Kelowna Pacific Railway


Kelowna Pacific Railway was a short-line railroad, formerly a Canadian National Railway line, leased by Knighthawk Rail. The KPR's line ran from Kelowna to Kamloops through the Okanagan Valley. Operations started on January 30, 2000, and ended on July 5, 2013, when the company entered receivership.
The mainline track was, with an additional of associated spurs and sidings. In addition of running rights of Canadian Pacific Railway were held by KPR. It also connected with CN's Kamloops Rail Yard. Between Vernon and Armstrong/Lumby, the Canadian Pacific Railway shared the line with the KPR, although no trains are currently run by CPR along that line.
The company entered receivership on July 5, 2013, with all operations suspended.
On September 26, 2013, CN announced that it had reached agreements with a major shipper and two locals of the Teamsters union that would allow CN to resume operations over most of the Kelowna Pacific. CN said it planned to abandon the line between Lumby Junction and Kelowna. In 2014 CN began removing the railroad tracks in Kelowna.

Operations

KPR transported over 16,000 carloads per year. Most of the goods transported by the KPR are wood products; although grain, cement, scrap metal and industrial products could be seen. As of 2011, the KPR ran trains 5 days per week, with the schedule as follows:
  • Kelowna: Monday and Wednesday
  • Lumby: Tuesday and Friday
  • Kamloops: As required

Customers

  • Tolko Industries, Kelowna Division
  • Sun-Rype
  • OK Builders Supplies
  • Knox Mountain Metals
  • Action Metals
  • Superior Propane
  • Okanagan Transload Terminal
  • Ashland Canada
  • Tolko Industries, Winfield Reload
  • Coldstream Lumber
  • Tolko Industries, Lavington Division
  • Gorman Bros.
  • Tolko Industries, Whitevalley Division
  • Rogers Flour
  • Tolko Industries, Armstrong Division
  • Unifeed
  • Armstrong Pellets Inc
  • Lehigh Cement
  • Moly Cop Canada
  • Okanagan Pellet Company