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British Columbia Legislature Tour, Victoria Roundhouse, Cliffside and Kinsol Trestle 7/24/2024

The two of us arose at Quality Inn Waddling Dog and after our Internet duties, ate at White Spot. After a good breakfast, we drove down to Heritage Acres in Central Saanich. For this day and the next two, Elizabeth would be my tour guide as she grew up in Victoria and had wanted to show me the railway highlights of Vancouver Island.

The Saanich Historical Artifact Society began with the efforts of a Saanich pioneer, the late Willard Mitchell. Willard saw the historical significance of the old tools, farm and household equipment (some over a hundred years old) being discarded rapidly. His personal collection was the start of what we have today. This collection, with the help of many pioneer families, has grown over the years. as a result of valuable artifacts being donated by many generous and thoughtful individuals and businesses from the peninsula and Vancouver Island.

Heritage Acres, operated and owned by the Saanich Historical Artifact Society, has been developing for over a third of a century. The land has been transferred from the Province to the District of Central Saanich. The Vancouver Island Model Engineers operate their trans on site and have extensive tracks and features throughout the property, making for a great train ride. Through the Saanich Historical Artifact Foundation, families and individuals can make tax deductible contributions, including direct monetary or memorial donations to help with our long term goals of preserving the past for future generations to enjoy.

Vancouver Island Model Engineers train schedule. We already knew that they were not operating today so will have to return at a later date.

Cordova Express Roundhouse, where the live steam engines are stored. The blue fencing is from the Johnson Street bridge in Victoria, which for most of its life, was painted blue (black when constructed) and was replaced in 2013

Cordova Express sign and Victoria and Sidney Railway Historical Board.

Two views of the Cordova Express route.

The train set.

Britsh Columbia Forest Products/Fletcher Challenge 61-ton self-propelled steam crane 19464, nee United States Army 19464, built by Linkbelt Cranes in 1903.

Canadian National flat car 656391 built by Eastern Car Company in 1919.

Grand Trunk Western coach 4863 "Southworth" painted as Ohio Central, ex. Pacific Wilderness 120, exx. Ohio Central 4863, exxx. private owner, exxxx. Grand Trunk Western 4863, exxxxx. Pullman coach 197, exxxxxxx. Pullman 12-3 sleeper 9, exxxxxxx. Pullman tourist "Royalton" built by the Pullman Company in 1903. The Pacific Wilderness Railway was a short-lived tourist train that operated from June 2000 to July 2001 from Victoria to the Malahat.

British Columbia Railway caboose 1882, ex. Pacific Great Eastern 1882, nee Canadian Pacific 36 foot box car built by the raiload circa 1914.

The 1/4 scale model collection, built by the late Gorden W. Hatch of Victoria contains three electric-powered streetcars and an electric-powered yard engine. These highly detailed models, built over several decades, were for years operated at three successive locations in Gordon Head, Saanich and Colwood on sophisticated backyard layouts that featured overhead wires, complex switching and scale structures. It is a "must see" collection that attracted admirers from Canada, the United States and many other countries. At all three locations, Gordon and his wife Maude hosted many Trolley Teas sponsored by the Centennial AOTS Men's Club to raise funds for Centennial United Church.

The models represent four of the types of cars used by B.C. Electric Railway in Victoria and on the Saanich Peninsula. The smallest model is a relica of a single truck 1923 Birney car built by the Preston Streetcar Company and used by Victoria in 1948. The medium-sized car is a replica of a 1911 BC Electric Company-built unit that was used from 1911 until 1948 on the Victoria city routes. The largest unit is a model of a St. Louis Car Company that was used on the Saanich Interurban line that ran from Victora to Deep Bay near Sidney from 1913 to 1923. The electric yard engine model represents the utility engines that carried out many tasks for the BCER on Vancouver Island.

The 1/4 Saanichton passenger station seen in the rear of the display is a representative example of stations that were located in the rural areas alog the 23 mile interurban line running from Fisgard Street in downtown Victoria through Brentwood, Saanichton and on to Deep Bay.

All of the models were scratch-built by the late Gordon W. Hatch, using historical photographs as references and in a few cases, details taken from original components or surviving full-size cars. The model streetcars operated on a 12 volt DC power system and in most cases, complete down to the smallest details including where appropriate, functional lighting, airbrakes, controllers, reversing seats, opening doors and windows, fare boxes and a drinking water dispenser. The motive power for the cars is provided by early Lucas automobile starter motors, modified to permit reversing.

