Newsletters

FVHRS published a printed newsletter about 3 times per year for the first few years. As we got busier in the barn the frequency varied.

Our current publishing schedule is to have one annual magazine, The Signal, ready for each AGM. Supplementing this will be the Signal Express, a smaller printed format for the beginning and end of each operating season. Special events are also covered with special issues.

For ongoing, as-it-happens news, please see the online version on the FVHRS Blog or on our Facebook page.

We currently have most back issues and the current issue available here as Acrobat PDF files. We are working to get missing issues scanned and available here.

2023

The Signal, November 2023

Ride Everything! FVHRS announces the launch of the new Heritage Rail Adventure.

2022

The Signal, April 2022

Car 1304, the Connaught Car to lead off the 2022 season!

2021 – our 20th Anniversary!

The Signal, April 2021

A retrospective of our first 20 years. Based on our simple mission statement: Get Car; Fix Car; Run Car, we take a looks at many people who helped us grow from an idea and the use of some land, to a multi-car operating railway. A few stops along the journey with significant milestones and even communication from Buckingham Palace. See how the cars ‘flew’ to Surrey and find out where we are headed in the future.

2020

The Signal, April 2020

In the movies, Meetings and convention trips to the station, the first First Responder’s day celebration, Paint the Train Art v2.0 competition, Lots of buzz in the meadow, Clayburn signals again, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2020, Halloween Heroes & Villains, Electric Express Christmas 1919 events.

2019

The Signal, April 2019

Dedication of the Frank Horne Heritage Rail Discovery Centre, Great Northern Railway Historical Society visit, Fairchild TV Report, Clovie award, Paint the Train Art competition, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2019, Halloween Heroes & Villains, Electric Express Christmas 1918 events.

2018

The Signal, April 2018

BC | Canada 150: Launch of Connaught with Lt. Gov. of BC and the BC Regiment, arrival of BCER 1231, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2017, Halloween Heroes & Villains, Electric Express Christmas 1917 events, announcing the Paint the Train Art project.

2017

The Signal Express, April 2017

New addition BCER 1231 announced, preparing for our BC|Canada 150: Launch of Connaught & new track & barn expansion, Images of the 2016 Halloween & Christmas 1916 events, our 20,000th passenger.

2015-2016

The Signal 15th Special Anniversary Special Issue

2001 – 2015 the first 15 years, Yarrow Riders visit 1304, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Halloween Special Event, BCER 1207 arrives, 2016 in review, Clayburn Signal donation, Crew First Aid training, AGM 2015, 5 year Strategic plan, BCER 1304 Legacy

2014

Interurban Again, October 2014

Bypass track installed, Year two of operations & what is planned for next year, BCER 961 arrives from Edmonton, Volunteer interviews: Archivist Ken Silen, BCER 1304 Yarrow students reunion planned, AED on site, KPU Horticulture student plans for the station, AGM report, Salute to SRY Rail Link & SRY President/CEO Frank Butzelaar, Salute to PNR Railworks Pacific Manager Al Schroeder, Salute to RDM Enterprises President Ron Madsen, Salute to Cloverdale Paint, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2013.

2013

Interurban Again, October 2013 – Special

Official opening of Cloverdale, start of Operations, Milestones: 1,000 though 5,000th passengers, Station lift, pictures of Opening Day and our first season, BCER 1304 restoration.

2012

FVHRS News, July 2012 – Special

Cloverdale construction, cleaning up Sullivan, getting ready for the move to Cloverdale.

2011

FVHRS News, Summer 2011

10th Anniversary, Plans for Cloverdale – Car Barn & Cloverdale Station, 1225 trucks, 2010 Volunteer Dinner, 2011 AGM, last Open House at Sullivan, updated 1225 report and historical photos. Updated Donor lists.

