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Where You Can Vacation And Be Home The Same Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TNT The Naked Truth

Dec. 15, 2025

PTC - Plugged Train Crossing

Miraculously, this is week three of "You can't make this s--t up" stories in the White Rock Sun.  I was sitting at my computer desk starting to write this TNT column about Positive Train Control (PTC) technology when I got a call from a SmartRail member at Crescent Beach alerting me to a BNSF freight train stopped on the tracks.  There had been several reports this week in the Crescent Beach Neighbours FB page about northbound trains grinding to a halt as they approached the swing bridge by the marina.  I quickly jumped in my truck and headed down to the entrance for Crescent Beach where it was lit up like a Christmas tree with SFD fire trucks and SPS squad cars.  After winding my way past the line of stalled traffic and pulling over, the emergency lights showed yet another stopped freight train blocking the entrances to Crescent Beach.  By chance I happened to meet the Engineer of the train who told me the reason for all of the stopped trains this week including the one on Sunday night.  Read on to get filled in about PTC and how it is supposed to work.

Last week, the White Rock Sun ran an "Inside Track" story about this rail safety system that is now active on the BNSF line.  I had been following this technological innovation ever since Ken Jones, President of SmartRail, alerted me to its implementation after the crash of two BNSF freight trains along Hwy. 91 in Delta at the bottom of the Watershed park on Nov. 19, 2023.  I covered this wreck and the pollution it caused in many TNT columns including "BNSF Off The Rails" (Nov. 20 2023), Drone-ing For Oil (Jan. 8 2024), and Pump and Dump (Jan. 22).  Scroll down into the archives to read these stories plus check out the pictures of the destruction and the diesel fuel it released into the environment.  If these trains had PTC running, this crash would have never happened.  Here is the edited post about PTC with information from the BNSF Railway Facebook page:  

BNSF Runs Canada’s First PTC Train.  On Tuesday, Oct. 21, a BNSF train was the first to operate in Canada under Positive Train Control (PTC) protection, a technology that helps prevent train-to-train collisions and derailments.  PTC is a federally mandated safety system that will automatically stop a train if the engineer fails to obey a signal or exceeds the speed limit.  Currently no other railroad operates with PTC in Canada.  The BNSF PTC-controlled line is approximately 27 kilometers from Brownsville, New Westminster, to the U.S. border.  In addition to BNSF trains operating on the New Westminster Subdivision, Amtrak runs between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. on this line, so its trains and passengers are now provided an extra layer of safety.  Congrats to all involved in bringing PTC to Canada!

PTC technology was first mandated by the US Congress back in 2008 as part of the Rail Safety Improvement Act in response to continuing railway accidents due to human error.  PTC is able to prevent train-to-train collisions and derailments caused by excessive speed by tracking the exact location, direction and speed of trains along a railway system.  Any problems get transmitted to the train engineers and if they do not act on the warnings, the system automatically slows the train or brings it to a stop.  PTC also stops unauthorized train movements onto portions of tracks where maintenance vehicles and personnel are present, plus stops trains from passing through a track switch left in the wrong position. What it does not do is prevent accidents caused as a result of track or equipment failure such as a broken rail or blown wheel bearing.  Also, it cannot prevent at-grade crossing accidents where vehicles enter the rail corridor, or stop people trespassing on the tracks from being struck by trains.


The PTC system works by having global positioning system (GPS) sensors mounted in the locomotives to monitor their speed and location on the tracks.  Electronic sensors monitor both wayside switches and hand thrown switches which are then relayed by WiFi or high-band radio transmission to base stations that feed network operation centres, with any problems relayed back to the locomotives.  If train crews do not respond to commands from the operation centre, automatic control signals are sent to slow or stop the train.  As a spin-off, this technology allows for geo-mapping of trains across North America, more advanced communications and better control over railway resources, making for more efficient rail shipping and lowered fuel consumption.  If you want a more thorough understanding of PTC, its history and evolution to the system in use today, visit the Positive Train Control posting on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_train_control .  What you do need to realize is that if PTC was in use in 2013 on the MMA freight train that burned down much of Lac-Megantic, Quebec killing 47 people, this disaster would have never happened. 

