Previous Boards
The first FVHRS Board of Directors met in 2001.
Previous Boards and members are recognized below.
2023 – 2024 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Roger Crick, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
David King, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Elizabeth Guenzler, Director
David Baker, Director
Sten Christansen, Director
Art Crowther, Director
Mike Fleck, Director
Rob Baker, Director
Progress and change
The AGM was held in April, 2024, ten months after the previous meeting. This was to align our Financial Year to the calendar year and allowed us to return to the traditional AGM date of just before starting our Operating Season
Christmas in Cloverdale 100 years ago – Electric Express, returned in December 2023 with an expanded display of model trains, from our own collection and augmented by examples from the Bob Webster Collection.
The Paint the Train competition was a success during the exhibition at the Newton Cultural Centre and the touring exhibits visited The Langley Civic Centre, the New Westminster gallery and various Surrey Libraries for the following six months.
Our Operating Agreement with the three other partners, SRY Raillink, BC Hydro and the City of Surrey, expired at in the fall of 2022. The withdrawal from operational activity by the City of Surrey in 2023 caused a delay in the negotiations with the remaining partners. This delay caused us to cancel both The Sullivan Excursion and The Monster Express for 2023.
Our newest attraction the Heritage Rail Adventure, a “ride everything” event where a new activity every 15 minutes, continued to grow in popularity and ended the ’23 season with many sold out days.
The early Spring of 2024 saw the return of our School tours and a few specialty non-school tours. The School tours will pause once the 2024 Operating Season starts and may resume in the Fall of 2024.
A very busy March and April saw the FVHRS return to Squamish and the Railway Museum of BC (the WCRA renamed location at Railway Park) for the second annual Sea-to-Sky Model Train and Hobby Show. The completion of a number of restoration and maintenance projects – both rail and building based. April in particular was busy with five School tours and the annual Volunteer’s Fair followed by the Volunteers Orientation with 10 new Volunteers lined up while the Ops crew added some training and checkout runs. Our Soft Opening included the Fort Langley CN Station volunteers as our ‘test passengers’ and they also stayed to partake of our Volunteers BBQ.
2022 – 2023 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Roger Crick, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Linda Annis, City of Surrey Liaison *
David King, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Elizabeth Guenzler, Director
David Baker, Director
Aaron Lau, Director
Art Crowther, Director
Mike Fleck, Director
Recovery year
A recovery year with adjustments to the operating schedule. Reduction to maximum of 4 trains a day allowing crew rest and increased cleaning of cars between trips.
The AGM was held in November, 2023, one year after the previous meeting.
Completion of the infrastructure projects arising from the Provincial grants.
Two special events were held: October 2022 saw the return of the Monster Express, the Halloween special, and thanks to assistance by SRY Rail Link, this again ran to Sullivan and back.
Christmas in Cloverdale 100 years ago – Electric Express, returned in December 2022 with an expanded display of model trains.
The Paint the Train competition was a success during the exhibition at the Newton Cultural Centre and the touring exhibits visited The Langley Civic Centre, the New Westminster gallery and various Surrey Libraries for the following six months.
* The Municipal election of September 2022 brought in a new Mayor, Brenda Locke and Council. A number of changes followed including a City Staff report to Council that recommended the city withdraw from all operational involvement with the FVHRS and the Heritage Rail Demonstration Project. One result was the City of Surrey dropping the Council Liaison position. Another result was the interruption of the Sullivan Excursion and the Monster Express for our 2023 Operating season.
The 2023 Operating season introduced our newest attraction the Heritage Rail Adventure, a “ride everything” event where a new activity every 15 minutes became a large hit with many families. The Adventure ended the ’23 season with many sold out days.
2021- 2022 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Roger Crick, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Linda Annis, City of Surrey Liaison
David King, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Elizabeth Guenzler, Director
Aaron Lau, Director
Art Crowther, Director
Sheena Wilkie, Director
Another COVID year
A recovery year with a return to a full operating schedule. Reduction to maximum of 4 trains a day allowing crew rest and increased cleaning of cars between trips.
Director Sheena Wilkie resigned due to increased family commitments.
The AGM was held in October, 2022, one year after the previous meeting.
Completion of the infrastructure projects arising from the Provincial grants.
Two special events were held: The return of the Monster Express, the Halloween special, and thanks to assistance by SRY Rail Link, this again ran to Sullivan and back.
Christmas in Cloverdale 100 years ago – Electric Express, returns with a few changes due to restrictions.
2020 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Roger Crick, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Linda Annis, City of Surrey Liaison
David King, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Helen Williams, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Elizabeth Guenzler, Director
Aaron Lau, Director
Art Crowther, Director
Michael Gibbs, Director
Another COVID year
Impact of the continuing SARS COVID-19 global pandemic included a number of changes to the Board and schedules.
The AGM was held in October, 2021, one year after the previous meeting.