In addition to the four models in the collection of streetcar-related artifacts, highlights include an original streetcar front window, a streetcar folding door, a brass luggage rack, a wicker seat, fare boxes, operator's hand tools and uniforms.

Heritage Acreas - The Gordon and Maude Hatch Streetcar barn was built by the Hatch family in 2010 to house the highly detailed 1/4 scale model streetcars constructed by the late Gorden W. Hatch.

While the grounds of Heritage Acres were open, this was mid-morning on a Wednesday so this building was not open. As a result, photographs had to be taken through the windows, hence the reflection. Here is Mr. Hatch's model of BC Electric Railway 240.

Model of BC Electric Railway single truck 1923 Birney car 404.

Model of BC Electric Railway 1224, re-numbered 1328 when it was used on the Vancouver-to-Chillawack line.

Saanich Interurban Line Car information board.

Clang Clang Clang went the Trolley.

Model of electric yard electric engine.

Trolley fare boxes in the foreground.

Tyndall Avenue layout.

Streetcar layouts - McKenzie Avenue.

Colwood layout.

Another layout.

Electric work Engines.

BC Electric painting.

Gorden W. Hatch Workshop.

We drove from Saanich to the Greater Victoria Public Library parking structure, or parkades, as they are known in Canada, in Victoria then started the walk to the Parliament Buildings, home of the Government of British Columbia.

Construction on the new Parliament Buildings began in 1893 and was completed by the end of 1897. The Parliament Buildings were officially opened on February 10, 1898. Various additions were completed between 1913 and 1920. The cost of all of theconstruction was just over $2 million. The style of the Parliament Buildings has been described as "free classical", Renaissance and Romanesque. Sir Francis Rattenbury designed the building to feature, wherever possible, the raw materials of the Province. The grey Haddington Island andesite on all facades ofthe building, the Nelson Island granite used in the foundation andfront stairs, the now-oxidized copper domes, and the assortment of hardwoods paneling the interior rooms display the abundant naturalresources of British Columbia. Slate from Jervis Inlet originally tiled the roof, although during the restoration it was replaced with Pittsburgh slate.

After 70 years without regular improvements, the Parliament Buildings had deteriorated noticeably. With leaking roofs, rotting foundation timbers and an antiquated electrical system, the building was showing its age. In 1972, the government committed to an extensive restoration and renovation of the building at a cost of $80 million.

We took the 11:00 AM tour, tours are offered throughout the day and there is no admission.

The Empress Hotel.

The Parliament Buildings from across Government Street.

British Columbia's Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms contains elements of our colonial past and the province's natural splendour. The crowned lion standing on the crown represents, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Crest. On the shield, the blue stripes represent the Pacific Ocean while the white stripes represent the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The setting sun indicates B.C. is Canada’s westernmost province. On the left, the wapiti stag (or elk) represents the former Colony of Vancouver Island while the big horned mountain sheep on the right represents the former mainland Colony of British Columbia. The motto at the bottom — "splendor sine occasu" — is written in Latin and essentially means "Beauty without Diminishment" or "Beauty without End". Located around both the lion's neck and the bottom of the Coat of Arms is a dogwood garland — B.C.'s provincial flower since 1956.

The Current Mace is one of the Parliamentay Symbols that deal with authority.

The Black Rod is one of the Parliamentay Symbols that is a cermonial staff created in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Memorial Rotunda gained its name because it is the site of several war memorials dedicated to British Columbians who gave their lives for Canada. The Books of Remembrance list the names of British Columbian civil servants who served as soldiers and who died during the First and Second World Wars. In the centre of the Memorial Rotunda is an open circle surrounded by a ring of dark Tennessee marble. The walls are lined with two colours of Tennessee marble and decorated with 23 carat gold leaf, which was applied during the restoration. The terrazzo floor is constructed from tiny segments of marble and granite that were imported from Italy. Four paintings decorate the dome of the Memorial Rotunda representing the primary economic industries of early British Columbia: forestry, fishing, agriculture and mining. Painted on canvas in 1935 by George H. Southwell, they were installed in 1952.

