Overflow Website

Updated: August 22, 2007 (Check "Railway News" for updates, look for the symbol: )

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This page includes locomotives that have been abandoned or are inaccessible around BC and some that are a complete mystery.

Most of the information on this page I got from: www.steamlocomotive.com

Alberni Pacific #4 (2nd)

Photo Credits: Steve Sparrow

#4 was the only Heisler locomotive to work in the Alberni Valley. It was obtained by Alberni Pacific via a trade with Comox Logging and Railway Co. In exchange, Comox Logging and Railway Co. got a small Whitcomb gasoline powered locomotive. While working for Alberni Pacific, it was later renumbered to #59. As you can see from the photo, there's not much left - just the water tank and a few other pieces.  The majority of the parts were salvaged during WWII.

There's a photo of the engine on page 5-44 of George McKnight's book: Sawlogs on Steel Rails: 45 Years - Alberni Railway Logging.

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Beaver Cove Lumber & Pulp #2

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Blocom-Vanderhoof Logging, Acme WA
2. In 1919 to Nimpkish Timber (a predecessor of Canfor)
3. Retired in April 1935

In 1941, this locomotive was on its way to Vancouver to be sold as scrap when the barge rolled and dumped it into Beaver Cove. I received reports that it is a good scuba diving site.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Beaver Cove Lumber & Pulp #6

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Photo credits: Roman Krizek (August 2004)

1. Lying on it's right side Notice the cut on the front of the smoke box - evidence that it started being scrapped.
2. Notice the fire box and steam dome (submerged). As you can see from the attached cables, it is being used as an anchor for the wharf. More evidence that it was being scrapped - no cab, no trucks. Just a frame and boiler.

For another picture go here: Canfor #6

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Idaho & Washington Northern Railway #6
2. Corbin Coke & Coal #6
3. 1929 - Wood & English
4. 1930s - Beaver Cove Lumber & Pulp #6
5. 1936 - Withdraw from service. Was being taken to Vancouver to be scrapped, but fell off the barge and remains in Beaver Cove (East Bay) where it can be seen at low tide.

I received reports that there is some other rolling stock left derelict in the bushes near Beaver Cove.

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Derelict Shay Near Campbell River

I got an e-mail from Bill Turner. In it he quotes:

"There is reported to be a three truck Shay on a hill side north of Campbell River. A friend of mine saw it when he was coming out of a logging camp some years ago. The helicopter pilot obligingly took another cruise past it just to confirm that they did see this artifact. There were also some skeleton log cars nearby on the same grade."

Thanks for the e-mail Bill!

Another report:

A visitor to the site informed me that an abandoned Shay is listed in the Industrial Locomotives of BC book . The Shay is located on Desmin Island, just outside of Campbell river. The engine worked at a stone quarry between 1910 and 1920.

From the first statement it sounds as though the engine worked for the logging industry and but from the second statement it may have worked as a mining engine.

I've gotten reports that there is no Desmin Island, however, there could have been a name change. I'm still investigating this locomotive.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Just for curiosity, there is an abandoned steam donkey near Sayward. For pictures, go here: Steam Logging 2001: Donkey Hunt in Sayward

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Haslam Lumber #4

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Kelly Logging #1

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Pacific Mills Ltd. #1, Ocean Falls
2. Owens Logging Co. #1, Green Bay
3. A.P. Allison Logging Co. #1
4. Aero Timber Products Ltd. #1
5. Powell River Co./Kelly Logging Co. #1
6. Sold in 1948 for use as a stationary boiler

The reason why I listed this one is that I found it listed in Robert D. Turner's book "Logging by Rail: The British Columbia Story". The book didn't specify what happened to it after stationary boiler use. Was it scrapped?

