North of Duncan is the BC Forest Discovery Center.

We both enjoyed the time spent there, including a lunch at their snack bar watching the steam train and the birds on the lake.

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We rode #25 a 0-4-0 tank loco (with an added tender).

The view on the right shows the cab in operation.

At the far end of the steam loco tour, there is a meadow with a large collection of timber equipment.

You need a big blade to cut this large lumber.

On the right is a view of the windmill which fills the water tank from the lake behind.

Across the meadow from the tank is a snack bar with really good burgers.

A restored blacksmith shop shows why these tools and the skilled men who used them were so vital to the continued operation of the logging operations.

Steam "Donkey" units were used

to lift logs (on the left) and

to drag logs (right).

Petrol powered motors provided muscle to move logs and clear pathways.

A 1928 Caterpillar Sixty is on the left.

A gas tractor is adapted as a power source in the photo on the right.

Near the lake is a display of an item from a related industry. MINE CARS!

Near the Trans Canada Highway (route #1) is the station where we started our train trip. It boasts this semaphore signal.

A shed protects these vintage logging vehicles.

Here is a 1918 Maxwell.

Another favorite is the Fisher truck. Remember "body by Fisher?"

A Republic truck reflects on
the glory days of old.

On the end is a genuine
English STEAM ROLLER.

A White truck enhances the collection.

Near the entrance is a field with bunkhouses from the 20th century. They have scenes inside depicting life in the logging camps.

The business office was popular, as it housed, amongst other things, the paymaster.

Workers were housed four to a room with two rooms in each bunkhouse.

Each bunkhouse had a stove
and many had a sharpening stone
for the workers
to sharpen their personal tools.

A saw shop tended to the tools
for the entire camp.

In a dangerous profession,
the infirmary was an important
part of every camp.

The interior of the Post Office is a sample for business offices of the early twentieth century.

On the way out there is a fun museum to visit.

Crossing a bicycle with railroad technology, the Light Inspection Car was used for inspection and maintenance.

The 1883 Sheffield Veloceped used rowing motion to move down the rails.

This maintenance vehicle from early in the twentieth century used a motorcycle type motor for its power.

Moving later in the twentieth century, the hand cart was popular.

One of the last items to view as you leave the museum is this steam powered tractor. It was brought across the continent and found to be underpowered for logging. It was abandoned on Vancouver Island until it was recently restored.