The Honorable Steven Point, former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, first found the red cedar log which the canoe is carved while walking along Ross Bay Beach in Victoria. The log's tapered ends suggested that someone had started carving it into a canoe in the past, possslbly as many as 500 years ago. His Honour had the log brought to Government House, his official residence, and over the course of 13 months, he and Chief Tony Hunt, Hereditary Chief of the KwaGuith and a master carver, carved and painted the canoe as you see it today.

Skxwtitatostel [Pronounced: Sche-tea-tost-tel} is a traditional inland river canoe. Coast Salish peoples used it to fish in rivers by night. A fire was lit in the pit at the bow and the hunter would hide behind a bullrush blind. The hunter would then spear the fish that would come to the surface, having been attracted by the light. The canoe is carved with a shovel nose, eyes, scales and tail of the legendary monster Slahkum from Chilliwack's Cultus Lake. The sides are engraved with the crest of his Honour's father.

In Halq'eméylem, Shxwtitostel means "a safe place to cross the river." The name and the canoe project represent the idea of a bridge between peoples, one of His Honour's major themes for his term in office. When the project was finished, His Honour officially gave to canoe to the people of British Columbia.

The Stair Windows. As one climbs the stairs to the Memorial Rotunda, you notice a set of stained glass windows, displying quotations from 17th and 18th English writers and thimkers, which are here to inspire legislators and spectactors as they approach the Chamber.

The whole Legistative Assembly of the 45th Parliament. Each person is elected to represent an area, or constituency, of the province and are called MLA's, or Members of the Leglsiative Assembly. In federal politics, their counterparts are MPs, or Members of Parliament.

Looking up to the Memorial Rotunda.

Splendor Sine Occasu.

The glory of God and the memory of the officers and non commissioned officiers and the men of the 50th Regiment Highlanders.

1914 to 1918 For King and Country In Memory of Those of Civil Service of British Columbia who gave their lives in the Great War.

To the Memory of those of all ranks 88th Regiment Victoria Fusiliers who gave their lives for the Empire.

Defenders of the Crown disply case.

The British and Canadian flags.

The Canadian flag, otherwise known as the Maple Leaf.

The British Columbia flag.

Memorial Rotunda.

Sometimes you must look down, in this case at the ornate tile of the terrazzo floor which was constructed of tiny segments of marble and granite imported from Italy.

The view looking outside.

The Leglsiative Chambers were closed for renovation but this is a true depiction of the room.

Labor and Commercium stained glass windows.

Literatura stained glass window.

Scientia and Artes stained glass window.

Divinitas stained glass window.

The hallway on the third floor.

British Columbia becomes a province of Canada in 1871.

Sir James Douglas, the father of British Columbia, plaque.

Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee stained glass window, a gift from the Government of British Columbia to Her Majestry Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her Golden Jubilee in 2002. It was crafted by two Victoria artisans, Edward Schaefer and Thomas Mercer. In the topmost portion, you will notice Her Majesty's Canadian Royal Standard. This is the Queen's own personal Canadian flag and is flown only when Her Majesty is in Canada. You can also see various B.C. symbols, including our provincial bird, the Stellar's Jay, our provincial fish, The Pacific Salmon, and our provincial gemstone, jade, which is indicated by the green inserts at the bottom.

Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee stained glass window display board.

The stained glass window is the gift from the people of British Columbia to Her Majesty the Queen in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty's Reign 1952 to 2002.

The Diamond Jubilee Window was commssioned for Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the sixtieth year of her reign, in 1897. On the left side is the date of the 18 year-old Queen Victoria accession to the throne (1837) and to the right is the date of her Diamond Jubileee (1897}. The letters "V" and "R" stands for the Latin "Victoria Regina" or Queen Victoria.

The Diamond Jubilee Window was originallly located on the second floor behind the Legislative Chamber. In 1912, due to the construction of the new Legislative Library, it was placed in the cellar for safe-keeping, where it remained for the next 62 years until it was found during the restoration in 1974.

At the topmost portion of the window, you will notice British Columbia's original Coat of Arms. The government adopted this Coat of Arms by Order-in-Council in 1895. It contains many of the same symbols as the one used today, however, British officials were unable to accept this design. It was considered inappropriate to have the British flag on the shield in an inferior position to the setting sun, as it contradicted the popular expression of the day that "the sun never sets on the British Empire." The flowers in the original are the emblems of the United Kingdom: the purple thistle of Scotland, the green shamrock of Ireland, the pink Tudor rose of England, and the yellow daffodil of Wales.

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Window.

Two British Columbia flags and a Canadian flag in the middle in front of the Hall of Honour.

