“The History of Railways on Vancouver Island”
Wednesday March 19th, at 2 p.m.
Please join us as we welcome Robert D. Turner, FRCGS, LLD, who will explore the stories of railways and their impact on Vancouver Island and its communities over the last century and a half.
By 2025, operating railways are all but gone from Vancouver Island. However, not so long ago, the Island was served by both the Canadian Pacific Railway (with the Esquimalt & Nanaimo) and Canadian National Railways, as well as hundreds of miles of logging and coal mining lines. There was even an electric streetcar and interurban system in Victoria. The earliest railway dates to the 1860s at Nanaimo, and by the 1920s, railways were a key role in transport and communications on Vancouver Island, from Victoria to the Nimpkish Valley and from Parksville to Port Alberni.
Today, two delightful heritage centers for railways operate on our Island. The BC Forest Discovery Centre at Duncan, and the other is at Port Alberni. Preserved locomotives (including Qualicum’s own 1066 engine), huge trestles, historic stations, and trails connecting communities are reminders of the busy times in days gone by.
*Please note: This lecture will be at Rotary Hall, not at the museum*
General Admission: $10 per person
QBH&MS Members/Enrolled Students: $5 per person
Tickets can be purchased at the link below, or in person at the museum.
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/qb-museum-lecture-series-ft-robert-turner