About Us
The Esquimalt and Nanaimo Division of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association was registered as a society on September 18, 1997. The purpose of the society is to acquire and maintain a rail museum, to reflect all aspects of railway transportation on Vancouver Island, to acquire and maintain artifacts for the museum, to operate an excursion train, record the history of the railways on Vancouver Island, publish & disseminate information, and collaborate with other groups of similar interest. The E&N Division CRHA has been instrumental in the organization of E&N Celebration Days held, annually, in a township along the E&N Railway since 1997. Since 2007, a E&N Day Committee was formed with the involvement of the Island Corridor Foundation, Southern Railway of VI, Bayview and many other support groups. The celebration is in recognition of the Last Golden Spike being driven by Sir John A. MacDonald,Prime Minister with a silver hammer on August 13, 1886 at 'Cliffside' station at Mile 25 on the E&N Railway near Shawnigan Lake. This was very significant for it demonstrated the completion of the government's promise to British Columbia in joining confederation for a Trans continental railway that also included the Colony of Vancouver Island.

Volunteers
Society volunteers have helped restore rolling stock including our own ex CN transfer caboose 76695 plus two ex CP Boxcars, and Maintenance of Way equipment. The E&N Division has had a long time interest in the preservation and restoration of the Victoria Roundhouse as national historic site, and is actively involved with Roundhouse Properties Planning Team. Our division is currently working with the Alberni Pacific Railway in moving our rail equipment to Port Alberni once the track is reopened from Parksville. We plan on assisting doing track maintenance with the APR, and some of members are Conductors and Engineers on the APR. We look forward to working cooperatively with other societies, invite new members, and welcome donations to our division. Our team is a network of personal contacts and resources cultivated from involvement as members of railway associations and as employees active and retired from the industry. This resource base also includes an extensive inventory of equipment and contractors.



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