I was wondering what year this section of track had it last train and tracks removed. I think it was between 1968 and 1973 but I could stand to be corrected.
Wasn’t it down to a tri-weekly train between these two points? Was there any industries that Canadian Pacific served between these two towns?
but—but—you only mention ONE town, one being Penticton and the other------------???
Someone call the resident CPR expert?
The last regular train on the line west of Beaverdell ran in May 1973, and I’m not sure about other trains or when the track was torn up. The one train I know of after regular service ceased was the steam train for the CBC version of The National Dream, in June of '73. There was a mine at Beaverdell that continued to be serviced by a once-a-week turn for some time, I’m not sure how long that ran. The Carmi subdivision was officially abandoned in '78, and the track torn up the following year.
The only other industry on that subdivision I know of was a sawmill 20 miles west of Midway.
For anyone who’s interested, the line to the west of Penticton, connecting to the CPR mainline at Spences Bridge, lasted until 1989.
This is the part where I come in and whine and moan that I should have been born in the 1930s, and seen all the big steam and the transition, not to mention regular trains on the KVR, and at this point I should be happily retired and making my photo collection into a book, and by 2020 a pleasant death. 
-Matt Hicks, resident youth CPR expert, tired of 6 axle GEs.
Edit: Any other questions?
Of course, there is a small section of the KVR still operating, with steam no less! The Kettle Valley Steam Railway runs twice per day with ex-CPR 3716 from May-October. Check out the website for details.
Sorry for the shameless plug. [swg] We now return to our regularly scheduled thread.
Ted, do you work there?
Can you get me free rides next time I’m out there? [:D]
Again, can anyone explain where this is, between WHAT 2 points??? And where is the Kettle Valley rail located??? be glad to visit if we knew where it is located.
The preserved section of track is between the Trout Creek Trestle (Mile 7) in Summerland to Faulder (Mile 15.5) on the Princeton Sub (though trains only go as far as Mile 13 at the moment). Trains leave from Prairie Valley Station on Bathville Road. See the map for details.
The line from Penticton to Midway, BC was the former Carmi Sub of the KVR. Map of the entire line below.
Just out of curiosity, I have plans to bike the KVR, from either Castlegar or Midway to either Hope or Spence’s Bridge. Does anyone else have similar plans?
If you go, have fun!
See if you can get a copy of this book before you go. Although it is out of date (1984), there is a lot of useful info inside.
http://www.vanc.igs.net/~roughley/rmp_book.html
I don’t know if it is still available at that address.
Thank You for all the Data.
I think I’ll stick with Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway (Dan&Sandra Langford) which has served me well on the sections I’ve biked in the past [:)] Still, 1984? GP9s with candy stripes running along BC Interior lakeshores? Delicious!
I want to hike the Castlegar to Midway section myself. It has or will be part of the Trans-Canada trail.
Okay.
Yeah, I have thought of doing that but just have gotten to the point where I’ve actually made it happen. I figure about 7 days to go from Castlegar to Hope. It sure would be an interesting ride. You have to make sure you’ve got everything you need though because it would be tough to get supplies though once you leave town.
Back in 1995 I hiked along the abandoned rail line from Spences Bridge to Merritt. I tell you that was quite an experience. I saw more people in 5 minutes of living in a big city than I did in 2 days of hiking this line. I found it amazing that I could hear a plane that was quite high in the sky, trains several mile back on the mainline and it was something to find out just how loud the Nicola River was when there is no other sounds to drown it out.