The Kamloops Heritage Railway began railtour operations on June 22, 2002 with the 'Spirit of Kamloops' railtour operating in July and August. There is a rich history with the railways in Kamloops dating back to the arrival of the first train in 1885. The restoration of the KHR 2141 and the start up of railtour operations provided a way to connect people with the heritage of our country. On the 'Spirit of Kamloops' railtour, the KHR features reenactments of railway operations as they were in the past including volunteers and staff in period uniforms punching tickets, picking up train orders using a message hoop and more. A significant part of railway history in Kamloops was a famous train robbery that took place just east of Kamloops at Ducks. In 1906, Bill Miner and his gang robbed a CPR train and made off with their very limited amount of loot. The reenactment of the Bill Miner Train Robbery is a big part of the entertainment on this trip providing some exciting wild west horsemanship for a big finish to the journey.
Join the Kamloops Heritage Railway as we steam back into history. Check out the VIDEO. This railtour is all about working for the railways and western heritage. Operating in the summer months, prepare for a close up look at the KHR 2141 steam locomotive as you watch her pull into the station with our heritage train. Talk with the crew on the platform prior to departure and learn about the age of steam. Once you board, seated or standing in the open-air cars is the best experience as we leave from the 1927 restored station. Prepare to cross the South Thompson River on the 1927 Steel Trestle Bridge and travel towards the CN junction northwards from the city. There is always something going on in the river below whether it is the River Beaver family in their lodge or residents out in voyageur canoes, you will have a ringside seat. Soon you will pass St. Joseph's Historic Church, a national heritage site and as we travel further north, we cross Paul Creek under the shadows of Mt. Peter and Mt. Paul. Upon our return to the south and near the Red Bridge, be prepared for a wild west show with train robbers on horseback galloping by with guns blazing. Hide your valuables as they board the train and gather their loot. Learn the story behind the famous event they are reenacting and then join the actors afterwards for pictures on their horses at the western town front near the station.
Not long after departure, you will cross the South Thompson River on the 1927 CN Steel Trestle Bridge and continue on to the CN junction.
The 'Spirit of Kamloops' train boards and detrains at the restored CN Station (now the Keg Steakhouse and Bar) located at Station Plaza, 510 Lorne Street. The station is located just east of Interior Savings Centre between Riverside Park and Pioneer Park. The Kamloops Heritage Railway's ticket office is located in the horseshoe-shaped retail area just outside the main door of the station building at Station Plaza. Parking is available to the east of the station (requires payment) and is available on Lorne Street (some paid, some free). For the 'Spirit of Kamloops' train, passengers that have their tickets can go directly to the line up which is in front of the CN Station building on the north side and next to the tracks. Passengers picking up tickets, should go to the ticket office and then proceed to the line up. Seating and standing in the open-air cars is open. Seating is also open in the passenger coach and while moving about the train is permitted, we ask that passengers do not stand inside the coach. Washrooms are available onboard and in the ticket office as well as souveniers can be purchased in our gift shop. Arriving at 6:30 pm on the platform, passengers will have an opportunity to see the train come into the station and to chat with the crew prior to boarding. The area that passengers line up in is covered. Boarding begins at 6:45 pm and the train departs at 7:00 pm. The train returns to the station at 8:10 pm and the last passengers will be off by approx. 8:20 pm. The ticket office will be open upon our return for washroom access and giftshop sales.
The open air cars are a great way to view the river beaver lodge on the bottom left of this image. You can often see them swimming as we stop for a better look.
The 'Spirit of Kamloops' will be pulled by the restored 1912 steam locomotive KHR 2141. Directly behind the locomotive and tender will be the open-air coaches KHR 301 and KHR 302. These are covered but open on the sides with wooden benches facing outwards on both sides down the entire length of the cars. These are the best viewing cars for the 'Spirit of Kamloops' as there are unobstructed views of the vistas as we travel. Passengers are free to move about the train while we travel so if you find it cool or would like a more comfortable seat, you are invited to visit the passenger coach. Following the open-air cars is the restored heritage coach KHR 403 'Riverside Park'. There is seating for 76 passengers inside and the seats face each other in groups of 4. There are washrooms located in the 'Riverside Park' coach. The last car in the consist is the KHR 501 'Westwold' caboose. Passengers are free to move about the train to tour the coach and caboose as we travel.
After leaving the city and crossing the river, we continue our journey north to the junction of the CN Okanagan Subdivision and the CN mainline.
Dates
Days of the Week
Passengers should be parked and at the station 30 minutes prior to departure. Departure times are listed above. The 'Spirit of Kamloops' rail-tour lasts approx one hour and ten minutes. De-training can take between five and ten minutes. Note. Normal rail operations in the areas we operate in can delay return times once we have departed so it is recommended that passengers allow for a reasonable cushion of time for plans following your 'Spirit of Kamloops' experience. Note. Dates and times are subject to change. Check this website page for updates and notices or contact the KHR Ticket Office by phone or email.
