The E&N Nanaimo station on fire - Aug 2007 Photographer unknown.

29 September 2011

Full Steam Ahead for Train Station

Nanaimo Vancouver Island British Columbia - It's full steam ahead for the Nanaimo train station and a bridge and trestle audit of the E&N Railway from Victoria to Courtenay.
 
The Island Corridor Foundation has the mortgage needed to finish renovating the Selby Street train station, which burned down in August 2007.
 
A contractor has also been hired to do an engineering study of 48 E&N trestles and bridges on the Island.
 
The state of those bridges is needed before proceeding with track repairs needed to get the railway moving again. The ICF plans to move the train's home base to Nanaimo to accommodate daily commuter service to and from Victoria, with a midday trip to Courtenay.
 
The foundation already has a $7.5-million commitment from the province toward its $15-million rail revitalization plan.
 
Of the total, $500,000 is earmarked for the bridge audit. The provincial money hinges on matching funds being made available from the federal government. Rail service would start with the full amount.
 
Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney is still lobbying for the federal share.
 
ICF directors welcome the support three Island Conservative MPs have given, but there is a rising sense of urgency to get the money. The funding application was made in October 2010.
 
B.C. responded in June. "We're getting lots of encouraging signs, what we need is an answer," said Graham Bruce, ICF executive director.
 
He said it's "very useful" the province released sufficient funds for the bridge audit. A preliminary report is expected from Associated Engineering in February, and based on that, Bruce hopes work can start on replacing rail ties needed before the line can be re-opened.
 
Lunney strongly supports rail revitalization.
 
"I've spoken to the minister on this and regrettably we had an election," Lunney said. "It's slowed everything down but believe me, we have engaged the new staff and I have written the prime minister directly on this file."
 
Contractors are now back working inside the train station on Selby Street. The anchor tenant will be an Irish pub-restaurant run by Trevor and Jane Ivens, operators of the Fox and Hound and the Black Goose Inn in Parksville.
 
Darrell Bellaart.