The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society has a monumental goal of returning the #2141 steam locomotive to operating condition and offering a world-class hospitality experience in downtown Kamloops and along CN Rail’s Okanagan Subdivision, between the communities of Kamloops and Vernon, British Columbia. Meeting this goal would create one of the world's longest and most authentic steam-powered rail excursions, connecting multiple communities, boosting the economy, and creating memories which would last a lifetime.
Our Mission
To connect the past to the present through the steam of the #2141 locomotive
The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society is committed to honouring tradition and history, while celebrating the future by marrying the past and present. With our steam-powered time machine, we will offer an immersive heritage experience, perfectly balanced with the comforts of modern day travel.
Our Vision
To establish a world-class hospitality experience
The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society will create one of the most captivating and memorable steam-powered rail experiences on the globe, connecting people and places via steam and steel. The “Golden Age of Rail Travel” will come back-to-life with our dedicated white-glove service, opulent passenger cars, and awe inspiring scenery.
Our Strategic Priorities
The key areas of focus identified by the board of directors for 2025 through 2029 are:
STRENGTH We will develop a solid organizational structure, ensuring our sustainability. CONNECTION We will build strategic relationships that create solutions in collaborative and effective ways. GROWTH We will be innovative, increasing our value and relevance to our community.
Although a project of enormous proportions, our goals can be accomplished through three main objectives:
Reactivate the #2141 steam locomotive and heritage train fleet
Build connections and secure tracktime
Provide memorable experiences and continue to grow
May 2024
A new Kamloops Heritage Railway Board of Directors is established.
June 2024
Business relationships and partnerships are formed and strengthened.
July 2024
Kamloops Heritage Railway hires an Interim Leader of Railway Development.
August 2024
Kamloops Heritage Railway passenger equipment is inspected, necessary upgrades are underway.
September 2024
A new strong strategic and tactical plan is created, guiding the organization towards success.
October 2024
The Kamloops Heritage Railway maintenance facility is prepared to meet all modern safety standards.
November 2024
The community is engaged and Kamloops Heritage Railway wins “Parade Star” at the Kamloops Santa Parade.
December 2024
Plans to perform a nondestructive test of the #2141’s steam boiler are ready to be activated. Other maintenance plans are established.
January 2025
The #2141 is prepared for nondestructive testing. This includes removal of the locomotive's boiler jacket, boiler insulation, and all other mechanical components necessary to proceed with testing. Other locomotive maintenance is underway.
February 2025
The City of Kamloops, CN Rail, and other stakeholders visit #2141 in the KHR maintenance facility and witness the locomotive reactivation process.
March 2025
Kamloops Heritage Railway contracts Westside InspectionandNDT based in Kelowna to perform #2141 boiler inspections.
April 2025
Westside Inspection and NDT performs laser cleaning, magnetic particle testing, and ultrasonic testing on the #2141 steam boiler.
May 2025
Mechanical engineers and inspectors assess results, #2141 shows to be in excellent shape. Minor repair and hydrostatic testing plans are activated.
June 2025
The #2141 steam locomotive is pressure tested and moved outside of the KHR Backshop for the first time in nearly six years.
July 2025
Terri Axani is hired as Kamloops Heritage Railway's Executive Director.
January 2026
Repairs to the firebox will begin early next month. Work to be completed by Westside Inspection.
February 2026
Work began to repair and recertify our beloved #2141 Spirit of Kamloops.
March 2026
We welcomed our coaches #402 and #403 back from the CN maintenance yard.
April 2026
Engine Update: Our #2141 engine repairs are ongoing, with our team of professionals reviewing scan data and planning the next steps for repair and modifications.
May 2026
All Aboard With Mom for a Heritage High Tea was a great success and our AGM was held May 19.
June 2026
Engine analysis continues as we get closer to recertification. Dad's On Track open house is happening June 20.
The #2141 “Spirit of Kamloops” steam locomotive must undergo a thorough nondestructive (NDT) test before returning to active service. This test includes removal of the steam boiler’s cladding (jacket) and insulation, exposing the boiler for testing. This NDT testing will be performed by a certified engineering company.
The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society, with Thompson Rivers University, hopes to educate future generations on the process of testing and operating #2141. Students will have a unique opportunity to learn from this project, as succession of steam and railway related skills are the only way to keep #2141 operating.
The Kamloops Heritage Railway Society is confident boiler NDT test results will come back positive, giving #2141 a clean bill of health. Once complete, the locomotive will be reassembled and more in-depth operational tests and rail-tour planning will begin.
The estimated cost of the 1st inspection is $70,000cad and will take approximately two months to complete. Kamloops Heritage Railway has a goal of completing this inspection by May 2025.
The #2141 inspection is a tremendous endeavor, completing the inspection and reactivating the #2141 will only be possible with your support.
The #406 “Georgian Bay” parlour solarium (ex-CNR #406 “Georgian Bay”/ ex-CNR #577 “Lake Couchiching” / ex-VIA #4893) was built for the Canadian National Railway’s “Confederation Train” by Canadian Car & Foundry in 1930.
The “Confederation Train” was a first-class transcontinental train that operated from 1928 to 1931. By 1931, the great depression had sharply reduced passenger loads for the CNR and service was ended. The car began its life as a parlour solarium and was the epitome of luxury as it contained an opulent lounge area, a buffet, a barbershop, a bathroom with exercise equipment, and even a long-distance radio.
In 1936, the car was rebuilt and air-conditioning was added, making the car even more luxurious. With this rebuild, the car was renamed from “Georgian Bay” to “Lake Couchiching” and became CNR #577. In 1966, the car was rebuilt again and became a CN club car, the car's roofline was altered and the original clerestory roof was covered to match other “streamlined” cars of the era. CN placed the new club car in Corridor and Rapido service around the Toronto area.
In 1976, the car became part of the VIA Rail fleet and continued working in Corridor service until 1982 when the interior was reconfigured to a 62 seat coach car and renumbered VIA Rail #4893. The main reason for rebuilding and retaining this car was its electro-mechanical air conditioning, other older cars had “old style ice-block” air conditioning and would have been scrapped.
The #406 “Georgian Bay” was part of a group of only six cars of this classification constructed in 1930. Today, she is the only survivor of her class, making her a valuable and one-of-a-kind piece of equipment at Kamloops Heritage Railway.
The Kamloops Heritage Railway is committed to honouring this unique piece of railway heritage by completely restoring the #406 to her 1930’s original condition. This restoration has been quoted at $350,000cad and will only be possible with the generous contributions of the public and investors. If you’d like to support the revival of this legendary car, please donate here:
