iN VIDEO: Virtual trip back in time on Okanagan’s famous Myra Canyon rail trestles

The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives posted a video featuring Myra Canyon near Kelowna that takes you back in time to a transitional period on the Kettle Valley Railway.

The video centres around a 1980 rail car trip on the former railroad.

It’s a time of transition for that section of the railway, as the video reveals an unused rail line rapidly falling into disrepair. Grass, weeds and rocks can be seen lining the right of way and a path running parallel to the tracks at certain vantage points is an indication of growing pedestrian use of the right of way by hikers.

Interesting historical shots include footage of the Myra Canyon trestles prior to being burned in the Okanagan Mountain wildfire of 2003, views of the right of way from an on the rails perspective, and shots of Myra station house.

According to the Myra Canyon Restoration Society, the Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Railway carried its last train in 1972 and the rails were removed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1980. 

The right of way was subsequently turned over to the provincial government and in the years since has been turned into a recreational trail.

Twelve of the 16 wooden trestles in the canyon destroyed by the fire of 2003, have since been rebuilt.

%%Embed1%%


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories