|
An excerpt from the former Brandt's Creek (Canada Lands) web site outlines the early stages of rail to Kelowna:
“In 1912, representatives of the Canadian Northern Railway purchased 33.6 ha (83 acres) in Kelowna’s North End for the development of a rail yard. Construction was delayed for a decade, as Canadian Northern struggled to survive, and World War I erupted. Early in 1923 the amalgamation of a number of failing railway companies and the Canadian Northern Railway resulted in the creation of the Canadian National Railway Company. Construction of the main line began, and the first CNR train arrived in Kelowna on September 11th, 1925.
Kelowna’s CNR Station was opened on January 4th, 1927, and marked the beginning of passenger service to Kelowna. In 1927 the Kelowna station planted a railway garden, a beautification project which incorporated 250 ornamental trees and shrubs, and flower beds including all varieties which thrived in the district at that time. In 1965, VIA Rail passenger service was discontinued in the Okanagan, and the railway garden had dwindled to two small islands of trees and shrubs and a lawn.
The development of the CNR and CPR yards in downtown Kelowna resulted in the development of a viable industrial area. In 1980, the City of Kelowna purchased a portion of the CNR property along the waterfront. The lands have been developed for the Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre, the Rotary marsh, Waterfront Park, the Dolphins and Lagoons.
In 1995, Canada Lands Company purchased the remaining 10.1 ha (25 acre) yard, and approximately 4.1 ha (10 acres) of CNR land along the north side of Clement Avenue. In 1996, Canada Lands began to develop an area plan and to subdivide and rezone the former rail lands. Except for the rail spur into Riverside, the former yard was cleared of track and facilities in 1997, and facilities were relocated to CN’s yard on Weddell Street.
In 1999 and 2000, Canada Lands remediated the former rail lands, and in 2000 redeveloped and relocated Brandt’s Creek.”
Canadian Northern was absorbed into Canadian National in 1919. Grand Trunk went into CN in 1923 and final ratification of the CNR Act occurred as well, that year. Thanks to Peter Bowers for this fact.
The CN line between Vernon and Kelowna at least partly occupies the earlier KVR survey between Kelowna and Vernon. Not many people know that the KVR surveyed a line to connect Vernon with the rest of the KVR. I do not know the exact location of that survey except that it occupied the same stretch of line on the “railway” between Kalamalka Lake and Wood Lake at Oyama. It is probable that the line from Oyama to Vernon is actually part of the earlier KVR survey. But for fact, the CNR line at Oyama is situated on the KVR survey undertaken during construction of the KVR.
Thanks to Joe Smuin for this fact.
Construction of the line to Kelowna started in 1919 and was completed six years later. The first train to town was on September 11, 1925 pulled by C.N. engine, 416.
This happened a day later than planned. On September 10, the engine derailed on a soft spot north of town, crews spent the rest of the day rerailing the engine and repairing the track.
 Two train cars were used as a station before a permanent |  A busy place in 1935. Kelowna Exhibition Hall in the background. Hall destroyed by fire on Feb 4, 1957. Want to buy this station? (Sept. 2008) |
 Taken in front of the station looking west. 1930's car-train accident. |  The CN yard in 1928, looking north west. |
 1960- Colour picture of the C.N. water tower just days before it was dismantled. |
From the upper level of the water tower,in the 1940's. |
Soon after the CN rail link was complete, an interchange track was run to the CP yard. CN also started it own barge service to Penticton. CP barge service was moved to Kelowna from Okanagan landing, stopping at Westbank, Peachland, Summerland and Naramata on the way to Penticton. CP ceased barge service in May 1972. CN continued until Feburary 15, 1973, marking 47 years of service.
Track plan of the CN yard as it was in 1948. Tracks at the bottom of the plan, or south, lead to the CP tracks and wharf shown on the last page. In 1975, all the tracks were lifted south and west of the main CN yard including all wharf and dock tracks of CN and CP as well as the CP yard. CP then shared tracks within the CN yard.
AFTER SCHOOL AT THE YARD
In the early 1960's your host spent alot of time after school visiting with the crew at the yard. Back then riding on the engines was not a problem and they were more than happy to have you there. Rode on GE-44ton #4 and #6 many times.
 Looking at the power. |  Always 9028 or 9034. |  Inbound 9028 blocking Ellis St. |
Left, yours truly standing on the ground looking at CN #4, taken in June 1963. 9028 is at the head of the passenger train. 9034 was the alternate passenger engine. The train was short, a steam generator car, baggage car and a coach or two.
9028 blocks Ellis St. as passengers detrain. Traffic was light on Ellis back then.
On October 29, 1961 a Railiner replaced the passenger train. This lasted until April 1963, when the passenger train was brought back. Passenger train service ended on October 26,1963. Sunday October 27, with the change back to standard time, a new C.N. charter bus service was introduced. A schedule shows the bus leaving the Kelowna station at 8:30 PM with stops at the Winfield Greyhound bus depot, Vernon station and additional stops, arriving at Kamloops Jct. around midnight.
 Myself and Engineer Caswell of the |  Left, Martin Howbold, center, Tom Caswell |
|
|
|
 CN#3, 4, 5 were purchased new in 1956. #4 was retired in the winter of 1969. |  Camrose Pipe in Camrose AB. purchased #4 as their plant switcher in 1969. |
 CN #6,
On the CN freight shed track, in July 1961. |
 At the start of the Kelowna yard waiting for a CP freight to pass. |
|
There were six GE 44-ton units in total. The pre 1956 units, #1 and #2, were painted all black with yellow lettering.
New arrivals, #3, 4, 5, 6 were all painted in the 1956 scheme, Olive Green, gold lettering as shown above.
 The Expo 67 train visits Kelowna in the |  In 1973 the freight shed ramp |
In the late 1960's to August 1990, Brenda Mines at Peachland trucked Molybdenum concentrate to Kelowna. Three gondola's were shipped a day. The old Chapman Truck, now missing its fenders was used to move the cars as they were loaded.
The above drawing shows the new location of the yard. From two tracks to what is now the Kelowna yard, along Wedell Pl. December, 1998. Area in white shows where the original tracks were lifted, leaving the station trackless. Original tracks to Riverside sawmill and plywood plant are left in place and with a slight realignment, are connected to the new yard.
Click Here To View The 2003 Kelowna Yard Track Plan.
Take a Google Earth Virtual Tour of the Kelowna End of the Okanagan Sub.
