Welcome! PGS History

This is the start of something special... a blog of creation, birth, and creativity. This is where, for one shining moment (or maybe two or three) each day I get to play god!

This is the start of the 'Pacific Great Southern' a fictional railway modeled in n-scale, that 'was' a subsidy of BC Rail during the 1960's through the early 1980's. This company is in a unique position, with three Class I rail-lines operating in the near vacinity of the PGS's main line connecting the towns of Nelson, Creston, Cranbrook, Kimberly, Fernie, and Lethbridge. The three Class I rail lines in operation in the area include the Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, and Canadian National.

The PGS operated steam until the mid 1970's, with a fleet made up of mostly refurbished models from the three major railroads that were operating in the area. And of course, because of the lack of government funding for the PGS, most of the original road names and paint schemes have remained intact for the majority of the PGS's operational timeline.

The most significant part of the PGS motive power during the early 1970's consisted of a pair of Mountain Class locomotives acquired from CN Rail, built by Montreal Locomotive Works. One of these loco's was part of the u1f class that became so famous throughout Canada. The other major part of the PGS fleet are a pair of Mikado's acquired through the Union Pacific. BC Rail has a Budd Rail Diesel Car on long term loan to the PGS for commuter passenger service, while a Union Pacific Challanger makes monthly trips along the mainline to bring exports up into Canada.

Most of the 'donations' to the PGS came from Canadian National, this including numerous Ontario Northland box-cars transported cross country once purchased by CN in the 1960's, as well as a 0-8-0 switcher built by the USRA and purchased third hand by CN once the UP was done with it in the 1950's (in fact, the 0-8-0 was one of the first locomotives on site at the Nelson engine facility.)


So there you have some history on this little line... more history will be unveild weekly!