Built during 1910 1915, the kvr kootenay to coast connection powered our pioneer fruit industry into world markets, transported our families on vacations and errands. Trip on the kettle valley railway from hope to the. Kettle valley rail trail news newspapers books scholar. Acceptable, rear pages water damaged but all text readable. His book the pictorial history of railroading in british columbia was one of ten finalists selected for the prestigious eatons book award in 1981. Kettle valley railway railways of western canada volume 1. When i started touring the kettle valley railway in the late 90s, much of the right of way was actually drivable by vehicle. One of the premier rail trails in north america, it contains spectacular sections through impressive canyons requiring tunnels and trestles to carry the railbed through rock ridges and. Kettle valley railway news newspapers books scholar. The kettle valley railway oh, what an adventure it was to ride on the kettle valley railway, or the kvr as it was called.
Cycling the kettle valley railway and millions of other books are available for amazon. I spent quite a bit of time working on the logistics of the trip especially the accommodation as my husband and i were trying to avoid camping. 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. It is operated as the kettle valley steam railway, and is well worth a visit for the 1. Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical. The city itself has been built over the old right of way. The kettle valley steam railway showcases a unique part of the okanagans and british columbias history. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railway one of the premier rail trails in canada.
Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. The kettle valley railway was built for the canadian pacific railway between 1910 and 1914 and the steam trains of the time were a vital connection from the coast to the kootenays, transporting people and goods. A pictorial history of rail development in southern. The kettle valley railway kvr was once part of the canadian pacific railway and is now one of the most scenic sections of the trans. I had incorrectly assumed this was part of the kvr based on information from other enthusiasts, but turns out this is a cnr station. In theory biking the kettle valley railway from castlegar in eastern british columbia to hope which lies about two hours east of vancouver is possible but count on the better part of two weeks if you plan to do that. Ride the historic kettle valley rail trail from myra canyon to penticton on july 7, 2019. One of the wonders of the old west, under the sure hand of engineer andrew mcculloch this unique railroad traversed some of the most. The kettle valley steam railway is a heritage railway near summerland, british columbia the kvsr operates excursion trains over the only remaining section of the kettle valley railway. Click on an area on the map that is marked in blue to see the pictures of that area. Kettle valley steam railway summerland all you need to. Biking the kettle valley railway in the okanagan hike.
Kettle valley railway, kvr, mileboards a historical field guide to the kvr. New visuals capture the dramatic landscape that had to be conquered to complete the railway. Use the calendar below to select your date and book online. Youll also find detailed maps, safety tips, historical tidbits, a listing of. The kettle valley line the british columbia folklore society.
This 20thanniversary collectors edition celebrates the continued succ. The kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia the trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. The kettle valley brakemen bring railway history to life with true stories and original songs about british columbias dramatic steam train era with special emphasis on the spectacular kettle valley 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. The kettle valley railway and its many connectors offer the cyclist everything from easy dayriding to multiday. It was pure joy cycling over these old trestles while ed told us stories about the history of the ara.
Oh, what an adventure it was to ride on the kettle valley railway, or the kvr. I cycle toured this division of the kettle valley railway kvr in june 2015 with two friends. We have a small gift shop that where you can purchase regional history books and memorabilia. 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 lethbridge in alberta, was written by the late ean hay. This book describes one of the greatest railroad construction sagas in canadian history. This is a comprehensive history and field guide to the kvr provides mile by mile descriptions of buildings, bridges, water tanks,tracks, sidings and more that comprised the kvr. Barry sanford has written widely on railway and technical subjects.
If you are planning your own trip, or just need a shuttle along the way, these are your go to people for the trail. The main museum houses interpretive exhibits on the kettle river valley s rich cultural rail, mining, forestry, and agriculture heritage. Kvr trail kettle valley railway recreational trail. 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. The new edition of mccullochs wonder provides train buffs with a longawaited update to a classic railway history. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific railway abandoned train service. Support the kettle valley steam railway nonprofit society.
