VMAC, a leader in compressed air innovation and mobile power systems, has partnered with the BC Forest Discovery Centre to support critical railway maintenance efforts by providing its new G90 Gas Driven Air Compressor with FlexDrive AirFlow Management System (AMS) as the railway is prepared for its annual opening.

“The downhill curve had been gradually pulled out of alignment over many years, and the ties, some more than 60 years old, were worn out,” said Victor Gerwin, BC Forest Discovery Centre staff member. “We were able to replace a large number of ties and sections of rail where the wear was significant. Without VMAC’s G90 compressor, this would have taken far more time and effort to complete.” Having a single, reliable system that could handle a range of tools allowed the volunteers and staff to focus on the work itself, rather than managing equipment.

100-Acre Open-Air Museum with Railway

Located in Duncan, British Columbia, the BC Forest Discovery Centre is a 100-acre open-air museum dedicated to preserving the history of the province’s forestry industry. A key feature of the site is its operational narrow-gauge railway, which requires ongoing maintenance to ensure safe and reliable operation for visitors each season.

Railway Tie Replacement Project

In preparation for opening, volunteers and staff undertook an extensive railway tie replacement project across the property, a process that requires driving large numbers of railroad spikes. To do this, crews rely on a specially modified pneumatic jackhammer. However, generating enough compressed air on-site quickly became a major bottleneck.

Previously, crews were charging two large receiver tanks using a standard 240V shop compressor, then transporting those tanks to the work area.

Each trip only provided enough air to drive two to three spikes before needing to return and recharge, significantly slowing progress across the 2.5 km railway loop.

Continuous Mobile Compressed Air

By introducing the VMAC G90, crews now have continuous, mobile compressed air available directly at the jobsite, eliminating the need to shuttle tanks back and forth and dramatically increasing productivity.

“Projects like this depend on efficiency, reliability, and the ability to adapt to changing jobsite demands,” said Tod Gilbert, president of VMAC. “We’re proud to support the BC Forest Discovery Centre and its volunteers and staff by providing equipment like the G90 that helps them complete critical work safely and on schedule.”

The G90 with FlexDrive AMS automatically adjusts airflow and pressure to match application requirements, and its compact design allows crews to bring air directly to the worksite, removing downtime associated with stationary compressors and limited air supply.

“The difference was immediate,” Gerwin said. “It’s made a significant impact on how quickly we could complete this work ahead of our opening.”