CP Rail

The Canadian Pacific Railway, styled CP Rail since 1968, (AAR reporting marks CP, CPAA, IP) is the second-largest railway operating in British Columbia. Owning 1085.8 miles of line in BC, it is also the largest foreign-owned (Canadian) company to operate in BC.

The BC subsidiary of CP Rail is registered as the Imperial Pacific Transportation Co Ltd, which is also the parent of CP Ships. As a result, the railway is a key component of a fully integrated transportation system - the first such system in the world - which also includes highway transport (CP Transport and CP Express), a chain of hotels (CP Hotels), and a telecommunications service, CP Telecom, which is one of the providers of mobile telephone service in BC.

= History = Due to BC law at the time, in order to build and operate a railway in BC, the Canadian Pacific Railway established a BC-based subsidiary called the Imperial Pacific Railway in 1881. The first section in BC, 123 miles from Yale to Savona, was opened in 1883, operating under the Imperial Pacific name. Since the transcontinental line was completed in 1885, the "Canadian Pacific" name has been used for all railway operations.

In 2019, the Regional Government of Cymru Newydd together with CP and the Greater Blaenau Public Transport Authority completed a feasibility study exploring the possibility of inaugurating a commuter rail service in Greater Blaenau along the lines of the Nanaimo Metro system in Nanaimo. The decision was taken to proceed with the project, which will see the doubling of the CP trunk line between Gwynedd in the west through Blaenau to Llangefni in the east (a total of 56.5 miles), along with reconstruction of part of the former Arrow Lake Sub from Blaenau Station to Blaenau International Airport; the airport station will be located near the location of the former Aberystwyth Station. Trains will run Gwynedd–Airport–Llangefni and back, initially with service every ten minutes before 17:00 and every twenty minutes between 17:20 and 1:20. Service is expected to begin in 2025.

= Motive power and rolling stock =

Steam locomotives
Main article: CPR steam locomotives in BC

Over the years, the Canadian Pacific operated a wide variety of steam locomotives on its BC network assigned to various depots, each responsible for operations along specified relations. Some of these were primary depots responsible for all manner of services in a large area and where more extensive maintenance took place, others were very small, with only one or two locomotives assigned to it for specific local operations, such as shunting at large industries or "helper" operations on steep lines. A significant number of CPR locomotives in BC were lettered for one or another of its local subsidiary companies, primarily for tax purposes; the last of these to disappear were the Kootenay Central Railway on the Mainland, which was fully absorbed into the CPR in 1959, and the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway on Vancouver Island, which was bought and absorbed by the British Columbia Railway in 1978. Steam operations on the CPR in BC lasted into the mid 1960s, with the last three locomotives being retired from revenue service in 1966.

Electric locomotives
The Canadian Pacific's only electrified lines are in BC, therefore CPR electric locomotives are not used elsewhere.

Diesel locomotives
Main article: CPR diesel locomotives in BC

Shown here are only those CPR locomotive classes that have operated in BC; locomotives assigned to the Kettle Valley Railway, the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway, or the Kootenay Central Railway are not included.

Diesel multiple units and railcars
= Network = The CPR owns a network of over 13,000 miles of railway, of which 1117.4 miles are in BC. The CPR's network is divided into eight operating regions called Districts, which are further subdivided into Divisions and Subdivisions; CPR Divisions are equivalent to BC Rail's Regions, whilst Subdivisions are roughly equivalent the BC Rail's Lines.

All of CPR's BC lines are part of the British Columbia District.

Blaenau Division
467.0 miles, 52.5 miles double tracked, 8.9 miles freight only, 27.5 miles closed


 * Arrow Lake Subdivision: 27.5 miles (closed 1984)
 * Blaenau – Arrowhead


 * Kootenay Central Subdivision: 142.5 miles
 * Golden – Skookumchuck – Fort Steele
 * • Skookumchuck Branch: 8.9 miles, freight only
 * Skookumchuck – Premier Lake


 * Mountain Subdivision: 139.2 miles, 31.6 miles double tracked
 * Stephen (CP Laggan Subdivision to Calgary, Alberta) – Golden – Blaenau


