The Railway Lovers Day Trip

The railway lover day trip begins in the beautiful Hope BC and could end almost anywhere you wish. First stop: The magnificent Othello Tunnels. The walk will bring you back in history where you will discover the ancient Kettle Valley railway when it used to operate in the Coquihalla Canyon. Engineers generously constructed these tunnels with limited technology. These tunnels blast through a winding canyon as the rail line rips through the mountains, crosses the canyon and back through yet again another mountain. Just by walking this historic trail you can see how difficult it must have been to construct this dangerous, but beautiful stretch. As the trail comes to an end, you can walk back or continue on to the Trans Canadian Trail. Stop number two on your rail way day trip is up highway 1. Take HWY 1 east bound, until you reach Hope River Gas Bar just past Dogwood BC. Here you will find a beautiful rest area located next to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). A great place to stop for lunch and count the long trains that pass through. Some of the trains that pass this area are some of the longest trains in the world, because Canada's two Trans-Continental Railways the CNR and the CPR, pass through this point as a bottle neck to access the Asia Pacific Gateway and the Fraser Ports of Vancouver. Watch for different trains carrying a vast amounts of cargo. Container trains usually double stackers, wheat cars, box cars, coal, lumber, imports, exports, vehicles, you name it and for any Railway lover the Fraser Canyon is a excellent place to visit. While visiting stop number 2 be sure to take a photo with there BC Rail Caboose located right on site for public viewing. After you have watched some trains pass, carry on east to Hell's Gate Airtram where you can get an aerial view of both the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the Canadian National Railway (CNR) as they pass through some of the most vigorous terrain the Fraser Canyon has to offer. While visiting Hells Gate there is great opportunities for train viewing and photography. Take the tram down and cross the suspension bridge over the Hells Gate Gorge, follow a short trail to the CNR rail line where you can take photographs of the massive locomotives as they pass. Remember to stand back clear of the tracks and be mindful of all your surroundings, including children. After visiting Hells Gate continue onwards to North Bend and Boston Bar where both the CPR and the CNR stations are. Watch trains come into dock and the train crew changing, also be sure to take advantage of your time, and take some beautiful still shots of trains in the yard. Both train yards have unique train equipment so if your a Railway Photographer this is something you will want to see. The next stop on the Railway lover day trip is Lytton BC, again east bound on HWY 1. Visit Lytton where there is great railway viewing opportunity including a CNR caboose open for public viewing and the Siska Bridges; Two train bridges crossing the Fraser River where the CPR and the CNR switch sides of the Canyon. While traveling through the canyon there is many view points to view trains, almost to many to name but all well worth your while. After you are finished your day trip in Lytton, choose a local community where you can discover a great selection of accommodations including B&B, Camping, RVing, Cabins, Hotel, and Motels. Stay one more day and explore more of Canyon Country!