Introduction
The Kamloops Heritage Railway (KHR) is a hidden gem of Kamloops. As a lifelong Kamloops resident, I didn’t know about the tourist attraction until I got for my first-ever summer job here. To say the least, my time at KHR is an experience I’ll never forget. KHR isn’t just for train buffs. I encourage tourists and locals to indulge in the railway while they can. There is something for everyone here!
2141 Steam Locomotive – Armstrong Explorer Excursion (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
2141 passing through Pioneer Park (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
What is KHR?
The KHR is a non-profit organization that was formed to restore and operate a piece of history, the steam locomotive 2141. In 1912 in Kingston, Ontario, the train was built along with a family of 25 other locomotive sisters. The engine originally hauled freight in the prairies, then it was sent to the coast to further its journey. It laid to rest in Victoria after being decommissioned, but was pulled out of isolation by former Kamloops mayor, Jack Fitzwater, who convinced the city of Kamloops to purchase it in 1961.
Kamloops Heritage Railway society members, volunteers, actors and workers (photographer unknown, retrieved from Kamloops Heritage Railway on FaceBook).
Visitors take snapshots of the majestic steam locomotive (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Bringing History to Life
The engine has lived its retirement in Kamloops, where it sat idle in Riverside Park for a long period of time. Citizens may even recall nostalgic childhood memories playing on the steam locomotive as it acted as a former playground. Over 80,000 hours were spent by volunteers, welders, and other tradesmen to reignite the Spirit of Kamloops. Now, the steam locomotive is once again a precious piece of cargo, this time, as a symbol of history and generator for tourism.
2141 steam locomotive in Riverside Park (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Historic image of railway workers (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Spirit of Kamloops
No ghosts here, for the Spirit of Kamloops is a steam engine! It wasn’t until I started working at KHR that I fully understood why the train was called the Spirit of Kamloops. The city is a railway town. It always has been, always will be. Kamloops is one of the only places where the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Canadian National Railway (CNR) tracks run parallel to each other.
Main Street in Kamloops before 1914 – presently Victoria Street (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Kamloops CN Station – before (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Kamloops CN station – present day, now occupied by restaurant, Twisted Steak (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Summer Excursions
My first summer excursion on the train is dear to my heart. The summer excursions kicked off on Canada Day, and ticket sales were through the roof. Everything aside from that was a blur, but I recall the buzz of excitement from families and children as the rumbling of the train grew as it approached closer to the station. Chugga chugga..
Choo choo! The locomotive takes off from the historic CNR station and voyages over the flowing Thompson River into the valleys of Kamloops. Long grass dances with wildflowers in the wind and bees buzz with animation. The engine passes by another heritage neighbour, St. Joseph’s Church.
I dearly recall the lyrics of folk singer John Denver. His song had a large presence on the train. On repeat in my head, the lyrics chime on, “country roads, take me home, to the place I belong.” For the rest of the summer, that was the anthem for every excursion along the sunny desert plains. Lastly, the cruise climaxes with train robbers on horseback who initiate a robbery for gold.
2141 trekking across the plains (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Kamloops Heritage Railway – Fireworks Special, Canada Day (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
2141 steam engine passing St. Joseph’s church – summer (photo by Peter Olsen).
2141 in patriotic attire (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Drawing of the 2141 steam engine crossing over the Thompson River – via South Thompson Kamloops CNR Bridge (drawn by Washington artist, Dan Delong).
Spirit of Christmas
Experience the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas by riding a whimsical one-hour ride through the wintry Kamloops night. Visitors await the night and are welcomed with holiday spirit. The smells of hot chocolate, warm cookies, and a chorus of carols permeate the plaza. A familiar ring then resonates through the air. The locomotive sings, chiming like a bell, warning visitors their adventure is near. The mirage of the locomotive follows, with thousands of bright, holiday lights illuminating through its steamy silhouette. Visits from Santa and Frosty spread holiday cheer, while reindeer make guest appearances in the hills of snow.
2141 steam locomotive decorated with holiday lights (photo taken by Peter Olsen).
