CPR Mountain Subdivision

The Mountain Subdivision is a 139.2 mile railway line of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) running from Stephen on the British Columbia–Canada border, connecting there to the CPR's Laggan Subdivision to Calgary, to Blaenau, connecting there to the Shuswap Subdivision and, formerly, to the Arrow Lake Subdivision. At Golden, it connects to the Kootenay Central Subdivision. 31.6 miles of the line are double tracked - between Golden and Blaeberry, and between Mile 101.2 and Blaenau.

The Mountain Subdivision is part of the Blaenau Division of the CPR's British Columbia District.

= History = The Mountain Subdivision was opened in 1885 as part of the CPR's transcontinental mainline.

Rogers was a base for helper locomotives in the days of steam power. A new wye for snowplows was installed there in 1974.

The New Connaught Tunnel between Rogers and Glacier was opened in 1994; the Old Connaught Tunnel is still in use.

= Services =

Freight
The Mountain Subdivision, as part of the CPR transcontinental line through BC, is one of the five busiest railway lines in the country; the majority of this traffic is freight.

Passenger
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.

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 BC 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. One international Limited Express train runs over the Mountain Subdivision, operated jointly by BC Rail and VIA Rail, the Canadian passenger train operator.


 * 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

Regular Express
Regular Express trains stop more often than Limited Express trains, but do not make unscheduled stops. Two regular Express trains run on the Mountain Subdivision, 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. There is one Rapid service on the Mountain Subdivision.


 * 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. One Local service operates on the Mountain Subdivision.


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

= Route = Italic text indicates a closed connection.

● - Scheduled Limited Express, Express, Rapid, and Local stop ▲ - Scheduled Express, Rapid, and Local stop ♦ - Scheduled Rapid stop • - Local stop | - No passenger service