This page illustrates my efforts to model the Provincial Museum Train which operated from 1975 to 1979. It visited northern British Columbia in 1975 and 1979, and provides me with an opportunity to operate a steam train from time to time.

I have completed the tank cars, flatcars, boxcars and display coaches pictured below. The next instalment will be to model the official car PEACE RIVER for the rear of the train.

AUXILIARY TANK CARS 991936, CGTX 14087

The auxiliary tank cars provided extra water and fuel oil to the steam locomotives on the Provincial Museum Train. The smaller water tank car was a former BCR water car numbered BCOL 991936 and featured a duplex pump under the running board, standpipes either end, and a top water hatch. My model comprises a 3D printed tank body on an underframe scratchbuilt in styrene.

The larger fuel oil car was CGTX 14087 and it had the duplex pump and MU connections either end. My model is an Atlas 11,000 gallon tank car with a new 3D printed dome and an etched platform. Both cars were detailed with 3D printed duplex pumps, brass wire lines for air, water or fuel, and steam, and trainline air hoses.

DISPLAY FLAT CARS 4901 CAYCUSE RIVER, 4902 CHEMAINUS RIVER

The two display flatcars CHEMAINUS RIVER and CAYCUSE RIVER were cut down from ex-CPR mail express boxcars 4901 and 4902 and fitted with side skirts and corner posts for grab irons. The CHEMAINUS RIVER carried a Dolbeer spool donkey engine, and the CAYCUSE RIVER carried a 23-Ton Climax locomotive. Both exhibits were historical artefacts from the logging industry on Vancouver Island.

My flatcar models were scratchbuilt in styrene and mounted on Micro-Trains metal boxcar underframes to provide weight. CHEMAINUS RIVER carries the Dolbeer spool donkey which was assembled from scale dowel and lumber, and 3D printed parts. CAYCUSE RIVER carries the Climax steam locomotive which includes a scratchbuilt chassis, and etched and 3D printed parts. Since this photograph was taken I have modelled the fittings which secure the loads to the flatcars (see Recent News).

SERVICE BOXCARS 4904 CHEAKAMUS RIVER, 4908 NANAIMO RIVER

The two service boxcars were converted from ex-CPR mail express boxcars 4904 and 4908. The CHEAKAMUS RIVER was equipped with a Caterpillar power plant supplied by Finning. Both cars were fitted with side ladders for entry into the cars.

My boxcars were modelled from the Intermountain 40 foot boxcar kits with Des Plaines Hobbies flat panel roofs. On the left is power boxcar CHEAKAMUS RIVER; on the right is stores boxcar NANAIMO RIVER.

DISPLAY COACHES COWICHAN RIVER, KOOTENAY RIVER, SKEENA RIVER

The three display coaches were converted from ex-CPR 2200 series coaches and 6600 series club cars. The interiors were gutted and the walls lined with plywood to accommodate displays celebrating the age of steam, which were supplied from the Provincial Museum.

My three coaches were modelled from a Geoff Gooderham resin kit for the CPR 2200 series coaches. I added Panamint Models trucks, American Models Ltd. diaphragms, and wire grab irons.