Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society

Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society
Overview
StatusOperating
LocaleSurrey, BC, Canada
Stations2
Websitehttps://fvhrs.org/
Service
TypeHeritage streetcar, seasonal operation
Rolling stockHistoric Interurban
History
Opened15 March 2001
Technical
Line length7.4 km (4.6 mi)
ElectrificationNone; electricity supplied by portable diesel generator
Route diagram

 Cloverdale
 Sullivan

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society (FVHRS) is a non-profit organization that runs a historic railway in Surrey, British Columbia.[1][2] The organization restores and operates historic interurban streetcars previously operated by the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER), who ran streetcars and interurbans throughout southwestern British Columbia for 60 years. It is one of seven operating heritage railways in the province.

The organization runs seasonal service between two recreated train stations located along track originally a part of the BCER's Fraser Valley Interurban line. The Fraser Valley line opened in 1910 and ran from New Westminster to Chilliwack through Surrey. The line had track-length of 120-kilometre (75 mi), making it the longest interurban line ever constructed in Canada. The current line operated by the Society runs on 7.4 kilometres (4.6 mi) of original track, with plans to expand the line in the future.

History

The FVHRS formed in 2001 under the advisory of the city of Surrey with a mission to acquire, restore, and operate BCER interurban cars.[3][4][5] Its headquarters were established on the site of the original Sullivan Station in Surrey, which was part of the BCER's Fraser Valley Branch line. The line opened in 1910 and extended from Chilliwack to New Westminster, where passengers could transfer on to Vancouver. At 120-kilometre (75 mi) the line remains the longest interurban rail line constructed in Canada.[6] A reproduction of the BCER Sullivan Station was constructed along the original tracks in 2001. This station was the base of operations and used to store rolling stock from 2001 until 2012.[7][8][9]

In 2004, the BC Ministry of Transportation issued a grant to the FVHRS of $75,000 in order to purchase BCER interurban car number 1225. The city of Surrey matched this donation with an additional $75,000, with the purchase of the streetcar costing $300,000.[10] The FVHRS agreed to purchase car 1225 from the Southern California Railroad Museum, who had bought the decommissioned car from the BCER in 1958. The car was transferred to Canada in 2005.[11][12][13]

Car 1304, previously on display at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum,[14] was brought back to Canada at the Sullivan Station in April, 2009.[15]

The FVHRS relocated to the site of the old Cloverdale Station in 2013 after construction of a replica depot was completed in addition to a carbarn. The historic rail system began operation in June 2013 with seasonal return service from Cloverdale to Sullivan Station.[1][2][16][17]

In 2016, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society donated the former Edmonton Transit Service #2001, a 1912 electric locomotive that once ran on the Oregon Electric Railway as well as the BCER. This locomotive was in turn donated to the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society in 2017.[18][19][20]

Image of Sullivan Station
Sullivan Station, the first station replica created and former HQ of the FVHRS.

From 2013 to 2022, the FVHRS had an agreement with the city of Surrey to run the heritage line from Cloverdale to Sullivan. This agreement was not extended in 2023 and thus the Cloverdale to Sullivan excursion had to be cancelled for the 2023 season. In its stead, the FVHRS launched the new "Heritage Railway Adventure" where guests ride on a variety of the organizations rolling stock.[21][22] In the new excursion, guests ride interurban car 1225 for 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi), then take railroad speeders on a similar route. A video is then played about the history of the BCER on car 1207 and the tour ends with a ride on a velocipede.[21]

In September 2024, an agreement was reached with Southern Railway of British Columbia (SRY) and BC Hydro to resume service for 5 years between the Cloverdale and Sullivan stations. Approval was required from the two organizations as SRY owns the freight rights on the old BCER track and BC Hydro owns the passenger rights. The restored line can be ridden as part of the 55-minute Sullivan Excursion.[23][24] Also in 2024, the FVHRS began hosting free music performances at the Cloverdale Station through funding from the city of Surrey.[25]

As 2026 marks the 25-year anniversary of operations for the FVHRS, the organization planned multiple events to celebrate.[26] Plans are in place to run two BCER interurban cars linked together, cars 1225 and 1231. This would effectively double the passenger capacity for the system, which would be used on the Cloverdale to Sullivan line. As of the 2026 season, three of the organization's four interurban cars are fully operational, cars 1225, 1231, and 1304. Work to restore car 1207, the oldest car owned, are planned to be carried out by volunteers.[27] The organization had the most volunteers to date in its 2026 season, with an average of 30 people onsite on the weekends. May 2026 also saw a 40% higher guest attendance compared to previous Mays.[25]

System

Cloverdale Station platform, the headquarters of the FVHRS.
Interurban with its power generator.