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Kelly Logging #1 (2nd #1)

Photo Credit: George R. Kadelak Collection. Source: Shay Locomotives

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Merrill-Ring-Wilson Ltd. #4, Rock Bay
2. Salmon River Logging Co. #5, Kelsey Bay
3. Powell River Co./Kelly Logging Co. #1 (2nd #1)
4. Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (for parts), Englewood. Boiler went to Pacific Coast Shay #115 and the rest of the engine was scrapped. (you can think of #1 as an organ donor for #115) 
5. Railway Appliance Research, #115
6. East Kootenay Railway Company #115, Fort Steele Heritage Town (named "Robert E. Swanson)

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Powell River Co. #2

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Pacific Mills Ltd. #2, Ocean Falls
2. Leased to Owens Logging Co. as #2, Green Bay
3. A.P. Allison Logging Co. #2
4. Aero Timber Products Ltd. #2
5. Powell River Co. #2
6. Sold in 1952 to Patterson Boiler Works for use as a stationary boiler.

The reason why I listed this one is that I found it listed in Robert D. Turner's book "Logging by Rail: The British Columbia Story". The book didn't specify what happened to it after stationary boiler use. Was it scrapped?

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Lost Locomotive near Powell River

I received an e-mail from a visitor to this site that mentioned there is a lost locomotive at a lake in the Powell River area. If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com

Kelly Logging #4

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Photo Credits: Randy Zarowny

1. Boiler
2. Front or rear bumper

Here is the list of companies this locomotive has worked for (companies are listed from earliest to most present):

1. Vancouver Lumber Co. #2, Port Neville
2. Mainland Cedar Co. #2, Port Neville
3. Mainland Timber Co. #2, Port Neville
4. Bernard Timber & Logging #4, Oxford Bay
5. Fulmore Lake Logging #3
6. Gustavson Bros. Logging #2, Jervis Inlet
7. Aero Timber Products Ltd. #4
8. Powell River Co./Kelly Logging Co. #4
9. Abandoned at Aero Camp

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Kelly Logging #5

This engine started with Miller Logging Co. as #5 in Sultan, Washington. It then went to A.P. Allison Logging Co. as #3.the next company that it went to was Aero Timber Products Ltd. at Cumshewa Inlet as #5. It then worked for Powell River Company and Kelly Logging Co.

The reason why I listed this one is that I found it listed in Robert D. Turner's book "Logging by Rail: The British Columbia Story". The book didn't specify what happened to it after stationary boiler use. Was it scrapped?

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Abernathy and Lougheed Logging Co. #11

The engine was abandoned in 1931 when the track was washed out around it. Apparently, it still has the whole train of log cars behind it.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

BC Electric Railway #10

BC Electric used this locomotive at Jordan River prior to relocating it to the dam construction at Stave Falls in 1921. The locomotive was left on a small section of track when the reservoir was flooded.

If anyone has any more information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Grant Smith Construction Company unknown #

In 1910, supposedly, the engine was left on the track with 12 gravel cars. The crew went to dinner and when they got back, the train and track sunk into the soft ground and were buried.

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Pacific Great Eastern #53

If anyone has any more information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Pacific Great Eastern #56

If anyone has any more information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Canadian National #417

This engine was built for the McArthur Construction Co. as #22 and was renumbered to #417 when it was acquired by Canadian National.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Canadian National #2727

This engine was built for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway as #850. When the Grand Trunk became CN, the engine was renumbered to #2727. On January 13, 1934 it hit a rock slide at Mile 10.5 on the Ashcroft Subdivision and went into Kamloops Lake where it was never recovered.

I got word from a diver that the engine is slowly getting covered by more rock and debris.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Mystery Climax Engine Formerly at Three Valley Gap

(Does anyone know if this one exists? See below for more details.)

NOTE: This one used to be listed on www.steamlocomotive.com but is no longer listed there. It was also listed on the Climax Locomotive website, but is no longer listed there either. I went to Three Valley Gap on September 3, 2001 and could not find it. It could be that it is in storage or undergoing restoration for 3-Valley Gap's roundhouse project.

