Kamloops Heritage Railway
| Kamloops Heritage Railway | |
|---|---|
 No. 2141 departing from Kamloops station, September 20, 2010 | |
| Locale | British Columbia |
| Terminus | Kamloops |
| Coordinates | 50°40′43″N 120°19′47″W / 50.6787°N 120.3297°W |
| Commercial operations | |
| Built by | Canadian National Railway |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | City of Kamloops |
| Operated by | Kamloops Heritage Railway Society |
| Reporting mark | KHRX |
| Stations | 1 |
| Length | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | (?) |
| Closed | (?) |
| Preservation history | |
| 1993 | The City of Kamloops is approached by a private group about restoring and operating No. 2141 |
| February 1994 | 2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society is organized |
| August 25, 2001 | Restoration of the No. 2141 is completed |
| January 15, 2002 | No. 2141 is moved to its new location |
| June 26, 2002 | Tourist operations begin |
| 2020 | Tourist operations suspended |
| Headquarters | Kamloops, British Columbia |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Kamloops Heritage Railway (reporting mark KHRX) is a heritage railway located in Kamloops, British Columbia. The railway operates throughout the year in May to December, trains are hauled by 2-8-0 steam locomotive Canadian National Railway No. 2141, also known as the Spirit of Kamloops. The museum's operations are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans to resume operations in 2026.
History
[edit]The Kamloops Heritage Railway's origins originally began in 1993, when the City of Kamloops was approached by a private enterprise group, they asked about the possibility of restoring and operating Canadian National 2141 to run tourist train in Alberta.[1][2][3]
In February 1994, No. 2141 was removed from display by the newly formed 2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society and moved it into a warehouse located in River Street in Kamloops were restoration work officially began.[2][1][3] On July 31, 2001, the Kamloops city council approved $1 million dollars in No. 2141's restoration and loaned $360,183 to help the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society construct a work shop building in Lorne Street to house and maintain the locomotive.[4]
On August 24, 2001, No. 2141 underwent a successful test fire and eventually moved under steam for the first time in forty-there years the following day.[5] On January 15, 2002 after some final assembly and more testing, No. 2141 was moved to its new location under it a own power and fives month later, now proclaimed as Spirit of Kamloops, hauled the railroad's first inaugural excursion run on June 26.[2][3][6][4]
The train travels on a 6-mile round trip from downtown Kamloops to CN Rail Cam Loops Junction from May to December each year, the train would occasionally run a 112.8-mile round trip to Armstrong for the special "Armstrong Explorer" excursion; tickets for excursions are sold at the ticket office, located at #3-510 Lorne Street, right across from the old Kamloops railway station.[7][1][8]
In 2020, it was announced that the railroad would suspend their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] This was also due to the increased amount of freight traffic, mainly the export of American coal through Kamloops via Canadian Pacific Railway to the Canadian National Kamloops North yard via the rail bridge over the North Thompson River.[6][9]
In 2024, A new board of directors was established and made plans to return No. 2141 back in operational service by 2026, with Canadian National offering to let KHRX operate on 71 miles of the Okanagan Subdivision, between Campbell Creek and Vernon.[9] A boiler inspector surveyed the locomotive and stated that little work has to be done in order for operational use.[9]
Equipment
[edit]Locomotives
[edit]| Number | Image | Type | Model | Built | Builder | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2141 | .jpg)
|
Steam | 2-8-0 | 1912 | Montreal Locomotive Works | Undergoing major overhaul |
Rolling stock
[edit]| Number / Name | Image | Type | Built | Builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402 (Monte Lake) | Cafe Lounge car | 1954 | Unknown | |
| 403 (Riverside Park) | Passenger car | 1954 | Unknown | |
| 406 (Georgia Bay) | Parlour solarium | 1930 | Canadian Car and Foundry | |
| 501 (Westwood) | Caboose | 1975 | Unknown |
See also
[edit]
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Our Past". Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Canadian Rail" (PDF). March 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Our Fleet". kamrail.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ a b "Branchline" (PDF). Canadian's Rail Magazine: 14. October 2001. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ "Branchline" (PDF). Canadian's Rail Magazine: 14, 20. October 2001. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Franz, Justin (2025-06-06). "Canadian National 2-8-0 Restoration Forges Ahead". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Spirit of Kamloops - August". Kamloops Heritage Railway. Archived from the original on 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
- ^ Black Press Media Staff (June 29, 2021). "2141 steam train eyeing Kamloops to Armstrong route this fall". The Morning Star. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b c Franz, Justin (2024-12-23). "Kamloops Heritage Railway Looks to Resume Operation in 2026". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
Further reading
[edit]- Tourist Trains 2004. Kalmbach Publishing Company. February 2004. p. 400.
- Woodall's Publications Corp (2008). Woodall's Eastern Campground Directory. Woodall Publishing Company. p. 136. ISBN 978-0762746194.