For rail fans and for anyone like myself who has cycled the old road bed it is a must read. The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. 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. 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. Updated sources provide more information about the individuals, from andrew mcculloch himself to the laborers who made the railway a reality. Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical field.
In 1896, surveying began and by 1898, the railway to the kootenays from eastern canada was complete. The kettle valley steam railway is a heritage railway near summerland, british columbia. 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. Cycling the kettle valley railway by dan langford nook book. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan. Years of surveying and building culminated in an official rail opening in 1915. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. From wild rivers to ranchlands, alpine lakes to vineyards and orchards the. In this updated edition, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. Easy hike dogs allowed on leash this highly scenic portion of the kettle valley railway kvr runs along a steepwalled canyon. 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. 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.
Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. In this book, barrie sanford presents a unique pictorial history of the legendary kettle valley railway. Use the calendar below to select your date and book online. 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. Bike myra canyon on the amazing kettle valley railway hike. 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. This book has been rereleased this year 2003 in a revised, 25th anniversary paperback edition. The kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia. The kettle valley railway was its own entity, but in practical reality, under the thumb of senior cpr management after about 1912. Cycling the kettle valley railway dan langford, sandra.
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 railway line into penticton was completed in 1915, and the first train arrived on may 30, 1915. Completed in 1916, it carried freight and passengers in comfort and safety for over 40 years. He has also written for trains and other national or international magazines. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific railway abandoned train service. 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. Although the great northern railway also narrowly achieved the same goal, it crossed the canadau. 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. Kettle valley rail trail bc cycling kvr cycle tours. Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 youtube.
It was considered to be a second mainline with several connections to the parent companys transcontinental line to the north. 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. You can experience the trail on your own or as part of an organized tour. 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. 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. A couple hiking over one of the trestle bridges overlooking myra canyon on the kettle valley railway. 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. As is typical for railway beds, the grade never exceeds 2. The railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century. The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you. 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 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. Kettle valley steam railway summerland 2020 all you need. Free on lap plus 5% gst kettle valley steam railway. Mar 01, 2011 the railway dominated headlines for a quarter of a century. Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail. Trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. The new edition of mccullochs wonder provides train buffs with a longawaited update to a classic railway history. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. 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 18404 bathville road summerland bc, v0h 1z8 250. Make today a trip into yesterday with a ride on the only preserved section of the historic kettle valley railway line. 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.
It took six years of backbreaking and sometimes dangerous work to. The kettle valley and its railways, a pictorial history of rail development in southern british columbia and the building of the kettle valley railway. A guide to summerlands kettle valley railway summerland. Kettle valley railway railways of western canada volume 1 2nd. Welcome to touring the kettle valley railway, a photographic tour of the historic kettle valley railway. For those looking for a familyfriendly day trip, here are five places you can experience the kettle valley rail trail. 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. In 1910, andrew mcculloch began construction of the kettle valley railway that would connect the kootenays to the bc coast. 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. 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. Penticton was the busiest station on the kettle valley railway. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the okanagan in 1958 duration. Barry sanford has written widely on railway and technical subjects.
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 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. Back then, much of the right of way was used by ranchers and people used atvs on the right of way. Aug 24, 2014 trip on the kettle valley railway september 1957 bc history. 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. 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. The kettle valley line the british columbia folklore society. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The line was not in full operation until after world war 1. Map of the kettle valley railway and connecting railway trails kettle valley railway. 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.
The kettle valley railway is an abandoned railway bed that runs about 600 kilometres through southcentral bc between midway and hope. Trip planning kettle valley rail trail bc rail trails. Although there were many hardships, the railway was completed in 1916. If biking the kettle valley railway isnt on your bucket list, it needs to be. The station house was on the penticton wharf, at the base of martin street. It is after all a typical railway bed with grades that never exceed 2. Midway to penticton completed oct 2, 1914 princeton to penticton completed april 23rd 1915. It is operated as the kettle valley steam railway, and is well worth a visit for the 1. 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 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.
The route of the vancouver and nicola valley railway. Hiking or biking the kettle valley rail trail is a great way to travel through british columbias wild spaces and the provinces history. This section runs from faulder to trout creek, running through west summerland and the prairie valley railway station. 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. The kettle valley railway oh, what an adventure it was to ride on the kettle valley railway, or the kvr as it was called. New visuals capture the dramatic landscape that had to be conquered to complete the railway. 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.
Jan 01, 2010 the kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. History of the kettle valley railway kvr in penticton bc. The kettle valley and its railways by hal riegger, used. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society donate adults. The kettle valley railway and its many connectors offer the cyclist everything from easy dayriding to multiday adventures through the magnificent scenery of. 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. The kettle valley railway between merritt and midway was opened for service on may 31, 1915. A full history is beyond this guide to summerlands kettle valley railway. The kvsr operates excursion trains over the only remaining section of the kettle valley railway.
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