Rails Over the Mountains

Journey through the engineering marvels, stations, and heritage sites of Canada's western mountains.Ride the rails through Canada s western mountains to explore the many vestiges of the region s spectacular and surprising railway heritage. Here is where grand railway hotels were built to attract tourists to the West s beautiful scenery and bring profit to the railway lines as well. Rustic stations added to the allure. The challenges of conquering the mountains resulted in some of Canada s most ingenious feats of engineering, such as spiral tunnels and soaring trestles (one of which was featured in The Amazing Race Canada).Relive the days of rail on a steam train, the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer, or one of VIA Rail s mountain journeys. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow the abandoned roadbeds of Canada s more spectacular rail trails, like the legendary Kettle Valley Railway. Also included are some of Canada s most extensive railway museums, which have helped to bring this vanished era back to life.