 * Okanagan Subdivision: 31.8 miles
 * Kamloops – Armstrong (BCR)


 * Shuswap Subdivision: 128.5 miles, 20.9 miles double tracked
 * Blaenau – Pontypridd – Tumtum – Tappen – Notch Hill – Kamloops (BCR),
 * • Clanwilliam Second Mainline: 2.9 miles
 * Pontypridd – Tumtum
 * • Notch Hill Second Mainline: 13.2 miles
 * Tappen – Notch Hill

Kootenay Division
349.9 miles, 66.6 miles freight only, 5.8 miles closed
 * Corbin Subdivision: 12.6 miles, freight only
 * Fabro – Corbin


 * Cranbrook Subdivision: 107.7 miles
 * Crowsnest (CP Crowsnest Subdivision to Lethbridge, Alberta) – Fabro – Natal – Sparwood – Caithness – Colvalli – Fort Steele – North Star – Wardner Jct – Cranbrook
 * • Elk Prairie Branch: 2.9 miles, freight only
 * Natal – Elk Prairie


 * Fording River Subdivision: 33.8 miles, 23.9 miles freight only
 * Sparwood – Fording


 * Huscroft Subdivision: 6.2 miles, freight only
 * Canyon Jct – Huscroft


 * Kimberley Subdivision: 16.5 miles
 * North Star – Kimberley


 * Nelson Subdivision: 137.8 miles
 * Cranbrook – Curzon (SI) – Canyon Jct – Creston (W&BC) – Troup (W&BC) – Nelson (W&BC has running rights between Troup and Nelson)


 * Waldo Subdivision: 11.4 miles
 * Caithness – Kragmont


 * Wardner Subdivision: 21.0 miles, freight only; 5.8 miles closed 1966
 * Wardner Jct – Wardner – Colvalli (Wardner – Colvalli section closed 1966)

Vancouver Division
256.6 miles, 256.6 miles electrified, 95.3 miles double tracked, 10.4 miles freight only
 * Cascade Subdivision: 129.0 miles, electrified, 70.1 miles double tracked
 * Quayome – Spuzzum (BCAR) – Odlum (BCR) – Mission (NWP) – Westminster Jct – Port Moody – Vancouver


 * Ioco Subdivision: 6.1 miles, electrified
 * Port Moody – Belcarra


 * Thompson Subdivision: 121.5 miles, electrified, 25.2 miles double tracked
 * Kamloops – Barnes Creek (BCR) – South Nepa (BCR) – Spences Bridge (BCR) – Siska (BCR) – Quayome


 * Westminster Subdivision: 10.4 miles, electrified, freight only
 * Westminster Jct – Sapperton (BCR, W&BC) – New Westminster (BCH, BCR)

= Passenger services = In 1977, the CPR's passenger trains in Canada were taken over by the Canadian Crown corporation VIA Rail; in BC, however, the CPR continues to operate domestic passenger trains within BC, along with West Coast Express and RailBus services under contract to various urban transit authorities. Several international trains run on CP lines in BC; these are operated by VIA Rail on behalf of the CPR.

The various categories of passenger service are defined by the Ministry of Labour, Industry, & Railways in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport & Communications; these categories are applicable to and used by all railways providing passenger service in British Columbia.

Like all other railways in BC, ticket prices for CPR (VIA Rail) passenger trains are based on the Ministry's Schedule of Railway Fares.

Limited Express
Limited Express trains are the fastest and most prestigious passenger trains in BC, making very few or no intermediate stops. Three international Limited Express trains run over CP lines in BC, two operated jointly by BC Rail and VIA Rail, and one jointly by VIA Rail, the Washington & British Columbia, and Amtrak.

