Sandon revisited 2017 & 2022

Over the years I have been to Sandon a number of times, including twice with a motorbike. Since they discontinued tours up to Idaho Peak, I've hiked up there some 10 years ago. Rewarded with a tremendous view (2200m).

Two Railways built lines into Sandon, covered by a book with the famous picture of rails clinging to the mountainside. There were a large number of silver mines in the area.

Sandon was also the very first community in BC to be served by electricity 1897. More on that down the page.

I just took a trip back in there in June 2022 and can expand on what's happening there.

Sandon  Link to Site.

Downtown Sandon

A BC Info Sign and Hal who looks after everything "Sandon". Power Plant, Trolleys, Store, Museum et al.

The Silversmith Hydro-Electric Power Station. In operation continuously since 1897. That's 125 years !

Since March of 2022 this is officially the oldest operating power plant in Canada, and one of the oldest in North America.

The plant puts electricity into the BC Hydro grid on a daily basis and thus creates income for Sandon.

Hal mentioned how he had to change the oil in the bearings every 10 years. He opened up one of the cases with oil,

 and after 7 years it was still golden-yellow. Absolutely amazing.

The Generator and original meters

Updated meters and control board

Back-up Diesel Generator and Builder's Plate.

Sandon is also home for 15 retired Brill trolley buses from Vancouver. The latest is that they will be repatriated to Vancouver, there to be equipped with modern 600V DC traction gear and controls, painted in numerous schemes, depicting locations in Canada that had trolley buses at one time, by those very cities.

They will remain in Vancouver, as it is the only city left in Canada with operating trolleys and will become part of an operating heritage fleet

Pictured here are 10 of the Brills.

The Store (Great) and andjoing lunch / coffee wagon managed by Hals's partner.

Hal recently brought in a GN wood Caboose which he plans on refurbishing. He was unable to get an affordable CP wood caboose.

Signboard beside the store.

Sandon  Link to Site.