The Nakusp Rail Committee (NRC) is among the many groups applying for funding this year, through the Community Initiatives Program created by Columbia Basin Trust.
The group is trying to bring a plow and caboose to the village. The two pieces of rail equipment were donated to the village by CP Rail.
“The plow is from 1920, and the caboose is from the 1970s,” said Beth McLeod, secretary of the NRC. ”We’re going to have the plow and caboose set up hopefully in the same spot, on some authentic rail bed and track.”
A location for the plow and caboose has been found. The plan is to have them near the big parking lot down by the skate park. The location is large enough to allow enough room to line up the two pieces parallel to Broadway St.
The site would also have enough space for people to walk around the two units.
“Lots of rail enthusiasts like to walk around the whole units and examine them and take pictures.” said McLeod.
The plow itself is a pretty small looking unit. It’s much shorter than the caboose, but it’s also very heavy. McLeod said it’s going to take some planning to figure out how the crane will lift it.
The whole process of bringing the plow and caboose to Nakusp might take two days. One day to load them onto trailers and transport them from Revelstoke, and another day to get them set up on the prepared site.
There is historical significance in bringing the plow and caboose to Nakusp. The two units are similar to the type of rail cars that used to run on the tracks around the area.
They could also be a source of income for the village, as a tourist draw.
“There are rail buffs all over that will know the pieces are here, because of their involvement in the rail,” said McLeod. “They could actually plan a trip here, or make it part of their trip.”
If the NRC gets the funding they need, they’re hoping to have everything done by July 1.
“To be able to recognize the history of the rail in our community would be a really good thing,” said McLeod. “I think a lot of the community members will recognize that and support the project.”