The Royal Hudson

On Sunday we were just getting out of the car after arriving home from the morning service, when my brother in law remembered and announced that the old Royal Hudson Steam train was due to come past on the train bridge below my parent's house, across to Crescent Beach and on to White Rock. The town was celebrating its 50th birthday, and the Royal Hudson had been restored for the occasion and was taking passengers for the first time since 1999. The train was originally built in 1929.
So the guys and kids hussled back into the cars and went on a mission to catch a glimpse of the train as it passed. Just after they left, my Mom and sister noticed a huge plume of white steam in the sky just above the trees- it was already coming! The guys were missing it!! Poor them...we had an awesome view of the train from my parent's balcony! When the guys came home, they said they had seen the train from the top of the ridge too, but Nick and my brother Michael decided to drive all the way down to White Rock to see it stop at the old station there. They came back about an hour later with some excellent close up shots of the magnificent train. You can read a bit of the history here.
This train holds special memories for my parents, because they went for a ride on the Hudson up to Squamish (near Whistler Mountain) with my Popa and Nana (my Mom's parents) way back in the late 80's. Popa was very fond of trains and we still have his huge train setup in his study downstairs! I'm sure his trip added inspiration.
Robyn is lucky to have a Daddy who will drive like maniac just to get a glimpse of an old steam train....she was treated to an amazing sight! And from the photos, it looks like a LOT of people wanted to experience it, too!