Columbia and Western Trail

Happy Holidays from the Columbia and Western Trail Society!

Red Flag Notice on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade, Friday, December 11th. A younger cougar was spotted at the end off the day tonight, in the dark, about 2 km past the pumphouse gate at the Castlegar Terminus on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade. Walking or hiking on the bottom 5km of the Rail Grade at the Castlegar terminus is not recommended.... Be extra careful if you are quading or driving up the Rail Grade. Everyone has been alerted, and the conservation officers have been notified. Hopefully the animal will move on sooner than later. Stay safe everyone!

First Winter Weather on the Columbia and Western The first snow of the year has set in on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade with 3-4 inches between the Bulldog Tunnel, through Farron to Coryell. While it is expected to possible melt to some extent, winter is slowly setting in. During a similar early snow event last year involving quite a bit more heavy wet snow, many trees were brought down in a short period of time along the higher elevation of the Rail Grade. If you are c...oming up to use the Rail Grade especially this time of year, a reminder to bring a chainsaw and a tow chain just in case a tree comes down unexpectedly along the way. Also, if you are doing any late season camping or hunting, bring some firewood or a chainsaw to cut some for the firepits at the covered kiosks. The Rail Grade is still open all the way through. Traveling along the Rail Grade this time of year, be extra careful with the early winter conditions. The corners may be slippery, and there is still lots of people using the Rail Grade to possibly meet up with. Stay safe, and have fun on the Rail Grade!

Columbia and Western Rail Grade re-opened West of Castlegar The Columbia and Western Rail Grade has re-opened just West of Castlegar after an overnight shutdown due to a small rock fall. The rock fall has been cleaned up in record time, getting it down to a less than 6 hour shut down for everyone.... Always watch for possible rock falls if you are on the Rail Grade. The Columbia and Western Rail Grade is the rugged B.C. back country with a huge pile of regular maintenance. We see many rock falls and rock slides each year involving many hours and days with heavy machinery clean-up. While usually happening in the spring, it's not uncommon after rain events for a few rocks to be moving. It's also not uncommon after a wind event for a possible tree or two to come down. While used and cleared on a daily basis by many local residents, it's always still a good idea to bring a chainsaw just in case. Always be on alert for the unknown while traveling on the Rail Grade, and come prepared. Stay safe, and have fun on the Rail Grade!

Just a reminder, It's still really, really dry out on the Columbia and Western. Please be careful.

Huge Uptick in Garbage on the Columbia and Western This Year. There is a huge uptick in Garbage on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade this year. Besides the big increase in scattered cans and garbage, the fire pits at the kiosks are being used as burning barrels for overnight camping rubbish. (Leaving allot of remnants half burnt.) We all have to do better than this.... Please pack out what you bring in, and if you see some cans or garbage that may have accidentally fallen off someone on the way through, please be a part of the community and pick up and dispose of it properly. We want to keep the Columbia and Western clean forever. Please help keep us clean, and have fun on the Rail Grade!

Old Speeder Car not missing on the C&W Rail Trail There have been several social media reports about the old speeder car at Coykendalh is somehow been stolen and is missing off the Columbia and Western Rail Trail. Fortunate neither the speeder car, or any of the other assets owned by the Columbia and Western Trail Society or the Crown have been stolen or are missing.... The old speeder car welded together from misc scrap parts unfortunately has some very rotting wood that had become a public hazard, and was taken to town for repairs and refurbishment or replacement with an antique one in better shape. We appreciate the public's concern, and will reach out to the public for help if any of the other assets on the C&W owned by the Columbia and Western Trails Society or the Crown have been vandalized or are missing. Fortunate theft and vandalism are extremely rare in the Columbia and Western, and we are all glad to keep it that way. Stay safe and have fun on the Rail Trail!

Bridging the decades on the Columbia and Western Not long after the original remarkable C.P.R. construction schedule of going from Castlegar to Grand Forks in 12 months, (from 1898-1900) all of the temporary wooden structures installed for the rush job, were going to be in need of permanent upgrades and replacements to last through the decades to come. Both of the famed big trestles at McCormack Creek and Cub Creek were no exceptions. The Contract Record gives a rare look at ...what it took back in the 1900’s to 1910’s to erect such a structure in the era. Fortunately, with rare access at Exporail into the famed C.P.R. Heckman collection, it was discovered that Joseph Heckman actually had the early photographs from his 1901 visit of the original Woody’s in the file, along with photographs of the later steel replacements we all know today. The later photographs of the steel replacements would have been taken on one of his visits before retirement in 1916. One of the enduring mysteries, is both the location of the Hamilton Bridge Works Company’s Archives, and the Contract Record Archives. It has eluded many a historic detective, and we hope one day that one of the historic Rail Fan sleuths can uncover the mystery of the missing Archives. (On a side note, if you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of the original Woody beside the new steel trestle in the last picture on the second page) Have fun on the Rail Grade!

