Skip to content

Steaming up at the mill

McLean Mill will host the Steam-Up and Antique Machinery Show.
51498alberniOldFashionFiretruck_1
An 1898 horse-drawn Watrous pumper

McLean Mill National Historic Site will be steaming this weekend for the Steam-Up and Antique Machinery Show.

The Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society, Alberni Valley Museum and Alberni Valley Tractor Club have teamed up for this event, which will feature all manner of steam machinery both past and present.

Ray Barron of Port Alberni was instrumental in getting a 1898 horse-drawn Watrous pumper from the Victoria Fire Department restored. the pumper will be at the mill this weekend.

The 1917 Farquhar steam traction engine restored by Les Stevens, Russ McCoy and Bob Pfannenschmidt will make its debut at the mill this weekend as well. The R.B. McLean Lumber Co. bought the tractor to run as an auxiliary steam engine to power the planer mill, but it was never actually fired up. Numerous other displays will be up around the mill site.

To book a ticket on the steam train, please call 250-723-1376. Walk-ins can pay admission at the mill gate on Smith Road.