Recreation groups of interest

Outdoor Recreational User Group (ORUG), an umbrella organization that co-ordinates activity on the trails in the area.

Salmon enhancement

sunshine-coast-trail-pr-canoe-route-mapThe sustainable forest integrated management system we enjoy in the Powell River forest ensures a reasonable balance between economic needs and non-timber values of the forest including protection of some old growth forests, fish and wildlife habitat, biodiversity, visual quality, and terrain stability.

Our Sunshine coast trail and Canoe Route can be seen on this map (click for larger view)

Recreation groups of interest

Outdoor Recreational User Group (ORUG), an umbrella organization that co-ordinates activity on the trails in the area.

 bring back loggers sportsLogger Sports

Thanks to a public campaign championed by PRLiving in PR Living Ferns and Fallers, Bob Marquis is planning to bring Logger Sports back, perhaps in 2016.

Here is video footage of a previous logger sports. 


 

The Sunshine coast trail  was conceived in 1992 when a handful of outdoor enthusiasts realized that there was a vanishing amount of accessible old growth left on the Upper Sunshine Coast. They formed the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society PR PAWS, a registered non-profit charitable society to set aside protected areas linked by corridors, as well as beginning work on the 180 km trail connecting the old growth from Saltery Bay to Sarah Point.  it is Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail.

2000 Business Plan

back-to-index

 


 

 



 

 

kelly-spruceName: Kelly Spruce Ltd

  • Years:  
  • Activity: Sawmill  
    • Owned by Powell River Co. Ltd
  • Powell River building
    • Peak report in the Working Forest Newspaper May 2015 "The deteriorating building is now off limits to the public because it is hazardous.
      There are many people in this community with fond memories of the Kelley Spruce operation and there are concerns the Kelley Spruce complex will have to be torn down because it is hazardous in its current state.
      The foreshore on which Kelley Spruce sits would make an ideal site for a log dump if the building was torn down. One of the reasons why Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation entered into an agreement with Catalyst Paper Corporation and City of Powell River to create the PRSC (Powell River – Sliammon – Catalyst) Limited Partnership was to situate a log dump adjacent to the millpond."

 

to be written

 

Helicopter Logging

excellent video from Worksafe BC about heli-logging, such as is common in Powell Daniels and other remote, high-slope areas

view on youtube for larger version

 

 

There is no Texada LU documentation on the ministry website.

Suggested content welcome to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

----Notice of Meeting sent Sep 25----------
Hi, members and friends
 
Reminder: next meeting of the PRFHS: Tuesday September 29, 7 pm at the PRHMA Admin Bldg
 
See updates of recent  activity at
  
cheers,    Dave Florence
President, PR Forestry Heritage Society
604-487-0356
To add or delete your email address to this PRFHS email-list, please reply with your instructions.
 
Meeting Agenda
Welcome – new members
Minutes (Geoff)
Treasurer Report (Hans)
 
Trail report (MikeL)
- Willingdon storage locker (Dave)
- contact list ;
- Unique tree down
- shaw video shot Sep 22
- fall trail maintenance plan (ditching,  brushing)
- interpretive signs update
- safety inspection date
 
Railroad Report (Dan);
- Fall afFair report
- spending plan for recent Kiwanis $1,000 donation
- Solar system report, pumps (Mike)
- Donkey sled  update. Siting at PEP?
- Railroad track and shed expansion plan (Dan)
 
Forestry Museum (Bert)
-Anderson collection update;
- September operation of FM
- other plans for the Forestry Collection
 
President Report
--Forest History Association request for  to host 2016 meeting
- from ORUG meeting
- - - tracking volunteer hours
- - - looking for volunteer organization to maintain other Millennium Park trails
- Long term volunteer recognition
- - - suggestion – some physical object in addition to website to recognise long term contributors and passed away members
-Raffle update;
- - - Arts Alive/Sea Fair
- - - plan for 2016;
- our constitution purpose “(a) to preserve and advance the heritage of the forest industry of Powell River and District”
- - - 4 historic photos for educational signs on order
- - - website initiative
- - - Parks-Recreation-Culture Regional focus group
- - - other suggested activity?
- our constitution purpose (d) “to support the forestry collections of local museums”
- - - level of funding support from PRFHS
- - - other suggested activity?
- Logger Sports – role we should play if any?
- field trip for 2016?
- Newsletter 2015 – any suggested changes?
 