International

 * 105 Canadian/106 British Columbian (BCR/VIA Rail): Vancouver, BC (Pacific Central) – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end using one VIA consist and one BCR consist; the westbound train is called British Columbian, and the eastbound is the Canadian. This train runs over BC Rail trackage between Vancouver and Kamloops, and over CPR trackage between Kamloops and Calgary; locomotive change takes place in Kamloops. Intermediate stops:
 * BC: Chilliwack, Hope, Ashcroft, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Blaenau, Golden, Field, Stephen
 * Alberta: Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore


 * 107 Smoke Eater/108 Stampeder (BCR/VIA Rail): Trail, BC – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end using one VIA consist and one BCR consist, with VIA locomotives and crews working the VIA consists and BCR locomotives and crews working the BCR consists over the entire route; the westbound train is called Smoke Eater, and the eastbound is the Stampeder. This train runs over the trackage of the BCR between Trail and Nelson, and of the CPR between Nelson and Calgary. Intermediate stops:
 * BC: Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Cranbrook, Fernie, Crowsnest
 * Alberta: Lethbridge


 * 911/912 Columbia Limited (W&BC/VIA Rail/Amtrak): Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Portland, Oregon, USA
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end. Two consists are used: in one, chair cars (first and second class) are supplied by CP, baggage cars, the dining car, sleepers (first class), sleeperettes (second class), and staff are supplied by VIA; in the other, staff and all stock other than second class chair cars (supplied by Amtrak) are supplied by the W&BC. This train runs over the trackage of the Canadian Pacific between Calgary and Nelson, of the W&BC between Nelson and Spokane, and of the Burlington Northern & Gulf between Spokane and Portland. Between Calgary and Creston, VIA Rail locomotives work the trains; the W&BC has running rights for this train between Creston and Nelson, its locomotives being used for the bulk of the trip, between Creston and Spokane. Between Spokane and Portland, Amtrak provides the locomotive. Intermediate stops:
 * Alberta: Lethbridge
 * BC: Crowsnest, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Salmo, Fort Sheppard (BC customs checks)
 * Washington: Boundary (US customs checks), Kettle Falls, Deer Park, Spokane, Pasco, Wishram

Regular Express
Regular Express trains stop more often than Limited Express trains, but do not make unscheduled stops. Two regular Express trains run on CPR lines in BC, one domestic, operated by the CPR itself, and one international, operated on behalf of the CPR by VIA Rail.

International

 * 201/202 (VIA Rail): Kamloops, BC – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end using VIA Rail equipment and crews. Baggage handling is free of charge to first class passengers, and available to second class passengers for a surcharge, and there is a cafeteria car open to all classes. For travel between three or fewer domestic stops a surcharge is applied. Intermediate stops:
 * BC: Chase, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Blaenau, Golden, Field, Stephen
 * Alberta: Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore

Domestic

 * 501/502 (CP): Vancouver (Waterfront-CPR) – Blaenau
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end. Baggage handling is free of charge to first class passengers, and available to second class passengers for a surcharge, and there is a cafeteria car open to all classes. For travel between three or fewer stops a surcharge is applied. Intermediate stops: Mission, Haig (Hope), Spences Bridge, Ashcroft, Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Sicamous

Rapid
Rapid (also known as "semi-express") trains are similar to regular Express trains, making a limited number of scheduled stops, but stops can be booked up to three hours in advance at any station on the route that has passenger service. The CPR operates one domestic Rapid service, and one international train jointly with the North Western Pacific Railroad.

International

 * 681/682 (NWP/CP): Cranbrook – Coeur d'Alene
 * Daily service with a morning departure from each end, the trip takes about seven hours using one CP consist and one NWP consist; locomotive and crew changes take place at Elko. These trains feature first and second class chair cars and a cafeteria car; baggage handling is free of charge for first class passengers, and available with a surcharge for second class passengers. For travel between three or fewer domestic stops on the Cranbrook–Fort Steele section a surcharge is applied. BC customs checks take place at McDonald, US checks at Roosville, Montana. Scheduled intermediate stops:
 * BC: Fort Steele City, Elko, Grasmere, McDonald
 * Montana: Roosville, Eureka, Jennings, Libby, Bull Lake, Heron
 * Idaho: Clark Fork, Belmont, Hayden Lake

Domestic

 * 629/630, 631/632, 633/634 (CP): Blaenau – Cranbrook
 * Three daily trains in each direction with first and second class chair cars and a cafeteria car; baggage handling is free of charge for first class passengers, and available with a surcharge for second class passengers. For travel between Blaenau and Golden a surcharge is applied. Scheduled intermediate stops: Llangefni, Golden, Spillimacheen, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs, Fort Steele City

Local
Local trains are passenger trains that make scheduled stops at all stations and halts along the route they serve. The CPR's Local trains are second-class only with seat-side drink and snack service; none have baggage service. All but one are operated with multiple-unit trainsets - trains numbered in the 700 number range use diesel sets, those in the 800 range use electric sets. One is operated in conjunction with BC Rail; this train is locomotive-hauled. All local trains run at least twice daily in each direction to allow for trains to be useful for passengers making day trips.


