If the new Board of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society has its way, the old 2141 steam locomotive could be back up and running in the future.
Exactly how and when the train could run is not clear at this time, but Councillor Mike O’Reilly said the society’s newly elected board has plans to try and operate the train between Kamloops and Vernon.
“They have really taken the bull by the horns on the 2141,” O’Reilly said as part of his Councillor’s Report.
“They have been in contact with surrounding municipalities, with CN, Rocky Mountaineer and getting support to be able to run the 2141 again, and looking at a Kamloops to potential Vernon run, which would make it the longest steam engine run in the world, which would be fantastic.”
“Those communities that it would stop in would also be supporting the 2141 as there is an economic impact for them. ”
The 112-year-old steam locomotive has not run for the past few years because of a lack of access to track. It eventually ended up at the Heritage Railway Park by the Red Bridge, though the museum itself was closed last year because of zoning, safety, and accessibility issues.
“It was the first time that I’ve seen massive changes come through that organization that is really adapting more to the times,” O’Reilly added. “I really hope that we see the 2141 ride again during this term of council and I look forward to seeing what they do.”
While it is not clear if the plan to run the train again will materialize, the museum is currently expected to reopen next year.
“They have quite a plan in place, and if that train was ever going to run again on the tracks, this is the board to do it,” O’Reilly said. “I look forward to them coming around council.”
“It is one of our biggest heritage assets that the City of Kamloops owns, and the thousands and thousands of volunteer hours that have gone in to it over the last 30 or 40 years, that is not going to be lost.”
Reached for comment, Kamloops Heritage Railway Society General Manager Ken Milloy told Radio NL they expect to have more to say about the plan at the end of his month.
“There is a lot of work that would have to take place to do that,” Milloy said, noting the board is expected to meet after the May Long Weekend.
“It all sounds very positive, its just a lot of work.”