Have you cycled the abandoned rail grade between Midway and Castlegar, or any part thereof? A popular day ride in the Castlegar area is to exit highway # 3 at the detour road about 2Km east of the Paulson Bridge, turn right on the rail trail and ride the 2% grade back to Keenleyside Dam. The last three Kms. before Keenleyside are a little rough because of the shale on the pathway and there is a big slide near Coykendahl, but it is navigable by pushing the bikes across. Pack a lunch, enjoy the scenic heritage. The trip is great and the obstacles are surmountable.
This Historic line was originally built by Augustus Heinze,
founder
of the Trail smelter.
It was called the Columbia & Western, with the first link between
Trail and West Robson being completed in 1897. Heinze wanted all the
ore from the region's current mining boom to be shipped via
Canadian routes. In 1898 the Columbia and Western was pushed ahead
through the harsh winter to beat the Americans to the Boundary Region,
reaching Grand Forks in 1899 and Midway in 1900. The line was
purchased by the CPR in 1911 to become a subdivision of the Kettle
Valley Line. It was finally abandoned in the eighties. The tracks
lifted in 1991, but passenger service had gradually declined by the
late fifties.
In the fall of 1993
the BC Government purchased a number of abandoned grades in the
southern interior including the Kettle Valley railroad and the
Boundary Sub from Midway to Grand Forks. The "Rails to
Trails" concept was buoyant at this time. Local societies sprang
up with the purpose of connecting abandoned grades as public access
trails. The Trans-Canada Trail organization was born with the vision
of connecting trails across Canada from coast to coast. The Boundary
Rails to Trails Society of Grand Forks lobbied strenuously for
government purchase of the Grand Forks to Castlegar section in the
early nineties, to be joined by a group in Castlegar called Friends of
Parks and Trails. The "Friends" continue to work for public
ownership of this priceless asset. Some negotiations amongst the
Trans-Canada trail Foundation, the BC government , Trails BC, and CPR
have been taking place over the past year. The rail bed is greatly
desired as part of the Trails Canada Trail route through the
Kootenays.
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The Boundary Subdivision has been inventoried as having very high natural and cultural values. There are matchless scenic vistas of the Granby Valley, Christina Lake, Arrow Lake and Dog Creek valley between Farron and Bulldog tunnel. There are excellent opportunities along the route for wildlife viewing and birding from the seat of your mountain bike. |
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This trail boasts incredible trestle engineering, tunnel and rock retaining wall construction. This route features a natural arch, a double truss span trestle 65.5 meters long. The route has many heritage features such as restored stations at Castlegar, Grand Forks and Midway. |
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Just outside Farron, is a commemorative memorial where "Peter "The Lordly" Verigin,spiritual leader of the Doukhobors, was assassinated (1924) when the train he was riding in was bombed. Nine people were killed that day. To this day (70 years) the RCMP and the Government of Canada have not released the entire results of the investigation in spite of numerous requests for the material from historic writers and researchers. A number of theories surround the motive of the murder from government conspiracy to assassination by a Russian agent. |
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For a detailed description of the whole Kettle Valley Line consult "Cycling the KVR" by Dan and Sandra Langford. The newly released second edition contains an added chapter on the Boundary Sub.
Anyone wishing to support public ownership of this rail grade section contact Friends of Parks and Trails by fax at 1-250-365-2469 or contact Trails to Rails. At the present time the rail right of way is still under the ownership of the CPR
