View source for Nicola, Kamloops and Similkameen Coal and Railway Company

{{lead too short|date=September 2024}}
{{Short description|Subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2024}}
The '''Nicola, Kamloops and Similkameen Coal and Railway Co''' (NK&S), ultimately a [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CP) subsidiary, connected [[Spences Bridge]] and [[Nicola, British Columbia|Nicola]] in south central [[British Columbia]]. This [[standard gauge]] trackage, which followed the [[Nicola River]], formed the CP Nicola Subdivision.
==Coal cartage opportunity==
A prospector named Kennedy from [[Ashcroft, British Columbia|Ashcroft]] was believed to be the first European to discover coal in the area. Subsequently, [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] took quantities of coal to [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]] for blacksmiths during the [[Cariboo Gold Rush]], as did [[packhorse]]s to [[Clinton, British Columbia|Clinton]] as early as 1869. Local settlers extracted these surface outcroppings with a pick and shovel to fuel their fires.<ref name=5Mar75>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=1975&f_month=3&f_day=5 |page=A3 |title=Merritt Herald |date=5 Mar 1975 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref><ref name=26May16>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=2016&f_month=5&f_day=26 |pages=A9–A10 |title=Merritt Herald |date=26 May 2016 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
In 1877–1878, the [[Geological Survey of Canada|Geological Survey Department of Canada]] first reported coal in the area.<ref name=Minfile>{{Cite web | url=https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/summary.aspx?minfilno=092ISE142 |title=Minfile092ISE142 Diamond Vale |website=minfile.gov.bc.ca}}</ref>
Following contact with [[Nicola, British Columbia#Earlier community|Albert Elgin Howse of Nicola]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Howse&f_pub=-1&f_year=2016&f_month=7&f_day=21 |page=A9 |title=Merritt Herald |date=21 Jul 2016 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> and reading the Dawson report of 1886, Lieutenant-Colonel [[William Hamilton Merritt III]] journeyed from [[Toronto]] in 1887. On finding coal in what is known as the Pot Hole, west of the Coldwater 1 Reserve, he purchased a large tract of coal lands. He proceeded to the Coast to form an investor syndicate to apply for a railway charter, because establishing economical transportation was a prerequisite.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Dawson&f_pub=-1&f_year=1924&f_month=4&f_day=25 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=25 Apr 1924 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
==Railway charters==
In 1891, the Nicola Valley Railway Co (NV) obtained a charter to build from Spences Bridge to the western end of [[Nicola Lake]], with a branch line south along the [[Coldwater River (British Columbia)|Coldwater River]] to Voght Creek. Construction needed to commence within three years and be completed within five.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18930214uvic/page/n9/mode/2up?view=theater&q=coldwater |page=12 |title=Daily Colonist |date=14 Feb 1893 | website=archive.org}}</ref> The NV syndicate comprised Charles Whetham, [[Stephen Tingley]], and Dr. John M. Lefevre<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://whonnock.ca/whonnock-history/pdf/WN18-Whetham.pdf#page=14 |page=14 |title=Charles Whetham, A Remarkable Resident of Ruskin | website=whonnock.ca}}</ref> (president).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archives.leg.bc.ca/civix/document/id/leg_archives/legarchives/170483874 |title=Nicola Valley Railway Co: Petition |date=1 Mar 1892 | website=archives.leg.bc.ca}}</ref> Later that year, the NK&S obtained a charter for the same route by disguising its application as [[Kamloops]] to [[Osoyoos]] via the Nicola Valley and [[Princeton, British Columbia|Princeton]],<ref name=29Oct15>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Merrittonians&f_pub=-1&f_year=2015&f_month=10&f_day=29 |page=A15 |title=Merritt Herald |date=29 Oct 2015 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> with a branch to Spences Bridge. The NV unsuccessfully opposed the NK&S application.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18910401uvic/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=4 |title=Daily Colonist |date=1 Apr 1891 | website=archive.org}}</ref> Led by Howse and W.H. Merritt,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Howse&f_pub=-1&f_year=1924&f_month=8&f_day=22 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=22 Aug 1924 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> the NK&S syndicate also comprised John F. Allison, R.H. Lee, A.M. Nanton, Sandford H. Fleming, Frank A. Fleming, C.H. Keefer, Geo F. Harman, and C.F. Shanley.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Osoyoos&f_pub=-1&f_year=1891&f_month=3&f_day=28 |page=A4 |title=Inland Sentinel |date=28 Mar 1891 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