The new edition of mccullochs wonder provides train buffs with a longawaited update to a classic railway history new visuals capture the dramatic landscape that had to be conquered to complete the railway. The full text of this article is available to modelrailroader magazine subscribers only. The kettle valley railway is broken into subdivisions or sections with a total length of approximately 600 kilometres. Situated in central southern british columbia, this converted railway to trail way traverses some of canadas warmest climates through spectacular mountain and valley scenery. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. We had prearranged our accommodation, so could keep our gear to a minimum. In 1910, when engineer andrew mcculloch tackled the challenge of getting the kettle valley railway across this canyon, he knew it would not be easy. This corridor is one of the most dynamic routes in canada, with some truly impressive scenery and spectacular views. A pictorial history of rail development in southern british columbia and the building of the kettle valley railway. Tunnels and trestles are what cyclists remember most about the spectacular 600 kmlong kettle valley railwayone of the premier rail trails in canada. Where to stay if you bike the kettle valley railway hike. The kettle valley and its railways by hal riegger and a great selection of related books. Kettle valley steam railway ride the historic kettle. 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.
On my last visit to hope, the building was sitting empty with a for sale sign on it. Hundreds of railway workers were employed here and the trains played an important part in the day to day lives of penticton residents. With over 15000 copies sold, cycling the kettle valley has proven to be a remarkable resource for anyone. The line runs through beautiful vistas, orchards, vineyards, and over the. 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. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. We have renovated the single mans bunkhouse for an overnight stay experience, advanced bookings only. Not only does it tell a great story of a battle between rival railroad companies, the cpr and the gnr, it tells of how the kettle valley railway, an incredible feat of b. Once you arrive at a page with pictures on it, click on the pictures to enlarge them. The trail was developed during the 1990s after the canadian pacific 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. Kvr shuttle services when you book any of our selfguided kvr cycle tours, a shuttle from penticton to midway or rock creek is already included in the cost of your tour. Updated sources provide more information about the individuals, from andrew mcculloch himself to the laborers who made the railway a reality. The kettle valley and its railways by hal riegger, used.
There is little of the kettle valley railway to be found in hope. The trail uses a rail corridor that was originally built for the nowabandoned kettle valley railway. Abandoned railway corridors hold unparalleled opportunities as recreational trails, and the kettle valley railway is no exception. Once a railway line, the kvr is now an amazing place to go biking and hiking on a converted rail bed thats part of the trans canada trail. With over 15,000 copies sold, cycling the kettle valley has proven to be a remarkable resource for anyone interested in the stunning abandoned railbed located in the southern interior of british columbia. The hotelpub is run by a very interesting couple who obviously love to share the history of both midway and of their haunted hotel. 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 kettle valley rail trail is a multiuse recreational rail trail located in the okanaganboundary region of southern british columbia. The kettle valley railway kvr is an abandoned railbed located in southern british columbia between midway and hope. Although the great northern railway also narrowly achieved the same goal, it crossed the canadau.
The kettle valley railway was built out of necessity to service the growing mining demands in the southern interior region of british columbia. Kettle river museum one of the best small museums youll. One of the things we most wanted to do in the okanagan on vacation this summer was to bike the kettle valley railway kvr trail. This section runs from faulder to trout creek, running through west summerland and the prairie valley railway station. Kettle valley midway loop penny lawless bikepack canada. It was the official headquarters of the kettle valley railway kvr. With over 15,000 copies sold, cycling the kettle valley. Map of the kettle valley railway and connecting railway trails kettle valley railway. Buy the spiral bound book kettle valley railway mileboards by joe smuin at indigo. History of the kettle valley railway kvr in penticton bc. In fact it was john whites book driving the kettle valley railway that really got me started in the kvr. Back then, much of the right of way was used by ranchers and people used atvs on the right of way.