2010

FVHRS News, Fall 2009/Winter 2010

BCER 1304 & the fire of ’45, Volunteer profiles: Ron Jones & John Welsh, Brian Croft at the Volunteer Dinner, 1225 restoration update,

2009

FVHRS News, Spring/Summer 2009

BCER 1304 returns home, 2009 AGM Volunteer profiles: Douglas Abbott & Lloyd Knoblauch, Henry Ewert: Becoming an Interurban motorman, Bradner Flower Show, Royal Hudson visit, 1225 restoration work. Poster: Duke of Connaught BCER 1304 home at last.

2008

FVHRS News, Fall 2008

Goodbye to our Den Mother, Volunteer profile: Rene Doyharcabal & Roberta Anaya, lyrics of The Ballad of 1225, Volunteer Dinner.

FVHRS News, Spring/Summer 2008

2008 AGM, Henry Ewert: Cloverdale, Volunteer profiles:Ron Powers & Neil Wilkie, Bradner Flower Show. Supplement: Donors list – updated.

2007

FVHRS News, Fall 2007

City of Surrey cheque, Henry Ewert: The Power of the BC Electric Railway, Chair’s report – Volunteers, Interview: Vice Chair Bob Ashton, Salute to the Volunteers 2nd annual Volunteer Dinner, FVHRS genesis. Supplement: List of donors to BCER 1225 restoration work.

FVHRS News, Spring 2007

AGM report, Chair’s report, Treasurer’s report, Vice Chair’s report – rehabilitation progress, salute to volunteers on 1225, fundraising report, Council Liaison report, Henry Ewert: Milestones of the Interurban Service, retiring directors Breaks & Lyster. (now up to 8 pages)

2006

FVHRS News, Winter 2006

BCER 1225 rehabilitation starts, artifacts donated, FVHRS visit to SRY.

FVHRS News, Fall 2006

BCER 1225 skeleton, workshop addition. (Dropped vol numbering – seasonal designation used.)

2005

FVHRS News, Fall 2005

BCER 1225 repatriated, additional BCER 1225 poster, 1225 in the barn. Special Edition.

FVHRS News, Spring 2005

FVHRS registered as 19th BC Railway, volunteer opportunities. Vol 6 No 1

2004

FVHRS News, Summer/Fall 2004

Golden spike on Sullivan Speeder track, Donation from GVC, SHAC members tour of Sullivan campus, Director & newsletter editor Graham MacDonell resigns. Vol 5 No 4 (change in numbering)

FVHRS News, Spring 2004

Spring 2004 – Replica Sullivan Station opened, first payment on BCER 1225, BCER storyboard pictures. Vol 3 No 4

FVHRS News, Winter 2004

Replica Sullivan Station work, City Sullivan & BCER-FVHRS storyboard unveiling. Vol 3 No 3

2003

FVHRS News, Fall 2003

Official opening of Sullivan car barn, Hampton Inn Save a Landmark donation, new web site. Vol 3 No 2

FVHRS News, Summer 2003

City of Surrey grant, Sullivan car barn plans and site, new board members. Vol 3 No 1

2002

FVHRS News, Winter 2002/2003

Sullivan barn plans, Chair Bob Ashton presents Minister Sheila Copps FVHRS news, Surrey’s rail history on display at Surrey Museum. Vol 2 No 4

There might not have been a Vol 2, No 3 produced – we seem to have changed numbering schemes.

FVHRS News, Fall 2002

News on BCER 1304, history of Connaught car, FVHRS at Woodworking show. Vol 2 No 2

FVHRS News, Summer 2002

Streetcar 30, City of Surrey land at Sullivan park for FVHRS, board negotiating for BCER 1225 & 1304. Vol 2 No 1

2001

FVHRS News, Winter 2001

First AGM, split terms for directors, Brownsville area. Vol 1 No 4

FVHRS News, Fall 2001

New Board working hard on Phase One. Vol 1 No 3

FVHRS News, Summer 2001

Jim Sullivan and Sullivan Station. Vol 1 No 2

FVHRS News, Spring 2001

New society, new Board of Directors, old cars. Vol 1 No 1