BC Forest Discovery Centre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
BC Forest Discovery Centre

Hillcrest Lumber Company #1, a class B Shay locomotive
Established	1964
Location	2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan, British Columbia
Type	Forestry Museum

The BC Forest Discovery Centre is an exciting museum located in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada. It tells the story of logging and forestry in British Columbia. This amazing place covers about 100 acres (40 hectares) of land. You can even ride a real train on 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of narrow gauge railway tracks!

A Look Back in Time: History of the Centre

The BC Forest Discovery Centre first opened its doors in 1965. It was started by a collector named G.E. (Gerry) Wellburn. Back then, it was known as the Cowichan Valley Forest Museum. For a while, it was also called the BC Forest Museum. Today, it continues to teach visitors about the rich history of forests and logging.

What You Can Explore: The Collection

This centre has lots of cool things to see, both inside and outside. You'll find working steam and gas trains, plus old logging trucks. There are also beautiful forest trails and nature paths to explore. You can enjoy a picnic, play at the playground, or grab a snack at the concession stand. Don't forget to check out the gift shop for souvenirs!

At the Centre, you can step back in time. Imagine what it was like in a reconstructed logging camp. You can also climb up a forest fire lookout tower. And see how a ranger's station used to look.

Ride the Heritage Railway

One of the most exciting parts is the centre's own heritage railway. You can ride a train pulled by a steam locomotive that's over a hundred years old! This train once helped fill in the harbour in North Vancouver. Along the train ride, you'll see a very old pre-fabricated school house. The train also crosses a trestle bridge over Somenos Lake. You might even spot a working water wheel!

Meet the Locomotives

The Forest Discovery Centre has a fantastic collection of trains. They have seven steam locomotives, which are trains powered by steam!

• Mayo Lumber Company #3 Shay (a type of steam engine)
• Hillcrest Lumber Company #1 Shay (another type of steam engine)
• Bloedel Stewart and Welch #1 Shay
• Shawnigan Lake Lumber #2 Climax (a different kind of steam engine)
• Hillcrest Lumber Company #9 Climax (This is the only working Climax locomotive in all of Canada!)
• Cowichan Valley Railway #24 Vulcan "Suzie"
• Cowichan Valley Railway #25 Vulcan "Samson"

They also have some diesel locomotives, which are powered by diesel engines:

• Cowichan Valley Railway #23 "Sandy" Plymouth
• Cowichan Valley Railway #27 "Handy Andy" (a small, fast train called a railroad speeder)
• British Columbia Forest Products #9 Whitcomb

• Collection
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  Bloedel Stewart & Welch #1 (Shay)

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  Hillcrest Lumber Company #9 (Climax)

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  Cowichan Valley Railway #23 "Sandy"

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  Cowichan Valley Railway #25 "Samson"

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  HLC #1 Shay over Somenos Lake trestle

Exploring the Site

The Centre is a great place to explore. You can visit a rebuilt fire watch tower. From the top, you get an amazing view of the whole museum and the nearby Somenos Marsh.

Wildlife and Nature

The Centre is right next to the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge. This area is home to many different kinds of birds, especially waterfowl. You might see ducks and other birds swimming in the pond. Keep an eye out for Red-Eared Slider turtles too! They love to sunbathe in the field near the marsh.

Two magnificent bald eagles have built a nest in the trees on the west side of the Centre. They successfully raised baby eaglets in 2006! The best spot to see their nest is from the flagpole outside the Wellburn Building.

See also

• List of heritage railways in Canada
• List of museums in Canada