Central Island Trunk Line

From Dominion of British Columbia

The Central Island Trunk Line is a 92.2 mile railway line of the British Columbia Railway (BC Rail) on Vancouver Island running from Cowichan Bay to Port Alberni on the Alberni Line via Deerholme on the Central Island South Line. It also connects to the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Line at Tyup.

The Central Island Trunk Line is Line 132 of the Island Region of BC Rail.

History

After opening the Victoria–Patricia Bay line in 1901, the Vancouver Island Railway undertook to connect Victoria to Port Alberni via a railway along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, opening the first 27.5 milestage from Victoria to Sooke in 1903. From the very beginning of planning, Sooke was foreseen as a branchline station, with the main line would continue from Saseenos, 2.5 miles before Sooke. The next stage to be open proved to be the longest section opened at once: 48.7 miles from Saseenos to Lake Cowichan, opened in October 1905.

In order to expedite the shipment of forest products from Lake Cowichan to the sea, the VIR built a branch line from Deerholme to Cowichan Bay, where a barge slip and other port facilities were built. Opened in 1907, this 7.1-mile branch crossed the E&N's mainline at Tyup, and a connection between the two railways was opened in 1912. The section between Tyup and Cowichan Bay is freight only. Including the lead from Cowichan Bay Station to the barge slip, the total length of the route is 7.5 miles.

Construction of the line onwards to Port Alberni was then delayed for nearly a decade; it wasn't until 1914 that the next extension, 7.6 miles to Youbou, was opened, but after that, a steady pace was maintained as the line reached Kissinger in 1916 and Ditidaht in 1918. Port Alberni was finally reached in 1921, where a connection was made with the E&N.

Until 1957, the Alberni Pacific Railway had two forestry lines that connected to the VIR at Seizai, the Camp Two Mainline and the China Creek Mainline. In addition, the APR had running rights over the VIR between Seizai and Alberni, where the APR's shops were located, and where their Deep Lake Mainline began. The APR was abandoned in 1957, when the logging work was switched to lorries.

When the VIR was absorbed by the British Columbia Railway in 1960, the Victoria–Saseenos–Port Alberni line was named Island Trunk Line, with the Saseenos–Sooke section being called the Sooke Branch Line. In 1970, two years after the BCR absorbed the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway (E&N), the Island Trunk Line was divided into three sections: the Victoria–Saseenos–Sooke section became the South Coast Line, the Saseenos–Deerholme–Port Alberni section became the Central Island Line; the Deerholme–Cowichan Bay branch remained the Cowichan Bay Branch as it had been since 1960. In 1974 this was changed once again to the present arrangement, with the Cowichan Bay–Deerholme–Port Alberni section becoming the Central Island Trunk Line, and the Deerholme–Saseenos portion becoming the Central Island South Line.

The absorption of the E&N saw passenger service moved from South Alberni Station to the E&N's Port Alberni Station, with South Alberni becoming a freight-only yard.

Services

The Central Island Trunk Line sees both passenger and freight operations.

Freight

Freight traffic along the entirety of the line is quite extensive, moving forest products from numerous places along the line to port at both Cowichan Bay (if destined for the Mainland) and Port Alberni (if destined for export to Asia). In addition, there are several other rail-served industries along the line.

Freight service between Sbetween Deerholme and Lake Cowichan, and on the Cowichan Bay Branch, it is quite extensive, primarily moving forest products from the region northeast of Lake Cowichan to port at Cowichan Bay. There are two scheduled through freights daily between South Alberni and Victoria West via Tyup.

Passenger

BC Rail operates three year-round services on the South Coast Line, three Local and two Rapid; as well, in the summer timetable only, there is a second Rapid service. The Metro services and the Victoria–Sooke locals are operated with electric multiple-unit trainsets, all other trains are locomotive-hauled. BC Rail also operates a limited-access RailBus service under contract to Domforco.

The various categories of passenger service are defined by the Ministry of Labour, Industry & Railways in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport & Communications; these categories are applicable to and used by all railways providing passenger service in British Columbia. Like all other railways in BC, ticket prices for BC Rail passenger trains are based on the Ministry's Schedule of Railway Fares. Exempt from this are the Victoria Metro trains, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Victoria Transit System.

Rapid

Rapid (also known as "semi-express") trains are similar to regular Express trains, making a limited number of scheduled stops, but stops can be booked up to three hours in advance at any station on the route that has passenger service.

