The Alberni Pacific Railway recently welcomed new engineer Rod Gledhill to the fold, while also celebrating veteran engineer Rollie Hurst’s re-certification.
Both engineers are qualified to operate the No. 7 steam locomotive that plies the rails between the Port Alberni Train Station and McLean Mill National Historic Site in the summer.
Gledhill, a graduate of the BCIT conductors’ program that uses the APR for training twice a year, has worked with the local railway for the past eight years. He passed his engineer’s exam recently.
Hurst, who is almost 80, is the other steam locie operator. He started with Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) at the end of the steam era and keeps the No. 7 running.
“Rod is the youngest steam locomotive engineer in the province and the APR is happy—and relieved—to have another certified engineer,” APR spokesperson David Hooper said.
“The APR is proud of Rod’s achievement.”
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