Alberni Valley Heritage Network

Schedule & Fares

McLean Mill

2010

last updated July 25, 2010

Reservations always recommended.
Telephone: (250) 723-1376.

Choose Your Season:

Spring  Summer  Fall  Winter

Spring 2010

Spring Mill Walk-about
May 15 to June 25
    

     While were not operational every day during our Spring Season, why not come out for a visit and explore the Site on your own.  Please note that the steam sawmill and steam train will be operational June 13 & 19.

Fares: (self-guided tour)
adult $5.00, senior/youth $5.00, child $2.50

Hours: 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Steam Pot Café: open - light refreshments available
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open

Activities:
Steam Sawmill: sorry, not operational (except as noted)
Steam Train: sorry, not operational (except as noted)
Tours: self-guided

Special Spring Events
Please note that activity times may change due to Special Events scheduling.

June 13 – Beaufort Gang Train Robbery*
June 19 – Father’s Day Special (Dads ride for free with paying child)

Fares: June 13 & 19
steam train & sawmill: adult $25.25, senior/youth $19.00, child $11.25, family $67.50
sawmill (walk-in): adult $9.50, senior/youth $7.25, child $4.75, family $25.50
*Beaufort Gang Train Robbery: +$2 pp to fare

Activities: June 13 & 19
McLean Mill site:
12:00 to 4:00 pm
Steam Pot cafe': open
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open
Steam Sawmill: demonstrations 1:15 pm & 2:15 pm
Blacksmith, Mike Lyle (June 13 only):
Steam Donkey (June 13 only):
demonstration 1:45 pm
Tours, guided: 1:00 pm
Other: Children's Stamp Tour

Departure times, steam train:
12:00 Noon - E&N Train Station (3100 Kingsway)
3:00 pm - Mclean Mill, returning to Station @ 3:35 pm

  

   
Summer 2010

 

June 26 to September 6

Fares:
steam train, sawmill & theatre: adult $29.95, senior/youth $22.50, child $14.95,
     family $79.95
sawmill & theatre (walk-in): adult $15.25, senior/youth $10.00, child $7.50,
     family $40.75

Wednesdays to Sundays - Steam Days

 

The McLean Mill is the only commercially operating steam-operated sawmill in Canada, and the steam donkey (steam powered winch used for logging) is the only commercially operating steam-donkey in North America. 
Visitors can experience the excitement of STEAM on the site five days a week, with the sawmill operational Wednesdays to Saturdays, and the steam donkey operational on Sundays. 


Activities
:
McLean Mill site:
10:30 am to 5:15 pm
Steam Pot cafe': open
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open
Steam Sawmill (Wednesday to Saturday): demonstrations 11:30 & 3:30 pm
Steam Donkey (Sunday only): demonstration 11:30 am & 3:30 pm
Tin Pants Stage Shows: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm
Tours, guided: 12:15 pm & 4:15 pm
Other: Children's Stamp Tour

Departure times, steam train:
Thursday to Sunday
10:00 am & 2:00 pm E&N Train Station (3100 Kingsway) 

Mondays & Tuesdays - Interactive Days

Interact with members of the Tin Pants Theatre Company as they provide visitors with fun filled, "old-fashioned", and family focused activities along with their regular stage shows and interpretive tours of the site.
Interactive activities include: creative drama, historical artifacts to "play" with, old fashion sports day, child oriented arts & crafts, Greenhorn Sawmill Tours, Children's Stamp tour, leisure activities - with something different every week such as crib, croquet, bocce ball, weaving demonstrations, sing-a-longs, and painting. 

 

Activities:
McLean Mill site:
10:30 am to 5:15 pm
Steam Pot cafe': open
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open
Tin Pants Stage Shows: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm
Interpretive Tours, guided: 12:15 pm & 4:15 pm
Greenhorn Sawmill Tours: 10:30 am & 2:30 pm
Family/Children focused activities: 11:30 am & 3:30 pm
Other: Children's Stamp Tour


Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports

Desserts: 7:00 pm                               Theatre Sports: 7:30 pm

Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports starts July 2nd and will continue to happen every Friday evening throughout the Summer Season at the the McLean Mill.