New business from members
 
-Adjournment, next meeting date
 
-----------------------
 
Aug 11 minutes---

Powell River Forestry Heritage Society

Regular Meeting

PR Forestry Museum Foyer

August 11, 2015

Members Present: Dave Florence, Geoff Stubbs, Dan Parsons, Mike Lister, Sharon Taylor, Philip Kemp, Rob Clarke, Steven James, Marian Kemp

Meeting called to order at 7:05 by Dave Florence

Minutes from June 2nd, 2015 were read (errors:  Steven James was in attendance, start time was 7:05, Julian Welp was suggested as a resource, not Roger Welp)  - adopted as amended

Dave presented the treasurer’s report – approved

Trail Report:  The boom boat and logging arch were painted with the help of the Scouts.  Additional painting will be done in the fall or spring.  One alder that came down was cut in sections and removed.  One hanging branch was also removed by Doug.  It was suggested that one more garbage can is needed at the far end of the trail, near the logging road.

Research is continuing on a suitable storage locker that is weather proof and an acceptable size.  Steven moved that we go ahead with a small metal lean-to style shed.  Dave will look into it and report back. 

The ‘Steam Hammer’ will be moved when the equipment is here for the Anderson Collection move.

Railway Report:  The peddle cars are very popular and additional ones may need to be made.  The archery situation is still not resolved, so no expansion is possible yet.  Dan showed a photo of a possible steam locomotive for display in Powell River.  It is presently located in Washington State and operated near Ladysmith.

Old Business

-the donkey sled design and work is continuing.  Julian Welp has been contacted and is interested in helping.  Dave and Doug will continue with the plans for this project.

New Business

-a brusher has been purchased with funds from O.R.U.G. and is for joint use by PRFHS and the Rod and Gun club – available for pickup from Dave Hodgins

-the leaf blower is stored in the train shed and will go to the trail shed after the fall fair

-the Fall Fair will be significantly reduced this year due to the lack of volunteers and may reduce out train operation that weekend.

-logger sports may be returning if enough interest is shown in the community

-Sharon reported that the Forestry Museum has been busy, with many international visitors and also from other parts of Canada

-Mike has a heavy duty label maker that is available for our group to use

-Mike also had a mystery item to share – possibly a handle or punch??

Next Meeting – September 29th, 2015

Meeting adjourned at 8:22

 
---------- July 19, 2015  to the railroad volunteer list--------
Hi guys
 
Several of us are available Tuesday evening to do various items such as listed below.
 
Timings:
- 7 pm at Dans to get the required tools, or
- 7:15 at the park
 
If you can bring a whipper-snipper, please let me  know.
 
cheers,  Dave Florence
 
cheers,  Davef
 
----some tasks---------
- check the track for levelness and do some repair
- finalize the steam bay on-site design and return required items to Dan’s shop for welding
- Whipper snipping on our traditional territory, including around our sign on McLeod road by the 4365 sign
- - need volunteers (s)  with whippersnapper....
- blow leaves etc from the track
- - need blower brought from Hans’ if Hans not there
- lopping branches that have dropped below the 7’ sight line in our traditional territory
- install the plastic gutter screen
- test the solar system wiring
- task planning
- any other tasks???
 
From: " href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">Dave-Linda
Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2015 9:09 AM
To: " href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">join email PRFHS
Subject: Postponed: Forestry Heritage Society meeting to June 2
 
To   members and friends
 
  
With no decisions needed at the moment, the PRFHS general meeting scheduled for  April 28 is postponed to June 2.
 
See some informational updates below.
 
For more, check out the What’s new page .
 
cheers,    Dave Florence
President, PR Forestry Heritage Society
604-487-0356
To add or delete your email address to this PRFHS email-list, please reply with your instructions.
 

