Fall On The CN Railway Houston British Columbia (Pictures)

Above Photo: I took some pictures on September 16, 2016 in the Fall of the 

CN Railway which runs through the town of Houston, British Columbia. 

For larger view of the photos, click on the picture.

You can also view the pictures that I have been taking around Houston, B.C. at my 

Pinterest Account:

https://www.pinterest.com/houstonBCvike/houston-british-columbia/

Also, I hope you enjoy the photos that I have taken around our beautiful town.

Above Photo: I took some pictures on September 16, 2016 in the Fall of the 

CN Railway which runs through the town of Houston, British Columbia. 

Above Photo: I took some pictures on September 16, 2016 in the Fall of the 

CN Railway which runs through the town of Houston, British Columbia. 

Above Photo: I took some pictures on September 16, 2016 in the Fall of the 

CN Railway which runs through the town of Houston, British Columbia. 

As many of you know, I really enjoy taking photos of rivers and lakes, etc.. 

The Bulkley River is one of my favorite rivers to film, so for me having the 

Bulkley River flowing through the middle of town, it can’t get any better.

Also on my river run, I grabbed some pictures of the

CN Railway line and coal train.

Above Photo: I took some pictures on September 16, 2016 in the Fall of the 

CN Railway which runs through the town of Houston, British Columbia. Also I

snap a quick photo of the VIA Rail passenger car.

Brian Vike’s blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Photos by Brian Vike, Houston, British Columbia.

http://houston-british-columbia-canada.blogspot.ca/

CN Railway Bridge Houston British Columbia

Above Photo: The picture was taken on September 9, 2016 of the

CN Railway Bridge in Houston, British Columbia.

For larger view of the photos, click on the picture.

You can also view the pictures that I have been taking around Houston, B.C. at my 

Pinterest Account:

https://www.pinterest.com/houstonBCvike/houston-british-columbia/

Also, I hope you enjoy the photos that I have taken around

our beautiful town of Houston in British Columbia, and other

neighboring communities along Highway 16.

Above Photo: The picture was taken on September 9, 2016 of the

CN Railway Bridge in Houston, British Columbia.

Above Photo: The picture was taken on September 9, 2016 of the

CN Railway Bridge in Houston, British Columbia.

Above Photo: The picture was taken on September 9, 2016 of the

CN Railway Bridge in Houston, British Columbia.

For me, I love taking pictures of rivers and streams, lakes, animals or 

nature in general and I hope I will be able to continue visiting 

everything British Columbia has to offer me and you.

Above Photo: The picture was taken on September 9, 2016 of the

CN Railway Bridge in Houston, British Columbia.

Brian Vike’s blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Photos by Brian Vike, Houston, British Columbia.

http://houston-british-columbia-canada.blogspot.ca/

1918 Railway Station Smithers British Columbia (8 - Pictures)

Above Photo: The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station.

It is funny, know matter how many times I visit communities throughout northern British Columbia, I always find something new to film. I moved from Surrey, B.C. in 1981 to where I reside now, which is in small town Houston.

There were a few challenges to over come, like setting up a home in the dead of winter with temperatures dropping into the minus thirty's. It was some nasty weather and to be honest, I thought I had made a huge mistake moving here.

The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station and Via Rail passenger train unloading and loading people for the run to Prince Rupert and stops in-between.

As winter moved into spring and then summer, I found a world of awesome things to do. It also turned out to be a great place to raise a family, fishing was great, hiking was everywhere and the wildlife was simply amazing. It was so cool to watch deer, moose and black bear and many other small critters wander through our property. 

One of the other things I really liked, was the mad rush of traffic here in town. It was when the sawmills changed shift and you had the scramble of the employees leaving the work place for home. In other words, there wasn’t any traffic jams to deal with on a daily basis.

The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station and Via Rail passenger train unloading and loading people for the run to Prince Rupert and stops in-between.

What I'm trying to say is, I love this beautiful province we live in, British Columbia is known around the world for it’s spectacular everything.

I do hope you will come to visit us all.

Brian Vike.

The below text information is From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Smithers British Columbia Railway Station.

Smithers railway station is on the Canadian National Railway mainline in Smithers, British Columbia. The station is served by Via Rail's Jasper – Prince Rupert train. It was built in 1918. The station was designated a National Heritage Landmark in 1990.