"I am driven by a deep passion and the need to make a difference and leave the world a little better than when I arrived. That is what keeps me going". Quote by Rick Hansen, a Vancouver Island man who was injured in a car accident in 1973 and was paralyzed from the waist down. In 1985, he and his team left Vancouver to embark on the two-year Man In Motion World Tour, a journey around the globe to prove the potential of people with disabilities and raise awareness for accessibility.

The Order of British Columbia recognizes those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of British Columbia and beyond. The Order represents the highest form of recognition the Province can extend to its citizens.

Royal Tours to British Columbia.

The twenty-two female elected Members of the Legislative Assembly, who, over several decades were appointed by a variety of Premiers as the Ministers of various government ministries, such as Municipal Affairs, Tourism, Energy, et cetera. A couple of them have served as Premier of British Columbia.

Song Hu, a 2021 recipent of Medal of Good Citizenship, which celebrates British Columbians who have acted in a particularly generous, kind or selfless manner for the common good without expectation of reward. It is second only to the Order of British Columbia.

Niss Miou, recipent of Medal of Good Citizenship.

The Order of British Columbia display board.

The Crown in Canada board.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Royal Tours.

Government of British Columbia 1920.

Treasury and Attonery General offices.

That ended an excellent tour of the British Columbia Parliament buidings in Victoria.

We are now outside.

Flower beds on the Legislature grounds.

The old Canadian Pacific steam ship building constructed in 1926 and closed in 1970. From then until 2010, it was the home of the Royal London Wax Museum before closing to be seismically renovated.

The Empress Hotel, a Canadian Pacific Railway establishment, was built in 1908. We went inside and I was very impressed with the small area that we saw; it was my first time in this historic building. Elizabeth led the way to the Fairmont Store where we bought some Empress Blend teabags, a blend that cannot be found anywhere else. We then walked half a block to Rogers Chocolates, a Victoria institution since 1885 and as my wife had often raved about Victoria Creams, we bought a box of the miniature ones and I realized just how good these chocolates are, and they come in twenty flavours. We returned to the library then Elizabeth drove us over to Vic West and the roundhouse.

Canadian Pacific Railway box car 56896, ex. E&N Division of Canadian Railway Historical Assocition 56896 2017, exx. Canadian Pacific 401651 2005, nee Canadian Pacific 56896 built by National Steel Car in 1959.

Canadian Pacific baggage car 4231, ex. Canadian Pacific work service tool car 404943 2007, nee Canadian Pacific baggge express 4231, built by Canadian Car and Foundry in 1948.

The former Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse, originally known as Russell's Roundhouse (after the nearby Russell Street). The site, comprised of the ten-stall roundhouse, backshop, Armstrong turntable, car shop, stores building, oil tank and sand tower, was built in 1913 and served freight and passenger trains of the Canadian Pacific and its subsidiary, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. It was unique in a number of ways, including the stalls being numbered counter-clockwise and the floors were originally dirt with concrete installed during World War II.

The former Canadian Pacifc Transport Building.

The former Candian Pacific Stores building. A unique feature is the hand-operated elevator that carries 1,000 lbs.

The turntable with the roundhouse behind.

The 71' 1" Canadian Pacific Railway turntable.

The Car Shop.

The turntable once again.

The entrance to the back shop.

We left the roundhouse then went to one of Elizabeth's former residences which is very close to the Selkirk Trestle.

Crossing the Selkirk Waterway is the Selkirk Trestle, built by the Canadian National Railway. Construction began in the winter of 1916/17 and completed in 1919. This trestle is now part of the Galloping Goose Trail. This trestle originally had a manually-operated lift section to allow the passage of boats. The drawbridge section is still in place but it was raised and fixed in place and the other sections of the trestle were inclined up to meet it. This still allows smaller boats to pass under the structure but it can no longer rise to allow larger vessels or sailboats to pass without lowering their masts.

Views of the Selkirk Trestle.

The island in Victoria Bay.

View to the north.

View to the south.

We walked back to the car and Elizabeth drove us to Shawnigan Lake, more specifically, Cliffside, to our next railroad surprise. Neither of us had ever been here before, although Elizabeth lived in Victoria for many years. We parked at a pull-off point and then walked up the hills to the tracks.

