2011
Dan Parsons encouraged the Forestry Heritage Society
- to provide a railroad at the exhibition grounds to help out Fall Fair, and
- to measure community interest for us to build a permanent ridable, miniature railroad.
We began by building a 220′ oval loop, 60′ in diameter and borrowed Dan’s train to provide the rides. It was a big hit at Fall Fair, so we continued.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P9078520-1024x768-1.jpg)
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In November 2011, with a generous donation of $5,000 from Gerri Parsons, we acquired a used railroad from a hobbyist in Nanaimo. It took a great deal of renovation during the winter/spring to be ready for the 2012 operation.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P1010200.jpg)
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2012
We expanded the track towards the Quanset huts to create a Y turnaround and a tent station near the Farmers Market
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P8020961-1024x768-1.jpg)
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In 2012, public rides were provided on July 1 and BC Day in August using the 220′ loop, and then we opened for Fall Fair with the 600′ track using the Y and the tent station near the Market.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2012-09-22_15-26-09_fairground.jpg)
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steam engine
2013
With a train and 600′ of track available, we began our first year of regular two-hour Sunday operation from April 28 through Fall Fair Sep 19/20, 2013. Our development projects included building two hand cars to replace the borrowed ones, and building the ride-through shed.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P5282208-1024x768-1.jpg)
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For Fall Fair 2013 we enjoyed a visit from the Burnaby club with two trains added to our own for the riding public. 9 minute video here
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2014
In 2014 we upgraded our rolling stock and facilities, building a third ride-astride car, a wheelchair car, caboose upgrades, a shed extension to hold the hydraulic lift, some farm models, and a steam bay.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P9073827-1024x768-1.jpg)
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![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Detailing-on-the-cabose-early-Feb-2014-768x433-1.jpg)
At the 2014 fall fair we introduced the wheelchair car and enjoyed some cowboy hijnks.
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2015
In 2015 we built two more hand cars and added switch control stands.
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After a busy season from April through Fall Fair, we introduced our first Santa Train, Friday and Saturday in early December 2015.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20161210_193307_30756008293_o-1024x768-1.jpg)
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2016
In 2016 we expanded the track around the hayfield, and built a tunnel.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2016-07-31-11.34.07-768x1024-1.jpg)
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2017
We started the trestle which enabled us to have the outer loop at the west end.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P_20170906_105717-1024x576-1.jpg)
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2018
We completed the trestle. Leif Bjornson built detail onto the bridge.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P_20180406_120712-scaled-1-1024x576.jpg)
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We built an over-track station in time for Halloween..
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2019
We needed another shed to hold our additional equipment. Dave Banks led a team to build our shed which includes two additional booths for the Farmers Market.
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P_20190716_180934-1024x576-1.jpg)
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In 2019, we also expanded the track to complete a figure 8 using our original interior loop and added a fence to the trestle. Total track including sidings is now about 2200′
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/P_20190412_104612-1024x576-1.jpg)
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2020
With Covid restrictions, we didn’t open for the public and completed a few maintenance tasks with small physical-distanced work parties.
2021
Following our re-opening on July 18, we continued each Sunday 1230-2:30 pm until Sep 26, then took a break until Ghost Train and Santa Train. Our Raffle was a great success.
2022 – 2023
Normal operations. Installed the Anderson Donkey
2024
Opening May 5; some large projects underway
![](http://qathet.prfhs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Railroad-Open-Jul18-2021-870x1024.jpg)