In 1892, the NV was granted a $3,200 per mile construction subsidy,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18920629uvic/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=1 |title=Daily Colonist |date=29 Jun 1892 | website=archive.org}}</ref> and the principals obtained options on coal rights immediately south of present Merritt,<ref name=20Nov67>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Garische&f_pub=-1&f_year=1967&f_month=11&f_day=20 |page=A2 |title=Merritt Herald |date=20 Nov 1967 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> covering {{convert|15|to|20|mi2|km2|order=flip}} of coal lands. The 1894 announcement that construction would shortly commence came to nothing.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18940427uvic/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=1 |title=Daily Colonist |date=27 Apr 1894 | website=archive.org}}</ref>
Equally unable to secure financing, the NK&S charter lapsed. W.H.Merritt and two others were all that remained of the original syndicate when the NK&S charter for a Spences Bridge–Nicola line was renewed in 1903.<ref name="29Oct15" /> The $6,400 per mile federal construction subsidy for the first {{convert|45|mi|km|0|order=flip}} was expected to also attract provincial financial assistance.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Jukes&f_pub=-1&f_year=1903&f_month=12&f_day=17 |page=A1 |title=Kamloops Standard |date=17 Dec 1903 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> That year, they sold the charter to eastern capitalists<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0381439#p2z-2r0f:%22Merritt%22 |page=3 |title=Daily News (Nelson) |date=10 Nov 1903 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> from Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Jukes&f_pub=-1&f_year=1903&f_month=11&f_day=12 |page=A1 |title=Kamloops Standard |date=12 Nov 1903 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> A year later, a New York syndicate apparently bought the charter.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xgrandforks/1.0341471#p0z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=1 |title=Evening Sun (Grand Forks) |date=14 Feb 1905 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
==Railway construction project==
===Approval in principle===
In 1904, false rumours circulated that CP had acquired the NK&S charter.<ref name="20Nov67" /> That year, [[John Hendry (industrialist)|John Hendry]], who possessed good connections within CP, staked out {{convert|2700|acre|ha|order=flip}} of coal rights southwest of present Merritt with the intention of starting a colliery. That summer, Dr. R.W. Ells conducted coal surveys, which appeared in the annual report of the Geological Survey Department that year. This highlighting of the coalmining potential lifted the Nicola Valley out of obscurity.<ref name="5Mar75" /> Ellis concluded that the coal quality and reserves compared very favourably with those of [[Vancouver Island]] and the Crowsnest.<ref name=12Mar75>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=1975&f_month=3&f_day=12 |page=A3 |title=Merritt Herald |date=12 Mar 1975 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
===Associated opposition===
Coal magnate [[James Dunsmuir]] had been unsuccessful in acquiring John Hendry's extensive coal rights. In August 1905, he secured an option for coal development on another {{convert|2800|acre|ha|order=flip}} but planned to leave the property idle for two years. This would eliminate competition from other speculators and also benefit his Vancouver Island mines, but the landowners thwarted his attempts. Next, he claimed the coal was of poor quality and limited quantity, so he was no longer interested in the option. He imagined his rejection of the area might induce Hendry to abandon the adjoining coal rights. However, the press exposed the scandal and dashed his hopes of buying up all the Nicola options at bargain prices.<ref name="12Mar75" />
===Approval to proceed===
In May 1905, CP announced that work would begin that summer on the railway line,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19050517uvic/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater&q=Nicola |page=2 |title=Daily Colonist |date=17 May 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref> the prime contractor having acquired the NK&S charter on behalf of the railway.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-victoria-daily-times/156168953 |page=1 |title=Victoria Daily Times |date=18 May 1905 |website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref>
CP obtained locomotive coal from Vancouver Island mines, where labour disputes threatened the ongoing supply. Consequentially, access to the Nicola region reserves assumed greater importance.<ref name=16Nov77>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=1977&f_month=11&f_day=16 |page=A14 |title=Merritt Herald |date=16 Nov 1977 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
===Progress===
Loss and MacDonnell, the prime contractor,<ref name="20Nov67" /> commenced the $1,500,000 project in July 1905. To minimize heavy rock cuts, the right-of-way crossed the Nicola River multiple times.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19050707uvic/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=2 |title=Daily Colonist |date=7 Jul 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref> That month, the wagon road, which had struggled to justify a bi-weekly stage service, introduced competing daily services.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19050729uvic/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater&q=stage |page=5 |title=Daily Colonist |date=29 Jul 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref>
[[File:Clapperton Tunnel, 2015.jpg|thumb|Northwest portal of Clapperton Tunnel, 2015]]
The initial subcontractors west to east were:
* Foss and Sutherland, {{convert|4|mi|km|0|order=flip}}, involving some heavy rock work.