The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station and Via Rail passenger train unloading and loading people for the run to Prince Rupert and stops in-between. Also the snowcapped mountains tower in the background.

History:

The Bulkley Valley in which Smithers is situated was originally inhabited by the Wet'suwet'en, Smithers was founded in 1913 as the regional headquarters for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The new community was named after the railway's chairman of the board of directors, Sir Alfred Smithers. In 1921, Smithers became the first incorporated village in British Columbia.[2] In 1967, Smithers was incorporated as a town. Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Smithers was created in 1967.

The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station and Via Rail passenger train unloading and loading people for the run to Prince Rupert and stops in-between.

Ski Smithers:

Hudson Bay Mountain is a ski area just outside Smithers, British Columbia on the west side of the city, located on Hudson Bay Mountain, which was the name of the ski area before a change in ownership. The largest of only a few ski areas in northwestern British Columbia, and the only to qualify as a "resort", the ski area does not experience the rain-outs common in more coastal resorts such as Whistler or Mount Washington.

Above Photo: Via Rail passenger train ready for it’s run to Prince Rupert and stops in-between.

Smithers Airport:

Runways: Originally the runway was 5,000 ft (1,524 m), but it has been expanded to 7,544 ft (2,299 m) so that the airport can land larger aircraft. The extension was completed by in late 2008. Once the expansion of the ski areas is complete, there would then be a need for a runway capable of landing regional aircraft as large as the Boeing 737. Even though Smithers was previously served with older generation Boeing 737 aircraft in the 80s and early 90s, the newer variants of these aircraft require longer runways.

Above Photo: The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station.

NavCanada:

NavCanada operates a Flight Service Station at Smithers Airport. Staffed hours of operations were cut on April 8, 2010 from 24 hours a day to 13 hours in the winter and 16 hours in the summer.

Manned hours of operation:

Above Photo: The 1918 Smithers, British Columbia Railway Station.

Airlines:

Air Canada Express, Central Mountain Air and Northern Thunderbird Air.

If you have a picture or story you would like to share on the Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike.

http://britishcolumbiavike.blogspot.ca/

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Heritage Railway And Station Located In Kamloops British Columbia (13 - Pictures)

Above Photo: Welcome sign for travelers visiting Kamloops, British Columbia.

For myself trains have held a special place in my life. It started when I was a little guy when I received my first train on Christmas day. I was so excited as my Dad handed out the presents, and in one of the wrapped boxes was a locomotive, box cars, tracks and small houses. I quickly opened up the box pulling everything out onto the floor in one pile. 

I knew exactly how it was supposed to be put together, at least I thought so. My dad sat with me as we both transformed a pile of plastic and metal into a working model railroad. I was so happy with a smile from ear to ear.

Above Photo: Electrical box with picture of folks from years past dressed up to the hilt standing on the railway station platform waiting for the train.

As the years went by, we decided to build a larger scale railway, but little did I realize that it wasn’t going to be just a bit larger, it was going to be huge as it took up the entire recreation room in the basement. It was great and we had a lot of fun putting it together and then operating it.

So when my daughter drove me to the Kamloops Heritage Railway, I was just like that kid again on Christmas day. It was off season as we were in Kamloops in November of 2015, so I could not experience the ride the train took tourists on, plus the cowboys on horse back robbing the train.

Above Photo: Kamloops, British Columbia 1927 railway station.

The next time we visit my daughter, I will be the 64 year old sitting on the train with a 

smile from ear to ear.

So make your holiday stop in Kamloops, British Columbia where all your dreams will come true as did mine.

The below text From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamloops_railway_station

Kamloops Railway Station:

Kamloops railway station in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada is a railway station which acts as the overnight stopover point for the Rocky Mountaineer train service to Jasper, Banff and Calgary; from Vancouver.

Above Photo: Kamloops, British Columbia 1927 railway station.

The station circa 1927

The station was originally built for Canadian National Railway. The station was declared a Heritage Railway Station in 1992. Via Rail trains call at the Kamloops North railway station not this station. The station building was restored and houses The Keg restaurant.

The Kamloops Heritage Railway, offers special excursion steam trains at various times through the year, trains depart from the station with tickets sold from their ticket office at 

5-510 Lorne St near the station.

Above Photo: This train Caboose is part of the Kamloops, B.C. Heritage Railway.

Kamloops Heritage Railway:

The Kamloops Heritage Railway is a heritage railway in Kamloops, British Columbia. The railway operates throughout the year running trains within Kamloops. The train is pulled by restored steam locomotive Canadian National Railway 2141, the "Spirit of Kamloops".

Above Photo: This train Caboose is part of the Kamloops, B.C. Heritage Railway.

2141 was built in 1912 by the Canadian Locomotive Company, in Kingston, ON - built for the Canadian Northern Railway, prior to it being absorbed into the Canadian National Railway. She is a 2-8-0, 'Consolidation' class of steam locomotive built for branch line railways. 

Above Photo: A Beautiful mural painting and miniature engine and town.

Originally a coal burner, she was converted to burn oil in 1954, and retired from active duty in 1958. 2141 was sold to the City of Kamloops in 1961, and placed on display in Riverside Park until restoration work began in 1995. 

Above Photo: Pictures of the passenger cars for the railroad.

The restoration was completed in 2001, and 2141 has been working for KHR from May until December each year since. A second restoration took place from 2013 to 2015, with the engine running again in August 2015.

Tickets for excursions are sold at the ticket office, located at #3-510 Lorne Street, right across from the old Kamloops railway station. The heritage station now houses the Keg restaurant.

Above Photo: Pictures of the passenger cars for the railroad.

Kamloops Heritage Railway:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamloops_Heritage_Railway

Kamloops Heritage Railway:

http://www.kamrail.com/

Above Photo: Bright orange snow plow used by the railroad companies to 

remove snow from the tracks.

Kamloops Railway Station:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamloops_railway_station

Location Map for the Kamloops Heritage Railway:

Canadian Rail: The Railway History of Kamloops, B.C. (Excellent Article)

http://www.exporail.org/can_rail/Canadian%20Rail_no436_1993.pdf

Above Photo: Bright orange snow plow used by the railroad companies to 

remove snow from the tracks.

Kamloops Visitor Centre: (Contact for information on things to do in Kamloops)

http://www.tourismkamloops.com/home

Above Photo: The well known Red Bridge is located at the end of the Heritage Railway's property in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Above Photo: Picture of the Jail, Befurts Saloon and Hotel and Odgaard's Feed and Tack. Also my Daughter and Grandson hamming it up outside the Saloon after a cold Root Beer.

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike.

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Winter Scene - CN Railway Bridge Telkwa British Columbia (4 - Pictures/Video)

Above Photo: CN Railway bridge over the Telkwa River, the Telkwa River 

flows into the Bulkley River.

Telkwa is a wonderful small village which can be found in British Columbia. If you are planning a trip through, or to visit you would follow Highway 16 west from Prince George, B.C. for approximately 350 kilometres. Telkwa and area are rich in history and you can venture through Telkwa’s Museum for a look back in time. Also Telkwa boasts about it’s Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, and they have a right too, it is beautiful. 

Above Photo: CN Railway bridge over the Telkwa River, the Telkwa River 

flows into the Bulkley River.

Camping is available in the park and the campsites are secluded, this way you can lay back and take it easy and there is large parking lot for day visitors. Also on site are horseshoe pits and a volleyball net in case you want to get your competitive side on.

If you want to get onto the water, there is a boat launch, so you can go water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding are just some of the things people enjoy. You can go swimming, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so do swim in designated areas for safety. If you want to try your luck at catching a fish, there are stocked rainbow trout and native cutthroat trout for the catching. Folks also enjoy a bicycle ride or a hike around the area on the many trails.

Above Photo: Road bridge over the Bulkley River at Telkwa, British Columbia.

There is wildlife in the area, so use caution, but keep your cameras handy as you might see a bear, moose, deer or some other types of small critters. 

Now that winter is setting in, we certainly won’t be camping, but Telkwa offers travelers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can also ice skate on the lakes, but always check to make sure the ice is thick enough to hold your body weight. Ice fishing is also available and can have some awesome results. Telkwa’s next door neighbour Smithers, has a great ski hill called Hudson Bay Mountain. People travel from around the world to ski in it’s powder. 

Above Photo: Ice flows on the Bulkley River at Telkwa, British Columbia.

So no matter the time of the year, Telkwa is everyone’s playground. 

I shot a short bit of video showing the bridges and ice flowing down the river:

Winter Scene - CN Railway Bridge Telkwa British Columbia Video Clip:

https://youtu.be/uson2bgLfQQ

For more information about Telkwa and surrounding areas, please visit: 

Telkwa’s website:

http://www.telkwa.com/

Smithers, B.C. Visitors Centre.

http://www.tourismsmithers.com/

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike.

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Old Steam Shovel/Moffat Bridge/CN Railway Bridge In Quesnel British Columbia (7 - Pictures)

Above Photo: Moffat Bridge. The first bridge across the Fraser River at Quesnel was built in 1928 and opened in the Spring of 1929. This bridge served the area until it was replaced by the present Moffat Bridge in 1970.

Also In The Above Photo: The replica of a Cornish water wheel was donated by W.H.Boyd of Cottonwood House. This replica of the Cariboo gold rush was dedicated by Governor Randolph Bruce in 1930.

As we drove through Quesnel I spotted an old steam shovel that is located in Ceal Tingley Park. I slowed the car down and got off of the main Highway and onto a side road and then into a parking lot in the park. It was just awesome, the shovel was used in the early 1900s at the Bullion Mine which was owned by the Cariboo Hydraulic Mining Company. From what I read, it was used to dig a trench from Spanish Lake to the Bullion Mine. The Bullion Mine. was later closed in 1912. 

Above Photo: An old steam shovel that was used by the Cariboo Hydraulic Mining Company.

Map of the area (Ceal Tingley Park) where I took the photos from:

Above Photo: Riveted boilers and other iron parts from the Upper Fraser River's first river-boat are displayed here at the east end of the old Fraser river bridge. The S.S. Enterprise travelled into Omenica country to Stuart Lake and was left to rot there. These metal remains were returned to Quesnel in 1977.

Below text (History) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quesnel,_British_Columbia#History

The name is derived from Jules Maurice Quesnel, who accompanied Simon Fraser on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. Quesnel came to be called 'Quesnellemouth' to distinguish it from 'Quesnel Forks', 97 kilometres (60 mi) up river. 

Above Photo: When looking at any of my pictures, you can click on each of them for a larger view.

In 1870 it had been shortened to Quesnelle and by 1900 it was spelled the way it is now. Quesnel is located along the gold mining trail known as the Cariboo Wagon Road and was the commercial centre of the Cariboo Gold Rush. It also marks one end of the Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail. Because of its location on the Fraser River it was also an important landing for sternwheelers during 1862 until 1886 and then from 1909 until 1921.

Above And Below Photos: This is the CN Railway bridge.

The last sternwheeler on the upper Fraser was Quesnel's own namesake craft, and home town product, the Quesnel. Quesnel was incorporated in 1928.

When your planning your trip to Quesnel, British Columbia, make sure you contact, or drop into Tourism Quesnel for all the information you will need to make your holiday a memorial one.

Tourism Quesnel Website:

http://www.tourismquesnel.com/

Location Map for the Visitors Centre:

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

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CN Railway Bridge And Scenery From Around Houston British Columbia (8 Pictures)

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of the Telkwa Mountain range.

Yesterday, November 23, 2015 I had a little time to kill as I dropped my wife off at the doctors, so I thought I would make a quick trip around town to see what might make a good photo.

I revisited a couple of areas to show how winter’s icy grip is starting to settle in with the Bulkley River starting to ice over. 

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of the snow capped 

Telkwa Mountain range.

The CN Railway bridge always has looked like a nice place to snap a photo from, so I did.

Above Photo: The CN Railway bridge and the Pleasant Valley Highway bridge over the icy 

Bulkley river in Houston, British Columbia.

I am 64 years of age and I have seen a lot of wonderful places across this great province of ours, but you don’t ever have to go far from home to see the beauty that is

surrounding us all in British Columbia. 

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of the snow capped 

Telkwa Mountain range and the icy Bulkley river.

I truly love this province and what it has to offer us all, and if you are wondering where to go on your next holiday, come visit us in Houston, B.C. 

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of the Bulkley river, Highway 16 and the CN Railway bridge.

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of the icy Bulkley river, Highway 16 and looking back towards the town.

Above Photo: The CN Railway bridge taken from the Pleasant Valley Highway bridge over the icy 

Bulkley river in Houston, British Columbia.

Above Photo: Picture taken from Houston, British Columbia of a train crossing the 

CN Railway bridge.

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike.

http://britishcolumbiavike.blogspot.ca/

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