So what does PTC have to do with the BNSF trains in Crescent Beach suddenly grinding to a halt as they head northwards towards the swing bridge over the Nicomekl river?  It turns out that halfway between Beecher Road and the trestle there is a monitoring station that is faulty or is transmitting the wrong information to the network operations centre.  Whether it is the locomotive engineers responding to commands or the automatic system taking control, the result is the same with trains slamming on their brakes and stopping.  Unfortunately this blocks all egress to Crescent Beach trapping people on either side of the tracks.  When this happens, emergency services immediately respond in case there is a safety issue in the village of Crescent Beach.  While the Railway Safety Act specifies that trains at a level crossing must be cleared in five minutes, this is simply never the case.  According to postings in the Crescent Beach Neighbours Facebook page, it took one hour and twenty minutes for this stalled freight train to finally start moving; information the Surrey Traffic Management Centre can confirm from their camera.  Let's hope that the BNSF works the bugs out in their new PTC safety system as these constant train blockages at Beecher St. and McBride Ave. endanger the lives and property of those folks who call Crescent Beach home.

Naturally yours,

Don Pitcairn

I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People

 

 

 

 

 

Local News

December 16, 2025

 

    White Rock Hosts Official Community Plan Update - Today

    Have your say.

  • The community is invited to view the proposed draft changes to the Official Community Plan at a Community Information Meeting on December 16 at the White Rock Community Centre.

    On October 20, draft updates to the Official Community Plan (“OCP”) bylaw were presented to Council. On November 3, Council directed staff to provide an opportunity for the public to view the proposed draft changes to the OCP (view the November 3 Council meeting).


    Community Information Meeting

    • Date: Tuesday, December 16

    • Time: 4 to 8 p.m.

    • Location: White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Avenue


    • Highlights of the OCP 2025 Update project

    The proposed updates to the draft Official Community Plan bylaw incorporate:

    • Feedback from residents from previous open houses, pop-up engagements and surveys conducted between February and September 2025 for the OCP 2025 Update and the North Bluff Road Corridor Study projects.

    • Proposed updates to land use designations and policies related to the North Bluff Road Corridor Plan.

    • Provincially mandated requirements based on the City’s 2024 Housing Needs Report.


    • Background

    The City is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP) in response to new provincial requirements introduced in 2023. However, it is key to ensure that the OCP continues to reflect the community’s needs and priorities. To achieve this, through a series of public engagement initiatives, the City engaged the community to evaluate how existing OCP housing and associated policies can be revised to fulfill new legislative requirements in a manner that will align with the community’s current goals and priorities.

    Additionally, the proposed updates incorporate land use designation changes and policy updates from the recently endorsed North Bluff Road Corridor Plan, as directed by Council at the July 21, 2025 meeting.

    View the draft Official Community Plan and learn more about the OCP Update 2025 project at www.talkwhiterock.ca/ocpupdate2025

 

Survey Closes Today

Have your say on fireworks at summer events

While fireworks are a popular part of our annual celebrations, fireworks have also raised concerns related to traffic congestion and safety. Recognizing both the enjoyment and challenges fireworks present, City Council is seeking public input through an online survey.

Visit www.talkwhiterock.ca/firework and provide your feedback. The survey is open until Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Council will review and discuss the results at a Council Meeting in January and look forward to making a decision that reflects both the spirit of celebration and our responsibility to safety for residents and visitors.

Background

At the November 17, 2025, Council meeting, the 2026 Special Events corporate report was brought forward to City Council, requesting direction for the use of fireworks at Canada Day by the Bay and the White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days in 2026 and beyond. Council directed staff to create a survey on Talk White Rock for residents and visitors for their input.

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2025

Surrey Police Services Cruiser involved in Fatal Collision

Surrey Police Service (SPS) has notified the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) following a collision between an SPS police vehicle and a pedestrian that has resulted in the pedestrian passing away. 

On December 14, 2025, at approximately 7:20 pm, an SPS police vehicle was involved in a collision with an adult female pedestrian at the intersection of 152 Street and 64 Avenue. Despite medical attention from SPS officers, Surrey Fire Service firefighters, and BCEHS paramedics, the woman tragically passed away at the scene of the collision.

SPS has informed the IIO of the incident and they have asserted jurisdiction.

152 Street will be closed between approximately 60 Avenue and 66A Avenue, and 64 Avenue will be closed near 152 Street for several hours as investigators examine the scene. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

SPS is unable to provide additional information while the IIO’s independent process is taking place.

 

 

 

 

December 12, 2025

Ten of the 16 Metro Vancouver mayors stand together at a news conference Thursday

 

A coalition of Metro Vancouver mayors is calling on the B.C. government to repeal housing legislation designed to increase supply through higher density, but the housing minister says there's no going "backward." 