  • 191.1–2/192.1–2 Central Island Rapid (BCR): Sooke – Port Alberni
Two daily return trips, first and second class chair cars only with seat-side drink and snack service.
Scheduled intermediate stops: Saseenos, Shawnigan Beach, Deerholme, Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Kissinger, Ditidaht, Franklin
  • 193.1–2/194.1–2 Sportsman Rapid (BCR): Victoria Union – Youbou
Two daily return trips in the summer timetable only, first and second class chair cars only with seat-side drink and snack service.
Scheduled intermediate stops: Colwood, Saseenos, Shawnigan Beach, Deerholme, Lake Cowichan

Local

Local trains are passenger trains that make scheduled stops at all stations and halts.

  • 1311.1-2/1312.1-2: Sooke – Lake Cowichan
Two daily return trips, second class only with seat-side drink and snack service.
  • 1313.1-2/1313.1-2: Sooke – Duncan
Two daily return trips, second class only with seat-side drink and snack service.
  • 1321.1-2/1322.1-2: Lake Cowichan – Port Alberni
Two daily return trips, first and second class with seat-side drink and snack service.

RailBus

The RailBus moniker is given to a Dominion-wide network of heavy rail transit operated under contract to the Ministry of Transport & Communication, various departments of the Urban Transit Authority, to school districts, or to First Nation governments, as the case may be. BC Rail operates a single RailBus service on the Central Island Trunk Line

  • Duncan – Deerholme – Lake Cowichan – Domforco: four return trips on workdays only for Domforco employees only. Operated under contract to Domforco.

Timetable

NB: Stations with no scheduled service are not included.

  • "Down" is towards Cowichan Bay; Down trains are superior to Up trains.
  • ƒ - flag stop by reservation only
  • ↓ - train does not stop
Station Mile
(T-mi)
Train number (Up)
901003
freight
1314.1
L
193.1
R
1321.1
L
191.1
R
1311.1
L
1321.2
L
191.2
R
1314.2
L
193.2
R
1321.3
L
1311.2
L
913201
freight
Cowichan Bay
freight only
0.0 (-)
Lv
VicW
2.00
Dun
6.06
Dun
17.30
23.00
Tyup
freight only
2.4 (-)
Ar

(2.45)

(6.08)

(17.32)
Lv
Glenora
5.4 (-)
Ar
6.12
VicU
5.30
Ske
7.06
Ske
8.24
Ske
15.06
17.35
VicU
16.30
Ske
20.24
Lv
6.14
17.35
Deerholme
7.1 (2)
Ar
6.17
7.01
8.06
9.30
16.06
17.40
18.01
21.30
Lv
6.19
7.06
8.12
9.32
16.12
17.48
18.06
21.32
Tzart-Lam
9.6 (3)
Ar
Ske
7.29
ƒ
ƒ
9.36
ƒ
Ske
19.10
ƒ
21.36
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
9.38
ƒ
ƒ
21.38
Quyxuletse′
12.3 (3)
Ar
ƒ
ƒ
9.42
ƒ
ƒ
21.42
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
9.44
ƒ
ƒ
21.44
Culchillum
15.9 (4)
Ar
ƒ
ƒ
9.49
ƒ
ƒ
21.49
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
9.51
ƒ
ƒ
21.51
Lake Cowichan
21.7 (6)
Ar
7.26
8.32
9.59
16.32
18.30
21.59
Lv
7.30
7.36
8.40
12.00
16.40
18.37
20.12
Domforco
freight only
23.7 (-)
Ar
Lv
Spring Beach
25.0 (3)
Ar
ƒ
7.41
ƒ
12.05
ƒ
ƒ
20.17
Lv
ƒ
7.43
ƒ
12.07
ƒ
ƒ
20.19
Youbou
29.3 (4)
Ar
7.41
7.48
8.51
12.12
16.51
18.48
20.24
Lv
7.50
8.54
12.14
16.54
20.26
Pine Point
32.8 (4)
Ar
7.55
ƒ
12.19
ƒ
20.31
Lv
7.57
ƒ
12.21
ƒ
20.33
Maple Grove
34.0 (1)
Ar
8.00
ƒ
12.24
ƒ
20.36
Lv
8.02
ƒ
12.26
ƒ
20.38
Northshore
35.8 (2)
Ar
8.05
ƒ
12.29
ƒ
20.41
Lv
8.07
ƒ
12.31
ƒ
20.43
Kissinger
43.6 (8)
Ar
8.16
9.13
12.40
17.13
20.52
Lv
8.20
9.20
12.42
17.20
21.00
Saouk
48.8 (5)
Ar
8.24
ƒ
12.48
ƒ
21.06
Lv
8.26
ƒ
12.50
ƒ
21.08
Chuchummisapo
51.5 (3)
Ar
8.30
ƒ
12.54
ƒ
21.12
Lv
8.32
ƒ
12.56
ƒ
21.14
Ditidaht
53.4 (2)
Ar
8.35
9.34
12.59
17.34
21.17
Lv
8.37
9.38
13.02
17.38
21.20
Nadira Main
61.3 (8)
Ar
8.47
ƒ
13.12
ƒ
21.30
Lv
8.49
ƒ
13.14
ƒ
21.32
Darlington
65.0 (4)
Ar
8.54
ƒ
13.19
ƒ
21.37
Lv
8.56
ƒ
13.21
ƒ
21.39
Athens
68.8 (4)
Ar
9.01
ƒ
13.26
ƒ
21.44
Lv
9.03
ƒ
13.28
ƒ
21.46
Hawthorne
74.3 (6)
Ar
9.09
ƒ
13.34
ƒ
21.52
Lv
9.12
ƒ
13.36
ƒ
21.54
Franklin
81.8 (8)
Ar
9.21
10.12
13.45
18.12
22.03
Lv
9.23
10.20
13.47
18.20
22.05
China Creek
86.0 (4)
Ar
9.28
ƒ
13.52
ƒ
22.10
Lv
9.30
ƒ
13.54
ƒ
22.12
Seizai
90.0 (4)
Ar
9.35
ƒ
13.59
ƒ
22.17
Lv
9.37
ƒ
14.01
ƒ
22.19
South Alberni
freight only
91.0 (-)
Ar
4.32
0.50
Lv
Port Alberni
92.2 (2)
Ar
9.41
10.34
14.05
18.34
22.33
Station Mile
(T-mi)
Train number (Down)
901004
freight
1313.1
L
1322.1
L
194.1
R
192.1
R
1312.1
L
1322.2
L
192.2
R
913202
freight
1313.2
L
1233.3
L
194.2
R
1312.2
L
Port Alberni
92.2 (-)
Lv
7.22
8.25
8.40
11.54
16.40
20.14
South Alberni
freight only
91.0 (-)
Ar
Lv
1.40
17.40
Seizai
90.4 (4)
Ar
7.27
ƒ
11.58
ƒ
20.18
Lv
7.29
ƒ
12.00
ƒ
20.20
China Creek
86.0 (4)
Ar
7.34
ƒ
12.05
ƒ
20.25
Lv
7.36
ƒ
12.07
ƒ
20.27
Franklin
81.8 (4)
Ar
7.41
8.54
12.12
16.54
20.32
Lv
7.43
9.02
12.14
17.02
20.34
Hawthorne
74.3 (8)
Ar
7.52
ƒ
12.24
ƒ
18.03
20.44
Lv
7.54
ƒ
12.26
ƒ
18.08
20.46
Athens
68.8 (6)
Ar
8.00
ƒ
12.32
ƒ
20.52
Lv
8.02
ƒ
12.34
ƒ
20.54
Darlington
65.0 (4)
Ar
8.07
ƒ
12.39
ƒ
20.59
Lv
8.09
ƒ
12.41
ƒ
21.01
Nadira Main
61.3 (4)
Ar
8.14
ƒ
12.46
ƒ
21.06
Lv
8.16
ƒ
12.48
ƒ
21.08
Ditidaht
53.4 (8)
Ar
8.26
9.26
12.58
17.36
21.18
Lv
8.28
9.40
13.04
17.40
21.22
Chuchummisapo
51.5 (2)
Ar
8.31
ƒ
13.07
ƒ
21.25
Lv
8.34
ƒ
13.09
ƒ
21.27
Saouk
48.8 (3)
Ar
8.38
ƒ
13.13
ƒ
21.31
Lv
8.40
ƒ
13.15
ƒ
21.33
Kissinger
43.6 (5)
Ar
8.46
9.54
13.21
17.54
21.39
Lv
8.48
10.00
13.25
18.00
21.45
Northshore
35.8 (8)
Ar
8.58
ƒ
13.34
ƒ
21.54
Lv
9.00
ƒ
13.36
ƒ
21.56
Maple Grove
34.0 (2)
Ar
9.03
ƒ
13.39
ƒ
21.59
Lv
9.06
ƒ
13.41
ƒ
22.01
Pine Point
32.8 (1)
Ar
9.09
ƒ
13.44
ƒ
22.04
Lv
9.11
ƒ
13.46
ƒ
22.06
Youbou
29.3 (4)
Ar
9.16
10.19
13.51
18.19
22.11
Lv
9.18
8.25
10.24
13.53
18.24
22.13
20.25
Spring Beach
25.0 (4)
Ar
9.23
ƒ
ƒ
13.58
ƒ
22.18
ƒ
Lv
9.25
ƒ
ƒ
14.00
ƒ
22.20
ƒ
Domforco
freight only
25.0 (4)
Ar
3.05
19.12
Lv
3.12
19.30
Lake Cowichan
21.7 (3)
Ar
9.30
8.36
10.35
14.05
18.35
22.25
20.36
Lv
8.40
10.40
10.20
18.40
20.40
22.20
Culchillum
15.9 (6)
Ar
ƒ
ƒ
10.28
ƒ
ƒ
22.28
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
10.30
ƒ
ƒ
22.30
Quyxuletse′
12.3 (4)
Ar
ƒ
ƒ
10.35
ƒ
ƒ
22.35
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
10.37
ƒ
ƒ
22.37
Tzart-Lam
9.6 (3)
Ar
Ske
5.57
ƒ
ƒ
10.41
ƒ
Ske
17.40
ƒ
22.41
Lv
ƒ
ƒ
10.43
ƒ
ƒ
22.43
Deerholme
7.1 (3)
Ar
7.07
9.00
11.00
10.47
19.00
18.46
21.00
22.47
Lv
7.10
9.05
11.10
10.49
19.10
18.52
21.05
22.49
Glenora
5.4 (2)
Ar
7.13
VicU
10.32
Ske
12.06
Ske
11.53
Ske
20.06
18.56
VicU
22.32
Ske
23.53
Lv
7.15
18.59
Tyup
freight only
2.4 (-)
Ar

