Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2022.013.052 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Description |
The Bloedel Stewart & Welch No. 1 locomotive being moved to its location outside the entrance of the BC Forest Discovery Centre (then known as the BC Forest Museum). While the negative is dated 1977, the locomotive has been displayed at the museum's entrance since 1966. It was likely moved due to its tracks being worked on. |
Image File Name |
1977 - BS&W No. 1 Being Moved - Duncan - 2022013052 - jpg72 - 001 |
Date (y/m/d) |
1977/ / |
Place |
Duncan |
Provenance |
This locomotive was built in 1911 by Lima Locomotive Works. It is a 2-truck Shay weighing 42 tons. It has worked in logging operations in a variety of locations, including Menzies Bay, Great Central Lake and Franklin River. In 1953, it was intended to be sold to Philippine interests but the deal fell through and it was then sent to MacMillan Bloedel's Chemainus Division. It was sold to Gerry Wellburn and became the first item in his large personal collection that would eventually become the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Bloedel, Stewart & Welch (BS&W) was formed in 1911 by US lumberman Julius Bloedel and railway contractors John Stewart and Patrick Welch. BS&W's first logging operation was at Myrtle Point, near Powell River. By 1925, BS&W had purchased and was logging extensive holdings of prime timber in the Union Bay, Menzies Bay, and Alberni areas on Vancouver Island. In 1951 Bloedel, Stewart and Welch merged with H.R. MacMillan to form MacMillan Bloedel Limited. BS&W's Alberni operations included several logging camps on Great Central Lake (GCL). Camp 3, a railway camp, was located approximately 13 km up GCL on the east side. Camp 6, also a railway camp, was located at the head of the Lake at the mouth of the Drinkwater Creek. Camp 7 was a float camp and was moved from place to place as needed. Camp 8 was re-established as a logging camp headquarters after the closure of the Great Central Sawmill (1925-52) located at Boot Lagoon. Camp 9, another railway camp, was located approximately 10.5 km up GCL on the west side. |
Search Terms |
People Bloedel Stewart & Welch No. 1 Duncan Locomotive Lima Locomotive Works Shay MacMillan Bloedel BCFDC Grounds Display Collection Bulldozer |
Collection |
BCFDC Institutional Memory |
Subjects |
Locomotives Documentary, Cowichan Valley Heavy Equipment |