Vol. 14 Number 8 June 13, 1984

CALGARY - One thing for certain about working for the Special Projects Engineering Department here, there is rarely a dull moment these days.

With the mammoth Rogers Pass tunnel project, the car and diesel repair facility at Moose Jaw, a major car facility currently under construction in Golden, and a number of other projects currently on the go, the staff has certainly been kept hopping since first moving here nearly two years ago.

SYSTEM

Formerly under the general manager of the Pacific Region in Vancouver, Special Projects became a system department under the direction of John Fox in 1982. "When we became involved with the Rogers Pass project, it appeared then that we should set up a separate organization," said Mr. Fox, vice-president, engineering.

"As it worked out, it was exactly the right thing to have done because our workload in the Rogers Pass has been beyond expectations."

The move to Calgary was made because of expectations that most of the future projects would be occurring in this central area.

Mr. Fox joined CP Rail in Montreal with the chief engineer's office in 1949 after obtaining an engineering degree from McGill University.

After moving to positions of increased responsibility in various divisions for 13 years, he moved back to the chief engineer's office when in 1976, he became chief engineer.

Mr. Fox has seen his headquarters staff increase to 35 from eight employees two years ago. There are also 70 staff members in the field, including 28 in the Rogers Pass, 30 workers in the double tracking project outside Revelstoke, nine at Golden, and three in Moose Jaw.

The projects which Special Projects staff are working on include:

Rogers Pass - This much publicized $600 million project is aimed at reducing to one percent the existing 2.2 percent grade between the Beaver River Valley and the Rogers Pass area of British Columbia, which will provide increased main line capacity to meet projected traffic demands between Calgary and Vancouver.

The focal point of the project is the 9.11 mile (14.6 kilometre) Mount Macdonald Tunnel.

Staff have been particularly busy on the project in the past few months, preparing detailed plans for the contracts.

This project is the largest single construction project undertaken by the railway since the completion of the transcontinental line in 1885, and it's a major challenge for the Special Projects department.

The project is being supervised on site by Construction Manager Norm Tennock, Tunnel Superintendent Peter Penner, and Surface Grading Superintendent Peter Holubar.

Moose Jaw - Work is continuing under Project Supervisor Hugh Robinson, on a three-year project to build a new car and locomotive repair and servicing facility.

The building exterior is complete and work is now underway on interior installations. The $15 million project which will also include new diesel locomotive fueling and sanding facilities, is scheduled for completion in 1985.
 

DOUBLE TRACKING

British Columbia - Double tracking is continuing under Project Supervisor Mike Hobbs, between Revelstoke and the Rogers Pass in British Columbia. The project involves a 23 mile (37 kilometre) section of double track, including two new bridges. The new twin-track will improve service on the Mountain subdivision between Revelstoke and Field, B.C.

Golden - A $47 million coal car repair shop and train servicing yard is well underway at Golden, B.C., under Project Supervisor Ed Swanson.

Grading, drainage, and preliminary service work is now virtually complete, and work on the coal car repair shop will soon be underway.

This project involves relocation of the main track of the Windermere subdivision around the town to the south and west, and work is now underway on a new bridge across the Kicking Horse River, required for the track relocation. This is a four-year project, slated for completion in 1986.

Calgary - Planning is underway for the expansion and redesign of Keith Yard on the city's western outskirts