On February 11, 1994, the 2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society was formed to restore and operate the engine on behalf of the City of Kamloops. The Society oversaw the restoration for eight years at two locations, 1315 River Street and at the backshop at Pioneer Park.
In March 2001, with the restoration complete, the society made application to the registrar of companies to have our society name changed to the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society, which is more in keeping with our new mandate, operating a railway and a tourist train . On July 10, 2001, Kamloops Heritage Railway presented their three-phase business plan to the Mayor, City Council, key city administrators, and the Parks and Recreation Commission of Kamloops.
On August 7th, 2001, City council approved funding and a loan for phase 1 and 2 of the business plan. On January 15, 2002, under steam and her own power for the first time since 1958, the 2141 was moved to her new home at 600 Lorne Street. The City of Kamloops provided a new 5,000 square foot building to house and maintain the Steam Locomotive. At the same time, over 2,000 feet of track and switches were built to connect the backshop to the CN Okanagan subdivision line at mile 3.0. On June 26th, 2002 the Kamloops Heritage Railway carried our first passengers on the Spirit of Kamloops railtour. In our inaugural season we carried over 10,400 passengers on 96 trips. We operated on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays offering three trips a day on Friday and Saturday and two trips on Sunday. These trips were 1 ½ hr in length and included the Bill Miner Train Robbery reenactment.
Glen Wideman: President, Bill Abley: Vice-President & Secretary, Mark McVittie: Treasurer, Doug Baleshta, Art Styles, Tony Strudwick, Brian Kelly
PROJECT HISTORY
The locomotive was built in 1912 in Kingston, Ontario as a coal-burning engine. It spent its early years hauling freight, passengers and mixed trains on the prairies. In 1948 it was converted to burn oil. Its last working years were spent on Vancouver Island. It's the only survivor of the M-3-d class. 2141 is one of a group of 25 engines (numbers 2130 to 2154) built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario for the Canadian Northern Railway. Her classification is "Light Consolidated" because of her 2‑8‑0 wheel configuration. She is “light axle loading” -- 114 tons in working order. Her official class is M‑3‑d and she is the only survivor of this type. She has 57" drivers, 23" x 26" cylinders, and her boiler is rated at 180 psi. She has a haulage rating of 35% which means she can pull 30 loaded old-time cars or about 9 loaded modern coal cars. The engine weights about 190,000 lb. (95 tons) and originally burned coal, then later (1947) it was converted to oil. The tender carries 6,000 gallons of water and 3,000 gallons of fuel. When working hard, it can go about 50 miles between water fill ups and 125 miles before needing more fuel.
On July 4, 1958 its 46 years of moving goods across the West came to a halt and it was slated for demolition. Mayor Jack Fitzwater of Kamloops had other ideas. It took him three years to persuade City Council and the CNR that selling the locomotive to Kamloops was a better choice. On Oct. 28, 1961 after payment of $2,000.00, CN operations manager T.A. Mainprize presented the engine to Mayor Fitzwater and the City of Kamloops. 2141, which had been refurbished in the CNR Port Mann yards, became a static display in Riverside Park. Generations of Kamloops children played on the big engine; sitting in the cab and pretending to thunder down the track, throttle wide open. But thirty-three years of weather and vandalism took their toll on 2141. It began to be thought of as a rusty nuisance rather than a historic treasure. There was talk of selling it to a group in Alberta. Public indignation was immediate. "Sell our engine? Never!" was the outcry. A non-profit society was to be formed to restore, maintain, protect and operate the locomotive. Yes, operate. The group of volunteers was determined that 2141 would run once again. People said it couldn't be done. This locomotive had had its last maintenance in 1961.
On February 11, 1994, the 2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society was formed to restore and operate the engine on behalf of the City of Kamloops. How likely was it that 15 to 20 people in limited quarters, with minimal funds, could get it going? The volunteers stuck to their plans. Men brought their own personal tools, lathes, presses, saws and hoists into the shop. They planned to modernize as well as restore the engine. It was a monumental task. Asbestos under-cladding had to be removed and replaced. Many parts no longer available had to be manufactured. Volunteers contributed their skills: electrician, carpenter, boilermaker, and they trained others. Many are former railwaymen, not surprising in a railway town, but there are school teachers, an energy consultant and a chef. Men and women worked side by side to help with the repainting and reconstruction of the coach and flat cars. Railway employees and management contributed technical help. Ongoing consultation with the CNR ensured that everything was done to standard. The community began to believe in 2141. Financial donations increased, and City Council supported the enterprise. The Society oversaw the restoration for eight years at two locations, 1315 River Street and at our new home at 600 Lorne Street.
In March 1998, the society decided to call its operational arm the “Kamloops Heritage Railway” and three years later, the society made application to the registrar of companies to have our society name changed to the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society, which is more in keeping with our new mandate. In May 2001, focused and concerted work began on the business plan that would guide the society through the relocation of the 2141 locomotive and tender to a new and temporary home at Pioneer Park, the start-up of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Railtour business, and the presentation of conceptual plans for a Heritage Rail Theme Park.
In June 2001, Kamloops Heritage Railway and CN Rail began work on the necessary planning required to operate a passenger rail train on their 105-territory track within the city limits and in July of 2001, Kamloops Heritage Railway presented their three-phase business plan to the Mayor, City Council, key city administrators, and the Parks and Recreation Commission of Kamloops. Funding and a loan for phase 1 and 2 of the business plan was approved by city council on August 7th, 2001. On January 15, 2002, under steam and her own power for the first time since 1958, the 2141 was moved to her new home at 600 Lorne Street. The City of Kamloops provided a new 5,000 square foot building to house and maintain the Steam Locomotive. At the same time, over 2,000 feet of track and switches were built to connect the backshop to the CN Okanagan subdivision line at mile 3.0. On June 26th, 2002 the Kamloops Heritage Railway carried our first passengers on the Spirit of Kamloops railtour. In our inaugural season we carried over 10,400 passengers on 96 trips. We operated on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays offering three trips a day on Friday and Saturday and two trips on Sunday. These trips were 1 ½ hr in length and included the Bill Miner Train Robbery reenactment. On December 11, 2003 the Kamloops Heritage Railway operated the "Spirit of Christmas" Railtours where the 2141 and entire train was lit up with hundreds of Christmas lights as we travelled to St. Joseph’s Historic Church to pick up Santa and the elves.
On October 22, 2004, the first "Ghost Train" operated and it was an immediate hit. Selling out every season since it started, passengers are entertained by joining a lost train and a host of characters including a Headless Horseman, Grim Reaper, Wicked Widow, and a Bride and Groom to be.
On November 7, 2005, a test run was made to Armstrong with great success signalling approval for the first "Armstrong Explorer" railtour with passengers in May of 2006. This launched a 3 year run of trips operating in the spring, summer and fall between Kamloops and Armstrong. The "Armstrong Explorer" made the round trip with a 2 hour break for lunch in just under 10 hours. This railtour is currently not operating.
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The mission of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society is to promote the unique characteristics and significance of the railway to the cultural history of Kamloops and the region.
The unique characteristics and significance of the railway to the culutural history of Kamloops and the region will be promoted in the following ways:
By:
The Kamloops Heritage Railway will:
As the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society, we believe:
