Editorially speaking...

A day late and a dollar short, as they say, but—

I almost missed it, having had to work, but made it home just in time for CBC’s post-midnight replay of As It Happens and the 42nd—the 42nd!--annual replay of Frederick Forsyth’s novella, The Shepherd.

Thanks to the wonderful voice(s) of the late ‘Fireside’ Alan Maitland, The Shepherd, the story of a British Vampire jet fighter pilot flying home from Germany on Christmas Eve, 1957, is, in my humble opinion, the finest half-hour radio drama of all time.

It literally sparkles!

An early jet fighter, the RAF Vampire stars in this radio drama that has now been repeated for 42 years on CBC. —*Wikipedia*

And what better way for me to close down Christmas Eve than with this audio treat that I’ve listened to every year for I don’t know how long? It reminded me yet again of the power and beauty of the printed and spoken word—for those who discern real and emotional value.

But there I go again, editorializing... And we can’t have that in the Chronicles, can we?

Seriously, you can listen to The Shepherd, interviews with author Forsyth and a wartime Mosquito pilot, the aircraft that plays a surrealistic role in the story, by Googling CBC Radio. It’s a wonderful 20-odd minutes at any time but, of course, has more impact, at Christmas.

* * * * *

And since I’m dwelling on the positive today, I can’t resist mentioning the ambitious works program of the Ladysmith Historical Society. This group so impresses me with their accomplishments to date and ambitions for the future—all the work of volunteers—that I want to share their year-end report with you:

Industrial Heritage Preservation

A core roster of 12 volunteers continued Saturday morning work parties at the Comox Logging & Railway Co. yard on Oyster Bay Drive. The overall aim is to preserve this heritage site and associated industrial artifacts as part of the Arts & Heritage Hub within the Waterfront Development Plan – such that it records and illustrates the importance of the coal and logging industries and their associated technologies to the history of Ladysmith & District.

The work done by the Industrial Heritage Preservation Group this year is described by item:

The former Crown Zellerback locomotive No. 11, now undergoing restoration. —*Ladysmith Historical Society*

Locomotive #11

This massive, iconic steam engine hauled logs from Nanaimo Lakes to the log dump at Ladysmith Harbour from 1943-1960. Unfortunately, due to being left outside for several decades after the Railway Society ceased operations in 1990 in the midst of a refit, Loci 11 suffered exposure to the elements and is missing tubing, gauges, controls etc.

The aim is to restore this engine to museum exhibit quality. After thorough descaling and rustproofing performed in past years, a lot of research has looked into the original configuration of the locomotive. This year was spent sourcing tubing, valves, etc. and a start was made on replacing the missing parts, a lot of which are still missing –

Does anyone know of any Loci 11 parts in their basement or garage? If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Maritime Society is kindly assisting with rebuilding the wooden framing for cab windows and doors.

2023 marks 100 years since this loci, specially designed for logging, was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia: we are planning a big birthday bash in May 2023 to which all are invited – keep an eye out for more information!

Plymouth Locomotive #107

This 1927 gasoline shunting locomotive worked in the Comox Yard in Ladysmith and was disbursed to Port Alberni in the early 1990s. Since its return on loan from there late last year, we have been coaxing it toward operability. We are nearly there!

After a lot of work, the engine now runs nicely: broken bolts connecting the engine to gear box and chain drive have been drilled out and replaced; the air compressor and brakes work. Rotten wooden cab sheeting has been replaced and the locomotive readied for painting in the spring – Crown Zellerbach colours. One thing we are missing which is critical for operation is the brass bell…. We are trying to borrow one…

Got one lying around?

Humdirgen

The aim is to preserve this unique hybrid engine such that it illustrates the local ingenuity involved in building it to serve its key function of unloading logs brought from Nanaimo Lakes to the log dump in Ladysmith Harbour.

This year, after performing some repairs (rebuilding the starter, replacing the radiator, modifying the fuel tank, welding cracks in the undercarriage), our main focus has been painting both the inside and outside. This was made easier thanks to the loan of a cherry-picker from FMI. Now this unique and important piece of local industrial history sports its original yellow body and black undercarriage. Next spring, stencilled lettering will be added.

Box Car

The aim is to preserve this 1913 wooden boxcar and use it for interactive exhibits/heritage activities. The main focus this year was painting the wooden superstructure and metal undercarriage. New interactive educational displays were installed including local heritage artifacts, a running model train as an attraction and activity stations for family interactive games and hands-on activities.

Other works done by the group include the following:

Tube Tumbler

This machine was used to descale steam engine boiler tubing. This past year the wooden frame was stained with preservatives and the drum was power-washed and repainted.

Locomotive Shed

Our aim is to work with the Town of Ladysmith toward the preservation/restoration of this heritage building. We continued sourcing Lexan to replace broken panes in the west wall windows, and patched and shored up the sagging south and north doors. We await an engineering report from the Town of Ladysmith which will chart the way forward for building restoration.

Track and work area around Loci Shed/inner yard

The two track switch levers/stands installed in late 2021 were rust proofed and painted. Brush and weeds were cut to keep the track open for use and as a safety precaution to prevent fires.

Additionally, some maintenance was performed on the Tyee Steam Donkey on Transfer Beach Boulevard: the log skids were debarked to slow ongoing degradation, and a missing vent cap was replaced to avoid rainwater ingress into inner boiler workings.

Industrial Heritage Activities Photos

HUMDIRGEN