In 1896, surveying began and by 1898, the railway to the kootenays from eastern canada was complete. For the railway buff and particularly those who are fascinated by the rich history of the coast to kootenay rail line, the kettle valley railway, this book is a virtual pot of gold. The route of the vancouver and nicola valley railway. Sep 23, 2019 located at mile 0 of the kettle valley railway. Completed in 1916, it carried freight and passengers in comfort and safety for over 40 years. A full history is beyond this guide to summerlands kettle valley railway. In 1910, andrew mcculloch began construction of the kettle valley railway that would connect the kootenays to the bc coast. The kvsr operates excursion trains over the only remaining section of the kettle valley railway. This book has been rereleased this year 2003 in a revised, 25th anniversary paperback edition.
The kettle valley railway and its many connectors offer the cyclist everything from easy dayriding to multiday adventures through the magnificent scenery of. Cycling the kettle valley railway by dan langford nook book. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan in 1958 duration. This section runs from faulder to trout creek, running through west summerland and the prairie valley railway station.
The kettle valley railway oh, what an adventure it was to ride on the kettle valley railway, or the kvr as it was called. This is the route through bc that my mother used when she emigrated from germany to pentiction in 1952 the run is from hope to penticton on the coquihalla subdivision this was an important cp rail. Trip planning kettle valley rail trail bc rail trails. Although there were many hardships, the railway was completed in 1916. A historical field guide to the kvr 9780969697121 by smuin, joe and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at.
The station house was on the penticton wharf, at the base of martin street. All our tours are selfguided we have picked the best of what the kettle valley rail trail has to offer and help you find your way. The kettle valley railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through southcentral bc between midway and hope. Map of the kettle valley railway and connecting railway trails kettle valley railway. The kettle valley railway was its own entity, but in practical reality, under the thumb of senior cpr management after about 1912.
New visuals capture the dramatic landscape that had to be conquered to complete the railway. As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railway one of the premier rail trails in canada. The kettle valley and its railways by hal riegger, used. Although it is no more, the kettle valley railway is just as newsworthy today and lives on in this fascinating story of the worlds most difficult and expensive railway. Kettle river museum one of the best small museums youll. The kettle valley line the british columbia folklore society.
Welcome to touring the kettle valley railway, a photographic tour of the historic kettle valley railway. From its construction to its turbulent life span and eventual demise, the magnitude of the engineering needed to build and run the line is celebrated in this classic railway history. Make today a trip into yesterday with a ride on the only preserved section of the historic kettle valley railway line. A guide to summerlands kettle valley railway summerland. Kettle valley rail trail bc cycling kvr cycle tours. Penticton was the busiest station on the kettle valley railway. Mar 01, 2011 the railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century. You can experience the trail on your own or as part of an organized tour.
I couldnt finish off the first edition until the kettle valley steam railway was operating, and it was a delight to be there when the first trains ran between west summerland and trout creek over kettle. The kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia. Kettle valley steam railway summerland 2020 all you need. Back then, much of the right of way was used by ranchers and people used atvs on the right of way. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. On that date, the first twopassenger trains commenced service. Selfguided tours mean you set your own pace take your time for a swim, photographs or just taking in the fresh country air. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. One of the museums main attractions is the original station house, built in 1901 and currently houses exhibits commemorating the steam railway era of southern british columbia and the british columbia provincial police. Kettle valley railway railways of western canada volume 1 2nd. The station was designed to provide a place of business for the railways, and a comfortable place for passengers to wait before boarding the trains and ships.