--- PRFHS Update as of April 25

Paradise Valley Railroad
- Our first operating day is Sunday April 26; continuing every Sunday 12:30 – 2:30
- Winter projects are completed: two new Handcars, and upgrades to various rolling stock
- We are awaiting completion of Paradise Exhibition Park management decisions before our major projects can begin
- some near-term projects
- – DC pump for the waterwheel,
- - solar panel for charging in the shed;
- - Switch levers/indicators
- details are on the website, see Dan Parsons for questions or suggestions

Willingdon Beach Trail
- we will call one or more work-parties in May to
- - power-wash the boom-boat, and perhaps power-wash one other item for painting;
- - select the item for PR Scouts to paint
- - move the cedar logs downed last year either offsite for lumber or stored for possible anti-slough bank-building
- - review interpretive signs and decide to update or move if needed
- - review the previous safety inspection report and update
- details on the website, see Mike Lister for questions or suggestions

Steam Donkey WIW #1619. We plan to:
- proceed with the sled construction in June
- disconnect the boiler and move both to Spreeuw property when lift equipment is available
- details on the website, see Doug Lott for Sled information and Dan Parsons for frame/boiler questions or suggestions

Anderson Collection (PRHMA project)
- the decision to move the collection to Powell river is affirmative
- Bert Finnamore accompanied by PRFHS member plan to visit to Burnaby to assess the lift/transport details
- see Bert Finnamore for questions or suggestions


 
 

From: Dave-Linda
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2015 10:38 PM
To: join email PRFHS
Subject: Forestry Heritage Society update March 13

To members and friends

We had a good PRFHS AGM, held Tuesday Mar 10

Check out the What’s new page for updates, photos and a video showing the 3 logs arriving for the Steam Donkey Sled

cheers, Dave Florence
President, PR Forestry Heritage Society
http://prfhs.org
604-487-0356
To add or delete your email address to this PRFHS email-list, please reply with your instructions.

 

 
From: " href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">Dave-Linda
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 9:19 PM
To: " href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">join email PRFHS
Subject: Forestry Heritage Society: Notice of AGM Mar 10, 2015
 
To   members and friends
 
  
Hope to see you at the PRFHS   AGM, Tuesday  Mar 10, 7 pm  – to be held at the PR Museums’ Admin building, 4798 Marine .
 
Check out the What’s new page for updates, photos and agenda
   
cheers,    Dave Florence
President, PR Forestry Heritage Society
604-487-0356
To add or delete your email address to this PRFHS email-list, please reply with your instructions.
 

powell-daniels-scenefrom the 2002 LUplan

"The Powell - Daniels LU is entirely within Tree Farm License 39.   It contains a wide range of significant natural resource values and features including complex river floodplains, wetland complexes, massive rock bluffs, alpine meadows, avalanche tracks, and active glaciers. ..... Situated at the head of Powell Lake, the Powell - Daniels LU is quite remote, though limited backcountry recreation activity, including rock-climbing and mountaineering, occurs in this area."

Forest protection and preservation

  • Wildlife - strategies in place to protect Identified Wildlife: Grizzly bear, mountain goats, marbled murrelet, and the Northern Goshawk
  • Significant Old-Growth forest and Wildlife Tree Patches protected
  • details in the BC Ministry 2002  Powell Daniels Landscape Unit Plan

Roosevelt-elk

Economic values

 

 

WFP Access Road Map

Heritage values

Question: How much old growth in the Landscape Unit Plan for Powell Daniels area? Answer: 1600 hectares in old growth out of actual 11,500 hectares total.

