By chance, in June VIA Rail’s aborting our Canadian transcontinental trip in Winnipeg worked out well for us. The Canadian Rockies were full of glorious fall colors in late October that we wouldn’t have experienced in late June. And, we had added some days to Banff & Lake Louise. We couldn’t add days to Jasper or Kamloops as we were locked into the Rocky Mountaineer’s schedule. We were on the final excursion of the season.
“Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge invites you to experience the remote beauty of the Canadian Rockies, where 700 acres of pristine wilderness unfold within a designated Dark Sky Preserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Unfortunately we got to experience little of that as we arrived late & had to leave early for our Rocky Mountaineer connections.
Dinner at Elderwood in the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The gnocchi came with this grilled corn that was shaved off the cob. Delish. This was the second time we encountered this style of prepared corn in Canada.
As seen from our early morning breakfast table at the Elderwood in the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge concierge reception area. This looks like a scene from a decorator showcase or interior design show.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge; our bedroom. We were treated to an upgrade but couldn’t really appreciate it because of our short stay.
I once had British officers chairs like these. Instead of leather, they had canvas for the seat & back.
At 8:00 AM the Jasper Train Station, a terminus for Rocky Mountaineer’s Journey Through the Clouds that we would shortly be boarding.
Connaught Dr. downtown Jasper across from the train station.
All aboard The Rocky Mountaineer’s “Journey Through the Clouds.”
In the Alberta provincial flag, “The shield represents the natural resources and beauty of the varied Alberta landscape: the Rocky Mountains and their foothills, the grass prairies, and the cultivated wheat fields. St George's Cross is an allusion to the arms of the Hudson's Bay Company, which once asserted exclusive trading rights in what is now Alberta.”
Today we’d be leaving Alberta & entering British Columbia (BC).
Jasper Train Station.
An assemblage of some The Rocky Mountaineer’s “Journey Through the Clouds” items.
The locomotive pulling us had a two stroke, 16 cylinder 3000 hp diesel engine. Its weight on the rails was about 265,000 pounds.
Dinning car. Our skydome seats were directly above.
A Jasper Train Station yard, a locomotive waiting for a work assignment.
A very civilized way to start the journey, with a mimosa. The CANADIAN Route Guide Toronto to Vancouver is from our VIA r.r. trip from Montoc to its unexpected termination in Winnipeg.
Yellowhead Pass? Jasper Nat'l Park, marking the boundary betweem Alberta & British Columbia, (BC).
I’m guessing. We were given a very detailed map of our route in the Rocky Mountaineer Milepost with mile posts & more.
Once again I’m guessing, based on time elapsed since departing the station. The Rocky Mountaineer Milepost was very detailed but if I looked down to read, I would miss something out the window. Some places I knew for sure as they were announced in advance of our approach & the train slowed down for viewing.
Yellowhead Pass Jasper Nat'l Park is one of the lowest points along the Continental Divide.
I think Mt. Robson? Jasper Nat'l Park.
If so, at 3,954 m (12,972 ft) to the summit, “Mount Robson is… the highest point in the Canadian Rockies.”
Early on I discovered the viewing platform & learned to dress warmly to be on it.
We were at the back end of the skydome car about where Adam, one of our On Board Hosts, is standing . The front was empty as the folks in that half had gone down for breakfast.
Crossing the Fraser River. We sometimes followed this river, the longest in B.C. It’s “world-renowned for its salmon.”
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"In later years, the line was rerouted to eliminate the sharp curve on which the disaster took place."…more on that coming up.
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From the viewing platform; Moose Lake. "There is a yearly Walleye tournament in the lake..."
Canoe River Crossing.
Canoe River Crossing.
Canoe River Crossing.
"The Canoe River train crash occurred on November 21, 1950, near Valemount in eastern British Columbia, Canada, when a westbound troop train and the eastbound Canadian National Railway (CNR) Continental Limited collided head-on. The collision killed 21 people: 17 Canadian soldiers en route to the Korean War and the two-man locomotive crew of each train."
"The post-crash investigation found that the order given to the troop train differed from the intended message. Crucial words were missing, causing the troop train to proceed on its way rather than halt on a siding, resulting in the collision."
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Must be the N. Thompson River in Albreda.
As of 2021 "Kansas City Southern de México" (KCSM) is now a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway through its parent company, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited." “…the only -single line railway to connect Canada, the U.S. & Mexico.”
Passing freight train. It wasn’t easy to time these photos.
“Canada’s first continental railway, Canadian Pacific …is now primarily a freight railway.”
Passing freight train.
Passing freight train.
