Display: Canadian National Railway

The Canadian National Railway between Vernon and Kelowna was completed in 1925 with stations located in Oyama and Winfield. The most recent display at the District of Lake Country Offices highlights the history of the railroad in the area. The backdrop is the Canadian National Railway’s Plan showing the right-of-way of the railway from Vernon to Kelowna. The plan is unrolled to show the isthmus area of Oyama between Long (Kalamalka) Lake and Wood’s Lake. A photograph of men laying the track across the isthmus in the early 1920s is also included. Another photo shows the first engine to pass through Winfield in 1925. Ken Phipps added models of Winfield Station, CN & CP train cars, and various accessories to the display. Last year the CN stopped hauling freight through the area and the line has now been abandoned.

September 2014.

For current information regarding the “Next steps for CN Rail Corridor Discontinuance” see the District of Lake Country’s website.

Earlier blog posts on the Okanagan Rail Trail initiative can be found here and here.