The heritage line is 7.4 kilometres (4.6 mi) long, using only a small fraction of the original 120-kilometre (75 mi) interurban line of the BC Electric Railway that connected Vancouver to Chilliwack.[16]

One of two operational interurbans is run seasonally on weekends, from stations at Cloverdale to Sullivan. The line's vehicles do not use a trolley-pole, and are instead powered by a Cummins diesel electric generator towed on a small flatcar.[28][29]

The FVHRS aims to have a new spur line created at the Sullivan Station by mid-2026. The spur line will connect the station directly to the line, which will allow passengers to board and disembark at Sullivan Station.[29] Following the creation of the new spur line, the FVHRS aims to expand the line further to Newton. This would involve the creation of a new replica Newton station, as well as upgrading the existing generators to compensate for the grade.[29] FVHRS is also exploring the possibility of converting its trains to be hydrogen powered.[30][31][32]

Collection

Image Date Builder Type Operator No. Withdrawn Service Notes
BCER Interurban Streetcar No. 1225 at Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society
 1913 St. Louis Car Company[33] Interurban Streetcar BCER 1225 1958 Lulu Island line (Marpole to Steveston) and Burnaby Lake line[34] Restored and operational. Runs from Cloverdale Station to Sullivan Station on weekends in the summer.[35]
1911 BCER[33] Interurban Streetcar BCER 1304 1954 Fraser Valley line[36][15] Restored and operational. Nicknamed "The Connaught Car" as The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia of Connaught rode it while on a royal visit to BC in 1912.[15]
BCER Interurban Streetcar No. 1207 at Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society
 1905 BCER[33][36] Interurban Streetcar BCER 1207 1958 Lulu Island line (Marpole to Steveston)[37] Car 1207 is ready to be restored as of July 2025. The restoration is estimated to take four to five years and cost $750,000.[29]

Currently used as the "1207 Theatre" where visitors board the car and watch a video about the BCER. Donated to FVHRS by the Downtown Historic Railway along with 1231.[38]

BCER Interurban Streetcar No. 1231 at Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society
 1913 St. Louis Car Company[33][36] Interurban Streetcar BCER 1231 1958 Lulu Island line (Marpole to Steveston) and Burnaby Lake line[34] Sister car of 1225. Restoration is ongoing.

Donated to FVHRS by the Downtown Historic Railway along with 1207.[39]

