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 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. Hiking or biking the kettle valley rail trail is a great way to travel through british columbias wild spaces and the provinces history. Trip planning kettle valley rail trail bc rail trails. The line was not in full operation until after world war 1. It is operated as the kettle valley steam railway, and is well worth a visit for the 1. The kvsr operates excursion trains over the only remaining section of the kettle valley railway. Barry sanford has written widely on railway and technical subjects. In 1910, andrew mcculloch began construction of the kettle valley railway that would connect the kootenays to the bc coast. 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.
The new edition of mccullochs wonder provides train buffs with a longawaited update to a classic railway history. 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. Reviewed in the united states on february 12, 2017 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. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railway one of the premier rail trails in canada. 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. If biking the kettle valley railway isnt on your bucket list, it needs to be. On that date, the first twopassenger trains commenced service. Kettle river museum one of the best small museums youll. 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. Although the great northern railway also narrowly achieved the same goal, it crossed the canadau. The station house was on the penticton wharf, at the base of martin street. A full history is beyond this guide to summerlands kettle valley railway. Kettle valley rail trail bc cycling kvr cycle tours. Use the calendar below to select your date and book online.
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 route of the vancouver and nicola valley railway. 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. It took six years of backbreaking and sometimes dangerous work to.
Cycling the kettle valley railway by dan langford nook book. Jan 01, 2010 the kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. The kettle valley and its railways, a pictorial history of rail development in southern british columbia and the building of the kettle valley railway. 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 book was published by sono nis and was a project of the kettle valley steam railway society in cooperation with the royal bc museum. The kettle valley railway between merritt and midway was opened for service on may 31, 1915. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you. This section runs from faulder to trout creek, running through west summerland and the prairie valley railway station. Mar 01, 2011 the railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century. 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. Welcome to touring the kettle valley railway, a photographic tour of the historic kettle valley railway. The kettle valley and its railways by hal riegger, used. 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. The kettle valley railway was its own entity, but in practical reality, under the thumb of senior cpr management after about 1912.
He has also written for trains and other national or international magazines. The kettle valley railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through southcentral bc between midway and hope. The kettle valley railway reporting mark kv was a subsidiary of the canadian pacific railway that operated across southern british columbia, west of midway running to rock creek, then north to myra canyon, down to penticton over to princeton, coalmont, brookmere, coquihalla and finally hope where it connected to the main cpr line. The railway line into penticton was completed in 1915, and the first train arrived on may 30, 1915. The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society donate adults. You can experience the trail on your own or as part of an organized tour. Map of the kettle valley railway and connecting railway trails kettle valley railway. The kettle valley line the british columbia folklore society. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific railway abandoned train service. Penticton was the busiest station on the kettle valley railway. History of the kettle valley railway kvr in penticton bc. The railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century.
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. Kettle valley steam railway summerland 2020 all you need. His book the pictorial history of railroading in british columbia was one of ten finalists selected for the prestigious eatons book award in 1981. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. Cycling the kettle valley railway dan langford, sandra. Sep 23, 2019 located at mile 0 of the kettle valley railway. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. Back then, much of the right of way was used by ranchers and people used atvs on the right of way. Selfguided tours mean you set your own pace take your time for a swim, photographs or just taking in the fresh country air. Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan. Free on lap plus 5% gst kettle valley steam railway.
As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2. 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. The kettle valley steam railway is a heritage railway near summerland, british columbia. The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. Easy hike dogs allowed on leash this highly scenic portion of the kettle valley railway kvr runs along a steepwalled canyon. Although there were many hardships, the railway was completed in 1916. In this updated edition, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. 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.
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. In this book, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. For rail fans and for anyone like myself who has cycled the old road bed it is a must read. New visuals capture the dramatic landscape that had to be conquered to complete the railway. Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 youtube. 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. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
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. 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. 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. The kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail. Completed in 1916, it carried freight and passengers in comfort and safety for over 40 years. Kettle valley railway railways of western canada volume 1 2nd. 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.
Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical field. Years of surveying and building culminated in an official rail opening in 1915. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan in 1958 duration. Midway to penticton completed oct 2, 1914 princeton to penticton completed april 23rd 1915. Updated sources provide more information about the individuals, from andrew mcculloch himself to the laborers who made the railway a reality. 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. Aug 24, 2014 trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. 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.
A couple hiking over one of the trestle bridges overlooking myra canyon on the kettle valley railway. Bike myra canyon on the amazing kettle valley railway hike. Sadly, most of the scenic kettle valley railway line has been abandoned, but a scenic 10 mile section in the hills above summerland was preserved by local rail enthusiasts. From wild rivers to ranchlands, alpine lakes to vineyards and orchards the. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you can experience the kettle valley rail trail. 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 steam railway 18404 bathville road summerland bc, v0h 1z8 250. It was considered to be a second mainline with several connections to the parent companys transcontinental line to the north. The kettle valley railways history date back to the early 1900s when silver was discovered near nelson, british columbia. 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. Kettle valley steam railway summerland all you need to.
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