McLean Mill Steam Train Returns to Operation in April

The City of Port Alberni and the McLean Mill Society (MMS) are proud to announce that the No. 7 Baldwin Steam Locomotive and the RS3 Alco Locomotive will be operational come April 2018.

In 2017 as part of the restructuring and new business approach by the MMS a multi-year rail upgrade and maintenance plan was prepared and implemented. Part of this plan identified the need for a trestle assessment along the mainline. Working with Technical Safety BC and a number of engineering firms, each with specific expertise related to rail bridges, an assessment of the trestles was conducted. After finalization of this process last week and now having received the appropriate approvals, the two locomotives have been given the go-ahead to operate starting in April.

The City and MMS are committed to investing in this historical asset by continuing with the rail upgrade and maintenance plan. In 2018 alone, the tracks will see the replacement of approximately 500 ties, 20 of which will be bridge deck ties. Bridge deck and mainline ties will continue to be incrementally replaced in the years ahead to ensure the potential for long-term operation of the railway.