Designation change announcement to help manage the Columbia and Western Rail Grade Special Thanks to MLA Katrina Conroy, MLA Linda Larson, Rick Smith Area J, RDCK, Linda Worley Area B, RDKB, and Grace McGregor Area C, RDKB for their support with the successful Administration Change on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade. And a personal special thanks to Forest Minister Doug Donaldson and his staff for making it all come together and happen.... With the new Administration Change for the Rail Grade placing it into a Resource Road status, it helps provide a proper funding stream of money to maintain the major critical infrastructure, and keeps the Rail Grade open and functioning for all users, well into the future. The Administration Change also supports the 52 Residents, Farmers and Land Owners who also share the Rail Grade for access and Rural Development and finally puts the proper trained staff and managers in charge of the major Infrastructure. We look forward to continue working with our Industry Partners at the C.P.R, Interfor, Atco, BCTS, Teck, and the Chamber of Mines who already share the Rail Grade and have been a huge help in making the C&W Rail Grade a massive success in the community. Hopefully we see some more Administration Changes further down the Rail Grade to further improve and preserve the major infrastructure in the communities and improve the Rural Development for everyone. (Don't be afraid to ask you local MLA, it can happen for sure!) Thanks to everyone, and have fun on the Rail Grade! https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FLNR0042-001298

Flashback 48 years ago on the Columbia and Western. July, 1972 C.P. Extra 4065 East on the Midway Turn, Eastbound at Coryell, B.C. ... Stan Smaill set out early that day to photograph the Fairbanks-Morse Engines under load coming up Farron Hill. After hiking up the old Coryell trail from Highway 3B through the town-site of Gladstone to catch 4065 at Coryell with his camera, Stan then ran back down the mountain, quickly got in his truck, and was able to drive up the highway and photograph the same train at the Paulson Gap, catching 4065 coming out of the Paulson Tunnel, and also coming through the Paulson Snowshed. The Fairbanks-Morse Engines pictured were based out of the Nelson, B.C. shops and were made famous on both the C&W and KVR as the engine of choice for the C.P.R. in the era, for these rural B.C. mountain operations. Unique in Stan’s pictures, 4064 and 4065 were actually the only two U.S. Demonstrators built in the U.S., but shipped in pieces to Kingston, Ontario for assembly. The rest of the C.P. Fairbanks-Morse Engines were manufactured under licence in Kingston, Ontario. Stan Smaill was able to compile and record a lifetime of service with the C.P.R. across Canada, bearing witness to a bygone era, and making sure it was recorded, preserved and shared for generations to come. A very special thanks to Stan J. Smaill for his foresight to run the camera back in 1972 for all of us, and his contributions to the Columbia and Western Trail Society, and the many local Historical Archives across B.C.. Have fun on the Rail Grade!

A Familiar Face along the Columbia and Western One of the very familiar faces along the Columbia and Western near Castlegar, is the Captain G.O. Sutherland, owned and operated by one of our partners in the community, Interfor. Named in honor of Osbourne Sutherland, who was the oldest living Tugboat Captain on the Arrow Lakes when she was launched at Robson in July, 1971. At the time of launching in 1971, the Captain G.O. Sutherland was the most powerful inland tugboat in Brit...ish Columbia. Sporting two Caterpillar 365HP engines at the time of launch, she has a crew of 4 men, and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while underway. A normal run from the Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar to Shelter Bay just South of Revelstoke, is about 3 days up, and then 11 days loaded back down to the Hugh Keenleyside Dam. Capable of a maximum payload of about 1000 off highway loads of logs, and a tow length of three quarters of a mile long, she stops to load from approx. 11 different log dumps coming down. The Caption G.O. Sutherland will be 50 years old next year. Pictured now sporting her new colours after a $2 million re-fit and upgrade last year, including almost doubling the original Engine HP, she will continue to be a familiar face along the Columbia and Western Rail Grade, and Arrow Lakes for a long time to come. Have fun on the Rail Grade, and enjoy the show!!

Red Flag Notice, Black Bears on the Columbia and Western, Thursday, June 18th. Photographed again yesterday afternoon, a Black Bear Sow with 2 cubs has been seen multiple times along the Rail Grade around 3.5 km West of the Castlegar Pumphouse Gate by residents, quaders, and contractors in the same area over the past few days on a regular basis. The cubs are very young, definitely this years. ... We all see Back Bears very regularly along the C&W Rail Grade just about everywhere, but these particular bears have become a concern. The Sow is becoming very, very comfortable and complacent with living right along the Rail Grade which is exactly what she is doing for now. She is also very, very comfortable with everyone stopping to watch the circus show with the cubs running up and down the trees, and comfortably grazing right beside the vehicles or quads which is very surprising having the young cubs with her. It's also a bit concerning that she seems to have almost no fear or concern of any of the loud human noises along the Rail Grade and is not scared at all. This Red Flag Notice is being sent out warning everyone. It is very concerning with a Sow and cubs involved, any close encounters with them would be extremely dangerous. Walking, Hiking or Cycling is not recommend right now in the area approx 3.5 km West of the Pumphouse Gate Terminus at Castlegar on the Rail Grade. Although, the bears have not been seen below the Labarthe Tunnel, please be extra careful around the bottom 2 km past the Pumphouse Gate. Also, please be extra careful if you are quading or driving up the Columbia and Western Rail Grade. She is generally staying off on the side, but be careful. Stay safe on the Rail Grade!