The mayors representing 16 municipalities including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, West Vancouver and the Township of Langley say the measures overlook local realities and pile infrastructure costs onto municipalities.  White Rock did not send a representative despite sending no less than two letters of opposition to new building guidelines being imposed on our community.

Provincial housing minister CHRISTINE BOYLE says these policies are "making a real difference" and that the government has no plans to make further changes to them. “We're not going backwards when we see these policies are making a real difference,” she said.

 

Survey Closes on Tuesday

Have your say on fireworks at summer events

While fireworks are a popular part of our annual celebrations, fireworks have also raised concerns related to traffic congestion and safety. Recognizing both the enjoyment and challenges fireworks present, City Council is seeking public input through an online survey.

Visit www.talkwhiterock.ca/firework and provide your feedback. The survey is open until Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Council will review and discuss the results at a Council Meeting in January and look forward to making a decision that reflects both the spirit of celebration and our responsibility to safety for residents and visitors.

Background

At the November 17, 2025, Council meeting, the 2026 Special Events corporate report was brought forward to City Council, requesting direction for the use of fireworks at Canada Day by the Bay and the White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days in 2026 and beyond. Council directed staff to create a survey on Talk White Rock for residents and visitors for their input.

 

December 11, 2025

 

The Atmospheric River over B.C.’s south coast broke White Rock Daily Record

“The atmospheric river has weakened and is rolling away from the area now. But many areas, in fact, really everywhere from Chilliwack east into the mountains, saw 100-plus millimetres of precipitation over less than a 24-hour period, and all that water still working down through the watershed over the next 24 hours,” said Kuss.

For the date of Dec. 10, records broken in the Fraser Valley include Abbotsford, which reported 86.2 millimetres, Hope, which reported 134.2 millimetres, Agassiz, which reported 91.8 millimetres, and Chilliwack, whose airport reported 110 millimetres of rain — more than doubling the area’s last Dec. 10 record of 52.6 millimetres from 1896.

Other records set for the date Wednesday include the Vancouver International Airport reporting 30.9 millimetres, and White Rock reporting 45 millimetres.

 

Pattullo Bridge replacement given First Nation name

 

stale'wasm, named by the Musqueam Band and Kwantlen First Nation, translates to Riverview in English

Chief Marilyn Gabriel of the Kwantlen First Nation said a traditional name is “not bestowed lightly” and “carries reminders and responsibilities.”

The $1.6 billion replacement project’s bridge deck is now connected and the final paving is underway.

The bridge is expected to open partly on Dec. 24. The northbound lane to Columbia Street in New Westminster will be the first to open.

The new bridge will continue to open in phases, with a planned closure of the new and existing bridge for one week in late January, The new bridge won’t be fully open until February.

 

December 10, 2025

BNSF Runs Canada’s First PTC Train

 

BNSF became the first to operate in Canada under Positive Train Control (PTC), a technology that provides an added safety layer for train braking. Locomotive Engineer Buddy Hall and Conductor Ioannis Kalogiros were on board for the inaugural run. The PTC-controlled segment spans roughly 17 miles from Brownsville (Patullo Bridge) to the U.S. border. BNSF is currently the only railroad operating with PTC in Canada.

The New Westminster Subdivision also hosts Amtrak service between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., which means those trains and their passengers now benefit from this enhanced safety system.

 

 

December 09, 2025

Pink Sky @ Night - Pot Smokers Delight

  • For those who may be wondering where the actual pink or sometimes orange hues come from, when observing the night sky over the South Delta area.

    The pink glow commonly observed in the sky above Ladner & Tsawwassen, is light pollution resulting from powerful LED grow lights used in commercial greenhouses in the area.

    The specific pink or purple hue is created by a combination of red and blue LED lights, which are the most beneficial wavelengths for photosynthesis in plants. This spectrum promotes healthy growth during different stages of the plant life cycle, especially during winter months when natural sunlight is limited.

    The light glow becomes particularly visible in the night sky when there is low cloud cover and moisture in the atmosphere, which reflects the light downwards and across a wider area.

    The source of the lights includes several large-scale greenhouse operations in Delta and South Surrey. These operations often grow produce, such as tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries, as well as cannabis.

    Greenhouses in the area, such as those operated by Windset Farms and others, use these lights to maximize growth efficiency year-round. While some businesses employ light abatement curtains to minimize the glow, light leakage still often occurs, creating the notable pinkish-purple sky glow seen by residents across Metro Vancouver.

