I must wade into the recent discussion for the concept of Whistler train transportation (Pique, Jan. 19, “Let’s reactivate rail in the Sea to Sky”). For disclosure, my only expertise is that my legal name is in fact “Thomas.” But just imagine a narrow-gauge electric train laid within the existing (underutilized) trail bed between the communities of Cal-Cheak and Wedgewoods, with a spur line from Mons running street level adjacent to Fitzsimmons Creek and right up the middle of Blackcomb Way to the existing bus loop.
I have penciled a plausible rail grade route connecting the Cheakamus-Function community to lower Whistler Mountain. A restrictive four grade is feasible up the West Cheakamus Forest Service Road, above Tunnel Vision and through the Northwest Passage to mid-load village gondola.
Who knows? Maybe even an eventual extension to Pemberton or Brackendale would follow once a spur line is built up to Whistler Olympic Park.
What would this accomplish other than just tourist appeal? Well, it would certainly remove car congestion. Day trippers would have an option to park at Cal-Cheak and hop on the train. It may well require the construction of a Westside Road bypass first, and then instituting a congestion charge zone not unlike London, U.K.
Exactly how to pay for it? I will leave that to the politicians. Perhaps a P3 is out there with Bombardier, or perhaps BC Hydro would see the opportunity, as it has always had expansion dreams for an upgrade to the valley’s transmission lines, and recently renewed the call for the expansion of additional run-of-river hydro.
Think big, I say!