* Ironside, Rannie and Campbell, {{convert|3|mi|km|0|order=flip}}, requiring heavy rock work and the heaviest earth cuts.
* Pat Allen, {{convert|4|mi|km|0|order=flip}}, consisting mainly of earthwork.
* Bright, {{convert|10|mi|km|0|order=flip}}, involving stretches of comparatively light construction work.
* Cook, Quinn and Brassie, {{convert|10|mi|km|0|order=flip}}, entailing mostly light scraper work.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19050813uvic/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=6 |title=Daily Colonist |date=13 Aug 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref>
That October, a new work camp was set up at Coutlee to work both ways.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nicoheral/1.0318196#p0z-4r0f:%22MacDonnell%22 |page=1 |title=Nicola Herald |date=5 Oct 1905 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The next month, Ironside, Rannie and Campbell were awarded the bridgework, tracklaying and [[Track ballast|ballast]]ing contract.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19051103uvic/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=5 |title=Daily Colonist |date=3 Nov 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref> By December, one thousand men were working at 20 different camps along the route.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19051203uvic/page/n9/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=11 |title=Daily Colonist |date=3 Dec 1905 | website=archive.org}}</ref>
In January 1906, tracklaying began at Spences Bridge. In mid-March, the eastward advance of the rail head reached the Clapperton Tunnel,{{sfn|Sanford|2002|p=91}} having progressed at {{convert|1.2|km|mi|2}} per day. When subcontractor McLean finished the tunnel, tracklaying proceeded.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19060327uvic/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=3 |title=Daily Colonist |date=27 Mar 1906 | website=archive.org}}</ref> That year, labour shortages continued to delay progress.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist466uvic/page/n19/mode/1up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=20 |title=Daily Colonist |date=17 Jun 1906 | website=archive.org}}</ref> The rail head reached Coutlee in early June 1906{{sfn|Sanford|2002|p=91}} and Nicola in November 1906.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=townspeople&f_pub=-1&f_year=1906&f_month=11&f_day=13 |page=A2 |title=Inland Sentinel |date=13 Nov 1906 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
Following inspection of the completed line in March 1907,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19070320uvic/page/n9/mode/2up?view=theater&q=official |page=10 |title=Daily Colonist |date=20 Mar 1907 | website=archive.org}}</ref> tri-weekly passenger service began at the beginning of April.<ref name=28Mar07>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19070328uvic/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater&q=nicola |page=5 |title=Daily Colonist |date=28 Mar 1907 | website=archive.org}}</ref>
===Extension===
CP proposed to later extend the track eastward via Quilchena to [[Princeton, British Columbia|Princeton]].<ref name="16Nov77" /> The construction announcement in June 1909 revealed the plan had been revised to an extension southward from Merritt via the Coldwater River.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nicoheral/1.0318217#p0z-3r0f:%22Similkameen%22 |page=1 |title=Nicola Herald |date=18 Jun 1909 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> By December 1910, {{convert|4|mi|km|0|order=flip}} of track had been laid.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=kettle&f_pub=-1&f_year=1910&f_month=12&f_day=30 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=30 Dec 1910 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> In late September 1911, the rail head reached [[Brookmere|Otter Summit]].{{sfn|Sanford|2002|p=136}}
==Service within geographical context==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Train Timetables (Regular stop or [[Request stop|Flag stop]])
|-
!  !! Mile !! 1909 !! 1912 !! 1915 !! 1916 !! 1919 !! 1929 !! 1932 !! 1935 !! 1939 !! 1943 !! 1948 !! 1954 !! 1957 !! 1960 !! 1963
|-
|  || <ref name=CP35>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0362163#p12z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=13 (TT 70) |title=Timetable |date=28 Apr 1935 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356986#p76z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=77 (42) |title=Timetable |date=1 Sep 1909 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356986#p91z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=92 (TT117) |title=Timetable |date=1 Dec 1912 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356986#p136z-2r0f:%22Nicola%22 |pages=137 (TT124, TT124.5) |title=Timetable |date=27 Jun 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356986#p158z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |pages=159 (TT131, TT132) |title=Timetable |date=5 Sep 1916 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356986#p183z-3r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=184 (TT124) |title=Timetable |date=30 Nov 1919 