Canadian Railroads > Central British Columbia Railway & Forestry Museum

Of the many times I’ve driven through Prince George, I always seem to land there at the wrong day or time of year to visit the Central British Columbia Railway & Forestry Museum. But last fall I intentionally timed my southbound drive from Alaska to put me in PG on a day they would be open to visitors.

It was a stunning autumn day when I arrived there last September 28th. The museum is fairly small but has an interesting collection of region-relevant static displays. In addition to railroad equipment, the museum has some interesting old vehicles, and some logging/forestry relics. Below is a sample of what the place has to offer in the railway department.

I’m not terribly fluent on Canadian railway history or equipment, and the museum’s website is light on details on much of the equipment, so forgive the vague captions and feel free to correct or expand on anything I’ve posted here.

1. Main entrance

2. Canadian National Railway 4-6-0 No. 1520

3. Heavyweight combine Takla

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4. Heavyweight business car Nechako

5. Motorcars

6. BCOL 6406 ex-Milwaukee Road Coach-Dorm

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7. BCOL 6403 “Tool Wash” car

8. BCOL RCC 1 (2nd), ex-BN/GN F7B

9. Spreader

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10. BCOL extended vision caboose/van No. 1868

11. BCOL Steel Plow No. 996006

12. Log flat

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13. Box car

14. European Pulp Mill GE 70-tonner No. 7817

15. CP steam derrick No. 414235

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16. Idler flat for derrick

17. BCOL diesel service tank car No. 1934

18. PGE plywood sheathed caboose No. 1845

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19. BCOL bunk car No. 992010

20. Composite box car

21. CN spreader No. 51070

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22. CP Rail caboose/van No. 434315

23. Interior of PGE caboose No. 1845

24. 50-foot plug door box car

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25. Flanger

26. PGRFM No. 1990, 1943 built Atlas 65-tonner (operational)

27. BCOL No. 301 “Norman A. McPherson”, apparently ex-American Freedom Train No. 201 (among other owners)

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28. Interior of CP Rail caboose/van No. 434315

29. PGE box car

30. Canadian National coach/sleeper No. 54953

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31. Heavyweight???

32. PGE livestock car

33. Turntable

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34. BC Rail Track Inspection Car No. V-10

35. PGE plow No. 6001

36. BCOL GMD GF6C No. 6001

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37. Cab of PGE plow No. 6001

38. Peeking out the back porthole of PGE plow 6001

39. Engineer’s side of 6001’s cab

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40. 6001’s massive “Oh $hit” handle, or as we call it where I work, the “Plan B handle”.

41. Fireman’s side of 6001’s cab

42. BCOL B&B Provision and Camp Supply Car No. 992356

That’s all. Comments welcomed.

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THat's a huge collection. Thanks for documenting it.

Thanks for sharing ,Great to see 6001 to bad its fading in color .Greg

The museum is known as the "Prince George Railway and Foresry Museum".  The society that runs it is called the "Central BC Railway
And Forestry Industry Society".

It seems like they've made a bit of progress with some of the equipment.  My wife and I were there a few years ago and a lot of the stuff
looked pretty sad.  A lot of it was in bad shape and it didn't appear that a whole lot was being done to most of it.  I'm sure underfunding
and lack of volunteers are the issue...

Keith Robertson
Langley, BC

We were there 12 years ago on our way to Alaska. I see they have added a very nice turntable.
Thanks for the great photo coverage !

DaveL

It is interesting that they have some CP equipment in the collection - CP never served that area, to the best of my knowledge.

With the word "Victoria" stenciled on the equipment box on the idler flat for the CP derrick, I wonder if that is the derrick CP had on Vancouver Island?

 

Will MacKenzie
Dundas, ON

Does the museum still own CN #9169 F7A?
ALLEN