Penticton Station (0.0 km)
From Penticton Station to West Summerland Station the grade of the railway varies more than any other section. Although the average is a comfortable 1.1% uphill grade, it does vary from 0.0% to 2.2%.

Channel Parkway / Okanagan River Channel (0.7 km)
Two railway bridges, one right after the other, cross the Channel Parkway and the Okanagan River Channel. The Okanagan River Channel bridge was removed by CPR in June of 1996. A detour is required to get around the missing bridge. Take Fairview Road south across Channel Parkway and the Okanagan River Channel. After crossing the bridge turn north (right) on the Jaycees bike path. Eight hundred metres down the path turn west (left) on to the KVR at km 0.8.

"Jaycees" bicycle path (0.8 km)
The bike path is the western boundary of the Penticton Indian Reserve. Permission is required to cross the reserve and can be gained by calling the band office.

Osoyoos Subdivision junction (0.9 km)
The railway splits, the south line heading for Skaha Station on the Osoyoos Subdivision, and the northwest line heading for West Summerland Station on the Princeton Subdivision.

Entering West Bench - leaving Penticton Indian Reserve (2.4 km)
Alternating between deep cuts and large fills over coulees, the KVR climbs steadily to mount the bench. As the bench is attained, the KVR bisects the community of West Bench, passing through orchards and behind private residences.

Right-of-way passes under Sunglo Drive. (2.9 km)

Right-of-way passes under Newton Road. (4.0 km)

Right-of-way passes under Hyslop Road. (4.6 km)

Pine Hills Golf and Country Club Road (5.1 km)
As you leave West Bench, the railway hugs the hillside as it climbs up along Sage Mesa. The views down the Okanagan Valley are spectacular, with views of Okanagan Lake and Penticton to the south and Naramata to the north. The views improve as the railway continues its uphill climb on an excellent hard-packed lane toward West Summerland.

The KVR hangs high on a rock face overlooking the Okanagan Valley. (9.2 km)

Small access road from West Bench and Research Centre. (9.8 km)
The Research Centre is fenced and locked with no access.

Beginning of Winslow siding (10.5 km)
Winslow siding is located on a wide upper bench. This is the planned terminus of the Kettle Valley Steam Railway. Plans include a railway station with access to the Agricultural Research Station.

End of Winslow siding. (11.1 km)

Winslow Station (11.3 km)
Winslow Station was named after R. M. Winslow of the provincial department of Agriculture who was primarily responsible for the development of the Dominion Experimental Farm. It was established in 1914 to assist the development of the agricultural industry in the unique environmental conditions of the Okanagan Valley. The name was later changed to the Summerland Agricultural Research Station and borders the KVR at Winslow Station. The research centre has become an international tourist attraction providing tours of the interpretive centre and botanical gardens. Although there is a gated road coming out of the research station here, there is no access to the botanical gardens or research station. The only access is from Highway #97.

Trout Creek (11.7 km)
Trout Creek was a major obstacle for the KVR as the creek had cut a deep canyon in its plunge to Okanagan Lake. For this reason, bypassing Summerland was a cheaper and shorter route. However, at the insistence of the residents of Summerland who wanted to have the KVR run to their community, McCulloch engineered a 73 metre-high and 76 metre-long deck truss bridge to cross the canyon. The wooden approach trestles were replaced by steel structures and later by fills in 1928. It is the highest of its type in North America.

The tracks are in place from the south end of Trout Creek bridge to Faulder Station.

Canyon View Road (12.3 km)
With the tracks still in place and an active steam railway operating on them, the best option is to detour from here and reaccess the railbed at Faulder, km 24.9. An even better idea is to take the train from Summerland Station to Prairie Valley Station, then cycle the road to Faulder before reaccessing the railway.

To detour, take Canyon Road east (left) to Lewis Avenue. Turn north (right) on to Lewis Avenue, then east (left) on to Hillborn, north (right) on to Monro and east (left) on to Victoria Road South. This route takes you for the most part alongside the KVR. Just before Victoria Road South intersects with Lenzi Street is the site of West Summerland Station and the main station for the Kettle Valley Steam Railway.

Lewis Avenue. (13.0 km)

Monro Avenue. (13.6 km)

West Summerland Station (15.3 km)
The station is again alive with a real steam engine making regular trips up Prairie Valley. Formed in 1989, the Kettle Valley Heritage Society succeeded in keeping a small piece of KVR alive for generations to come. With a 1924 Shay logging locomotive restored by the B.C Forest Museum at Duncan, the society started passenger service on September 17, 1995. With the help of many volunteers and organizations, the railway will continue to expand, eventually running from Winslow to Faulder. Presently (1997) the train makes regular runs between West Summerland Station and Prairie Station at km 20.7. Construction of new stations at Winslow, West Summerland and Faulder are in the plans. Of the original station, the octagonal water tower foundation can be found beside the tracks 300 metres before the station.

All aboard - the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, West Summerland Station, km 15.3.