In Pemberton, a group of kids has been greeting visitors to their B.C. town for many years now. Whenever the Rocky Mountaineer train arrives or departs, the children eagerly gather on the platform to say hello or wave goodbye. Raiden Kawashima, aged 12, developed a fascination with trains at a young age and has been welcoming people since he was just a few months old. “I enjoyed being social, talking to others, and making new acquaintances,” Raiden expressed.
Known as the Welcome Committee, the kids wait for the train to arrive and greet people twice a week for six months every year. Despite the early hours and occasional cold weather, Raiden shared that it’s enjoyable to be with friends during these moments. This tradition, which has been ongoing for over a decade, is now facing uncertainty.
Rocky Mountaineer’s Rainforest to Gold Rush route, operating on a CN Railway rail line from North Vancouver to Jasper, is at risk due to CN’s plan to cease operations on a section of the rail line between Squamish and 100 Mile House. Recently, Rocky Mountaineer announced the discontinuation of the Rainforest to Gold Rush route for the upcoming year, with no plans for its inclusion in the 2028 schedule unless a long-term operator is secured to maintain the rail line.
All members of the Welcome Committee sport matching hats and ambassador name cards for identification. Coco Kawashima, a 10-year-old member, expressed how missing a day of greeting leaves her feeling like she should have been there to see the joy on everyone’s faces. Rain or shine, the children are dedicated to their greeting duties, with Coco mentioning how strange it will feel if the tradition comes to an end.
Since 2006, Rocky Mountaineer has welcomed over 250,000 travelers on train journeys through the region. Visitors, like one from the U.K., have even taken the time to write letters to the children after meeting them in Pemberton. This interaction with people from around the world, as noted by Junko Kawashima, the mother of Coco and Raiden, helps broaden the children’s perspectives.
For the parents, the potential loss of the train and the tradition would have a significant impact on the community. Sabrina McDermott mentioned how her son’s involvement in greeting passengers has aided in overcoming social anxiety, providing him with an opportunity to engage with others. The Welcome Committee, originally a small group, has grown alongside the community, fostering teamwork and camaraderie among the children.
Kei Uto, who has been greeting people since the age of two, emphasized the routine and sadness associated with the possible discontinuation of the train route. He encourages anyone interested to join the committee before the train service on the route ceases, inviting them to share in the experience of greeting the train together.