Can Steveston's Interurban Tram be Rented?

by W. J-F.
(Vancouver, BC Canada)

As I, too, hold residence in lovely Steveston, I am hoping that you can help me. I remember that there was an Interurban tram that ran during the summer season. Later, I heard that you could actually rent this tram for special occasions. Which brings me to my dear father-in-law's 85th birthday. He used to ride these trams in Vancouver back in the '20s. I am hoping to be able to rent the tram for a small family birthday party. I am keeping my fingers crossed that you can help me with this.

Reply: Thanks for asking, Wendy. I'm not absolutely sure that what I'm about to say in reply is 100% correct, so I have also forwarded your questions to Michel Brisebois of the Interurban Society.

My reply, though not the definitive one, is that the Interurban stopped running here in 1958. Since then, it has not run here in any season, and in fact, is not yet fully restored, though it can be viewed in its barn in Steveston Park. Also, Steveston residents—not me, as I'm for it running—have voted against it ever running on our streets again, a short-sighted pity.

However, you may wish to contact the folks at The Downtown Historic Railway, as they operate Interurban car #1207, one of the three cars built in BCA for the inauguration of service from Marpole to Steveston in 1905. They also do tours and charters, so check with them at http://www.trams.bc.ca/dhr.html.

I will forward Michel's reply when received. I hope this is of assistance to you, Wendy.

Update: "Sorry, the Steveston Interurban Restoration Society (SIRS) cannot help you right now. The SIRS tram is non-operational and the site is currently inaccessible due to construction of the 'Steveston Water Park'.

Perhaps The Transit Museum Society (TRAMS) would be better, as they have two operating trams. Try TRAMS at http://www.trams.bc.ca, or instead, for ease of access, The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown has apparently an old streetcar inside the restaurant where one can sit and order food. However, I have never been to that restaurant."—Michel Brisebois of the Steveston Interurban Restoration Society, Richmond, BC.