I recently had the opportunity to visit the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland and was given a tour by VP Doug Clayton.. I thought I would share some of what I gathered in my visit there.

You can of course visit the KVSR website anytime to get much more information. But briefly, the KVSR was formed in 1992 to maintain and operate on a section of track that Canadian Pacific left in place between Faulder and the Trout Creek Bridge when they ceased operations on the Princeton Sub in 1989. Many obstacles had to be overcome, finances, an operating plan and a most important, a vision. Bill Barlee, noted historian and at the time, tourism minister in the Socred Government of the day, was a prime mover in this effort.

CP initially donated some equipment, to be followed by the BC. Government in later years. Everything piece had to be trucked in, as there was no more rail connection to the outside worked, which of course added greatly to the expense. A number of coaches were brought in from the coast, then a few stock cars, which later chopped down to make open-air passenger cars. The first locomotive, a two truck Shay, was refurbished in Duncan by the museum crew there and trucked over to Summerland. Between 1992 and 1996 only a few motorcar runs took place along with some track up-keep and maintenance. Official operations commenced on September 16^th 1995, which happened to be one day after the official opening of the Myra Canyon Park above Kelowna.

A large tank car was added to the fleet, to hold the fuel supply required, which is trucked in by B-Train. The start up point was moved from West Summerland where there was a problem with parking and space to the present location of Prairie Valley, located just above the original Rodeo Road Crossing.. In 2003 a large 2 track shed was finished to house the engine(s) and all other weather sensitive equipment. Sidings were placed above the station at Prairie Valley and just east of the Trout Creek bridge, now known as Canyon View, to be able to run the engine around the train at both ends of its run.

In 2005, after some great expenditures and political hassles, Trout Creek Bridge was refurbished to allow trains to go right onto the bridge, certainly a highlight of the passenger train operation. CP engine 3716 was added to the roster in 2004, and almost completely rebuilt with mostly local help and initiative. It now handles almost all of the runs and gives the Shay a much deserved respite.

Above picture is the Prairie Valley Station from the parking lot and below the sign on the road leading traffic to the station. Also a picture of the gift shop and ticket office

An overview of the station with a train ready to commence the trip towards Trout Creek and the new engine shed on the right

/the Shay is resting in the sun outside the shed on the east side and with an old CP steel caboose on the west side.

Above is a view of the inside of the shed, and the most recent addition of a track mobile from Vancouver Island.

And of course, that beautifully restored engine CP 3716.

On the left below, ready to leave Canyon View (Trout Creek) and on the right arriving back at Prairie Valley Station

The Summerland crew has done an absolutely fantastic job of restoring this locomotive. It looks better than new, and gleaming and shining. When I first arrived and it was parked at the station, I was unsure it was turned "ON". It sat so quietly, I had to step right next to it to hear the faintest little hiss.

Here a couple of views from the train itself.

Below on the left is the Canyon View platform with the Trout Creek Bridge in the background. Note the water spout in the front where the tender gets refilled. On the right you can see the massive refurbishment of the bridge itself, many new ties installed on both ends, heavy railings installed, and all the water barrel location on the bridge places were left in place and the fence built around them. VP Doug Clayton, whom I've known for years gave me this tour, and he was responsible for the refurbishment of the bridge and station.

Additional rolling stock in the KVSR property

Praire Valley siding. This was non-existent in CPR days, and was installed so the engine could run around the train. There is no turntable or wye on the property, so the engine runs backwards on the downhill run, but looks (and sound) marvelous coming back up the grade.

The track does extend as far as the old CPR siding at Faulder, for a total length of 10 miles, but the switches at that location have been used elsewhere. It is in the plan to extend the run to Faulder within the next few years, as well as go completely over the Trout Creek Bridge. There are some politics involved in this, but CPR is on side.

Usual disclaimer, errors, omissions etc. No direct involvement with KVSR although an ex-member.

Helmut

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