The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is a heritage railway near Summerland, British Columbia. Opened in 1995 by the Kettle Valley Railway Society, the line runs from Prairie Valley station on Bathville Road to the Trout Creek trestle bridge. Excursion trains are primarily hauled by Canadian Pacific 3716, a steam locomotive purchased in 2003.

History

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is operated by the Kettle Valley Railway Society, a non-profit charitable organization focused on the preservation of railway heritage in the Okanagan Valley. The KVR Society is run by a board of directors, community volunteers, and trained personnel.Kettle Valley Railway. (2026, May 17). Kettle Valley Railway Society - Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Kettle Valley Steam Railway. https://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/about/society/

Tourist operations of Kettle Valley Steam Railway officially began on September 17, 1995. The KVSR operates excursion trains over the only remaining section of the Kettle Valley Railway.Railway Equipment and Publication Company, The Official Railway Equipment Register, June 1917, p. 826 This section runs from Faulder to Trout Creek, running through West Summerland and the Prairie Valley railway station. The line runs through vistas, orchards, vineyards, and over the Trout Creek Trestle. Trains are operated from spring through fall each year and include special events such as the "Great Train Robbery" and "Christmas Express".

Trains are pulled by ex-Canadian Pacific No. 3716, built in 1912 as a "Consolidation" type steam locomotive under the N2B class. The railway also has an ALCO S-6 diesel electric locomotive (originally Southern Pacific  1050, more recently owned by Portland Terminals, then Neptune Bulk Terminals in North Vancouver). Between 1995 and 2009 a two-truck Shay locomotive, Mayo Lumber  3 was on loan from the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan; it was returned to Duncan on September 17, 2009. Passenger rolling stock includes two ex-CP coaches and three ex-CP stock cars converted into open-air cars. All trains depart the Prairie Valley railway station in Summerland.

In May 2023, the railway acquired coach No. 405 from the Kamloops Heritage Railway, transported by trailer on May 12. The passenger car was originally built as No. 5611 for Canadian National Railways and later transferred to Via Rail in 1978. In 1995, it was purchased by Les Trains Touristiques du Saint-Laurent in Quebec and named Cap Brûlé. After short careers with the Waterloo–St. Jacobs Railway and Rocky Mountaineer, it was transferred to the Kamloops Heritage Railway, titled Kenna Cartwright Park. The car has since been restored as Brookmere and increased capacity for special operations.

As of 2026, the Kettle Valley Steam Railway is home to one of the few remaining operational steam locomotives in Canada. Kettle Valley Steam Railway - National Trust for Canada. (2024, July 30). National Trust for Canada. https://nationaltrustcanada.ca/destinations/kettle-valley-steam-railway

On August 7, 2026, railway operations were suspended due to the ongoing Bald Range fire covering all of Summerland. It was unknown if the Prairie Valley station and shops have been damaged, although crews have moved the rail equipment, including the two locomotives and coaches, to the former West Summerland station. Railway personnel have confirmed that the trestle and rail equipment are intact. Tourist operations resumed the following month on September 5, 2026.

Equipment Locomotives +Locomotive detailsNumberImageTypeModelBuiltBuilderFormer ownerStatusNotes3716Steam1912Montreal Locomotive WorksCanadian Pacific RailwayOperationalOriginally No. 3916 until 1929. Operated by the British Columbia Railway between 1975 and 2001.803DieselS-61956American Locomotive CompanySouthern Pacific RailroadPreviously used by to Neptune Bulk Terminals until 2009.

Passenger cars +Passenger car detailsNumberNameImageTypeBuiltBuilderNotes405BrookmereCoach1954Canadian Car and FoundryNamed after Brookmere. Originally Canadian National/Via Rail No. 5611. Recently owned by the Kamloops Heritage Railway.2241West Summerland1949Canadian Car and Foundry/CPR Angus ShopsNamed after West Summerland station. Previously operated by BC Rail as Lillooet. To be converted to a dining car.2270Faulder1950Named after Faulder. Previously operated by BC Rail as Mackenzie.6600Canyon ViewNamed after Canyon View in Summerland. Previously operated by BC Rail as lounge car Shannon Falls. Originally No. 2289.278513Open car1958Canadian Car and FoundryAcquired in 1997. Originally No. 277191 until renumbering in 1977.278514Acquired in 1997. Originally No. 277086 until renumbering in 1977.278517Acquired in 1997. Originally number unknown.278521Acquired in 1997 and displayed as a derelict body outside the parking lot. Originally No. 277088 until renumbering in 1977.

Freight cars +Freight car detailsNumberImageTypeBuiltBuilderNotes1902Tank car1937UnknownOriginally used by the British Columbia Railway, then part of the West Coast Railway Association until 2004.60902FlatcarUnknownUnknownOriginally built for Canadian National Railways.434432Caboose1973CPR Angus ShopsAcquired in May 1994. Originally Canadian Pacific No. 438904 until being renumbered in 1975. -Tank carUnknownProcorOriginally operated by Procor. -

See also

List of heritage railways in Canada Kettle Valley Railway

References

External links