St. Joseph's Historic Church is located on Tk'emlups Indian Band land and we pass by just around the time the setting sun illuminates the stained glass windows.
ALL Departures Cancelled for the Summer of 2013 Due to Mechanical Repairs
See you in 2014!
Charter the Train
Canada Day Special Event Join us on Friday, July 1st for a special trip to view the fireworks over Riverside Park on Canada Day in Kamloops. Journey with us across the South Thompson River to a special vantage point very close to where the fireworks are launched. We depart the station at 9:30 pm, just before darkness falls and travel north and out to St. Joseph's Historic Church. After our stop there, we will pull back onto the old city main track and park on the curve for a fantastic view of the City of Kamloop's celebration of the country's birthday.
Canada Day Special Trip - Regular Rates Apply (see above)
Bill Miner robbed a train just east of Kamloops in 1906. We reenact the event on every trip. Be prepared for action on this railtour as it is very realistic.
Bill Miner and his gang make their getaway but don't get to far. Passengers get a close up look at the horsemanship and action from the open air cars.
Back at the western town front just east of the station, passengers can visit with the outlaws and get their pictures taken with the actors and their horses.
The following Kamloops accommodators have packaged accommodations with train tickets for your convenience and savings. Click on the link to their respective websites for details and contact information.
Scotts Inn Best Western PLUS Ranchland Motel Comfort Inn & Suites
Pacific Host Inn & Suites Country View Motor Inn Kings Motor Inn Holiday Inn Express
Coast Canadian Inn Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre Kamloops Towne Lodge
Weather and Seating. The train will be sold up to one hundred and eighty passengers. Inside coach seating is available for up to eighty passengers. Outside seating is available for one hundred passengers. As standing is permitted, additional passengers may be added to accommodate increases in group bookings or to make room for late family and friend additions. Passengers should come dressed for the weather to be outside. The first eighty people in the line up have first chance at the inside seating. Once the coach is filled, the remaining passengers will be outside in the covered open-air cars. Clothing and Footwear. Passengers should always dress for the weather when traveling on-board. The area where passengers line up is covered, the open air cars are covered and the passengers coaches are enclosed. Temperatures are not controlled on-board so heat and cold should be factored into your clothing decisions. Footwear should be comfortable and stable. We strongly recommend that passengers do not wear spike high heeled shoes or "flip-flops". The 301 open air car has plank flooring with wide enough gaps for the heel to drop into. Lining Up on the Platform. The sooner you line up on the platform, the better chance of being inside the passenger coach. Preboard passengers are always the first to go on. The line will be organized and you will be directed to where you need to stand. We recommend 6:20 pm at the latest as the train pulls in at 6:30 pm and once the train pulls in, passengers can take a close up look at the 2141 locomotive, take pictures and chat with the crew. Travel Restrictions. The Kamloops Heritage Railway has the right to refuse travel to passengers deemed to be unsafe by their demonstrated behavior and demeanor. Pets. No pets are allowed on-board except for service dogs accompanying visually challenged or mobility challenged passengers. Passengers must register their intent to bring a service dog with the ticket office staff in advance of travel. For further information on this and other rail-tours, please contact the Kamloops Heritage Railway Ticket Office at 250-374-2141 or email to info@kamrail.com
Reservations can be made that will guarantee you travel on-board but does not guarantee a seat. Call 250-374-2141, email to info@kamrail.com or use our online reservation service to make your reservation. Seating is not assigned on the Spirit of Kamloops' rail-tour as passengers are encouraged to move about the train and standing in the open-air cars is permitted for some of the best viewing of the scenery and entertainment. Reservations are not required but are recommended as the trips often sell out. Reservations can be made by phone and by email. Payment is required within 24 hours of booking. Reservations will be made under one name. It is the person making the reservations responsibility to inform other members of the group of the conditions of travel, reservations and cancellation policies. Payment. Payment can be made in person at our ticket office or by providing a credit card number over the phone. You will be asked to provide proof of a secondary piece of identification such as a driver license number when paying by credit card. The same can be done by email meeting the same requirements. Payment can be made in person by credit card, cash or by debit card.
Changes to a reservation. Changes can be made by telephone or by email. Changes to date of travel are allowed but subject to availability. Changes to group size are also availability and once again are subject to availability. For further information on changes, please contact our ticket office. Cancellation Policy. Tickets are non-refundable in the event of a cancellation by passengers. In the unlikely event that the KHR must cancel a trip, a full refund will be made to passengers. When a passenger cancellation occurs, passengers may take a credit for a future "Spirit of Kamloops" trip on the KHR (not Ghost train, Christmas train, or other special events). Future credit must be used within one year of the cancellation.