Farron Gets The Grading Polish Job Again! Special thanks to Mercer, Interfor, B.C. Timber Sales, Sutco, B.C. Eco Chips, Glover Contracting, and Landmark Timber Services for their continuing support for the Columbia and Western Rail Grade. Running a bit late with the last frost coming out at the Farron Summit later than usual, and dodging allot of rainstorms, the annual grading polish job by our Industry Partners for the summer season turned out immaculate.... For the past 3 years, we have started sharing the C&W Rail Grade with our Industry Partners in the community who also use the Rail Grade during the winter months, and fortunately also permit us all to share their Private Lands to access and enjoy the C&W Rail Grade. The maintenance and improvements to the critical infrastructure on the C&W Rail Grade done by our Industry Partners, has gone a long way to restoring and preserving the C&W Rail Grade, and making sure everyone can enjoy the treasure for a long time to come. The partnership with these community allies on the C&W Rail Grade is second to none. We thank them for making the little extra effort to make it happen for everyone in the community. Thanks, And stay safe on the Columbia and Western Rail Grade!

Updated Red Flag Notice, Grizzly Bears on the Columbia and Western, Friday, May 22 Photographed approx 3 km East of Farron near Porcupine Creek, the Grizzly Bear Sow with 3 cubs have continued to roam on the Rail Grade on a regular basis. They have been reported multiple times by residents, quaders, and contractors on the Rail Grade over the last week. The second Grizzly Bear Sow with cubs roaming in and around the Bulldog Tunnel area has also been seen multiple times just o...ff the Rail Grade in the logging cut blocks along the side of the Rail Grade, and between 23 km and 26 km on the Bulldog Forest Service Road mainline. They have also been spotted very close to the houses down below, and all of the residents have been warned. Allot of attention has been paid to the Grizzly Bears, but there have also been multiple sightings of black bears, including one seen several times at the McCormack Trestle in the past few days. This Updated Red Flag Notice is being sent out warning everyone. Walking, Hiking or Cycling is not recommend right now between the McCormack Trestle and Paulson on the Rail Grade. And also not recommended between 20 km and 26 km on the Bulldog Forest Service Road Mainline and the Dog Creek Forest Service Road from 0 km at Paulson, all the way to 13 km on the Mainline. Please be extra careful if you are quading or driving up the Columbia and Western Rail Grade or adjacent Forest Service Roads. Everyone has been alerted, and will be watching closely. Hopefully the animals will move on sooner than later. Stay safe everyone.

Renata B.C. is one of the great venues offered along the Columbia and Western Rail Grade. It's accessed off the Bulldog Tunnel, with a trip over the old Forestry lookout. The stop on the beach at Renata is quite a sight. The old Renata Graveyard on the beach is really unusual. When B.C. Hydro flooded the Arrow Reservoir, most of the graveyards along the way were dug up and moved; with the exception of Renata. B.C. Hydro made the decision, and actually poured a concrete lid o...ver the entire graveyard, and left everything in place. The memorial monument today actually sticks out even during high water. Even more interesting is the plaque on the memorial. The mortality rate for the young in rural Canada in that era is almost shocking and unthinkable by todays standards. Have a look through this epic journey these guys took on Brian's post. It's worth a trip to see it. Stay safe everyone!

Updated Red Flag Notice, Grizzly Bears on the Columbia and Western, Wednesday, May 13th. Photographed this afternoon, the Grizzly Bear Sow with 3 cubs have continued to roam on the Rail Grade, East from the Bulldog Tunnel (the Castlegar side) and spotted down as far as 2 km West of Coykendalh. They have been seen and reported multiple times by residents, quaders, and contractors on the Rail Grade over the past few days. They have also been reported multiple times on the Bulld...og Forest Service Road between 22 km and 25 km on the Bulldog mainline also over the past few days. As pictured, these 3 cubs are significantly bigger than the other Bears near Farron and Paulson. The second Grizzly Bear Sow with cubs roaming in and around Farron and Paulson have also been reported multiple times over recent days. They were last spotted two days ago approx 2 km East of Farron on the Rail Grade, but have also been seen by the contractors working on the Dog Creek Forest Service Road multiple times over the recent days. This Updated Red Flag Notice is being sent out warning everyone. It is very concerning with Sow and cubs involved, any close encounters with them would be extremely dangerous. Walking, Hiking or Cycling is not recommend right now between the Cub Creek Trestle and Paulson on the Rail Grade. And also not recommended between 20 km and 25 km on the new branches on Bulldog Forest Service Road, and between 20 km and 24 km on the Bulldog Forest Service Mainline and the Dog Creek Forest Service Road from 0 km at Paulson, all the way to 13 km on the Mainline. Please be extra careful if you are quading or driving up the Columbia and Western Rail Grade or adjacent Forest Service Roads. Everyone has been alerted, and will be watching closely. Hopefully the animals will move on sooner than later. Stay safe everyone.