Railway Places to Visit in the Kootenays:

Fort Steele Heritage Town

Classification: Museum with train ride

A Museum with a train ride. Over 60 restored or reconstructed homes and buildings create an authentic atmosphere of the 1890s as the people of Fort Steele go about their business much as they would have done at the turn-of-the-century. Participate in "living history" as you heckle a politician, testify at a trial, make old-fashioned ice cream or take a horse-drawn wagon ride down Main Street. Catch a live, professional performance at the Wild Horse Theatre. Taste old-fashioned goodness at the Fort Steele City Bakery. Shop for curios at H. Kershaw & Son General Store. Enjoy hearty fare at the International Hotel Restaurant and light refreshment in the Tearoom. Take a ride on the old steam train. Pick up the latest news from the presses of the Prospector Print Shop. Talk with the blacksmith in Barr & Combs and secure an accurate reproduction of 19th century forge work. Treat yourself to something sweet from Mrs. Sprague's Confectionery.
Tremendous care has been taken to create a heritage experience that has something for everyone. Fort Steele works with the real materials of old Fort Steele, circa 1898. When you visit this site you don't just look at history, you live it. Spend a day and experience the pioneer spirit of British Columbia. It's a day your family will remember forever.

Website:  Fort Steele Heritage Town Homepage   Email: ftsteele@cyberlink.bc.ca

Canadian Museum of Rail Travel ~ Cranbrook, B.C.

The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel is located in Cranbrook, British Columbia Canada, and is operated by the Cranbrook Archives Museum and Landmark (CAMAL) Foundation.

It is unique in the following respects:
    ~ it is more of “lifestyle” museum reflecting social history, than a technological experience, and
    ~ it collects and displays entire train SETS as opposed to individual unrelated cars and locomotives.

• The current centerpiece of the collection is the 1929 “Trans-Canada Limited”, a first class sleeping car (only) train built in 1929 for the Canadian Pacific. The cars were built in Canada and have been restored to their original beauty.

• They are wonderful examples of workmanship with brass fixtures, plush upholstery, wool carpets, a large railway china and silverware collection, and over 90,000 square feet of inlaid mahogany and walnut panelling presently on display.

• Other trains such as the 1907 “Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe”, and business & interpretive cars are also on display to expand the experience.

• The Museum is now involved expansion to a new site and facility where it will be able to show five different train sets from distinct railway era's in Canadian passenger rail travel between 1887 and 1955.

Website: Canadian Museum of Rail Travel Homepage

Nelson Electric Tramway Society ~ Nelson, B.C

The Nelson Electric Tramway Society was formed in 1988 and the vision to have Street Car 23 back "on track" started to become a reality. A 1.2 kilometre route was constructed from the City wharf area to Lakeside Park. The Nelson Electric Tramway Society won a American Association for State and Local History Award for Streetcar 23 in 1995. The tram continues to run from spring to fall along this route. A ride on the tram is $2 and you can catch it several places along the route.

Website:  Nelson Electric Tramway Society    Email:  streetcar@kics.bc.ca

Castlegar C.P.R. Station and Museum

Located at 400 13th Ave. Downtown Castlegar
Phone: 250-365-6440 Fax: 250-304-0062
Open Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm throughout the year

The original CPR station is now the home of the Castlegar and District Heritage Society. Enjoy the diverse collection of Castlegar's heritage, delve into the past by browsing through the Castlegar News archives (1947-1993). The upper floor is a step back in time. Enjoy many collections of books, Life magazines, tools and much more. The gift shop offers visitors a variety of locally crafted souvenirs to choose from.

Castlegar's Museum is housed in a 90 year old rail station, one of the best preserved in the province. Once inside you can envision the hustle and bustle of the passengers boarding the trains. The stations agent's residence on the upper floor provides you with a wonderful sensation of the early 1900's. The newspaper archives will give you hours of enjoyment. The beautifully landscaped area around the front of the station is a wonderful spot to rest with accessible parking to the downtown shops.

Website: Castlegar Museum   Email: Castlegar and District Heritage Society

S.S. Moyie and Railroad Station Museum ~ Kaslo, B.C.

Kootenay Lake Historical Society
S.S. Moyie National Historic Site
P.O. Box 537, Kaslo, B.C. V0G 1M0

Now permanently berthed in Kaslo, British Columbia, the sternwheeler S.S. Moyie, built in Nelson, British Columbia in 1898, is the oldest surviving vessel of her type.

The site also includes a rebuilt railway station from Lardeau, B.C. and an excellent historical model railway display of the Kaslo area.

Website: S. S. Moyie National Historical Site