3-Valley Gap is planning to build a 15-stall roundhouse, which will eventually be the home to a number of pieces of rolling stock, that they are hoping to acquire from somewhere. A structure has already been built for it. The building that steam locomotive #93 (at Three Valley Gap - see southern BC page) is housed in is part of the project.

If any one has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .  

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Locomotive in Summit Lake near Three Valley Gap

I heard that there is a locomotive sunk in Summit Lake near Three Valley Gap. If anyone has anymore information about this one, contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Locomotive Abandoned near Three Valley Gap

I received an e-mail from a visitor to this site that mentioned they heard a rumor that a logging locomotive was abandoned in the Crazy Creek Valley west of Three Valley Gap. It may have been operated by the Hood Lumber Co. or Mundy Lumber Co. in the early 1900's. If anyone has anymore information about this rumored locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com

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Canadian Pacific #3512 (originally #1712)

There is a picture of this locomotive in Corwin and Gerry Doeksen's book "Railways of the West Kootenay, Part 1" on page 56. I highly recommend this book if you would like to know more about the history of the no-longer existent railways in the west Kootenays).

The locomotive was loaded on a barge and on January 1, 1947 at about 6:20 in the morning, the barge tilted, dumping the locomotive into the lake (what a way to start the new year). The locomotive isn't lonely, as it is accompanied by a caboose, snowplow and three flatcars of lumber at about 600 feet below the surface.

I received word that a diving/salvage crew sent a remote camera down to the locomotive. Apparently, the locomotive is standing upright on its drivers and the only damage that it got on the way down was to the cow catcher.

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North Western Coal & Navigation #6

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Photo credits: Han Tunca

1. Boiler
2. Tender

The boiler and part of the frame can be seen at the end of the "Walk in the Past" trail that starts at Kicking Horse campground.

A plaque at the site says:

"Baldwin #7717 Steam Locomotive

This Baldwin 2-6-2 mogul steam locomotive, builder's #7717 - road #6, 36" gauge locomotive - was built for the North Western Coal & Navigation Co. in 1885. It was originally used to carry bituminous coal on a narrow gauge railway, which connected the C.P.R. mainline with the coal mines near Lethbridge. In 1893, this railway track was converted to standard gauge, causing a surplus of these narrow gauge engines. This engine was purchased in 1907 for the construction of the C.P.R. Spiral Tunnels in the Kicking Horse Valley. When the construction was complete in 1908, this engine was abandoned here. - Banff National Park"

After abandonment, this locomotive was actually mistaken for a runaway train on the Big Hill (the Spiral Tunnels predecessor), but no runaway train was abandoned there. It wasn't until the 1950s that the manufacturer's plates were found near the remains. The plates revealed that it was the #6 and that it was used during the construction of the Spiral Tunnels. After the tunnels were completed, the locomotive was stripped of parts and left where it remains today.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

North Western Coal & Navigation #7

Rumoured to be in Sink Lake, near Stephen BC. This is the sister engine to North Western Coal & Navigation #6 which is abandoned at the end of the Walk in the Past trail near Field. A third engine, also a 2-6-0 but built by the Canadian Locomotive Company, was owned by NWC&N, was rumoured to be sold to another company.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Elk Lumber #1

Photo Credit: unknown. (Source: "Logging by Rail: The British Columbia Story" by Robert D. Turner. I highly recommend this book.)

The above photo was taken in 1928 and a year later the river took a chunk out of the river bank and the locomotive went along with it.

Driving through Fernie this past summer (2004) I kept my eyes open on the Elk River. I noticed some rusty metal in the river across from the Super 8 Motel. Next time I go through Fernie, I'll stop and take a look.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Co. Ltd. Mining Locomotive at Anyox

Photo Credits: Photographer: Scott Morgan Summer 2004

Submitted by Don Friebe

For a few photos go to www.anyox.com You may have to reset your screen size to 1024 x 768 pixels to display properly. Click on the "Present" tab at the bottom of the screen. A notebook with journal entries appears. Click on "Present Photos." Scroll through the photos by clicking on "Next" (right below the photos). There are three photos of the locomotive amongst other photos from the site.

