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Post by WettCoast on Feb 21, 2016 17:54:20 GMT -8
Yup, that's the spot. Photo is from February 2014, no trains currently run outside of Nanaimo. Thanks Chris. ....you evil trickster poster you (meant in fun)  He is not an 'evil trickster', Mr. Horn. Had you done the same as I, you would have clicked on the photo to go to the original on Flickr, where you would have seen the date that the photo was shot. I gather that if the rail line was rehabilitated today there would be few if any freight customers left. Too bad. All too soon the E$N will be a hiking trail. (Not that I don't like & use hiking trails.) |
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Post by Chris City on Feb 21, 2016 18:06:36 GMT -8
Yup, that's the spot. Photo is from February 2014, no trains currently run outside of Nanaimo. Thanks Chris. ....you evil trickster poster you (meant in fun) ======== I was working at a client's near the tracks in the old city quarter area of downtown Nanaimo, last week (not 2014). I was surprised to hear train horns on a few different days. I remarked to my colleague that it was likely a train to Superior Propane in North Nanaimo, and that this was the E&N's final surviving customer. I was inside a building with no track view, so this was all speculation on my part, meant to impress my colleague (failure) Not trying to pull a fast one at all Superior gets switched 3 times a week, usually. Your colleague sounds hard to impress.... |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 21, 2016 18:11:21 GMT -8
Superior gets switched 3 times a week, usually. Your colleague sounds hard to impress.... Good to know about Superior, I was surprised to hear the train on a few different days last week. Hey, anything "train" impresses me.  Thanks for making this an educational moment. cheers ! |
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Post by Chris City on Feb 21, 2016 18:12:18 GMT -8
Thanks Chris. ....you evil trickster poster you (meant in fun) I gather that if the rail line was rehabilitated today there would be few if any freight customers left. Too bad. All too soon the E$N will be a hiking trail. (Not that I don't like & use hiking trails.) There are a few customers they could get back but I doubt it'd be enough for the railway to survive. Trucks and barges have everything else pretty locked up. I like trails too for hiking and biking, but the E&N trail is a little too "flat" for my liking  |
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Post by Scott on Feb 29, 2016 0:29:42 GMT -8
My wife sent me this link, but I can't find a date on it to see whether it's very recent or old news: www.933thepeak.com/New-tourism-project-Speeder-Cars-between-Coombs-an/22481266In short, there's a plan/desire to offer 4-hour speeder car trips between Coombs and Port Alberni. The Island Corridor Foundation ( www.islandrail.ca/rail/ ) does have news from 2 weeks ago regarding permission to build a siding in Coombs, so I assume this news isn't too old. What kind of customer would they be targeting for a 4-hour speeder car trip? Although it sounds like an interesting development, to me it doesn't sound like a "world class tourism project" (quoted from "the PEAK" article). - John H |
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Post by westernflyer on Feb 29, 2016 1:09:04 GMT -8
My wife sent me this link, but I can't find a date on it to see whether it's very recent or old news: www.933thepeak.com/New-tourism-project-Speeder-Cars-between-Coombs-an/22481266In short, there's a plan/desire to offer 4-hour speeder car trips between Coombs and Port Alberni. The Island Corridor Foundation ( www.islandrail.ca/rail/ ) does have news from 2 weeks ago regarding permission to build a siding in Coombs, so I assume this news isn't too old. What kind of customer would they be targeting for a 4-hour speeder car trip? Although it sounds like an interesting development, to me it doesn't sound like a "world class tourism project" (quoted from "the PEAK" article). I am hoping that it works out. I went down to have a look and the clearing and leveling has begun for the siding in Coombs. The speeder cars will be neat but the thought of a steam train running from Coombs to Port Alberni really excites me. It really is a fantastic rail line with some amazing trestles. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 29, 2016 7:51:10 GMT -8
Speeders on the Alberni Subdivision Great news, if this happens HEREJohn: I really hope this happens. It would be a lot of fun to take. |
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Post by Scott on Feb 29, 2016 14:08:58 GMT -8
I hope this happens too, and I'm sure it will be very scenic. How comfortable is a speeder car though? Would anyone but a train enthusiast want to sit in a speeder car for 4 hours?