Dessert
Each week ther Steam Pot Cafe' will come up with a delicious dessert to satisfy your sweet cravings.  A complimentary beverage is also provide to go along with your dessert treat.  Relax and enjoy the beautiful atmospehere of the McLean Mill as you eat outdoors in the Mill's courtyard or inside its Visitor Centre

Theatre Sports
Following dessert, the evening's Referee will ring the school bell and lead patrons to the Nikkei Theatre Tent for some live, spontaneous, fun filled, entertainment in the form of Theatre Sports, McLean Mill Style.  It's wacky and hilarious "on the spot" theatre performed by the Mill's own Tin Pants Theatre Company and local actors.

Reservations always recommended.
dessert & theatre:
 adult $12.50, senior/youth $12.50, child $10.00
theatre: adult $5.00, senior/youth $5.00, child $2.50

 

 Friday Wine Steam Train
Chase & Warren Estate Winery

The Alberni Pacific "Steam" Railway is pleased to announce that they now stop at the Chase & Warren Estate Winery every Friday during their Summer Season. Chase & Warren is Canada's only winery with direct access by rail, and offers guided tours, sampling and of course the opportunity to purchase one of their wines such as a bottle of Pinoit Noir, Beaufort Blush, Oraninesteiner or Gervurtztraminer. This family-run winery started planting in 1996, sold their first bottle of wine in 2003, and now grows 38 varieties of grape. More info...

Special Summer Events

Please note that activity times may change due to Special Events scheduling.

July 2 - Teddy Bear Picnic
July 2 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Log Jam Tournament
July 9 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Sawed Off Tournament 
July 10 - Beaufort Gang Train Robbery
July 16 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Logger Stomp Tournament 
July 17-18 - 7th Antique Tractor & Engine Show
July 23 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Old Growth Tournament
July 24 - Pride Ride (special event - evening)
July 30 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Green Chain Tournament 
August 1 - Grandparent's Day
August 6 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Lucky Logger Tournament
August 8 - 2nd Annual British Car & Motorcycle Run
August 13 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Saw Dust Tournament
August 15 - Beaufort Gang Train Robbery
August 20 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Steam Donkey Tournament 
August 21 - Starlight Express (special event - evening run)
August 27 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Double Bitted Axe Tournament
September 3 - Friday Night Dessert & Theatre Sports - Whistlepunk Tournament  
September 4 - 6 - Antique Truck Show
September 5 - Beaufort Gang Train Robbery


Fall 2010

 

Fall Mill Walk-about
September 7 to September 18

While were not operational every day during our Fall Season, why not come out for a visit and explore the Site on your own. Please note that the sawmill and steam train will be operational September 12 & 19.

Fares: (self-guided tour)
adult $5.00, senior/youth $5.00, child $2.50

Hours: 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Steam Pot Café: open - light refreshments available
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open

Activities:
Children's Stamp Tour:
Steam Sawmill: sorry, not operational (except as noted)
Steam Train: sorry, not operational (except as noted)
Tours: self-guided

 

Special Fall Events

Even though our Summer Season is over, we're pleased to offer an opportunity for young and old to experience the thrill of steam.

September 12 - Fall Steam Special
September 19 - Fall Steam Special

 

Fares: (train & mill)
adult $25.25, senior/youth $19.00, child $11.25, family $67.50

 

Hours: 12:00 to 4:30 pm
Steam Pot Café: open
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open

Activities:
Steam Sawmill
, (McLean Mill NHS - 5633 Smith Road): 
September 12 & 19 - demonstration 1:15 pm & 2:15 pm
Tours, guided:
September 12 & 19 - guided tour 1:00 pm
Other: Children's Stamp Tour

Departure times, steam train
September 12 & 19
12:00 Noon - E&N Train Station (3100 Kingsway)
3:00 pm - McLean Mill, returning to Station @ 3:35 pm


Winter 2010

McLean Mill Christmas Village
December 3 to December 5

Hours:
Friday - 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Steam Pot Café: open - light refreshments available
Mill Store (Gift Shop): open

Activities:
Crafters:
Entertainment:
Santa Photos:
Blacksmith (Mike Lyle):
Children's Colouring Book Tour:
Steam Sawmill:
sorry, not operational
Tours: self-guided

Special Winter Events


December 3 to 5 - McLean Mill Christmas Village
December 4 - Santa Run (waterfront run, train)
November 26 - 28, December 3-5, & 10-12 - Festival of Christmas Lights

 

 

 

*Beaufort Gang Train Robbery: +$2 to fare
Family: maximum of five, 2 adults and 3 children/youth (5-18)
Group Rates: discounted rates are available to groups of 15 or more who pay together in one sum.  Bus driver and tour escort are admitted to the mill site and/or train free of charge.  For groups of 14 or fewer, regular rates apply.