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PORT ALBERNI -- The old Two Spot first logging locomotive to be used in the Alberni district, will be preserved by the City of Port Alberni as a memento of the rail logging era.
Council officially accepted the old 45-ton engine, a gift from MacMillan and Bloedel Ltd., and laid plans to mount it in a prominent place in the city.
Described by Mayor Loran Jordon as the first article of any consequence in the city archives, the locomotive came to the district in August 1912, and was used by Weist brothers, who logged on Port Alberni townsite.
History of the engine parallels that of rail loggings in the district and involves many of the men who have become almost legendary figures in the logging world. Its historic value, according to Mayor Jordon, is accentuated by the fact that within a quarter century there will probably not be a steam locomotive in operation on Vancouver Island.
Among well-known local men who got their start on the old Two Spot are Bill Venables and Dick Grandy, both of whom acted first as firemen and later received their tickets as engineers. Mr. Venables is now fire chief in Port Alberni and Mr. Grandy is still a steam engineer.
-- Daily Colonist
