Kimberley, BC – Kimberley Alpine Resort and the Bavarian City Mining Railway kicked off Canada’s 137th birthday with a good old-fashioned railway party and golden spike drive.
The BCMR locomotive departed from the city station at 10:30am, headed for Kimberley Alpine Resort’s base area. Filled with special guests and dignitaries, including Kimberley’s’ Mayor, the train traveled up Mark Creek, past the original entrance to the Sullivan Mine and up to the Resort base.
The journey marked the grand opening of the new railway extension of the Bavarian City Mining Railway from it’s former terminal across from the Trickle Creek Golf course, to it’s new final destination across from the Polaris Lodge at the base of Kimberley Alpine Resort. As tradition dictates, a golden spike was driven to signify the railway completion. Mayor Ron McRae took the first swing, and with his former work experience with CP Rail, made no mistake in driving the spike into the rail tie. Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Operations Manager, Brian Copping, followed suit and Bill Spence from the Bavarian City Mining Railway finished the task, with a couple of swift blows.
The railway extension marks a significant effort by BCMR volunteers and Kimberley Alpine Resort to create a destination for the railway and a unique opportunity for area visitors to travel from downtown Kimberley to the top of North Star Mountain without ever getting into their car.
“We are thrilled to see the completion of this railway and want to congratulate the BCMR volunteers and Resort staff for all their hard work in making this happen.” Stated Resort marketing manager, Chris Elder. “Kimberley has unique attractions and a storied history that this railway can help showcase. Now that the BCMR links the City of Kimberley and the Resort, we look forward to providing recreation and tourism opportunities as a more united community.”
Kimberley Alpine Resort operates daily from 11am – 7pm till September 1st, 2003. Chairlift rides, Kootenay Haus Mountain Top Bistro, hiking and biking trails, The Portal Expresso, mini-golf, bike rentals, and horseback rides are all available throughout the summer. The Bavarian City Mining Railway will also be operating daily thru September 1st. The first BCMR train departs the city station at noon and the last train departs the resort station at 6pm, with hourly runs during the day.
For more information on train, chairlift, & lunch packages, please call (250) 427-4881.
