope something can be worked out. I had hear rumours that it was having troubles, hope it can survive.
Pacific Wilderness Railway made its last run yesterday(July 18) at 1400. Today the PAW got its equipment gathered up and readied it for departure to Nanaimo via the Victoria Freight, the equipment will head back to the Ohio Central.
I can guarantee you BC RailKing will be upset to hear about the excursion train's demise. If you are ever over on the mainland give us a call and if it is a Friday night, I will introduce you to the folks we run trains with. The reason I make this offer is that one of the chaps is a man named Dave Manzer (teacher) who has the greatest collections of photo's, drawings, anything to do with the E&N. He has been collecting for over 30 years on the E&N and is the most knowledgeable person I have ever met concerning this railroad. You might be interested to meet him; I know he would enjoy your company.
The E&N is already looking for a company to take over Pacific Wilderness Railway's operations, several companies are being approached to take over PAW's operations, including Rocky Mountaineer, and White Pass & Yukon, the E&N(Rail America)will decide on the new operator by fall of 2001 in time for the summer 2002 season.