The okanagan valley is known for its fruit orchards and excellent wineries, but theres a good chance none of them would exist anymore if it wasnt for the kvr. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific railway abandoned train service. The kettle valley line this song, about the scenic railway line that ran from hope, at the head of the fraser valley, along the southern border of british columbia to. From wild rivers to ranchlands, alpine lakes to vineyards and orchards the. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. If biking the kettle valley railway isnt on your bucket list, it needs to be. The kettle valley railway was ultimately the result of an intense desire to link the kootenays directly with the coast by way of a kootenaycoast railway. Kettle valley railway a brief history of the kettle valley railway as the interior of british columbia revealed more and more wealth in deposits of copper, silver and gold there arose the need to build extensive railway systems throughout both western canada and the northwest usa. It is operated as the kettle valley steam railway, and is well worth a visit for the 1. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you can experience the kettle valley rail trail. The new edition of mccullochs wonder provides train buffs with a longawaited update to a classic railway history. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society donate adults. The railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century.
Easy hike dogs allowed on leash this highly scenic portion of the kettle valley railway kvr runs along a steepwalled canyon. Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical. Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. Midway to penticton completed oct 2, 1914 princeton to penticton completed april 23rd 1915. In this book, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. The museum contains the original station house, built in 1900 and currently houses exhibits commemorating the steam railway era of southern british columbia and the british columbia provincial police.
Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 youtube. Kettle valley steam railway summerland all you need to. The kettle valley railways history date back to the early 1900s when silver was discovered near nelson, british columbia. Oct 01, 2002 the author does a great job on this fascinating story of the kettle valley railroad giving the complete history of its conception, construction and later demise.
Cycling the kettle valley railway dan langford, sandra. Make today a trip into yesterday with a ride on the only preserved section of the historic kettle valley railway line built during 1910 1915. He has also written for trains and other national or international magazines. The kettle valley railway between merritt and midway was opened for service on may 31, 1915. Hard core mountain bikers may scoff at the kettle valley railway kvr, an abandoned railway bed that winds through south central british columbia between midway and hope. Once a comprehensive railroad system, the decommissioned tracks are now home to an extensive recreational trail providing almost 650 km 400 mi of connected pathways throughout the region. It took six years of backbreaking and sometimes dangerous work to. Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical field.
The author is himself a retired railway man whose own working career and that of several of his close relatives included years of experiences involving the now defunct kvr. Bike myra canyon on the amazing kettle valley railway hike. On this site i will show some of the sights to be seen along this old abandoned railway, as well as share some of the history of the old rail line where i can. Barry sanford has written widely on railway and technical subjects. His book the pictorial history of railroading in british columbia was one of ten finalists selected for the prestigious eatons book award in 1981.
The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. For rail fans and for anyone like myself who has cycled the old road bed it is a must read. Aug 24, 2014 trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. Free on lap plus 5% gst kettle valley steam railway. The railway line into penticton was completed in 1915, and the first train arrived on may 30, 1915. Originally built by hand at the turn of the last century, this impressive landmark is highlighted by 2 tunnels and 18 trestle bridges that are too spectacular for words. Kettle valley steam railway 18404 bathville road summerland bc, v0h 1z8 250. Years of surveying and building culminated in an official rail opening in 1915. In this updated edition, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. It is after all a typical railway bed with grades that never exceed 2. Use the calendar below to select your date and book online.
A historical field guide to the kvr 9780969697121 by smuin, joe and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you. The kettle valley railway and its many connectors offer the cyclist everything from easy dayriding to multiday adventures through the magnificent scenery of southern british columbia between midway and hope. The kettle valley steam railway is a heritage railway near summerland, british columbia. History of the kettle valley railway kvr in penticton bc. Jan 09, 2014 this is the route through bc that my mother used when she emigrated from germany to pentiction in 1952 the run is from hope to penticton on the coquihalla subdivision this was an important cp rail. The kettle valley division of the canadian pacific railway was an interesting and challenging mountain railroad that linked the small and scattered communities of southern british columbia for most of the 20th century. Jan 01, 2010 the kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope.
The line was not in full operation until after world war 1. Updated sources provide more information about the individuals, from andrew mcculloch himself to the laborers who made the railway a reality. Although the great northern railway also narrowly achieved the same goal, it crossed the canadau. The author does a great job on this fascinating story of the kettle valley railroad giving the complete history of its conception, construction and later demise.
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