Nelson 2022 Tours
The Silvery Slocan Tour
Saturday, September 17th
CP & GN focus
$75.00 pre registration required
Start with a visit to the recently restored CPR station in Nelson BC, former Division headquarters for railway and steamship operations in the Kootenays. Visit the historic mining town of Sandon, its operating centryold powerhouse, museum, CPR 0-8-0 6947, mining rail equipment, and a collection of Brill trolleys.
A drive through the historic "Valley of the Ghosts" takes us past relics of the mining and narrow gauge K&S operations to historic and scenic Kaslo, where renowned author Bob Turner will accompany us on our visit to the restored CPR sternwheeler SS Moyie. Kaslo also features a preseved CPR wood caboose, and the Kaslo station with visitor centre and model railway diorama of the town. Historic Kaslo features dozens of heritage buildings, craft brewery, restaurants and a charming main street all adjacent to the SS Moyie National Historic Site.
Nelson Heritage Bus Tour
Monday, Sept 19th - morning
with local heritage speakers
$35.00 pre registration required
Explore the charming (and hilly) city of Nelson from the comfort of a tour bus. Nelson is known for its varied and well preserved architecture and colourful history. Followed by free time for lunch and shopping on Baker Street, which also hosts a variety of great local eateries.
Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art & History
Monday, Sept 19th - afternoon
Reception to follow
$10.00 pre registration required
Get exclusive access to the museum and On Track: Kootenay Railways a brand new exhibit in the main gallery, made possible through a Columbia Basin Trust grant that the CPHA and GNRHS helped secure. A reception with light refreshments will be provided. The museum features a lovely gift-shop with works from many local artists.
Monday's tours are consecutive and the morning tour ends where the afternoon begins. The bus is available between the convention hotel and museum in the afternoon.
GN Nelson Line Tour - (Option A)
Tuesday, Sept 22nd - all day
$79.00 (subject to change due to insurance)
pre registration required
Tour A focuses on the former GNRy's Nelson & Fort Sheppard line (red dotted route on the map) and includes the ride on the former line through the scenic Beaver Valley.
Includes a 45-minute train trip on the old Nelson & Fort Sheppard line between Fruitvale and Columbia Gardens through the beautiful Beaver Valley.
Visit the Salmo museum and their original GN
station. The people of Salmo are very excited
to have us visit their small town.
Short stops at: Ymir, the Pend d’Oreille
bridges at Waneta and the Fort Sheppard
township markers. We also visit the Golden
City Railway Modellers Club layout depicting
Rossland, BC ca. 1900 to 1950.
Price includes lunch in Salmo.
Nelson to Rossland via Castlegar - (Option B)
Tuesday, Sept 22nd - all day
$70.00 pre registration required
Tour B focuses on the CPR’s Columbia & Western route from Nelson to Rossland via Castlegar (black dotted route on the map), and returns via the N&FS route with a stop in Salmo.
Following the still-operating CPR tracks
west of Nelson, we pass several historic and
operational hydro-electric dams along the
Kootenay River. Visit the beautifully restored
CPR station museum in Castlegar. Then to
the Historic Rossland Museum Discovery
Centre where we learn about the many
railways racing to be in the Rossland area
during the mining boom, and the important
smelter at Trail. We then head to the Golden
City Railway Modellers Club layout depicting
Rossland, BC ca. 1900 to 1950. Take a short
round trip to see the Pend d’Oreille bridges
at Waneta and the markers for the old Fort
Sheppard. Finally we stop at Salmo’s restored
GN station and museum.
Price includes lunch.
Ainsworth Hot Springs
Wednesday, Sept. 23rd - morning
Non-rail tour
$51.00 pre registration required
An early bus departure for a beautiful 45 minute ride up the north arm of Kootenay Lake is followed with breakfast at the Ktunaxa Grill, featuring Indigenous inspired cuisine. Then, outdoor soaking in the unique Ainsworth Hot Springs pool and cave, overlooking beautiful Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains.
Price includes bus ride, entrance to the hot springs, and locker rental. Pay for your own breakfast of choice. Swimsuits and towels can be rented for $3.
We plan to be back to the hotel no later than 3pm in anticipation of the evening banquet.
Nelson Electric Tramway Shop Tour and Reception
Tuesday, Sept. 20th. - evening
$9.00 pre registration required
Join the volunteers who keep this century-old car running along Nelson’s waterfront and tour the shop where they perform maintenance and create replacement components for #23.
The Nelson Electric Tramway operated from 1899 to 1949, when buses took over service. Car #23 was built for the Cleveland, OH system in 1906 came to Nelson in 1924, and was lovingly restored in the early 1990s after serving time as a kennel and a gift shop. The organization celebrates 30 years of operation in 2022.
Enjoy free travel on the tram showing your namebadge during the entire meet! Runs 11:10 am – 4:30 pm daily.
The tram travels the waterfront between the Prestige Lakeside Resort and Lakeside Rotary Park with a stop below the Prestige Inn.
*NOTE: All prices are in Canadian dollars.
For more information, contact Scott Calvert, Co-Chair, Nelson 2022.