The 2021 operating season was delayed to September, a vast reduction in service. A number of events were again cancelled. Provincial grants enabled infrastructure work at the Cloverdale site.
Two special events were held: The return of the Halloween special, and thanks to assistance by SRY Rail Link, this ran to Sullivan and back.
Christmas in Cloverdale 100 years ago – Electric Express, returns with a few changes due to restrictions.
2019 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Ray Crowther, Vice Chair *
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Linda Annis, City of Surrey Liaison
David King, Director
Barb Ducharme – Harry Taylor, Director **
Roger Crick, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Elizabeth Alkire, Director #
Aaron Lau, Director
David Hobson – Art Crowther, Director ***
Michael Gibbs, Director
The COVID year
Impact of the SARS COVID-19 global pandemic included a number of changes to the Board and schedules.
The usual AGM is held near the end of April each year. Due to COVID, postponement of the AGM to October, 2020, extended the term for all Directors.
* As reported in the BLOG, Vice-Chair Ray Crowther passed away in June,2020, this position remained vacant until the 2020 AGM.
** Director Barb Ducharme resigned from the Board in Jan, 2020, due to family commitments.
The Board appointed Harry Taylor to the Board to complete Barb’s term (end 2021)
*** Director David Hobson resigned from the Board at the end of March, 2020, to maintain a family schedule commitment. The Board appointed Art Crowther to the Board to complete David’s term (end 2020)
# In July, 2020, Director Elizabeth Alkire married, with the resulting name change to Elizabeth Guenzler.
2018 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Ray Crowther, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Dave Woods, City of Surrey Liaison
Peter Finch, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Elizabeth Alkire, Director
Shane Suter, Director
David Hobson, Director
Michael Gibbs, Director
2017 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Ray Crowther, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Dave Woods, City of Surrey Liaison
Peter Finch, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Gary Ridout, Director
2016 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Ray Crowther, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Dave Woods, City of Surrey Liaison
Hugh Parkinson, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Gary Ridout, Director
2015 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Dave WOods, City of Surrey Liaison
Hugh Parkinson, Director
Harry Taylor, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Ray Crowther, Director
2014 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Hugh Parkinson, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Sten Christiansen, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Ray Crowther, Director
2013 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Terry Nichols, Director
Renè Doyharcabal, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Larry Perkins
June 6, 2013 Board meeting in Cloverdale Station
2012 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
Renè Doyharcabal, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Bill Watson, Director
Larry Perkins appointed to complete Bill’s term of office.
2011 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
Renè Doyharcabal, Director
Ron Powers, Director
Bill Watson, Director
2010 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
Renè Doyharcabal, Director
Ron Powers, Director
2009 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Barbara Steele, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
Renè Doyharcabal, Director
Ron Powers, Director
2008 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Councillor Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
2007 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Ray Hudson, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
2006 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Kelly Breaks, Director
Larry Fisher, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
2005 Board of Directors
John Sprung, Chair
Robert Ashton, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Kelly Breaks, Director
Larry Fisher, Director
Peter Holt, Director
Jerry R Gosling, Director
2004 Board of Directors
Robert Ashton, Chair
John Sprung, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Kelly Breaks, Director
Larry Fisher, Director
At the October 2004 meeting of the Board of Directors, a letter of resignation was received from Director Graham MacDonell. Graham has moved to Scotland and could not longer participate as he had in the past.
Robert Ashton, acting on behalf of the Board has written a letter of recognition and the Society has prepared a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. MacDonell for all his hard work with the Society.
At the November 2004 meeting, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Peter Holt as Director to complete the term of Mr. MacDonell. This term extend until March 30, 2005.
2003 Board of Directors
Robert Ashton, Chair
Bill Watson, Vice Chair
Stephen Plant, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Graham MacDonell, Director
John Sprung, Director
Doug Watkins, Director
Kelly Breaks, Director
Larry Fisher, Director
2002 Board of Directors
Robert Ashton, Chair
Bill Watson, Vice Chair
Howard Reich, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Graham MacDonell, Director
John Sprung, Director
Larry Fisher, Director
2001 Board of Directors
Robert Ashton, Chair
Bill Watson, Vice Chair
Howard Reich, Treasurer
Allen Aubert, Secretary
Judy Higginbotham, City of Surrey Liaison
Larry Fisher, Business Liaison
Jim Gillis, Director
Graham MacDonell, Director
Vic Sharman, Director
Roy Mufford, Director
Terry Lyster, Director
Henry Ewert, Director
George Johansen, Director
Founding Directors
2001 Board of Directors (left to right)
Front row: Jim Gillis, Allen Aubert (Secretary), Surrey Councillor Judy Higginbotham, Larry Fisher (Business Liaison), Graham MacDonell.
Back row: Vic Sharman, Robert Ashton (Chair), Roy Mufford, Terry Lyster, Howard Reich (Treasurer).
Missing: Henery Ewert, George Johansen.