Honey Bee Express Railroad Speeders (Woodings speeder) at FVHRS
 Railroad Speeder FVR-11 FVR-12 Nicknamed the Woodlings speeder. Part of The Honey Bee Express.[40]
The Honey Bee Express (Fairmont speeder) at FVHRS
 Railroad Speeder FVR2 Nicknamed the Fairmont speeder. Part of The Honey Bee Express.[40]
Volunteers Handcar Designed and built by volunteers, The Family Quad Car sits 4 people and is hand operated.[41]
Velocipede CN 22128 Previously used in the Mt. Robson area. Visitors can ride the Velocipede, which was restored by FVHRS.[42]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jennifer Lang (June 19, 2013). "Full throttle for rail revival in Cloverdale". Cloverdale Reporter. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014. The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society is set to launch weekend runs on the original Interurban passenger rail line from Cloverdale to Sullivan return starting this Sunday.
  2. 1 2 John Buker (June 27, 2013). "Old interurban sparks interest in rail for the Fraser Valley". CKWX News1130. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Last weekend, the old interurban electric started rolling the rails again between Cloverdale and Sullivan in Surrey, a heritage project with service on weekends that aims to expand to Scott Road and possibly east into the Valley.
  3. ↑ Guenzler, Chris (July 27, 2024). "Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society 7/27/2024". trainweb.org. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  4. ↑ Ewert, Henry; Hudson, Ray (2010). "100 Years and Going Strong: BCER Fraser Valley" (PDF). A Centenary Celebration of the B.C. Electric Railway Fraser Valley Line 1910-2010: 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Surrey Interurban Heritage Rail Revitalization Tourism Initiative" (PDF). Surrey Corporate Report: 1. November 2, 2000. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ Ewert, Henry (January–February 2010). "British Columbia Electric Railway Company Limited" (PDF). Canadian Rail (534): 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 22, 2013.
  7. ↑ "The Saga of Sullivan Station" (PDF). Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society History (1). 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Heritage rail station nears completion in Cloverdale". Cloverdale Reporter. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Bryan, Liz (2011). Country Roads of Western BC: From the Fraser Valley to the Islands. Heritage House Publishing Company Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-926613-94-9.
  10. ↑ Ministry of Transportation (November 16, 2004). $75k Grant Helps Return Historic Railcar to Surrey (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2006.
  11. ↑ Smatlak, John (July 3, 2004). "BC Electric 1225 heading back to Canada!". www.rypn.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  12. ↑ "British Columbia Electric Railway 1225". www.bera.org. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  13. ↑ William-Ross, Lindsay (April 24, 2018). "Where to see one of only 7 surviving Vancouver Interurban streetcars". Vancouver is Awesome. Archived from the original on December 3, 2025.
  14. ↑ Conn, Heather; Ewert, Henry (2003). Vancouver's Glory Years: Public Transit, 1890-1915. North Vancouver: Whitecap Books. pp. 162–163. ISBN 1552855171.
  15. 1 2 3 "Car 1304 – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Peter McMartin (July 18, 2013). "The return of the Interurban rail system (with video)". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on July 27, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  17. ↑ Cotey, Angela (October 22, 2013). "Association of Tourist Railroads & Railway Museums presents first awards NEWSWIRE". Trains. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Edmonton Transit System 2001". www.bera.org. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  19. ↑ "History – 961 – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Oregon Electric #21, Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society". Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  21. 1 2 Jordan, Malin (June 12, 2023). "2023 heritage railway season underway". Peace Arch News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Message From the Chair". The Signal: 4. November 2023. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  23. ↑ Jordan, Malin (September 3, 2024). "Heritage Rail to run trains to Sullivan Station beginning Sept. 8". Peace Arch News. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  24. ↑ Jordan, Malin (September 16, 2024). "Back on track: Heritage Rail resumes runs to Sullivan". Cloverdale Reporter. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  25. 1 2 Jordan, Malin (June 17, 2026). "Summer music series set to open June 27 on platform at Cloverdale Station". Peace Arch News. Archived from the original on June 18, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ Jordan, Malin (April 12, 2026). "Surrey's heritage railway to open for 2026 summer season on May 2-3 weekend". Surrey Now-Leader. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  27. ↑ Jordan, Malin (April 10, 2026). "Fraser Valley Heritage Railway to celebrate 25-year milestone this season". Surrey Now-Leader. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Heritage rail station nears completion in Cloverdale". Cloverdale Reporter. March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2014. A slice of railway history is coming to life at the foot of 176A Street, where a faithful replica of the original B.C. Electric Railway station that acted as a bustling commuter passenger hub for decades is nearly complete.
  29. 1 2 3 4 Jordan, Malin (June 19, 2025). "Cloverdale heritage railway plans to expand to Newton". Cloverdale Reporter. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Hydrogen H2" (PDF). The Signal: 40. April 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  31. ↑ Thompson, S (July 1, 2007). "Hydrail: a parade Canada can lead". Energy Technology Data Exchange. Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  32. ↑ Lang, Jennifer (June 19, 2013). "Full throttle for rail revival in Cloverdale". Cloverdale Reporter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Earl; Stremes, David (2024). "SURREY (Cloverdale - suburb of Vancouver) - Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society, 5554 176th Street" (PDF). Canadian Trackside Guide 2024. Ottawa: The Bytown Railway Society, Inc.: 3–30. ISSN 0829-3023. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  34. 1 2 Anderson, Samantha (November 13, 2017). "PHOTOS: 'New' heritage railcar rolls into Cloverdale station". Langley Advance Times. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Car 1225 – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  36. 1 2 3 Ewert, Henry (2010). "British Columbia Electric Railway Company Limited" (PDF). Canadian Rail (534): 9. ISSN 0008-4875. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 26, 2026.
  37. ↑ Lang, Jennifer (February 2, 2016). "Surrey's heritage railway adds third Interurban to its fleet". Surrey Now-Leader. Archived from the original on March 25, 2026. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Car 1207 – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Car 1231 – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  40. 1 2 "Honey Bee Express – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Quad Car – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Velocipede – Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society". fvhrs.org. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.

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  1. ↑ Forsythe, Mark (Spring 2020). "Riding the Rails at Cloverdale". British Columbia History. 53 (1): 35.
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