Misty vision of the 2141 holiday train chugging along St. Joseph’s church (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Trick or Treat Trains
Nothing scary about this ride! Family-friendly ghosts mingle with passengers in the light of day as the engine ventures out for an hour of spooky music and fresh fall air. This is followed by a special stop at the Pumpkin Patch where you and your little ones can pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve.
Families walk through the plaza with pumpkins, passing by the historic CN station building (photo taken by Peter Olsen).
Live Entertainment
Experience the Old West with KHR. Saloon girls dance and prance on and off the train, providing a spectacle to guests. Reminiscent of the historically famous Bill Miner, actors pretend to steal gold on board. Bang! A pistol takes guests by surprise. Bandits dauntlessly overtake the train on horseback, catch up to the engine’s speed, and mount the train. Families play along, shivering in fear, but smiling nonetheless. For special events such as wine tours, local folk bands are recruited to perform. Live music fills the plaza, encouraging visitors to swing dance with friends and family.
Train robbers on horseback (actors) firing pistols (photographer unknown, retrieved from kamrail.com).
Female train robbers approach the open air cars (photographer unknown, retrieved from Kamloops Heritage Railway on FaceBook).
Saloon girls dancing in the plaza (photo taken by Lito Borja).
Saloon girls dancing the iconic dance move, “the twist” (photo taken by Peter Olsen).
Saloon girls lift trick (photo taken by Peter Olsen).
Train Tours and Education Program
The railway’s objective is to enrich, entertain, and most importantly, educate. Numerous projects are developing to meet this objective. Train tours are a walk through history. Get an up close look of the open air cars, lounge cars, school car, caboose, passenger cars, and my personal favourite, the cupola, which is an elevated, windowed seat on the roof of a car. Along with train tours, the society hopes to bring an open education curriculum to elementary students.
President Normal Glass standing in the newly renovated classroom car (photo taken by Dave Eagles from Kamloops this Week).
The cupola – the best seat in the house, or should I say train! (photo by Alex Duarosan).
Top left: open air car, top right: cafe lounge car, bottom left and right: passenger cars (photos by Alex Duarosan).
Acknowledging the Past
We must recognize the historic controversies regarding stolen Indigenous land and Chinese labour in connection with CPR and CNR. The settlement of the Canadian west was a feeding frenzy by large corporations that made a lot of money selling land and resources, which at every turn Indigenous people were denied the right to build an economy (Link – Cuthand: CP Rail has already taken enough from First Nations)
There was a large population of Chinese workers that migrated to Canada to work. After the decline of the Gold Rush, negative feelings about Chinese immigration arose because of fears that jobs would be taken away. CPR recruited Chinese labourers to work on its development. Wages were unfair, winters were harsh, living conditions were poor, and medical care was inaccessible to them. More than 600 Chinese workers died during the building of the CPR-more than four for every mile of track. KHR is working diligently to address issues of colonialism and discrimination through its exhibitions and tours (Link – Chinese Labour on the Canadian Pacific Railway).
Keeping the Railway Alive, Getting Involved
KHR’s vision is to inspire future generations to enjoy and preserve railway history, but funding behind the operation is slim. The steam locomotive is maintained merely through federal grants and donations. Built on a foundation of volunteers, KHR is always seeking backshop tradesmen, ticket salespeople, and station agents who restore the engine and keep history alive. Majority of the society is an elderly population, so reaching a younger audience and accessing funding is more imperative than ever, especially post-pandemic. Ken Milloy, general manager of KHR, is hoping to relaunch the society and reconnect with the community.
Cory Clark (former executive director) and Doug Peterson (backshop volunteer) stand in front of the display of replica train models. The goal of this exhibit is to showcase the “Old Kamloops” as a railway town through miniatures (photo taken by Doug Herbert, CBC).
A group of elementary students take a tour of the backshop (photographer unknown, retrieved from Kamloops Heritage Railway on FaceBook).
Before visiting KHR, watch the TikTok below. This video includes some “must-dos” for your visit at the Kamloops Heritage Railway.
@alex.duarosan TikToks for class assignments are trendy 🚂 #tourism #travelmedia #kamloops #kamloopsbc #trains #railway #cp #cnr #tourismkamloops @tourismkamloops
