Kamloops Heritage Railway still on track to operate rail tour using 2141 steam locomotive

Popadynetz says KFR is hoping to begin those short trips in Kamloops later this year, possibly by the holiday season, thought that is not yet a guarantee.

“My goal is to have guests back on board by this fall or this holiday season within downtown Kamloops,” he added. “We’ve got about 2,000 feet of track downtown and that will be our stepping stones.”

The 113-year old steam engine has been undergoing testing and inspections for the past several months, and Popadynetz says the hope is to have it fully recertified by July. Earlier this month, the locomotive dubbed the Spirit of Kamloops emerged from storage for the first time in nearly six years.

“This whole project really is stepping stones,” Popadynetz said. “It’s first and foremost get the locomotive going, then get some guests on board, get the income coming in again, and then of course more conversations with CN to get on that trackage out into the Armstrong-Vernon area again.”

Built in 1912 — the same year the Titanic sank — the 2141 steam locomotive was retired from active duty in 1958. It was set to be scrapped before it was acquired by the City of Kamloops in 1961. For nearly three decades, it was displayed at Riverside Park as a giant playground piece and symbol of the city’s connection to the railway.

The locomotive then underwent a lengthy restoration process in the 1990s and in 2002 began offering rail tours for Halloween as well as for Christmas. Those efforts were later derailed first by COVID-19 and then due to a lack of available track time.

Popadynetz estimated its already been months of “blood, sweat, tears and passion” to get to this point, noting the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society is still working to get the locomotive back on the track.

“It’ll be quite a monumental moment for KHR, for our society and for the community as well,” he added.

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops Heritage Railway still on track to operate rail tour using 2141 steam locomotive

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