We walked north along the unused railroad tracks.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn is a six-foot-tall stone cairn embossed with two plaques. It is located on the old Cliffside Station site of the E&N Railway, at the top of Cliffside Road in Shawnigan Lake. The historic site includes the stone cairn, the railroad section where the last spike was driven, and the land the site is located on.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn has significant heritage value as a representation of local achievement in technology. The site is also associated with important historical figures that helped develop the community of Shawnigan Lake. The stone cairn is also a representation of important ideas to the Shawnigan Lake people, such as the idea of providing a lasting transportation link between the central and south island communities.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn has significant heritage value from its association with the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. MacDonald. The plaque adorning the stone cairn states “August 13th 1886, Last Spike On E.&N. Railway, Driven Here By Sir John A. MacDonald”. It is reported that this was the only visit Sir John A. MacDonald paid to British Columbia, marking the Last Spike Stone Cairn as a hugely important historic site. This historic site was also visited by Robert Dunsmuir, who played a significant role in the development of British Columbia, especially the Cowichan Valley. These two individuals greatly contributed to the development of Shawnigan Lake with their influence on the E&N Railway.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn is a representation of both national and local achievements in technology. On the national scale, this site marks the true completion of Sir John A. MacDonald’s dream: a railway linking coast to coast. On the local scale, it represents the completion of the E&N Railway and the growth of the Cowichan Valley, with the reliable E&N Railway linking the farmlands of the Cowichan Valley to the bustling capital city of Victoria. These two achievements have significant value as they are a source of community pride and character.The site of the Last Spike Stone Cairn has significant heritage value as it is the location of the original Cliffside Station, a highly important central location for the settlers of the original Shawnigan Lake community. This site symbolizes the cultural importance of the railway to many early settlers of the valley, as the railway provided a direct link to city services not yet found in the developing area.

The second plaque found at the site illustrates the century-long importance of this historic site to the Shawnigan Lake community. It states "August 13, 1986, This Plaque Commemorates The Centennial Of The Driving Of The Last Spike On The Esquimalt And Nanaimo Railway". This site has been a cultural point of pride for the Shawnigan Lake people and commemorates a highly significant event in the history of the community.

The Last Spike was driven into the E&N by Sir John A. MacDonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. This was also said to be MacDonald's only visit to the west coast of Canada. Robert Dunsmuir, the Coal Baron of Vancouver Island, was the founder of the E&N Railway and is said to have been also present at the driving of the Last Spike.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn is currently owned and maintained by the Island Corridor Foundation, which also owns on behalf of the people of Vancouver Island the entire Island Rail Corridor (formerly the E&N Railway).

The Last Spike Site is known to be a local tourist and hiking destination, but be aware that this railway is active. Maintenance crews, patrols and rail equipment frequent this track, so use caution and avoid walking along the tracks; instead, use the hiking trails behind or access the site from Verlon Road off Shawnigan Lake Road.

The Last Spike Stone Cairn.

August 13, 1886 Last Spike on the E&N Railway driven here by John A. McDonald. This plaque is on the Cairn.

August 13, 1986 this plaque commemorates the centennial of the driving of the last spike on Esquimalt And Nanaimo Railway. This plaque is at the base of the cairn.

We walked down the tracks south back to the trail and the road back to our car.

Continuing to be my tour guide, Elizabeth drove us to the Kinsol Trestle 15 minutes northwest, also near Shawnigan Lake. It is about a mile-and-a-half walk to the trestle.

It was built as part of a plan to connect Victoria to Nootka Sound, passing through Cowichan Lake and Port Alberni, when forestry had gained some ground on Vancouver Island and a more efficient way to transport the region's huge, old-growth timber was needed. It was not built, as some mistakenly believe, to serve any nearby mines. It was named after the nearby Kinsol Station which, in turn, took its name from a nearby mining venture grandiosely named "King Solomon Mines", a very small mining venture that produced 18 tons (19.8 short tons; 17.7 long tons) or 18, 39,683 lb of copper and 6,300 of silver (from 254 t or 280 short tons or 250 long tons of ore—hardly enough to fill 3 rail cars) between 1924 and 1927.

The line was started in 1911 by the Canadian Northern Pacific Railway and while it was designed by engineers, it was built by local farmers and loggers, with investment funds from the Canadian Western Lumber Company, which was the largest lumber company in the world at that time. The trestle was never completed by the CNoPR, and the line only reached Youbou before construction was terminated. The CNoPR was taken over by Canadian National Railways in 1918, and its line and the trestle were completed in 1920 as part of the "Galloping Goose" rail line.

