42 - Wednesaay, May 22, 1991 - Anna Marie Nortir Share News DEEP COVE'S Dollarton Highway and Gallant Aveaue area have been plagued with roead-construction delays almost since the work bepan more than a year ugo. Many residents and merchants have complained about the length of time taken to de the work. During recent warm days, vehicles travelling over unpaved stretches of Is Deep Cove road construction a hindrance? Derek Olson Sruce Anderson Debra Mileak North Vancouver A inajor hindrance. look at it from a retail standpoint and no one can stand a disruption for 1 1/2 years. It’s dif- North *arcouver You bet your sweet bouties it is a hindrance. it’s been over a year and it’s not done yet. We have and are putting up Oh North Vancouver it is a big an- noyance out here. yes, ficult to serve the public when there is no access. with this crap. road stirred up dirt that was distributed everywhere and added to the frustration of many merchants. The vehi- cles were travelling over dirt roads being readied fer new pavement. But warm, dry weather is expected to help speed up road construction in the future. Greh Wahl Richmond when it is finished. Vince Grega Oh definitely, but it will make things a fot better North Vancouver/Seattle It’s been a continual hindrance for 1. 1/2 years, I've been here for two years and I’m con- cerned about safety in certain sections of the roads. ail focuses on passenger service NORTH VANCOUVER- based BC Rail is going full steam ahead in marketing its passenger rail service, which has traditionally been a mnoney-losing venture. By Surj Rattan News Reporter The Crown-owned company has hired an advertising agency to begin promoting its passenger ser- vice, which accounts for only 1% of BC Rail’s total operations. Freight transportation makes up the balance of the company’s business. BC Rail spokesman Barrie Wall said Monday that marketing the passenger service will also include promoting ridership on the Royal Hudson steam train, which is set to begin its 1991 inaugural run on May 26. The scenic route, which takes passengers from North Vancouver to Squamish and back during the summer months, has always been a major tourist attraction. The 978 McKenzie Royal Commission recommended BC Rail terminate its passenger rai! service, but Wall said the provin- cial government told the rail com- pany to keep it. The wo sides have since entered into an agreement in which Vic- toria will make up the difference in any BC Rail passenger service losses. “Our passenger service is a loss-making service but our Jong- term objective is to increase the ridership to the point that we're no longer going to be dependent en government subsidies,’’ said Wall, “hy will not be profitable but we hope to break even and that will take a few years. “The smart thing would be to get out of the passenger service and concentrate on freight.” While saying the passenger ser- vice nas its “ups and downs,’* Wall added that ridership figures have been gradually increasing over the years. | A good night can do wonders SPRINGWALL® Now ts the time to replace fhat lumpy, tired, wom out mattress and box spring that is robbing you of a good refresn- ing nignts sleep. This ts the mattress de- signed by the Chiropractic Profession to relieve morning backache. Hurry in for yours and save a lot. All sizes HOME FURNISHINGS 1075 Roosevelt Crescent, al North Vancouver Fri. 9-9, Gun 124 (2 Dlocks behind the Avalon woe 995-8738 FP OvEN DAILY Meanwhile, the second of two steam engines that pull the Royal Hudson may never get out of BC Rail’s North Vancouver repair yard if the provincial government does not come through with about $500,000 in funding, said Wail, The Royal Hudson train is pull- ed by two steam engines: the orig- inal 2860 and the back-up engine 3716, which has been in BC Rail’s North Vancouver repair yard for the past year. Wall said it will cost about $500,000 to repair the 80-year-old steam engine. BC Rail, he said, is looking to the provincial govern- ment to provide the funding. If Victoria rejects the funding request, Wall said the back-up Royal Hudson engine will be a diesel if the original 2860 steam TILL MAY 28 4099 E Hasting Burnaby engine breaks down, which it did in 1990. BC Rail previously operated th. Royal Hudson on a contract basis for the Royal Hudson Steam Train Society, which was set up by the provincial government. But BC Ruil took over the entire operation of the Koyal Hudson last year and the society was disbanded this week. Wall said the provincia! trans- poration ministry has said it will not make a decision on BC Rail’s funding request until the govern- ment delivers its budget. The budget was delivered Tues- day afternoon, but details of BC Rail funding were not available to press time. Royal Hudson run set THE 1991 inaugural run of BC Rail’s Royal Hudson steam train will be heid on Sunday, May 26, with festivities starting at 8:30 a.m. at the BC Rail passenger sta- tion, 1311 West Ist St. in North Vancouver. The Royal Hudson departs the North Vancouver station at 10 a.m. and travels to Squamish, returning to North Vancouver at 4 p.m, The Royal Hudson operates on the scenic route between North Vancouver and Squamish during the summer months. get one FREE J Buy:t-get J. 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