>>Blessed with an
abundance of sunshine,
sprawling orchards
and vast vineyards the
Okanagan Valley in the
heart of British Columbia
has plenty to offer.
Yet, there is another star
attraction that because it
operates above the valley
floor, you often hear it
well before it is seen.
Each year thousands are
drawn to the Kettle Valley
Steam Railway not only
for its history but to
experience first hand the
majesty and raw power of
the last fully operational
steam locomotive in Canada.
(Ron Restric) Well, we
like to say ah, the
3716 and the train itself,
is history in motion.
And , for our guests
that come up here,
it's a multidimensional
experience. Now, what we
are finding is that, a lot
of people that are now in
their 60's and 70's, and
80's, remember as children
riding steam trains
ah you know through the
farming communities. And
they turn around and they
bring their grandkids up
here. And people also come
up here for the scenery,
they come up for the
music, they come up for
the train robberies, so
that's why we have a
multidimensional experience.
>>Located in Summerland
BC, the Kettle Valley
Steam Railway began
operating as a heritage
railway in September of
1995. Its primary mission
then remains the same today,
to preserve a significant
piece of Canadian rail
history dating back to 1910.
(Ron)The railway initially
was built by the CPR
as a short line, and
ah, Lord Shaughnessy
had contracted to
Andrew McCulloch, the
chief engineer, to come
in and survey ah the area
of the Okanagan for accessible
routes to put in a rail line.
It was a very difficult
terrain but ah, they
continued to put the
line through and
through very hazardous areas.
And there was a lot of bridges
that had to be built and
ah, rocks to be blasted,
tunnels to be put in.
>>What became known as
McCulloch's Wonder, it would
take 5 years to complete.
Finally, in 1915 the 325
mile Kettle Valley Railway
would celebrate the start
of what would be more than
a 70 year run as a vital
link between BC's Okanagan
Valley and distant markets
east and west. Gradually
though, due to advances in
transportation and high
operating costs the Canadian
Pacific Railway decided to cease
operation of the KVR in 1989.
(Ron) Well, when
the CPR decided
to shut down the Kettle Valley
Railway, as it was known,
there were visionaries
in Sommerland
who felt that this would
be an opportune moment to
ah, at least preserve a
section of the railway.
There was an original
society that was formed
the later part of 1995. And they
struggled because they didn't
have any equipment. And
another society was formed,
which is known as the Kettle
Valley Railway Society in 1998,
and it has been the caretaker
of a legacy that ah,
we are very proud of.
>>Utilizing ten miles of
the original KVR line the
Kettle Valley Steam
Railway early on operated
with a loaner locomotive
and 2 passenger coaches.
In 2003 the railway would
get a major face lift when
it successfully petitioned
the provincial government
for a prized steam locomotive
... The Consolidation 3716
(Robin Forbes)
Well it was built
in 1912 by the Montreal
Motor Locomotive Works. It
was ordered by the
CPR mainly for hauling
freight. Ah it worked most
of its life in the west,
Winnipeg west into the
Kootneys. Originally built
as a coal burner it was
converted into an oil burner
in the mid to late 40's. Its
quite a thrill to be in control
of this much power. There's
really no experience like it.
>>Renamed the Spirit of
Summerlandî in 2010 the
century old 3716, with all
its bells and whistles is
a crowd favorite. Yet, by
no means is it the only
feature that makes a ride
on the Kettle Valley Steam
Railway so enjoyable.
(Ron) Ah we do follow
the sides of the mountain
through Prairie Valley, so
you're looking down on the
Valley itself and most of
the valley now is being
converted over into wineries.
And it looks very beautiful.
And of course it's
those other things,
the sound of the engine,
the whistle, ah
the click clack of the wheels.
(making train whistle sounds).
The other thing too
that we hear is
ah, we love the staff and
volunteers. You know, when
people come up here and
they ask us questions, I
think that, that is
the light switch for us.
Because we believe in what we
do, and we are story tellers.
Sometimes we embellish
a bit to make it
more interesting, but then
that's part of the fun.
>>Something else that makes the
Kettle Valley Steam Railway fun
are the special event trains
it features at various times
throughout the year. By
far the most popular,
is one that brings alive a
slice of the Wild West.
(Ron) Ah, the
Garner Valley Gang
is a nonprofit organization
such as we are. 
The Garner Valley
actually robs our train
(ìHe didn't pay up.) we also
have our dancehall
girls and a sheriff on
board when this takes
place. And it's, a very
exciting time. They come
ah riding out of nowhere
firing their guns and the
train stops and the
robbers board, and they
start cleaning out everybody's
pockets, And so itís memorable.
That is followed by a barbeque
and the food is fabulous.
>>On average the Kettle
Valley Steam Railway
plays host to nearly
30 thousand people
from around the world.
To stay on track
and keep them coming Ron
Restrick and his staff
have perfected a simple
formula. It starts with
good old fashion hospitality
that is then cleverly blended
with the thrills of riding
an authentic steam train
so that by journey's end no
one goes home disappointed.
(Ron) We, hope that they
feel that they have learned
something or relived something,
and ah, we know that happens.
But more importantly,
we want them
to think of us as
something that they would
recommend to their friends.
That is the highest form
of flattery for us.
