Bart Vogelzang and I had the opportunity to head up Island to the logging community of Port Alberni this weekend. It was a great weekend to visit and a chance for us to reach out to another society that's sadly been in the news over the last week. I'm talking about the destructive vandalism that occurred to the railroad track near McLean Mill, just outside of Port Alberni, BC.
We spent over an hour surveying the horrific damage along the old E & N track leading from Parksville into Port Alberni. I'm disgusted at what a few ignorant people have done to this amazing historic rail line. The rail line has actually been cut in two places, about a city block apart, severing five rails in total.
I can't believe that an inconsiderate few can destroy so much, and so quickly. This is an active railway; it is not decommissioned. The East End Track Gang (EETG) regularly do maintenance on the line from Parksville to Port Alberni. Cutting these rails is life threatening for any crew not able to stop in time. One cut was actually on a corner, virtually ensuring a crew would not see it in time!
Unfortunately we weren't able to catch up with James Woodyatt at the scene of the destruction to the line, but were later able to meet with him in Parksville. We had a long chat with James, and friend Glenn, who were both out that day surveying the damage. We are all on the same page, about getting the word out to all users of these track crossings, and all other crossing too, that this is very much an active rail line, and that everyone on or along it needs to be cautious and observant at ALL the crossings at ALL times!
The Four Wheel Drive of Association BC, and member clubs' immediate offer to aid in the track repair was reiterated, and accepted by the EETG. I urge all off-road clubs, ATV and 4X4, to watch the Facebook pages of the EETG and 4WDABC for more information on a work party to repair the vandalized railway; expected to be later in the spring. It was a pleasure to meet James & Glenn and I hope we can work with them later in the year.
As off-road enthusiasts, it's important that we always strive for safety, in and out of the bush. My take-away from this weekend is that safety is paramount, both for ourselves and others, and this feeling applies to not only the off-road community, but the those volunteers on the railway as well. I want to stress here; we MUST look both ways before we cross a mainline off a 4X4 track, please be sure to do the same when coming upon a rail grade. It may not just be you and your passenger that you're keeping safe, but also the railroad volunteers in their speeder on the rail line.
Glyn Trafford
Vice President-Four Wheel Drive Association of BC
Director Zone 1-Vancouver Island-4WDABC
u say u viewed the damage. the rcmp dont know about anything other than 2 chunks of tracks removed on a popular trail/ train/road crossing. here is the pic. if u know more or where these other chunks r cut. it should be reported. timberwest dont know of other cuts either. from what i could see it was someone without a 4x4 that cut the tracks to get access. any 4x4 can drive over tracks. so what and the hell does it have to do with any club?
heres the article in the local rag.
Someone has cut two lengths of railroad tracks north of Smith Road near McLean Mill, putting railroad volunteers in danger, says Hugh Grist of the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society.
The damage to the rails was discovered last week in an area near Mulcaster Swamp.
Two lengths of track approximately 20 feet long were apparently cut with a torch and removed. Some railroad ties were also damaged, Grist said.
The area appears to be popular with recreational 4x4 users, Port Alberni RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan said. The RCMP are looking into the vandalism.
The cut tracks would not interfere with the popular steam train run between the Port Alberni Train Station and McLean Mill if it were in operation, Grist said. However, there are volunteers who regularly drive a high-railer or speeders on the Port Sub, beyond the mill, for brush clearing and visiting speeder tours.
https://www.facebook.com/portsubinfo this is too the train dudes site. read for urself. if u ask me it had nothing to do with atvs or 4x4s. why would u need to cut 20 ft of tracks to fit a 6ft truck. its too heavy to move at 8ft let alone 20. witnesses say they seen drag scrapings on the ground. like from a trailer.
Actually, everyone is aware. The AV Times story clearly states "two lengths of railroad tracks". Railway tracks are made up of two rails. So that would mean at least four "rails" were cut, in two different locations. The one shown in the photo from the AVT article, and another approximately one city block further East on the rail line. I'm not sure if you caught the CHEK News clip on this vandalism, but they both state, and show the two areas where the rails and ties were removed.
Furthermore, the East End Track Gang were also out there this weekend and have seen the damaged. They informed me that in fact 5 separate rails were cut, and none could be salvaged. Earlier in the week, the members of the Alberni Pacific Railway also were out at the location. So, everyone is well aware of the damage caused by the vandals. Check out the video link on the EETG's Facebook site.
Thanks for the interest in this. It's important as off road users we stay current on the plights of our hobby and how it impacts others.
Glyn
I read about this a while back - I really don't understand what the motivation for this could be? From the pictures it looks like a relatively level area, enough so that even a small car could drive over the tracks. I can't imagine hikers would do it, or horseback riders, or anyone else for that matter. It just doesn't make sense. It seems like it would be a decent amount of work for very little payoff. Is the steel from the tracks worth anything? Were the cut sections missing or left in the area? /I don't get it.
it was heavy equipment that crossed. they had tried to cross at another spot too. there are drag marks left on the ground witnesses said. its a joke that anyone would blame a 4x4r for this. this is a car or equipment that they needed to get across. it looks like the steel is still there. it is a busy 4x4 spot.
Thanks for the continued interest guys, we will get to the bottom of this! As far as it being heavy equipment trying to cross near Port Alberni, that is not the case. It's only off road types able to access this area and the trail/road is way to narrow at both spots where the railroad track was cut. There was no drag marks located here, and all the steel was left.
I think loclaguru may be thinking of the illegal crossing just west of Parksville, where there was some damage to the railroad, specifically the ties. That definitely looks like it was heavy equipment. It's important we keep this in the current, and I encourage more dialog from anyone else that's been out to the site, or has a comment on this disgusting vandalism.
Glyn
check 6 news has the witnesses not me. so i guess a skidder is not able to fit? its what we use in cowichan to open up old trails. nothing else will do most times. and can drag anything with it.