To the mainland! - 1961
The City of Kamloops acquired Canadian National Railway’s steam locomotive #2141 on October 29, 1961. T.A. Mainprize, CNR Area Operation Manager from Vancouver, had the locomotive moved from Vancouver Island and presented it on behalf of Canadian National Railway Company to Kamloops Mayor Jack Fitzwater in a ceremony at Riverside Park. The purchase of the locomotive for $2,000.00 was a result of three years of efforts by Mayor Fitzwater to secure the locomotive, as a commemorative piece representing the railway’s monumental role in building Kamloops. #2141 would have otherwise been demolished on Vancouver Island.
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Sunny days at Riverside Park - 1961 to 1994
Steam locomotive #2141 sat idle on display in Riverside Park for thirty-three years and was maintained by the City of Kamloops’ parks division. Generations of visitors and Kamloops children played on the big engine, sitting in the cab and pretending to thunder down the tracks. The #2141 at Riverside Park would become the city’s darling play-toy, the perfect beach-towel drying-rack, and a true symbol of Kamloops’ deep connection to the CPR and CNR.
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Alberta bound? - 1993
In 1993, the City of Kamloops was approached by a private enterprise seeking to restore and operate a steam locomotive to pull a tourist train in Alberta. When news of this was circulated to special interest groups associated with railroading, an emergency meeting was held to explore ways to keep the #2141 in Kamloops. Enough interest was shown that the city decided to keep the locomotive and asked that the group of interested citizens find a way of maintaining the locomotive at its static display location. During discussions at subsequent meetings, talks of restoring the locomotive to operating condition were posed. Subsequent inspection of the boiler revealed that it was in remarkably good condition and was suitable for operation once again. The #2141’s long hot days and cold winter nights in Riverside Park were numbered.
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Prepare the cranes! - 1994
In February of 1994, the “#2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society” was formed to restore and operate the steam locomotive on behalf of the City of Kamloops. Large cranes and trucks made an appearance at Riverside Park to lift #2141 from her waterfront section of track. After thirty-three years of weather and vandalism, #2141 was on-route to her new temporary home located on River Street in Kamloops. Crowds of Kamloops residents lined the streets to bid the locomotive a “see you soon!”
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Blood, sweat, and tears - 1994 to 2002
For eight years, and over a period of 120,000 volunteer hours, dedicated individuals of all ages and talents would passionately restore the #2141 steam locomotive. Simultaneously, focused work began on a business plan that would guide the society through a transition from a restoration project to an operating railtour business. The “2141 Steam Locomotive Restoration Society” would legally change its name to “Kamloops Heritage Railway Society” as it looked to future operations. Kamloops Heritage Railway Society and CN Rail collaboratively began planning to operate a rare steam-powered passenger train on 105-territory track within the city limits. With CN Rail onboard, a three-phase business plan was presented to the City of Kamloops. The Mayor and City Council approved of the plans, provided necessary funding to start operations, and graciously constructed a new 5000 square foot building at Pioneer Park to house and maintain the #2141. Just as everything was coming together, the #2141 was reunited with her original brass bell and whistle, which were stolen from her during her tenure in Riverside Park. The restoration was complete.
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Full steam ahead! - 2002
Under her own steam power for the first time since 1958, the #2141 would navigate 2,000 feet of track and switches as she made her way to her new home at Pioneer Park. Construction of open-air car #301 began, and the circa 1930 #406 passenger coach would be restored and readied for service. The railway now had a complete train. A few months later, the Kamloops Heritage Railway would carry its first passengers on the “Spirit of Kamloops” railtour. In its inaugural season, the train carried over 10,400 passengers on 96 trips. The train operated on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays offering three trips a day. These trips were 1 ½ hrs in length and included a Bill Miner Train Robbery reenactment. An iconic attraction was born and #2141’s whistle would become a beloved sound of summer weekends in Kamloops.
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Growing into the future - 2003
With the ever popular “Spirit of Kamloops” summer railtour selling-out, the Kamloops Heritage Railway would begin construction of a second open-air car #302 and acquire Cafe Lounge car #402. With more capacity and the seasons changing, the railway would launch its “Christmas Lights Railtour.” The #2141’s steam was illuminated by thousands of Christmas lights and the train would travel to historic St. Joseph’s Church to pick up Santa Claus and the Elves. Six departures with festive celebrations, carollers, and hot chocolate ran to capacity and continued to create cherished memories within the community for years to come. The "Ghost Train" would become another iconic rail-tour, completing the menu of excursions offered by Kamloops Heritage Railway.
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Venturing onto the mainline - 2004
With the new business plan successfully guiding the Kamloops Heritage Railway into the future, ongoing conversations surrounding operations on the mainline continued with CN Rail. After years of negotiations, the Kamloops Heritage Railway and the #2141 would gain their chance to operate on the mainline. On August 1st, 2004, with an extra Rocky Mountaineer coach attached, a sold-out Kamloops Heritage Railway train would leave its regular 6-mile trip behind and embark on a 36-mile round-trip from downtown Kamloops to Vinsulla, BC. Winding its way past farms and ranches, the heritage train was often visible to those travelling along the Yellowhead Highway. Waves and smiles were exchanged between onlookers and passengers as the whistle triumphantly blew. #2141 was operating again on the mainline, for the first time in 46 years. It was only the appetizer for what lay ahead for Kamloops Heritage Railway.