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0372865#p30z-2r0f:%22Glen%22 |page=31 (TT123) |title=Timetable |date=1929 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0357110#p469z-3r0f:%22Glen%22 |page=470 (TT154)|title=Timetable |date=25 Sep 1932 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref name="CP35" /> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0357110#p126z-4r0f:%22Brookmere%22 |page=127 (TT154)|title=Timetable |date=5 Feb 1939 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=http://streamlinermemories.info/CAN/CP43-6TT.pdf#page=47 |page=47 (TT154) |title=Timetable |date=27 Jun 1943 |website=www.streamlinermemories.info}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0372807#p44z-4r0f:%22Coutlee%22 |page=45 (TT154)|title=Timetable |date=5 Dec 1948 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0372819#p44z-3r0f:%22Coutlee%22 |page=45 (TT131) |title=Timetable |date=25 Apr 1954 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0372808#p43z-3r0f:%22Coutlee%22 |page=44 (TT131) |title=Timetable |date=28 Apr 1957 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/chungtext/1.0356724#p24z-3r0f:%22Brodie%22 |page=25 (TT40) |title=Timetable |date=30 Oct 1960 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pre.timetableworld.com/ttw-viewer?token=e25f29cd-61ce-47a4-b8c8-ae5eaae2ed6f |page=21 (TT40) |title=Timetable |date=27 Oct 1963 |website=pre.timetableworld.com}}</ref>
|-
| Spence's{{&nbsp}}Bridge || {{spaces|1}}0.0 || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg.
|-
| Clapperton || 10.1 || Flag || Flag || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Agate || 17.3 ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Dot || 20.3 || Reg. || Reg. || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Canford Mill || 28.2 ||  ||  ||  ||  || Flag ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||
|-
| Canford || 29.3 || Reg. || Reg. || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Coyle || 35.0 || Reg. || Reg. || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Coutlee || 37.8 || Reg. || Reg. || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Both || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag || Flag ||  ||
|-
| Merritt || 39.8 || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. ||  ||
|-
| Nicola || 47.0 || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. || Reg. ||  ||  || Reg. ||  || Reg. || Reg. ||  ||  ||  ||
|}
==Railway infrastructure and incidents==
===Initial route===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Spences Bridge–Clapperton
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| {{spaces|1}}0.0 || colspan=15 | '''[[Spences Bridge#Railways|Spences Bridge]]''' ||
|-
| {{spaces|1}}1.0 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-25}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}} || colspan=15 | In 1926, four cars of a westbound passenger train derailed. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/similkameen/1.0418724#p0z-3r0f:%22Spences%22 |page=1 |title=Princeton Star |date=23 Sep 1926 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|-
| {{spaces|1}}1.4 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}}6.0 || colspan=15 | In 1927, an eastbound locomotive and tender derailed when struck by a {{convert|25|ST|0|adj=on|order=flip}} boulder. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Spences&f_pub=-1&f_year=1927&f_month=3&f_day=11 |page=A5 |title=Merritt Herald |date=11 Mar 1927 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
| {{spaces|1}}6.8 || colspan=15 | A {{convert|10000|impgal|adj=on|order=flip}} enclosed tank erected c.1907 on the south side of the main line. Deactivated before 1930. Removed. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}}8.2 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|100|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel deck truss span and {{convert|50|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} deck plate girder span. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}}8.3 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}}9.4 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
| {{spaces|1}}9.6 || colspan=15 | Clapperton (Ten Mile) Tunnel: {{convert|324|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} concrete lined tunnel. <br />The portals are made of cut stone. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}<br />{{sfn|Langford|2002|p=245}}
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Clapperton–Agate
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 10.1 || '''Clapperton'''{{ref|Alpha|d}} || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || None || N/A || N/A ||  || c.1906.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Removed after 1962. || Apr 1907 || May 1962 || None || None || None || Feb 1916 to<br/>Apr{{&nbsp}}1965.<br/>Length {{convert|1789.5|ft|m|0|order=flip}} ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1909, an incorrectly set switch sent a westbound train into a stationary truck and freight car. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-news-advertiser/156169074 |page=4 |title=Weekly News-Advertiser |date=4 Jan 1910 |website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1911, three passenger cars and five coal cars of a mixed train derailed. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xnicola/1.0184876#p0z-4r0f:%22Clapperton%22 |page=1 |title=Nicola Valley News |date=10 Mar 1911 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 12.0 || colspan=15 | In 1918, several loaded coal cars of a westbound freight train derailed into a ditch. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/similkameen/1.0415369#p1z-3r0f:%22Clapperton%22 |page=2 |title=Princeton Star |date=3 Jan 1919 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 13.3 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-23}}