    Well now you know this fun fact about our local area greenhouse business’s that at times have caused polarizing views and opinions from the general public. For an avid photographer like myself it still creates some interesting and at times beautiful effects for evening photography.

    Near Windset Farms Ladner . . .

 

 

 

Today's Video

 

 

 

Thought For The Day

 

 

 

IN MY OPINION

Dave Chesney

December 12, 2025

TRANSLINK representatives made the long drive out to White Rock back on December 01. The occasion was an update on the "proposed" RAPID BUS LINE that possibly will one day link White Rock with Whalley/Central City in North Surrey.

Plans are being worked on to twin some sections of King George Highway between Semiahmoo Mall and the Surrey Skytrain station in Whalley.

The RAPID BUS LINES and there are going to be six of them in the Lower Mainland they have been created by the Provincial Government through Legislation (Bill 47) which has been introduced that will allow the Province to establish minimum allowable height and density for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas. Local governments will be required to designate these areas near transit hubs and consider applicable guidelines pertaining to them.

I was looking forward to the TRANSLINK presentation as staff and council have been wondering how the proposed RAPID BUS LINE may impact development in White Rock. Even though the actual route of the RAPID BUS LINE does not come into White Rock, the proposed development enhancer would mean major changes in heights and density for the area located within 800 metres of any portion of the RAPID BUS LINE route. If you do the math 800 metres is a half a mile which would impact development all the way down to Marine Drive.

Following the official slide presentation the TRANSLINK representative on hand asked if council had any questions. I did.

1. Is there an actual design plan available on how you will widen the King George Highway between White Rock and Whalley?

A design plan is in the works

2. What will the cost be to create just the one RAPID BUS LINE to White Rock?

The cost is being worked on.

3. How much quicker will a RAPID BUS trip from White Rock to Whalley be.

It is expected the RAPID BUS LINE will take 10% off your travel time. Meaning that trip which now takes 30 minutes would roughly now only take 27 minutes.

4. Is this very minor change in travel time enough to move commuters out of their personal vehicles and on to TRANSIT?

The option of riding the bus as opposed to driving their own vehicle would mean the commuter would have a more relaxed trip which could mean sending emails, checking your phone messages planning out your days activities.

5. At the original information centre it was identified there would be new height guidelines along the RAPID BUS LINE. Proposed height guidelines would fall within 200 metres/within 400 metres/within 6-800 metres. Could you tell us what those height guidelines will be?

Those numbers have not been finalized.

At the end of the presentation the TRANSLINK rep stated in the Spring there would be Open Houses in the various communities along the RAPID BUS LINE, including here in White Rock.

I thanked the TRANSLINK rep for the report and challenged them to actually take transit when they come back for the Open Houses. I said they may find out more about transit by using it than a number of committee report.

Time will tell, and so will I.

David Chesney

Editor/Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Events

 

 

Bright Walk in White Rock

The fifth annual Bright Walk in White Rock park lighting event takes place Saturday, November 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This seasonal tradition kicks off a month-long winter display featuring over 50,000 dazzling lights across Memorial Park, bringing holiday cheer to the waterfront.

Opening night will feature a tree lighting ceremony and plenty of family-friendly entertainment, including story time with the Grinch. Santa will be visiting and taking free photos throughout the evening.  Enjoy live performances from The Dimes, kids’ crafting and cookie decorating, custom ornaments with Thrifty Foods, and a festive Christmas Market at the White Rock Museum and Archives.

This year’s display offers plenty of photo-worthy moments, including the popular Light Tunnel, newly added illuminated spheres, and additional new festive features.

Event Details:

  • When: Saturday, November 29, 2025

  • Where: Memorial Park, White Rock

  • Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tree Lighting with Mayor Knight at 5 p.m.

  • Light Display Duration: November 29, 2025 January 18, 2026

For more information, visit whiterockcity.ca/brightwalk

 

 

This year's Party is Dec 16. Bring potluck and wear red for another picture and let’s dance dance dance .

Dec 23 pre Xmas stress buster. Bring snacks and let’s Dance .

Dec 30 pre new years Class. More dancing at Club 240

More dancing at Club 240 aka The Crescent Beach Legion
128th street in Ocean Park

Christy Fox & The Cowboy

.........Invite All Line-dancers

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow In THE SUN

Night Owl

If you are looking for a night on the town and some great music, we know where all the action is this week.

 
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