(3.33)

(7.19)

(19.03)
Lv
Cowichan Bay
freight only
0.0 (-)
Ar
VicW
4.30
Dun
7.21
20.02
Dun
19.05

Route

♦ - Scheduled Rapid and Local stop
• - Local stop; Rapid trains stop only with advance booking
| - No passenger service

Central Island Trunk Line (Line 132)
Station Milepost Tariff-miles
from prev. stn.
Connecting lines Notes
Cowichan Bay barge slip
|
-0.4 - - Freight only; barge slip
Cowichan Bay
|
0.0 - - Freight only; Pacific Industrial & Marine Steel Fabrication, Western Stevedoring
Maple Grove
|
1.2 - - Freight only
Tyup
|
2.4 - Esquimalt & Nanaimo Line Freight only; passenger trains continue to Duncan
Glenora
5.4 0 -
Deerholme
7.1 2 Central Island South Line
Ts′alha′um
9.6 3 - Name spelt Sahtlam prior to 1986
Quyxuletse′
12.3 3 - Name spelt Kakalatza prior to 1986
Culchillum
15.9 4 - Baine Logging Ltd
Lake Cowichan
21.7 6 -
Domforco
|
23.7 - - Freight only, aside from RailBus for Domforco employees
Spring Beach
25.0 3 -
Youbou
29.3 4 - BC Forest Products
Pine Point
32.8 4 - Passenger only; opened 1983
Maple Grove
34.0 1 - Passenger only; opened 1991
Northshore
35.8 2 -
Kissinger
43.6 8 -
Saouk
48.8 5 -
Chuchummisapo
51.5 3 -
Ditidaht
53.4 2 -
Nadira Main
61.3 8 -
Darlington
65.0 4 -
Athens
68.8 4 -
Hawthorne
74.3 6 -
Franklin
81.8 8 - Franklin Forest Products
China Creek
86.0 4 - China Creek Forest Products
Seizai
90.0 4 Camp Two Mainline (APR)
China Creek Mainline (APR)
Coulson Manufacturing
Alberni Pacific Railway closed 1957
South Alberni
|
91.0 - - Freight only
Port Alberni
92.2 2 Alberni Line Passenger only