MtDiadem-LoisLU Lois Landscape Unit is one  of Powell River's back-forest treasures:

  • Recreation values for ecotourism and community families
    • remarkable scenry such as Mt Diadem to the right more photos here
    • hiking - the Eastern third of the Sunshine Coast Trail
    • canoeing - Eastern half of the Powell River Canoe Route
    • camping, angling, hunting, ATV recreation, ski touring, snowshoeing, backpacking and mountaineering
  • Forest protection and preservation
    • balanced biodiversity through silvaculture choices
    • Wildlife - strategies in place to protect Identified Wildlife: Grizzly bear, mountain goats, marbled murrelet, and the Northern Goshawk
    • Significant Old-Growth forest and Wildlife Tree Patches protected
    • details in the BC Ministry Lois Landscape Unit Plan 
  • Economic values
  • Maps (scroll down below)
    • Lois Landscape Unit
    • Sunshine Coast Trail and Canoe Route
    • WFP Access Road Map
  • Heritage values
    • Site of the historic Stillwater Railroad
    • 1941-42 Consciencious  Objector camp between Nanton and Lewis Lakes; another one by Gordon Pashas Lakes (Lambert, rusty nails...)

sunshine-coast-trail-canoe-route

 lois-landscape-unit-2010

 


WFP-access-map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SunshineCoastLAndscape UnitsAroundPowellRiver

The BC Ministry of Forests describes the forest in sections they call Landscape Units (LUs), as shown on this map (click to see larger). These are based roughly on the major watersheds of our forest. Some are current, others over 10 years old, LU information can be viewed or downloaded here.

We form part of the Sunshine Coast Forest District (SCFD), managed from the Duncan Street office in Powell River. SCFD maps and other information is available here.

Four of these LUs form the heart of our forest, and are described in linkable sections:


lois-haslam-theodosia-powell-watershedsour major watersheds, with Powell Lake in the centre (unmarked)

We had three operating days in 2012.

  • July 1,
  • BC day August 6 and
  • Fall Fair Sep 24-25

Here is a video of July 1 when we operated on the original 200' loop.

 

Many thanks to Michelle Hignell and Shaw TV for this wonderful clip about the Forestry Museum train project filmed on Aug 6, 2012 BC Day.

Other local Shaw clips seen on Channel 4 can be seen at Shaw's North Island/Powell River Youtube

 

 

This file contains the material from the
"What's New" file before Dec 31, 2012
 
Moving the new donkey to the Parsons'
   
Some Photos in the Gallery:
   

Our new Donkey

  One possible storage location could be north of our original train loop, backed in from the parking lot that Dan cleared for Fall Fair. This would make it a logging display for the “forestry train” ride; yet be “hidden” enough out of the way from imposing itself on the farmers market

Rudi van Zwaaij and Ken Gordon tightened the cables on the shovel; cut off the excess cable; and pruned the surrounding trees.

Richard Parker has been working on a set of replacement interpretive signs that Rudi prepared.

Rudi is making plans for a brush cutting work party on the trail; date TBA
----------------------------------

The widely circulated blog-email with classic photos “Before Chainsaws – logging monster trees” can be seen here:
http://www.logcabindirectory.com/blog/before-chainsaws-logging-industry

City of Powell River officials are investigating the possibility of relocating Powell River Historical Museum and Archives to the former Catalyst Paper Corporation Engineering-administration building in the  Townsite. The PR Peak story published Nov 21 can be read here.

A combination of the PR Forestry Museum building with a re-located City Museum would have staff savings plus a 12-month exposure of the museum artifacts. However, we'd lose a wonderful current location.

Vice Pres Rudi van Zwaaij will lead the PRFMS participation in any discussions that arise; and Secretary Peter Sansburn will be a valuable resource with his connections to the Townsite HS and PR Museum.  Views of members are welcome; please direct them to Rudi.

We had a good meeting Oct 30 at the WFP office with 16 active members attending: Dave Florence, Pres; Rudi van Zwaaij, VicePres; Peter Sansburn, Secretary; Chet Fee Treasurer; Dan Parsons, Railway Director; Hans Maurer, Director; Sharon Taylor, Lead Museum Attendant ; and members Lynda Parsons, Art Mebs, Cathy and Bob McLean; Bob Johnson, Phil Kemp, Doug Lott, Mike Lister and Stephen James.   Oct 30 minutes here

-----
Five members showed up Saturday Nov 10 to clear ditches. Thanks to Phil Kemp for the photos.
   
On November 1, 2012, Treasurer Chet Fee met with and photographed our "Patron of the Year", Robert G. Lacey,  who donated $3,000 this year to the PR Forestry Museum. Robert is enjoying his retirement from BC Hydro in Powell River, and is a regular walker of the Willingdon Beach Trail. more photos here.