 * 701/702, 703/704, 705/706, 707/708 (CP): Cranbrook – Nelson
 * Four round trips daily, second class only with seat-side drink and snack service.


 * 711/712, 713/714 (CP): Cranbrook – Fort Steele – Elko – Sparwood
 * Two daily return trips, second class only with seat-side drink and snack service.


 * 721/722, 723/724 (CP): Fernie – Sparwood – Line Creek
 * Two daily return trips, second class only, no drink/snack service.


 * 731/732, 733/734 (CP): Fernie – Kragmont
 * Two daily return trips, second class only, no drink/snack service.


 * 741/742, 743/744 (CP): Kamloops – Blaenau
 * Two daily return trips, second class only, no drink/snack service.


 * 751/752, 753/754, 755/756, 757/758 (CP): Sicamous – Yoho
 * Four daily return trips, second class only, no drink/snack service.


 * 761/762, 763/764 (CP): Sicamous – Armstrong
 * Two daily return trips, second class only, no drink/snack service.


 * 801/802, 803/804, 805/806 (CP): Vancouver – Kamloops
 * Three daily return trips, second class only with seat-side drink and snack service.


 * 5105.1-2/5106.1-2 (BCR/CP): Castlegar – Nelson – Creston
 * Two daily return trips using BCR equipment and on-board crews, first and second class with a cafeteria car. Between Castlegar and Nelson the train runs on BCR trackage and is worked by a BCR locomotive, between Nelson and Creston it runs over CP trackage and is pulled by a CP locomotive. Operational costs and profits are divided between the two railways (BCR 25%, CP 75%).

Commuter services
The CPR operates several special services dedicated to commuter traffic; these are single class trains whose fares are integrated into the local transit authority's fare structure.

West Coast Express
West Coast Express is the name of the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority's system of heavy-rail commuter trains first inaugurated in 1991. These are operated under contract to the GVTA over three routes, one operated by BC Rail, one by the Washington & British Columbia, and one by the CPR, using dedicated bilevel passenger stock and locomotives painted in the West Coast Express livery; this equipment is owned by the GVTA, but operated by the railway along whose tracks they run. The GVTA specifies the ticket prices, fare collection, advertisements, and everything else not directly related to the maintenance and day-to-day operation of the trains. Locomotive and rolling stock maintenance work takes place at BC Rail's shops in Squamish and Surrey.

The West Coast Express service operated by the CPR runs between Waterfront-CPR Station in Vancouver and Mission, with five return trips Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays); these travel from Mission to Vancouver in the morning and return in the evening.

RailBus
The RailBus moniker is given to a Dominion-wide network of heavy rail transit operated under contract to the Ministry of Transport & Communication, various departments of the Urban Transit Authority, to school districts, or to First Nation governments, as the case may be. Most RailBus services are contracted to BC Rail, but several are operated by the CPR, the Washington & British Columbia, the RBCN Railway, and the Kootenay & Arrowhead. All use single-unit diesel railcars except for the Armstrong–Kamloops Airport train, which uses EMU trainsets.

The CPR operates two RailBus services:


 * Port Moody – Belcarra: Half-hourly service 04:45 to 21:45, hourly 22:15 pm to 01:15 Monday through Saturday, hourly service 07:45 to 00:15 Sunday. Operated under contract to the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority.
 * Cranbrook – Kimberley: Service every two hours 05:30 to 23:30 Monday through Saturday; no Sunday service. Operated under contract to the Cranbrook Transit System.

= See also =
 * Canadian Pacific Air Lines - the CPR's commercial air transport subsidiary, headquartered in BC
 * Imperial Pacific Steamships - the CPR's ocean shipping subsidiary, headquartered in BC