28th May 2025
It was a really hot day today. In the morning we visted the railway museum, and then the Revelstoke hydroelectric power. The museum had various models of bridges, and tools which were used on the creation of the railway. There was a steam engine on show, this was powered by burning oil and not coal. There were also carriages from the days the one line was running with passengers.
There was also a fabulous model railway (not running, unfortunately). In the yard there was rolling stock: snow ploughs, tankers, goods trucks and an early diesel electric, all awaiting renovation.
In the museum there was also an explanation of the spiral tunnel, which we would see tomorrow, and had been through.
Next we drove up the hill to see the Revelstoke Hydroelectric Dam scheme. This dam is one of the many dams on the Columbia river generating power. When it was first installed it had four turbines, this was increased to five. There are plans to install the final and last turbine which can be fitted. When this is complete, it will be the largest Hydro Electric power plant in BC.
Next we drove up the hill up towards Mount Revelstoke. Unfortunately, the way was blockaded at a turnaround. There was still snow on the road further up, and there was no other safe turnaround. I went for a short walk up the hill, 80 minutes up a path and back. As you can see from the pictures, the higher I reached, the more snow there was in the forest.
Back at the campsite, we decided not to have a fire. Our friends had left, so no axe, nor lighter and therefore no fire.