Robert's funds will go towards trail projects for next year such as re-surfacing the north end of the trail between the steam donkey and haul road; painting some artefacts; and installing the Steam Hammer.

updated sponsor list here

 

A team winterized the Forestry Museum Friday Oct 26. Thanks to Hans Maurer, Mike Lister, Doug Lott, Chet Fee and Dave Florence

Valley Building Supplies has increased its sponsorship to the Gold level by donating all material except the siding for our Railway shed. (Siding provided by Lois Lumber). Valley is our regular source for building supplies and will remain so in the future. more on the shed here

 
An update on the Englewood Railway of WFP. For more lick here.

 

 

 

 In July 2012 we were offered a large bull block by the Behan family, which we stored at Don Carto's place. We installed it Oct 20, 2012 next to the Steam Donkey.

A plaque "in memory of Merlin "Jiggs" Behan is attached to the Bull Block.

We also  lifted the Steam Hammer to begin planning for a restoration to begin in 2013.Thanks to Dave and Phil for photos.

More on the work party click here

 

We finally got the Bucket installed on the Shovel along the Willingdon Beach Trail Oct 20 at a rainy work party attended by Rudi van Zwaaij, Dan Parsons, Don Carto, Jim Gamble, Stephen James, Hans Maurer, Chet Fee, Phil Kemp, and Dave Florence.

More on the work party click here


 

The BCForest Service Centenary Society has completed work on a project to digitize over 85 historical BCFS films and videos as part of their 100th anniversary. Blake Fougere from the local Forestry office sent along a .pdf that links to the videos

    Log barge dump this fall at Stillwater WFP log sort.

Photo thanks to Brent Parker via Rudi van Zwaaij.

Album version

 
  WFP Raffle Donation
Marlene Crilly of Western Forest Products presents Dave Florence, President of the Forestry Museum Society with $1,262, the proceeds of the truckload of firewood raffled off at the Fall Fair. Our thanks go out to WFP and all the citizens who supported us though the raffle
 
Fall Fair

Over1100 riders on the weekend

More here

 

Thanks to Ron Nassichuk for a $200 donation to the Miniature Railway project

 

 

Our newest Gold Sponsor is BC Fallers Ltd., a Powell River-based company that provides account management for Independent Contract Fallers working in all areas of BC.

See the total list of our sponsors here

 

Lois Lumber recently donated some yellow cedar for our ties and other work requiring quality wood.


Winner Lisa Kubany of WFP Stillwater Forest Operations with Dave Florence, President PRFMS

2012  Winner of the raffle drawn Aug 31 is Lisa Kubany of Powell River. She won Debra Bevaart's "Neptune's Private Eyes", a life-size harbour seal pup's head as it is seen above water; carved in soapstone from India.

(Debra on the right)

 

More photos here

 

 
  Field Trip Aug 18/19

We had a great field trip to Vancouver Island.

Eight  members and spouses attended.

More photos of the trip here.

 Video clips below and here

  

 

  Read English sent along some photos taken of the Japanese Shake-bolt operation between Horseshoe and Dodd Lakes. Thanks Read!!

More photos of the Bolt camp as it is today here

200 kids of all ages rode the train Aug 6  4:30 - dusk as part of the "Mid-Summer's Night Feast"

More train news here

 

 
 

Online Donations now possible!! For those comfortable  using a credit card online, we accept financial donations through "Donate Now", a Canadian charity that collects the funds and transfers the funds to our bank account; then sends a printable receipt by email to the donor. We pay a 3.9% fee for this service, which covers the credit card or interac fee; and the receipt administration. That comes to $0.98 on a $25 donation; well worth it to us because mailing a receipt would cost us almost that much for just the stamp.  For larger donations, (say,  $100+) a cheque would be preferable to save the administrative fee. Note that in using this service you print the email receipt yourself. You can direct your donation to the Museum/Archives, Trail or Railway, or General. unless you wish it to be anonymous, your donation will be recognised on our current sponsors page. Your receipt will be issued by email immediately for you to print.

