Welcome to the Alberni Pacific “Steam” Railway!
Come ride the rails with the Albenie Pacific Steam Railway! Over the past 20 years the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society has restored a number of pieces of railway rolling stock that operated in the Alberni Valley. These include the 2-Spot, a 1912 Shay logging locomotive, the 1928 Westminster Iron Works “Buda”, a gas powered switching engine, and the 1929 Baldwin 2-8-2T, the “No.7” which pulls the train to the McLean Mill National Historic Site.
Alberni Pacific Railway to Mclean Mill
This train departs from the station in Port Alberni (check map below). You can board the train pulled by a completely restored 1929 Baldwin ex-logging locomotive at the 1912 CPR Station and ride out to the McLean Mill National Historic Site. The track winds through the City of Port Alberni and then the surrounding forests for 35 minutes each way.
The McLean Mill National Historic Site
A 2 1/2 hour drive will take you to one of Vancouver Island most interesting historical sites, the McLean Mill. What makes the McLean Mill such a unique heritage treasure is that much of the original machinery and buildings have survived making it a rare example of a sawmill complex from the early days of mechanized logging on the west coast. Even more remarkable is that the sawmill has been restored to full working condition, the millpond and dam have been reconstructed and the companies original steam donkey is also operating along with a fully rigged ‘spar tree’ for pulling in cut logs and loading onto trucks. You can see how an early 2oth century logging and milling operation actually worked! You’ll see the old original buildings and lots of restored logging equipment around the site including a steam donkey, logging trucks, graders, and lumber carriers. For more information on the McLean Mill National Historic Site click this link.
Children of all ages will get a sense of the life that people led in this camp on the edge of the world. After your adventure you can have a bite to eat at the Steam Pot Cafe and visit the General Store (gift shop) before getting back on board the train, into your car, or onto your bicycle to head back home.
Alberni Pacific Train Schedule
Please click HERE for their website for up-to-date schedules and information. The train generally only runs during the summer months, but the sawmill is open year-round.
Alberni Pacific Railway to Mclean Mill
McLean Mill National Historic Site
(GPS: N 49.18.543 / W 124.49.663)
5633 Smith Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 8M1
Alberni Pacific Railway, Train Station
3100 Kingsway
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 3B1
Alberni Valley Museum
4255 Wallace Street
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 3Y6
Maritime Discovery Centre
2750 Harbour Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 7X2
Good Evening,
I came across your site this evening for the Alberni Pacific Railway – steam train.
You mention various attractions, but I see you do not have the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society, Heritage Centre on 9th Avenue is not listed. The Heritage Centre is the home to trucks and equipment from the mid-island owned by the City of Port Alberni and the WVIIHS. It’s quite the building (formerly the City Arena until the multiplex was built) filled with unique trucks and equipment..
Though currently closed due to COVID-19, it’s quite the attraction when open. Please check out http://www.ihsportalberni.ca and perhaps you would like to visit sometime. e-mail: ihsportalberni@gmail.com for more information.
Thanks Leslie, We’ll definitely have to check that out! Sounds cool!
linda