Burnaby Central Railway
British Columbia Society of Model Engineers
Burnaby Central Railway
Confederation Park
120 North Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby BC CANADA V5C 6K1
Site Phone: 604-291-0922
Site Information
The British Columbia Society of Model Engineers (BCSME)
welcomes you to the site of the Burnaby Central Railway. The site is located
in Confederation Park in Burnaby, BC, Canada. Click
here for maps and driving directions.
Follow one of these links to find information for
visiting model engineers.
Track Specifications
The Burnaby Central Railway has over 2 miles of 7.5" gauge track. Mainline
minimum curvature is 60-foot radius. Maximum upgrade on main tracks is
2%. There are two tunnels, two bridges and two viaducts.
Engineer Certification
The BCSME accepts a recognized miniature railway operator's certificate and requires
a visiting engineer to read a copy of the safety and operating rules prior
to unsupervised operation. Visiting engineers without recognized certification
may be granted permission to operate after a check ride determines that
they are not a hazard to themselves or others. Engineers younger than 16 years
require direct supervision by a certified engineer
and may be subject to restriction on operating hours or routes.
The track manager of the day is authorized to restrict or prohibit operation
by anyone who violates safety rules or operates in an unsafe manner.
Boiler Standards
The BCSME accepts a recognized miniature railway or government boiler certification.
Please bring a copy of your boiler certification with your engine. If your
boiler is not certified by any organisation, please let us know in advance
so a Society boiler inspector can inspect your boiler before operation.
The BCSME reserves the right to deny operating privileges to any boiler
that it feels is unsafe.
Steamup Facilities
There are 13 raised parallel steaming bays 18' long with 8 additional roundhouse
bays. Steaming bays are serviced with water, compressed air, and electricity.
There are also eleven 60' sidings (ground level) with air, water, and electrical services nearby.
All raised steaming bays are accessible from a transfer table and/or
hoists. There is a turntable in addition to the hoists which double as
turntables.
Shop Facilities
The BCSME has a well equipped shop which is capable of handling most repairs
that may be required for safe operation. The new shop has servicing bays
accessible from the main loading hoist, mobile benches which connect to
the servicing bays and to an auxiliary unloading hoist. Heavy lifting equipment
is also available.
Loading / Unloading
Two pneumatically operated hoists (converted automotive hoists) are available
for unloading equipment from vehicles. One of the hoists serves as a turntable
for the roundhouse entry to the shop and access to the transfer table servicing
the main steaming bays.
Operating Schedules
The railway provides rides to the public from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays,
Sundays, and statutory holidays from the Easter weekend through Canadian Thanksgiving
(second Monday in October). The track may also be available for operations
by members and visitors before and after public running hours and on other
days by arrangement.