Iain David Neighbour | April 23, 1944 – January 15, 2008

Educator, librarian, actor, railway fan, volunteer, and gentleman.

   Iain passed away gently after a debilitating illness.  His passing leaves a great gap in our hearts.  His passion for railways began in his childhood in Britain, and continued with the Kamloops Heritage Railway and Engine 2141.  On his retirement from teaching, he leapt into the role of volunteer, on-board attendant, commentator, and script-writer for the KHR’s train tours.  He edited our advertising and proof-read our newsletters.  He served on our Board of Directors right up to the week of his death.  He put in many hours working on 2141, and many passengers will remember his charming smile and welcoming manner as they boarded the train, and his hilarious interaction with the “Billy Miner Gang”.

   Iain had extraordinary talents.  He worked with the Kamloops Players, the Community Arts Council, the Bel Canto Chorus, the Operatic Society, and many other groups.  He presented a radio programme on CFBX, the TRU Campus station.  

Memorial Service
For the late Iain Neighbour
Will be held Sunday, April 6th
At 2 p.m.
Kamloops Calvary Church
 1205 Rogers Way, Kamloops

This documentary style film tells the incredible story of the Steam Engine 2141 and the Kamloops Heritage Railway. Consolidation Steam Locomotive 2141 was built in 1912 by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario for the Canadian Northern Railway. From 1913 - 1958 her working time was spent on the prairies, in Smithers, B.C. and on Vancouver Island hauling both passengers and freight.

In 1961 the City of Kamloops saved her from demolition. For 33 years she sat on display in Riverside Park. Thanks to the support of the City and the hard work of dedicated volunteer members of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society, on January 15, 2002 she began a life of steam powered locomotion once again!

Today, the 2141 is one of the oldest operating steam locomotives in Canada. Come along with us as we steam into the past and enjoy the vivid sights and sounds that bring this incredible journey to life!

Only $21.41 ( taxes inc.)CDN - Customer pays postage.

Val and Sandra Pringle Honoured

When the final bid came in on the Spence Harrison print of Engine 2141, which was auctioned in December, the successful bidder was a group from the 2141 Backshop.

Instead of hanging the print in the lunchroom or Ticket Office, their wish was that the print be donated to Val and Sandra Pringle of Westwold.  The Pringles have provided water for 2141’s tender on the way to and from Armstrong on every trip for four years, from their irrigation system in Westwold.  The Backshop and Operating Crew wished to honour them for their hard work and selfless volunteer spirit.
Val and Sandra were presented with the Harrison print in absentia at the Volunteers’ Christmas Luncheon on December 13.  Their letter follows:

  “Years ago we dropped by at the old shop, as we had heard that the 2141 was going to be restored.  Over the years we have watched her be restored to her present beauty.  We watched her leave the station under steam and watched her pass through our valley.  That was a very exciting day.  It brought tears to our eyes.
  To see “Westwold” written on the side of the caboose touched our hearts.  My ride to Armstrong in the caboose and lunch with some of the crew was and always will be a special memory for me.  Val’s ride in the engine was a great thrill.
  Not only have we come to love the 2141 but also the ‘great bunch of guys’ that were dedicated to the engine.  You have done a wonderful job and it is an honour to know all of you.
  Thank you so much for the picture of 2141 and the recognition.  It is very special to us and we will cherish the picture.  Sorry we missed the Xmas dinner but we were busy helping an elderly neighbour fix his furnace.
  Thank you so much and may all of you have a wonderful Xmas.
Love, Sandra and Val”

Overseas Visitors Enjoy 2141

Simon Burch, who now lives in France, travelled on the Armstrong Explorer in September 2007 and sent us a wonderful description of his trip.  He has given us permission to print it, and some excerpts follow:

“I used to live in Vancouver in the late 60’s and also have close relatives in Kamloops and Vernon.

“We set off from Calgary with my Uncle and Auntie (both in their 80’s).  Whilst researching on the internet for places of interest in the Kamloops area, I found a link to the Kamloops Heritage Railway.  I booked our trip for September 15 2007 on the ‘Armstrong Explorer’ on line, and found the whole process very easy.  When I phoned from France with my credit card details, I was treated with warmth and courtesy.

“Arriving in Kamloops for a week’s stay…I made straight down to Lorne Street…to collect our tickets and book our chosen eatery in Armstrong.  After doing this, the staff in the office directed us over to your nearby Depot (the Backshop).  The welcome and hospitality was superb and I spent a wonderful 30 minutes in the cab of  ‘2141’ having all the controls explained to me, followed by a tour of the yard to see your rolling stock.

“On Saturday 15th September we made our way to the pick-up point following the instructions given to us, which were absolutely spot on.  We boarded the Armstrong Explorer and then set off on what I can only describe as ‘one of the most scenic and panoramic steam journeys I have been on’.  I have been on many in UK and Europe but this was far beyond what we had expected.  The hospitality on board was brilliant; the commentary superb, and the on board facilities were immaculate.

“Upon arrival at Armstrong, we made our way to our chosen eatery, which was the ‘Branding Iron Pub’.  We were, of course, expected and our table was ready and the food excellent.  Before boarding the train, I even managed a quick visit to Armstrong Canadian Legion where I signed the guest book (being an ex serviceman myself) and then partook a swift drop of Gibson’s with them.

“The return trip was excellent and during it, we were presented with a superb print of ‘2141’ as the passengers that had travelled the furthest (from Brittany in Northern France).  Needless to say, it is framed now and has pride of place in our hallway…

“A truly memorable and wonderful day out!  You have a superb enterprise in the ‘Kamloops Heritage Railway’ and I would highly recommend a trip on it to anyone on vacation in Kamloops.  In fact, it is one of the ‘must do’ things in the area.

“Keep up your excellent standard and I cannot fault the ‘Armstrong Explorer’ in any way.  Long may ‘Twenty One Forty One’ continue to carry out her duties!  We look forward to visiting you in 2009 when we visit BC again.
--Simon and Pauline”

Current memberships expire December 31, 2008

For your 2009 membership, send $25.00 to Kamloops Heritage Railway,
#6, 510 Lorne Street,
Kamloops BC
V2C 1W3

or phone 250-374-2141 to pay by debit or credit card