The rail carried both passenger and freight traffic, including primarily timber and other forest products. The last train to cross the Kinsol was in 1979, and the trestle fell into disrepair afterwards.

CN's rail service on Vancouver Island was abandoned in the 1980s and the right of way given to the provincial Ministry of Transportation. Due to the deteriorated structure of the Kinsol Trestle, the bridge was not usable by walkers or bicyclists on the Trans-Canada Trail, and was in danger of being torn down because it posed an environmental concern and danger to the public.

This created some disagreement in the community. Some community groups set out to raise money to preserve the trestle for its historical and tourism value, whereas others simply wanted to repair the break in the Trans-Canada Trail as quickly and cheaply as possible. At that point in time crossing the Koksilah required an 8.5b detour through difficult terrain.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District held a special meeting on June 7, 2007 to determine the fate of the Kinsol. During this meeting the CVRD Board received presentations from a local firm that specializes in building conservation: Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd proposed a conservation strategy that would see the bridge fully restored for pedestrian use as part of the Trans-Canada Trail network.

On September 20, 2007, the CVRD voted to move ahead with a feasibility study concerning the feasibility of the Kinsol Trestle. Three firms had responded to the CVRD request for proposals for restoration and the Vancouver firm Commonwealth Historic Resource Management Limited won the contract. Commonwealth has joined forces with Macdonald and Lawrence, the local timber construction firm that proposed a conservation strategy in June, 2007. M&L is local in the sense it is established in Cobble Hill (a community close to Shawnigan Lake and the Kinsol), but is world-renowned and has built many unique structures in Great Britain, received a commendation from Queen Elizabeth for its work in restoring Windsor Castle following the disastrous fire, and is working to restore the British explorer Shackleton's shack in the Antarctic and other unique projects.

In November 2007, Macdonald and Lawrence completed a major inspection of the trestle, drilling hundreds of test holes. The final report showed that 80% of the major timbers were still sound, and that it was feasible to restore the structure. M&L's report comprised the major portion of Commonwealth's report, which was presented to the CVRD on January 23, 2008. The Board members voted overwhelmingly to have Commonwealth proceed with Phase 2 of the study to provide a detailed plan of restoration, including a full evaluation of costs. This report was delivered in November 2008.

The rehabilitation of the trestle cost approximately $5.7 million. M&L would ultimately collapse due to cost over-runs, but there would be benefits brought on by the rehabilitation of the Kinsol Trestle. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the few accessible and visible reminders of the early mining and logging industries in the Cowichan Valley, and increased tourism and recreation has created long-term economic and recreational benefits in the community. The rehabilitation also generated over 22 years of employment for the local population with direct and indirect work on the Trestle, engineering, and project management.

The official reopening of the trestle was July 28, 2011.

With the recognition that the Kinsol Trestle would be preserved and rehabilitated, an official community based campaign was created in order to promote the Trestle and to raise the remaining $2 million necessary to complete the Kinsol Trestle. An official fundraising campaign was launched in June 2009 in order to raise the remainder of the funds needed to rehabilitate the Trestle. The official "Save the Historic Kinsol Trestle Campaign" came through with the support of the Cowichan Foundation and the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The campaign was launched on June 10, 2009, and the Trestle reopened to the public after major renovations on July 28, 2011. It is now a part of the Trans-Canada Trail and the Vancouver Island Trail.

Working Railway Trestle.

Forgotten Relic.

Resurrected Treasure.

Welcome to the Kinsol Trestle.

Cowichan Trail.

We crossed the Kinsol Trestle eastbound.

An electrical box wrapped with a picture of a Canadian National steam train on the trestle.

At the other end is an interpretive area with historic photographs.

Trestle to the ressurrected treasure.

A beautiful and historic destination.

A complex project.

The Kinsol Trestle from a lower level.

The Historic Kinsol Trestle.

Friends of The Trestle.

Trestle Project Partners display board.

Crossing the Kinsol Trestle westbound. We walked back to the car and drove east to the Duncan then had dinner at White Spot. In the same shopping centre were London Drugs and Save On Foods and we visited both so Elizabeth could purchase Weetabix, a cereal that is available in England and Canada (and via Amazon, although more expensive than the stores) and Shreddies, another cereal which is common to Canada only. That completed, we drove to the Super 8 for the night.

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