For a photo of the locomotive fleet at Anyox, go here: Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Co. Ltd. Railway. If the link doesn't work go to: Vancouver Public Library Special Collections Historical Photographs and type in "Anyox" in the "Keyword(s)" slot. Hit enter and scroll through the photos until you get to photo 26 of 48 (VPL Accession Number: 14408) The photo was taken in 1917 and shows a few steam locomotives. One of these locomotives could be the one that's still at Anyox.

Worked for the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Co. Ltd. at Anyox BC. According to a book I have it's either a Davenport or Porter. The company owned a number of Porters and one Davenport. The book doesn't specify which engine was abandoned there.

Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Co. Ltd. Mining Locomotive at Anyox

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

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Unknown Saddle Tanker

I heard about this one while I was working for the East Kootenay Railway Co. at Fort Steele during the summer of 2005. Apparently it's in the bush somewhere west of Skookumchuck. One of my fellow conductors at Fort Steele mentioned that he knows about it as well and has actually seen a couple of photos of it.

I recently purchased a second-hand book called Paddlewheels on the Frontier by Art Downs. On page 112, there is a photo of the stern wheeler F.P. Armstong pushing a barge that has a small saddletank locomotive with four ore cars. The text reads "...the F.P. Armstrong. She was built in 1913 for Burns and Jordan, railway contractors for the Kootenay Central Railway. She operated only a year, then completion of the railway and World War 1 virtually ended Upper Columbia River sternwheel days." The book doesn't mention anything about the locomotive on the barge but there's a chance that it may be it- having worked in different parts of the East Kootenays. I'm going to continue to investigate this one.

Upon further investigation, I discovered that the Burns and Jordan company was a contractor that built the Kootenay Central Railway (now CP) from Golden to Cranbrook. It is possible the rumoured locomotive that is abandoned near Skookumchuck is one of their locomotives.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Wrecked Shay near Canal Flats

The wreckage is rumoured to be in a canyon west of Canal Flats along Findlay Creek Road. If you are travelling on highway 93/95 north from Canal Flats, Findlay Creek Road is on the left at the top of the first hill. Look for the Blue Lake Forest Centre sign.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Canadian Pacific unknown #

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Locomotive near Clearwater, BC

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

ex Canadian Pacific Steam Shovel

Photos coming soon.

Originally owned by Canadian Pacific, this self propelled steam shovel was relocated up a mountain near Perry Creek to work a mineral claim. It does not have tracks, it has regular flanged wheels and is sitting on a section of track. The track was moved while the shovel worked its way forward on the mineral claim.

Please note that since this piece of equipment is sitting on a claim, it is private property
(the shovel).

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .

Arrow Lake Lumber Co. McGiffert Log Loader

Photos coming soon

Operated 1907 to 1912 on the Arrow Lake Lumber Co.'s track at Galena Bay on Upper Arrow Lake. The McGiffert Log Loader was self-propelled, it had retractable wheels that would lower allowing it to be mobile. When it needed to be stationary in order to load rail cars, the wheels would be raised. The loader stood on four legs allowing empty rail cars to pass underneath. The logs would be loaded on the cars at the front of the loader using a boom. The Arrow Lake Lumber Co. was a small oepration with just one Shay locomotive, the McGiffert Log Loader, and a number of log cars. The company had just 5 miles of track. This may be the only McGiffert Log Loader that worked in British Columbia. It's only accessible when the lake level is low. With a good pair of binoculars it is visible from the Galena Bay/Shelter Bay ferry when the water is low.

If anyone has any information about this locomotive, please contact me: preservedsteambc@hotmail.com .