The Port Alberni subdivision of the Island Railway is currently closed to normal traffic from where it starts at the Parksville train station. There is intermittent brushing being done by the Island Corridor Foundation and some work done by volunteer groups from Port Alberni (West Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society) and Parksville (East End Track Gang). The City of Port Alberni has an operating and maintenance agreement with the Island Corridor Foundation to enable use of the line by the WVIIHS for operation of the No7 Steam Train and other equipment generally to and from the McLean Mill National Historic Site and the Alberni Harbour.
These are not complete lists — If you know of other current customers or in the history of the E&N please contact me.
Current Traffic (including Transloads to truck)
- Alberni Pacific Railway – Steam Train and other tourism operations between Port Alberni Train Station (mile 40) to McLean Mill (mile 34).
- Maintenance of Way – ICF, Volunteers on Speeders/Hi Rail, other equipment.
- Rail Transload at Nanaimo Harbour onto Truck to Port Alberni
- Catalyst Paper (chemical trans-loaded for paper mill). Approx 10 cars a week.
- Some other freight traffic from time to time.
- Possibly San Group
- Trail beside rail from Parksville to Coombs market
Former Traffic, Rail Sidings, and Future Possibilities
- Port Alberni
- Catalyst Paper (chemicals, chips, hogfuel, and export)
- City of Port Alberni City Works
- Lafarge Cement
- Superior Propane
- Esso Fuels
- Co-op Fuels
- Port Alberni Port Authority
- Canadian Maritime Engineering
- Port Boat House
- Cokely Wire Rope
- Wynan’s Furniture
- BC Ministry of Transport (aggregates)
- BC Ministry of Forests (pesticides)
- Stone Lake Industrial Park (Whiskey Creek)
- Quality Foods Main Office/Warehouse (Errington)
- DBL Disposal Services (Errington)
- Island Paving Asphalt (Errington)
- Errington Industrial Area (Various)
- Parksville Bottle and Recycle Depot