|-
| 13.7 || colspan=15 | Highway crossing, after paralleling north of highway from Mile 13.3. After the rails were lifted, the highway moved onto the former railway grade. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-23}}
|-
| 14.3 || colspan=15 | Skuhun (KV Potato Illahe) Creek: {{convert|15|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} wall culvert span. Replaced by {{convert|18|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber deck bridge on concrete abutments in 1946, which were damaged in the 1948 flood. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-23}}
|-
| 14.5 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|163|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel half deck plate girder spans. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-23}}
|-
| 14.8 || colspan=15 | Shakan Creek: {{convert|15|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} wall culvert span. Replaced by {{convert|15|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber deck bridge on concrete abutments at unknown date. A {{convert|20000|impgal|adj=on|order=flip}} enclosed tank erected c.1925 on the south side of the main line. Deactivated winter 1953–54. Removed. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-23}}
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}. Section house erected on the southwest side of the main line.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. Station opened as Cartwright, prior to rename within a year. Conway Edward Cartwright and John Clapperton were valley pioneers.<ref name="28Mar07" />{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-24}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Agate–Dot
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 17.3 || '''Agate'''{{ref|Alpha|b}} || Oct 1920<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || None || N/A || N/A ||  || None ||  || N/A || N/A || None || None || None || None ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-22}}
|-
| 17.5 || colspan=15 | Manning Creek: {{convert|14.5|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} wall culvert span. Replaced by {{convert|15|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber deck bridge on concrete abutments in 1946. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-22}}
|-
| 18.0 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: Pony truss. Replaced by {{convert|106|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel pony truss and {{convert|50|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} half deck plate girder span at unknown date. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-22}}
|-
| 19.0 || colspan=15 | Manning Creek FSR crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-22}}
|-
| 19.7 || colspan=15 | Gordon Creek: {{convert|13.5|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} wall culvert span. Replaced by {{convert|16|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber deck bridge on concrete abutments. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-22}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1911, a [[Freighthopping|freighthopper]] sustained fatal injuries on attempting to board a moving westbound train. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xnicola/1.0184868#p6z-4r0f:%22reaper%22 |page=7 |title=Nicola Valley News |date=27 Jan 1911 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Named after [[agate]]s found in the creek.{{sfn|Cleasby|1977|p=21 (19)}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Dot–Canford Mill
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 20.4 || '''Dot'''{{ref|Alpha|d}} || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || Bohi's Type 10.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bcrdh.ca/islandora/object/nvma%3A2019?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=26129babdd486161a52b&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=4&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=7 |title=Mrs. Seal in doorway of Dot railway station | website=bcrdh.ca}}</ref> || 1906.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Apr 1969 || Removed c.1970 || c.1906.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Removed c.1970 || Apr 1907 || c.1969 || None || None || None || Feb 1916 to<br/>Jul{{&nbsp}}1990.<br/>Length {{convert|157.6|ft|m|0|order=flip}} ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|pp=6-21–6-22}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | Being about half way on the Nicola wagon road, James Phair established a ranch and stopping place c.1875. The establishment had a liquor licence and was well patronized prior to the railway. || {{sfn|Cleasby|1977|p=14 (12)}}
