Post Last Modified – December 31, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
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Visit The Alberni Valley Heritage Network in Port Alberni
Situated in the City of Port Alberni on 🌲 Vancouver Island, in the Province of British Columbia 🍁 Canada, is the outstanding …
🚂 Alberni Valley Heritage Network 🚂
This is a very popular historic attraction in this region including;
The Alberni Pacific Steam Railway and Historic McLean Mill
Fun and Educational Attractions The Whole Family Will Enjoy!
Port Alberni is located on the west coast of 🍁 Canada on beautiful Vancouver Island. The city is enroute to world famous Tofino, BC and the famed … Long Beach. There is so much to see and do, making this a perfect stop, when traveling to and/or from, the islands rugged west coast.
First, check out my short 📹 video I’ve put together, on these amazing attractions, to take in, while visiting the City of Port Alberni.
Don’t forget to turn your 🔊 speakers on! 🙂
Alberni Valley Heritage Attractions – YouTube Video
Our Day At The Alberni Valley Heritage Network
Alberni Pacific Steam Railway & Historic McLean Mill
This superb combined tour, will take a full 5 hours. This includes; two rides on the 🚂 Steam Train and the Historic McLean Mill.
At the Mill, you can actually view this historic mill still in operation today. As well, there’s a wonderful historic {Steam Donkey Logging} presentation. These tours offer a look at how logging was done in the early 1900’s and how things have, drastically changed today.
Before beginning your train journey, be sure to visit the 🏠 Train Stations Museum. Volunteers have spent countless hours, restoring and preserving some amazing pieces of machinery, from years past.
Restored Port Alberni Fire Truck
Such items include a completely restored; 🚒 City Fire Truck, Old Logging Truck, Machinery and much more!
Alberni Heritage Network Volunteer
A great way to start your historic journey into the past!
The Alberni Valley Heritage Network Pacific Steam Railway
Alberni Pacific Steam Railway Engineers
Start your historical day by boarding the painstakingly restored 🚂 1929 Steam Locomotive. This is a fun 30 to 40 minute open air train ride. It starts right downtown, making its way through; dense 🌲 forested sections of the city.
Your ride will eventually end at the; McLean Mill National Historic Site. This {Steam Engine} was used heavily as a logging locomotive years ago and is a perfect addition, to this all-inclusive tour.
Everyone will enjoy this ride up to the Mill, and then back again to the City!
This historic train is a major attraction in the city, for both visitors and locals alike.
As you make your way up the track, crossing along the 🚥 city streets, you can’t help but 👋 wave, to those in their vehicles waiting at the 🚏 crossing for the train to pass, as the steam whistle blows!
Added Fun Attractions on Your Train Journey
Kids will love this and as an adult, you won’t be able to wipe that smile off your face!
Long Time Resident “Sally” Dressing Up for Train Passengers
The Historic McLean Mill Guided Tour
After a scenic 30 to 40 minute ride, the train will come to a stop at the McLean Mill Site. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by one of the Mill’s friendly hosts who will brief you, on what is about to take place on your tour.
There’s a superb ☕ café on site, with delicious homemade selections prepared on location. There is also a gift shop and exhibits for you to check out while waiting for the; Steam Donkey Presentation.
One of the Many Original Mill Buildings on Site
R.B.McLean and Sons operated this mill from 1925 to 1965, for almost 40 years!
The site depicts a typical lumber camp you would come across in the wilderness at that time, complete with a steam operated 🪚 sawmill and 🚜 logging equipment.
An Original Mill Residence
After the mill closed, the owners simply abandoned the entire site. Much of what you will see on this Historic Property, was simply left here by them. From the; steam operated mill, logger’s residences and work buildings, to heavy duty machinery, vehicles and much more! 😲
Everything you see has been painstakingly restored by dedicated volunteers, helping to preserve; British Columbia’s logging and sawmill history.
A tremendous feat and effort of those involved in preserving this important part of history.
Abandoned Heavy Machinery After Mill’s Closing
With support from Federal, Provincial and Local Authorities since 1995, McLean Mill site is still in the process, of further restoration and additional projects. All, that will continue to preserve this historic landmark, for years to come.
As you walk among the buildings and exhibits, you can’t help but feel, a touch of what life and work, was like for people working in this industry, almost 90 years ago!
Remnants of an Abandoned Mill Truck
Steam Donkey Logging Presentation
Steam Donkey Logging Demonstration
Volunteers on site, will demonstrate how this completely restored and working; steam operated logging equipment and sawmill were used, years ago.
This was labor intensive work during this period, as you will see during the demonstration. Much so, compared to Mills that are now operated automatically, by machines. This work is now done with just a just a touch of a button, from controllers.
A great and educational sawmill and logging demonstration, put on by staff and volunteers.
Original Steam Operated Sawmill Completely Restored
The Steam Donkey demonstration will show how the logs were moved and stacked after been cut down. The live presentation will also show how the logs are then moved onto logging trucks, where they are then moved from the forest to the mill.
A very enjoyable and worthwhile presentation put on by these dedicated individuals!
Old Time Steam Machinery Display
Amazing Historic Steam Engine Exhibition
We happened to time our visit just perfect, as the site was preparing for an; 🚜 old tractor and steam engine exhibition. We were able to view and watch many historical steam engines move about the property, in preparation for the weekend event.
What a special treat that was!
Old Wooden Caboose Rail Car
Early 1900’s Original Wooden Caboose Rail Car
Tucked away and not something you will run into every day, is an actual; 🛤 wooden caboose rail car inside an old covered shed. Staff believe this car dates back to the very early 1900’s and are trying their best, to keep it covered and preserved, for years to come.
A very special addition to the Alberni Heritage Network McLean Mill Site!
Alberni Heritage Network Volunteers
Chatting with “Jack” Logger and Volunteer
Most of the staff on site are all locals, who volunteer their time and hard work, making this historical site a reality, for all of us to enjoy.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jack, who is a legend at McLean Mill!
Jack began logging in British Columbia ,when he was just 11 years of age. At the time of our visit a few seasons ago, Jack was in his late 80’s and still volunteers, assisting with the logging demonstration.
It was a pleasure to meet him and hear some of his stories of logging, when times were … really rough!
Jack chatting with Our Amazing Guide for the day David
We had a wonderful full {5 hour tour} on our visit and stay in Port Alberni. If your plans are taking you to this part of Vancouver Island, then I do recommend visiting; The Alberni Heritage Network and Attractions.
The 🚂 Steam Train is a must, especially if visiting with children. During special times and occasions, they offer themed train rides which are a huge hit!
These include a; Western Style Train Robbery Ride, Special Christmas Rides and much more.
Below, I have included the 🪓 Alberni Valley Heritage Network’s official website. You can access much more detailed information, including all of their; attractions, upcoming events, times of operation and much more.
🏕 Camping is also available on site. For advance reservations, be sure to visit their website.
🟩 Check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for the Alberni Valley Visitor Center’s exact location. 🟩
As well, be sure to check out the Alberni Valley’s Official Tourism website. A great resource for area attractions, accommodations, activities and more.
Canada Rail Vacations have been providing unforgettable Canadian Rail Tours for clients since 1995.
🍁 100% Canadian owned and operated, their team of experts have compiled a host of amazing 🚂 train vacations 🚂 to best suit you and your budget.
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😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
Although our visit was in collaboration with The Alberni Valley Heritage Network, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal experience only.
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected.
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✨ Did You Know …
🚌 Holidays In British Columbia – Travel Guide
🌷 Victoria, British Columbia – Visitors Guide
🏄 Surfers In Tofino BC – Travel Photo Den
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