Engineering and Economic Features of the Pacific Great
Eastern Railway.

By J. G, SuLLivan, CONSULTING ENGINEER.

WINNIPEG, MAN., June, 1922.
The Hon. John Oliver,
Minister of Railways, Province of British Columbia.

Desr Sir,—Your letter of instructions dated April 19th, 1922, handed to me on my arrival
at Vancouver April 20th, 1922, is as follows :—

“J. G. Sullivan, Esq.,
Consulting Engineer, Vancouver, B.C.

“Dear Sir,—There is a yery general opinion throughout British Columbia that the Pacific
Great Eastern as built traverses territory, a great portion of which is never likely to produce
traffic of moment, and that this particular portion—namely, from Green Lake to Clinton—should
be abandoned, and that instead of completing the Pacific Great Eastern along the north shore of
Howe Sound, connecting Squamish with North Vancouyer by rail, a line should be built between
Clinton and Asheroft connecting with the Canadian National Railways or the Canadian Pacific
Railway, or both, thus affording a direct entry into Vancouver, where the terminals of both lines
would be available and interchange made practicable with Canadian and American trunk lines,
with the British Columbia Electric Railway, and with all wharves and docks.

“It is also held by these same people that the uncompleted gap (45 miles in length) between
Red Rock Creek and Cottonwood Canyon. should not be finished now, but that even if it is
considered necessary to finish the gap referred to, it should bo completed simultaneously with
the Clinton—Ashcroft line, and an arrangement made with Canadian National or Canadian Pacific
to operate, thus obviating the necessity of purchasing about $1,500,000 of extra equipment which
would have to be procured if we should operate between Squamish and Prince George. Your
opinion on the feasibility or desirability of the abandonment referred to and the construction
of the Clinton—Askcroft connection is sought.

“ You will be furnished with profiles of the line showing the old and new work separately, and
where any line changes have been made, and your opinion is desired as to whether these changes
were beneficial or otherwise to the Pacific Great Eastern Railway.

“ Copies of the original contract, documents giving reasons for decreases and increases made
in prices from those in the original contract will be submitted to you for your consideration.

“You will also adyise on the plans and profiles showing the various routes by which the
Pacific Great Eastern might be extended to the eastern boundary of the Province, connecting with
the Alberta lines.

“I have instructed the Railway Department to put at your disposal every record of any
kind whatever which you may desire to enable you to make a report as to whether the work
carried out since the line was taken oyer by the Government was economically performed.

“ 4 complete bridge report as of December 31st, 1921, will be submitted to you, so that you
may form your opinion as to a programme of bridge renewals, especially on the section between
Chase and Squamish.

“TI have only outlined a few things which occur to me at the moment, but of course many
others will occur to yourself. *

““The Government desires to have a full and complete report on the work carried out under
its control, and to have your advice as to what is best to do in the future with this line so as to
make it able to meet charges in the near future, as it is at present almost an unsupportable
burden on the people of the Province.

“Yours truly,
JOHN OLIVER,
Minister of Railivays.”