For those not comfortable with online credit card use,  Peter Sansburn, our secretary, keeps the administration binder for the winter/spring season. He can accept membership applications, and issue receipts for donations for the Friends of the Society program. Peter is often at the Townsite Heritage Society office at Henderson House on west Walnut Street. Call to set up a suitable time: 604-483-3901

 

Annual draft here - 2mb file; 15mb available on request

 

 

Have a look at Rob Tremblay's website "Vanishing history"  http://www.vanishinghistory.ca , which has some interesting ideas and photos of some of the logging artefacts to be found in the forest.

We created a Membership Page to provide information about joining the Society. Check it out here.

Next meetings at the Forestry Museum, normally 2nd Tuesdays at 7 pm; if in doubt ask by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. :

     

 

  • Name: TimberWest Forest Products
  • Years: 1997 - present?? (in Powell River)
  • Activity: Tenure holder
    • 1997: purchased  private land previously owned by Pacific Forest Products Ltd
    • one lot: Duck Lake road, near hwy 101
  • People: Owned by two pension funds
  • Links:   http://www.timberwest.comexternal-link/ 

(Lambert, Brides)

  • 1924 Nat McNair was superintendant of Robert McNair Shingle co Stillwater Division
  • prior to 1942 McNair had a camp at Kartoum Lake (3rd Gordon Pasha); Japanese removed.
    • 250 men women and children
  • chinese camp near Dodd Lake
  • all McNair camps closed by 1950

1928 Willingdon Beach opens, with the Bath House (changing huts) moved down from near the present Trestle on WBTrail.

1948  Present Forestry Museum building built by the Powell River Company 

1958  Municipality takes over operation of the beach. 

1986  The Powell River Museum Society (PRFMS) forms:

  • founding membersJack McCuish, Bill Finn, Andy Culos, Bill Tuba and Ken Gordon.
  • members create and maintain the displays and artifacts preserved in the Forestry Museum building at Willingdon Beach.
  • members maintain the Willingdon Beach Trail and its logging artifacts

2001 Steam Donkey moved to the trail

2003  Trestle built on the trail

2011  members   create, operate and maintain the Paradise Valley Railroad at Paradise Exhibition Park.

2014 The Powell River  Museum Society (PRFHS):forms as a name change to the PRFMS:

  • Forestry Museum building consolidated with the PR Historical Museum foresty collection, with the assets now ownd and managed by the Historical Museum, with support and encouragement ffrom the PRFHS ,
  • PRFHS members continue to maintain the historic Willingdon Beach Trail and artifacts placed along the trail
  • PRFHS members continue to operated the Paradise Valley Railroad.

 

 

Coastal Douglas-Fir Zone (CDF)

 

navigation

Coastal Douglas-Fir Zone (CDF)

   
goat lake group
 

 

 

Ridable Miniature 7.5" Railways of interest

 

bullet Burnaby Central Railway   at Confederation Park
bullet Vancouver Island Model Engineers   Victoria BC   Photos from Victoria
bullet West Coast Minirail   Squamish BC
bullet Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum
bullet Kitsap Live Steamers   Port Orchard (near Seattle)
bullet Train Mountain Railway Museum   Hwy97 South Oregon
bullet Chula Vista Live Steamers   near San diego CA
bullet Joshua Tree Southern Railroad Museum    photos here
bullet South Shore Communications A page of links to clubs in the Pacific Northwest

Suppliers and Hobby Information    Our intent is to buy essential parts and have members build.
These sites give ideas on what's needed; with volunteer labour; costs are often much less.

bullet BC Preserved Locomotives
bullet Wikipedia on the live steam hobby
bullet our favourite buy/sell site
bullet our favourite magazine article site - check out #47
bullet http://precisionrailroadproducts.com/  good ideas for parts - look at "examples of our work"
bullet RMI Roll Models Inc in Fresno CA - good source for wheels and many other things - including 2 1/2" scale trucks.
bullet Plum Cove Studios good ideas here too
bullet Tom Bee Trucks   very popular trucks for rolling stock
bullet Great American Train Company
bullet EP Stores  our suppliers for plastic  railway ties
bullet trainsales.com a fully built live steam engine costs $20,000
bullet Geared Steam .com  - info about Climax, heisler and other logging locomotives

Sponsors

bullet 3 leaf contracting
bullet Quality Parts

 of interest

bullet Calendar and local information (powellriverdirect.com)
bullet Powell River ATV club
bullet PR Peak -  write-up in the Peak Aug 24
bullet PR Living - The Parson's railway  PR Living issue June 2010.

