Another of those prototype for everything, scenery version

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

This photo was taken in 2005, south of Port Alberni, BC. It is on the old Bloedel, Stewart & Welch logging line of their Franklin River operation.

Would be a conversation piece on any layout.

2

That is one cool pic. I may have to try that as well. The level of detail to make it look that old and abandoned would be emense, but what a scene. Thanks for sharing.

3

I haven’t seen a trestle like that. I’d say there is some sound engineering in it, though. Thanks for posting the image, Pathfinder.

-Crandell

4

wait a minute… is that a tree growing OUT OF THE BRIDGE!!!

5

Looks like there are a few trees growing out of it!

6

That happens a lot. It’s not uncommon to see a small fir tree or bushes growing on the top of an old snag(a dead tree). BTW that was the Y2K bridge to the future.

7

In forestry, we call those sorts of logs/snags etc nurse logs as they help the new tree to get nutrients and moisture. But that trestle is a bit unusual that way!

Most people think of logging bridges as very temporary but the mainlines of the bigger logging railways had very substantial structures as evidenced by the number of trestles still around. There are quite a few in the Port Alberni area still standing despite a lack of maintenance and any type of rot prevention, like creosote.

8

I walked along the north shore of Cameron Lake just east of Port Alberni three summers ago and went to the last of the three trestles. I took a photo from behind the trestle looking across the Lake and to the highway. It is a beautiful vantage point. I believe those trestles were last used in 97 or 98, not sure. The Island Corridor Foundation that runs the dayliner between Victoria and Courtenay is actively trying to get the route open once again, but of course money is a problem.

-Crandell

9

My friends in Victoria tell me that the Port Alberni group wants to run tourist passenger trains from Port to either Parksville or Qualicum. But the condition of the track, those trestles plus the sever grade from Port to the summit make it more a dream. But we can hope…

There was talk of trying to get the ex Canfor steamer from Woss to do that run.