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 29, 2016 15:24:57 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on Feb 29, 2016 15:39:58 GMT -8
It will likely be a four hour package, with a 45 minute trip to and from McLean Mill, and 2.5 hour layover at the mill. The speeder wagons I have seen being worked on have a similar level of comfort to the cushioned seats on the Alberni Pacific, and much better than the wooden planks on the passenger cars at the Forestry Museum in Duncan. OK, that makes more sense. I was thinking of sitting in a speeder car for 4 hours straight. That wouldn't be very comfortable or appealing to elderly people or families with children. But 45 minutes makes sense... it takes about 30 minutes to drive. I would definitely do it! - John H |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 22, 2016 20:17:44 GMT -8
Some lovely items from West Coast Railway Association are visiting Nanaimo for a few weeks. On April 8th, they will be doing a few short (Nanaimo station to Wellington siding and return) charity trips. On April 9th, there's an open-car at Nanaimo station. Here's how thing looked at Wellcox, this evening:  DSC00329 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC00339 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by westernflyer on Mar 24, 2016 19:54:15 GMT -8
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Post by Kather Anne on Apr 8, 2016 8:33:47 GMT -8
| | Alberni Pacific 1954 Alco RS-3 | The Alco is a working engine, used in part for the practical portion of the BCIT conductor course. I had a enjoyable time riding in the cab...
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Post by Mike on Apr 8, 2016 16:29:08 GMT -8
| | Alberni Pacific 1954 Alco RS-3 | The Alco is a working engine, used in part for the practical portion of the BCIT conductor course. I had a enjoyable time riding in the cab...
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The 8427 is also the only remaining CPR RS3 left in existence. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 8, 2016 21:19:08 GMT -8
A couple shots of F-unit #4069 working a special Nanaimo excursion train, on April 8, 2016  DSC00959 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr  DSC00912 by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr I had lots of fun with this today. Similar to ferry riding usually, I took photos & video, but I didn't ride the thing. |
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Post by Mike on Apr 8, 2016 22:04:42 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 9, 2016 15:13:52 GMT -8
A couple photos of CPR #4069 from early this morning, at Nanaimo's train station.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Little-buddy camera was on the grass for this one.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr |
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 10, 2016 13:06:59 GMT -8
A couple photos of CPR #4069 from early this morning, at Nanaimo's train station. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Little-buddy camera was on the grass for this one. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr The Nanaimo train station is beautifully lit as the backdrop for the CP livery of yesteryear, which is sadly extant as museum fixtures. Far too much 'Canadiana Lost' forever!  |
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 14, 2016 10:08:06 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 26, 2016 6:28:49 GMT -8
NARCOA (North America RailCar Operators Association) was on Vancouver Island recently for a group trip on the Englewood logging railway, and on the full length (well, to Lanford in the south) of the E&N, including the Alberni Subdivision.
Here's my video of them on the Alberni Sub, yesterday.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 26, 2016 11:27:31 GMT -8
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Post by Chris City on Mar 7, 2017 19:53:19 GMT -8
I can't recommend visiting Vancouver Island's Nimpkish Valley logging railway enough, this photo is from my September trip, hoping to go again soon.  WFP 304 ~ Nimpkish Valley by Chris City, on Flickr |
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Post by Chris City on Mar 26, 2017 19:02:24 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 26, 2017 19:20:47 GMT -8
Spent the weekend photographing the Englewood Railway, below are two photos from the trip. Thanks for those. I trust that it wasn't 100% rain this time. Where were you headquartered for the nights? Just curious if Port McNeill is the best home-base for this kind of weekend train-spotting. |
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Post by Chris City on Mar 26, 2017 19:40:54 GMT -8
Spent the weekend photographing the Englewood Railway, below are two photos from the trip. Thanks for those. I trust that it wasn't 100% rain this time. Where were you headquartered for the nights? Just curious if Port McNeill is the best home-base for this kind of weekend train-spotting. Yesterday the weather was a little of everything: drizzle, rain, sleet, sun, literally wait 5 minutes and it would change. Today was mostly light rain turning to a downpour as I was leaving. I was totally prepared for the elements this time so no issues! Port MacNeill is the place to stay, close to Beaver Cove and 30 minutes to Woss if you want to start there. Nice to have a few amenities nearby whereas Woss is pretty minimal. |
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