The Malahat had been the lnly self-powered, self-loading and unloading barge, until MacMillan Bloedel built the Haida Brave in 1978 at a cost of $15,000

 

Fall Fair 2011 036The Paradise Valley Railroad was conceived in August 2011; the PRFMS decided to build a demonstation loop and operate at Fall Fair.

A glorious Saturday; not so nice Sunday. Thanks to Stephen James, Suzanne Aagaard, the Alburys, Mike Lister, Rudi and Phil for many photos. See the Photo Gallery here

They always do a great job of the entrance display.

952 riders rode the train at the Fall Fair; 680 on Sunny Saturday, and 272 on Soggy Sunday. The record train tow was 19 people.

Public feedback was terrific, so we decided to go ahead with the railroad project

 

Here is the video


 


 

DSCN6925-1-9plus-pedalHere's Dan on Saturday with eight on board and one following on the hand car. 952 riders rode the train at the Fall Fair; 680 on Sunny Saturday, and 272 on Soggy Sunday. The record train tow was 19 people. Congratulations to all who participated!


 



 

There was a train holdup on Sunday! Our first!!


 

 



 


 Our Information table yielded a few new members and a generous donation box - over $1200. All these funds will go towards the Miniature Railway project.


 

DSCF1525Star of the show was Dan Parson's Steam train, fuelled by coal on Saturday and propane on Sunday during the rain.






 DSCN6906Brian Crilly showed his Plantation Chloe, an operable steam train. He has also started a Shay; hopefully we will see these on the main track sometime in the future

 


 

DSCN0342Gerri Parsons made our day with a $5000 donation that will go a long way towards building the railway
Here's some video of the Fall Fair 2011 taken by Suzanne Aagaard, edited by Dave Florence



 DSCF1470See more photos of the Fall Fair in four folders in the Gallery here

Gerri on stage with Hans and Jerry when we acknowledged the gift of $5,000 for the railway.

 

 

P4272005  Train Rides Sunday  With the completion of the train shed, we were able to offer weekly train operations in 2013. Valley Building Supplies donated the material for the shed; the Spreeuw cousins shown here with Doug Lott, the lead member on the shed project, and Hans Maurer on the train.


FathersDay2013 (5)A typical Sunday saw over 100 riders on the train in the two hour opening.

More 2013 operations photos here


P9222691 Fall Fair

Our third "Fall Fair Run" featured two visiting steam trains that carried the main load of passengers during the two days, noon to five pm Saturday and Sunday September 21 and 22.


Fall Fair Saturday was a beautiful fall day, contrary to the forecast.

Sunday was rainy early, but cleared up nicely for mid afternoon.


 

 P9212618BCSME Vice-president Kent and Linda Cavaghan; Secretary Gerry Wittenberg; and Communications Manager Joe Holman of the BC Society of Model Engineers, (operators of the Burnaby Central Railway), attended the fall fair. They brought their model Canadian Pacific Jubilee 2930 coal-burning "Live" Steam Train with two 8' ride cars. Thanks, Burnaby!! Check out BCSME newsletters here

loco animation In addition, the Ian and Phil MacGregor of the Burnaby club brought their Climax locomotive, which is the same make as the train in our logo.


 P9202596Saturday we used the Jubilee and our 0-6-0 to haul most of the 500+ passengers; on Sunday the Climax and Jubilee carried most of the 200+ passengers


 

 P9222659Many thanks to all the members of our Railroad Section, who spent many hours making the operation possible.
We welcome new members, so pass the work along and join us if you'd like to get in on the fun.


 

 Mid-summers Night Feast

 

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