for what was our last big event of the year. 

Sue Walker

We all had a great time! We had some special guests visit us… 

Sandra MacDonald and Fred Bradley and his wife Sue Bradley from The Sunshine Coast. Sandra and Fred have corresponded on line many times but had never met until the train show.  They had a great chat. John Streit from CKNW radio also paid us a visit. He was there in a professional capacity: he did a great news report about the train show. This was also seen on Global News. 

Our sales team also did a fantastic job in chatting with people and doing sales. The final tally was over $1000 in sales!  We tried a new idea to make some mugs with the same art work as Lawrence’s prints of the buses.. it was a fantastic hit. We even sold a early 1900’s train switch lantern. Our Social Media person (Stephen Goodman) did a fantastic job in covering all the different areas of the Train show. I think we got a lot of exposure by being near the miniature train. Many people were taking pictures of our beautiful 4612 fishbowl bus.

I would like to thank  all the members and guests that took the time to volunteer and visit us at our booth  representing  the Transit Museum Society.

Our shop crew, Sean Keating, Jason Sharpe & Milan Streit did a last minute check of the completed cooling hose replacement. Then Trevor Batstone took 9753 on a road test, confirming everything was in order. The cooling system was the major project because the the system had to be drained and refilled; over the next few weekends other hoses which do not involve that will be replaced, but essentially #9753 is ready for its assignment on our Christmas Lights Tours.

Speaking of which, there are very few seats remaining! We are working to “firm up” our route, ensuring a 40′ bus can navigate the roads of Coquitlam & Port Coquitlam, and checking proposed stopping places.

Bryan Larrabee, President of TMS, writes:

“Thanks to Sue and Savannah and their sales team at the Model Train Expo. Their efforts generated over $900 in sales!  We had #4612 on display and had a number of present and past members drop by to say hello.  The organizers were happy with the turnout for the two days but it hasn’t gone back to pre-COVID days.

(Photos by Lawrence & Sue Walker. )

Thursday and Friday (November 9/10), #4612 was the star at a TransLink Marketing video shoot at VTC.  James Pearson was on hand to make sure they took care of our bus.  I have no idea what the video was about, but everyone was happy with the shoot!

On Wednesday November 8th, Evan Russell, Oscar Kapsa, Lawrence and I took #3106 back to Deroche and brought #4107 home to the shop. We are temporarily putting the antlers and Rudolph nose on #4107 so it can go to TransLink’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Surrey Santa Parade.”

We had a beautiful fall day for our visit to the Steveston Interurban. 748 guests crossed our doorstep. Always good to have 730 with us, so many more talking point aboard, and many people asking good questions.  Parked on One Road just north of Moncton, with many bus operators coming on board to check us out.

Lawrence Walker

It was a sunny Saturday October 7th when our Museum bus #730 visited Steveston. We were invited to attend the Steveston Heritage Sites’ (Tram) Culture Days. The focus was its Interurban, #1220, and the secrets behind its restoration.

As part of Culture Days 2023, we welcome a special visit from a 1957 vintage bus courtesy of the Transit Museum Society. This is an extra-special bus, not only because of its age, but because it is also a mobile museum that showcases the transit history of BC, including Interurban trams like Tram Car 1220.

Steveston Tram

Above, the TMS Crew: Top, from the left: Ethan Enns, Sue Walker, Lawrence Walker, Anthony Sherst, Frances He, Isaac Tam and Jacquie Sherst. (Front Row) Jacob Rubin, Ewen Streit, Martin Wu and Maxwell Chang

TRANSIT MUSEUM SOCIETY is once again helping TransLink with its onsite presence at the 2023 Pacific National Exhibition. This year, its slighly different: instead of being grouped together in one location, TransLink exhibits are spreadout throughout the fair grounds. We, and coach #730, are by Rollerland and the Colliseum. Stop by and say hello!

What a difference a few minutes makes. Host Steve Goodman appears quite lonely and forlorn. But wait! The “SuperDogs” show finishes and 730 is a hive of activity! We’ll have a full report in the next newsletter.

Fundraiser by TMS TRANSIT MUSEUM SOCIETY : A new mobile museum… inside a bus! (gofundme.com)