You’ve never seen Canadian history like this

Nearing Lytton, B.C., Cisco Crossing is historically important for rail fans: it’s where Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railroad tracks exchange sides and cross the Fraser River. There are two bridges here, an orange truss arch bridge and another black cantilever bridge. It’s an exciting experience and great photo op for rail passengers when and if two trains happen to cross at the same time.

Built in 1979, Horseshoe Curve, located northwest of Salmon Arm, B.C., is an engineering feat that’s also best experienced by train. It was designed to lessen the grade up Notch Hill, which spans 235 degrees. At its narrowest, the tracks are only 160 metres apart, so if a train is long enough, the front passes by the rear — making for great photos.

Another landmark is Craigellachie (located in the B.C. locality of the same name) where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven home in 1885. This was no easy feat: the tracks had to cross a mountain range that stretched more than 965 kilometres to reach the West Coast. Despite myriad obstacles, the railway was completed more than four years ahead of schedule — and united a country.

One of the most amazing examples of rail history is the Spiral Tunnels, a century-old engineering feat that also served to connect the nation from east to west. The tunnels, east of Field, B.C., were drilled into two separate mountains so trains could negotiate Kicking Horse Pass — previously, trains had to climb 330 metres in just 16 kilometres. The upper tunnel extends 991 metres and turns 250 degrees, while the lower tunnel extends 891 metres and turns 230 degrees. The project began in 1907; at the time, it was considered one of the most ambitious tunnelling projects ever attempted and required the efforts of 1,000 men. Today, the only way to travel through the legendary tunnels by passenger rail is onboard Rocky Mountaineer, a Canadian luxury train company. Passing through both tunnels to emerge at a higher elevation — surrounded by jaw-dropping views — is truly remarkable.

And if going over and through a mountain isn’t enough, there’s also the Connaught Tunnel, which takes passengers directly under Mount Macdonald and Roger’s Pass within Glacier National Park for a total of eight kilometres. In the past, trains had to go up and over the summit of Roger’s Pass, which could be deadly in the winter months. Construction of the Connaught Tunnel began in 1914 and took two years to complete, becoming the longest rail tunnel in North America at the time. It shortened the route through this area and, more importantly, helped save lives.

If you like riding high, Stoney Creek Bridge (also within Glacier National Park), is the highest bridge that Rocky Mountaineer crosses, 99 metres above the creek bed below (about the length of a football field). When the bridge was first constructed in 1885, it was the highest wooden railway bridge in the world. Now in its third iteration, made of steel, it provides a perfect setting for brave photographers who are willing to look way down.

For history buffs, train aficionados and nature lovers, exploring Canada’s historic and natural landmarks by train is an experience unlike any other. Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West route from Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise traces the steps of 19th-century explorers who first forged a route that would unite a country. Peer out from the GoldLeaf coaches’ large dome windows or breathe it all in from an outdoor viewing platform, while hearing stories of Canada’s past from onboard Hosts — it’s a living history lesson on the building of a nation.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
We’re looking for input from our readers to help us better understand your needs and interests. If you’d like to participate, please take a moment to complete our travel survey here.