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Over the mountain, to Armstrong! - 2005 to 2008
After a successful excursion on the mainline, Kamloops Heritage Railway would set their sights on an even longer trip. With approval from the Kelowna Pacific Railway, the #2141 would successfully navigate a not-so-secret test run from Kamloops to Armstrong, BC. To expand the train’s capacity further, three more coaches were obtained, the #403, #404, and #405 - the “Armstrong Explorer” was ready to roll. This 115-mile round-trip featured spectacular scenery viewed from the comfort of restored coaches, the cafe lounge car and the open-air cars. Passengers enjoyed the sights and sounds of the #2141 as she climbed the 2% grade out of Campbell Creek, travelled through a 493-foot tunnel, and steamed around a unique horseshoe curve. The summit of the line would finally be reached at 2,266 ft in elevation at Monte Lake, just over 16 miles from the Campbell Creek departure point. By this time, the #2141 was in need of water, which she was lovingly provided by a local farmer through his irrigation system. After replenishing the water tender, she travelled onwards along the steep sides of Moffat Mountain. Majestic scenic vistas continued as the train climbed to reach O'Keefe and the final highway crossing. The Armstrong Explorer would begin its sharp descent into Armstrong and the Okanagan basin. Passengers de-trained and spent an enjoyable two hours exploring Armstrong, getting a bite to eat, and admiring the #2141 with curious onlookers. The #2141 and her crew would rest before beginning the 4 ½ hr trip back to Kamloops. The Armstrong Explorer became one of the most breathtaking steam powered rail excursions in North America and was often sold-out with visitors onboard from around the world.
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She’s a movie star I tell ya’ - 2009
The Kamloops Heritage Railway would hit the big screen after being approached by Mainland Productions Limited to secure use of the #2141 steam locomotive and open-air cars #301 and #302 for the creation of a full-length movie called “Iron Road.” The production, which was a treaty co-production between Canada and the People’s Republic of China was a historical drama which revolved around the building of the railroad through the Canadian Rockies in the late 1880’s. Starring Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill, it was filmed in both China and the interior of British Columbia. #2141 was disguised as #238 and featured the addition of a “movie-prop” wood-burning smokestack, ornate headlight, and large 1800’s style cowcatcher. The two open-air cars were disguised as vintage wooden passenger cars. The movie would air in 2009 and would set the stage for #2141 to be utilized in future productions, with the guidance of the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission.
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Into the shop, a rest - 2013 to 2014
After years of successful operations, the Kamloops Heritage Railway would undertake the task of completing the #2141’s fifteen-year rebuild mandated by safety and governing bodies. The City of Kamloops provided a grant and the “#2141 Save our Steam Engine” campaign began. After raising the necessary funding, work began on the #2141 locomotive and this included a full inspection of the locomotive’s boiler, new boiler tubes, new firebox bricks, and much more. The entire endeavor would cost $300,000 and see the #2141 parked for two full operating seasons. While the #2141 was parked, the entire fleet of passenger equipment was repainted and maintained, ensuring the train returned in 2015 looking and feeling its best.
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Back on track - 2015
With the necessary maintenance complete and boiler tests passed, the #2141 returned to the rails in the summer of 2015. The lonesome whistle which had been missed in the community for two years, would return to downtown Kamloops and echo off the hills throughout the summer, fall, and winter operating seasons. The train would steam back into the hearts of Kamloops residents and visitors from around the globe. The Kamloops Heritage Railway was back on track!
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Who says time travel doesn't exist? - 2016 to 2019
Aided by social media and the hard work of dedicated staff and volunteers, the Kamloops Heritage Railway would experience some of the most successful operating seasons since the early 2000’s. The #2141 went digital, and news of an operating “time machine” would spread throughout the tourism industry. The summer “Spirit of Kamloops”, fall “Ghost Train”, and winter “Spirit of Christmas” railtours were often full to capacity, seeing anywhere from 200 to 400 passengers per train, depending on the train cars utilized. Trips were so popular that additional railtours were added to the time table - the “Sip & Steam Wine Train” , “Beer n’ Blues Cruise”, and “Trick or Treat Train” completed the menu of Kamloops Heritage Railway experiences. There was a tremendous amount of support from the local community and relationships blossomed with partners and stakeholders. A visit from the BBC seen #2141 showcased on “Great American Railroad Journeys” - nothing was stopping Kamloops Heritage Railway and the “good times” were rolling!
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Covid and Coal - 2020
With the covid-19 pandemic strangling tourism and travel around the world, the #2141 was parked in the Kamloops Heritage Railway shop awaiting the future and an opportunity to operate again. Simultaneously, a coal shipping agreement was reached with CP and CN Rail which seen the track #2141 primarily operated on, become too congested to accommodate the veteran steam locomotive and heritage coaches. Together with CN Rail, dedicated staff and volunteers identified an alternate route for the Kamloops Heritage Railway to operate on, but the grips of world-wide pandemic would continue to dampen any hope of a flame returning to #2141’s firebox.
Memorable Museum - 2021 to 2024
As the pandemic continued, the Kamloops Heritage Railway began the process of creating a heritage park and museum for visitors and residents of Kamloops to enjoy. The shift from on-rail experiences to static experiences even included moving a heavyweight passenger car, wooden caboose, cattle car, and rescued CN snow plough onto the lands surrounding Pioneer Park and the Kamloops Heritage Railway maintenance facility. The Kamloops Heritage Railway would survive as a museum, until a tangible opportunity to operate the historic #2141 would reveal itself.
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