Passing freight train.
Lunch with a local beer.
"Pyramid Falls is located in Pyramid Creek Falls Provincial Park, west of Jasper National Park, where Pyramid Creek tumbles from a hanging valley into the North Thompson River...
... It’s fed by glacial meltwater and is surrounded by old‑growth cedar forests. The falls are so remote that there is no road or trail access — the only way to see them up close is from the train."
They slowed the train to almost a standstill here.
In Alberta & B.C. the railway had long sidings. We didn’t have to wait forever for frieght trains like when we were on VIA. We passed each other reasonably quickly.
Outside it suddenly looked very yellow.
And it was raining yellow leaves.
Avola, BC.
Abandoned telegraph pole.
N. Thompson River.
N. Thompson River crossing.
N. Thompson River.
N. Thompson River crossing.
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We were told this story about Vavenby, British Columbia as we clickety-clacked past.. "In 1910, the original postmaster Daubney Pridgeon suggested that the settlement be named after his birthplace the town of Navenby in England...
"...but the postal authorities misread his handwriting and the settlement was named Vavenby." Vavenby, British Columbia.
"Do not rely on Vavenby for fuel, groceries, lodging or visitor information unless you have confirmed a specific local stop." Vavenby, British Columbia.
"The economy in the community continues to heavily reflect that of the lumber industry. The two mills Weyerhaeuser and Slocan-Canfor were positioned side by side on the north side of the river until, in 2002, Weyerhaeuser shut down its Vavenby operation choosing to focus on other locations in western Canada.”
“This resulted in a significant depletion of employment in the region and a rapid population reduction." Vavenby, British Columbia.
"The community is small and service-limited, but it gives travellers a clear look at the valley pattern: river flats, rail line, forested slopes, forestry history and the approach to Wells Gray Country."
Vavenby, British Columbia.
Vavenby, British Columbia.
The rancher here keeps that waterspout going to keep the pond's fish fresh.
Vavenby, British Columbia.
This beautiful log cabin looks new, from a distance. Vavenby, British Columbia.
Vavenby, British Columbia.
N. Thompson River. I wondered if people canoed or kayaked down the river to Vancouver. Here it looks nice but further south rapids get pretty nasty
I was on the platform as we had slowed down considerably on a siding. I knew that likely meant a northbound freight train was coming by. I patiently waited..
…and…
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Yee hah!
Chinook Cove. Nearing Kamloops, B.C. (about 70 km).
"WE'RE HIRING!"
Outskirts of Kamloops.
Northwest Used Auto Parts of Kamloops, Outskirts of Kamloops, Barriere, BC.
"EAGLE ROCK RANCH' was probably the yellow school bus’ last destination.
Woodco Industries, Ltd., Barriere, BC
Woodco Industries, Ltd., Barriere, BC
Barriere, BC
"Tolko Industries Ltd. is a privately owned, family‑owned Canadian forest products company." Barriere, BC
Gilbert Smith Forest Products. Ltd., a multi-generational family-run business "Specialty Products Since 1955." Barriere, BC
Barriere, BC
Barriere, BC
Suburb of Kamloops, BC.
Kamloops Indian Reserve no. 1, North Kamloops, B.C.
"As of February 2024, the band has 1,550 members living on and off its 33,150-acre (134.2 km2) reserve. It has active language and cultural programs and its Skʼelep School of Excellence is one of the largest First Nations elementary schools in British Columbia (Skʼelep is the Shuswap language name for 'the Trickster', Coyote)."
Our stop for the night. Kamloops Train Siding at 525 CN Road, just outside downtown Kamloops, B.C.
Entering Kamloops, BC on our way to our night’s lodgings.
“Kamloops is known as ‘Canada’s Tournament Capital,’ hosting over 100 sports events annually across multiple disciplines.”
”Kamloops is near major highways and rail lines, making it accessible for teams and spectators from across Western Canada. Its dry, sunny climate (over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually) allows for predictable outdoor events and extended sports seasons.”
https://www.kamloops.ca/recreation-culture/facility-parks-sports-fields
"CAUTION Bighorn Sheep next 2km." downtown Kamloops, B.C.
DOCTOR LOVE & the PARAMOUNT across the street from Delta Hotels Kamloops, our hotel in downtown Kamloops, BC. @ 6:50 AM.
“CAUTION Bighorn Sheep next 2km.” Returning to the Rocky Mountaineer. Kamloops, B.C.
Approaching the Rocky Mountaineer for our long, all day Rocky Mountaineer Kamloops to Vancouver run.
“Recouver in Vancouver”