|-
| 21.0 || colspan=15 | Backwater: {{convert|60|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber pile trestle. Rebuilt in 1934. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-21}}
|-
| 21.4 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|150|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} [[Howe truss]]. Replaced by {{convert|158.7|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel through truss span in 1942. Later strengthened by an exterior truss span. East abutment washed out in 1948. Permanent repairs completed in 1951. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-21}}
|-
| 24.4 || colspan=15 | In 1918, about 5 coal cars derailed. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=spreading&f_pub=-1&f_year=1918&f_month=12&f_day=20 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=20 Dec 1918 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 26.2 || colspan=15 | Nooaitch Creek: {{convert|16|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} timber deck on concrete abutments. A {{convert|20000|impgal|adj=on|order=flip}} enclosed tank existed on the south side of the main line. Deactivated winter 1953–54. Removed. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-21}}
|-
| 28.1 || colspan=15 | Petit Creek Rd crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-21}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1913, the locomotive and all the cars of an eastbound passenger train derailed. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=spreading&f_pub=-1&f_year=1913&f_month=7&f_day=25 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=25 Jul 1913 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}. At the end of the farm road off Dot Ranch Cutoff Rd. Both on the northeast side of the main line, the station was immediately to the north and the section house just beyond.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. Named after Dalton (Dot) Marpole, local rancher and son of CP's Richard Marpole. In Jan 1908, Dot died when his ranch house burned.
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Canford Mill–Coyle
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 28.2 || '''Canford Mill'''{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Jul 1916<br/>to<br/> May{{&nbsp}}1927 || None || N/A || N/A ||  || None ||  || N/A || N/A || None || None || None || None ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-20}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1910, a freighthopper sustained fatal injuries on falling from a moving [[flatcar]], after which the body was dragged about {{convert|12|mi|km|0|order=flip}}. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xnicola/1.0184860#p0z-4r0f:%22Canford%22 |page=1 |title=Nicola Valley News |date=18 Nov 1910 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1912, a brakeman atop a freight car which derailed and fell into a pond sustained fatal injuries. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Spences&f_pub=-1&f_year=1912&f_month=11&f_day=22 |page=A1 |title=Inland Sentinel |date=22 Nov 1912 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 28.4 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|150|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Howe truss. Replaced by {{convert|158.7|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel through truss span in 1940. Later strengthened by exterior truss span. When east abutment washed out in 1949, permanent repairs were not completed until 1952.<br />Filming location for ''[[Jurassic World: Dominion]]'' (2022). The [[2021 Pacific Northwest floods]] washed away the bridge. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-20}}<br /><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://movie-locations.com/movies/j/Jurassic-World-Dominion.php |title=Jurassic World: Dominion |website=movie-locations.com}}</ref>
|-
| 29.3 || colspan=15 | Sunshine Valley Rd crossing. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-20}}
|-
| 29.4 || '''Canford'''{{ref|Alpha|e}} || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || Small freight/passenger shelter.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Spences&f_pub=-1&f_year=1977&f_month=7&f_day=20 |page=A12 |title=Merritt Herald |date=20 Jul 1977 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> || Unknown.{{ref|Alpha|d}} || Apr 1969 || Removed by 1968. || c.1906. || Sold, moved away from the track, and slightly modified. || Apr 1907 || May 1962 || None || None || None || Feb 1916 to<br/>Apr{{&nbsp}}1969.<br/>Length {{convert|1807|ft|m|0|order=flip}} ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|pp=6-19–6-20}}
|-
| 30.8 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|100|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Howe truss. Replaced by {{convert|110|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel pony truss span in 1938. Washed out embankment at west end from 1948 flood replaced by 12-bent pile trestle, and later by 7-bent pile trestle and fill.<br/>Adjacent to Spius Creek mouth. Commonly known as Petit Creek. Vincent Petit settled in early 1870s. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-19}}<br/><br/>{{sfn|Cleasby|1977|p=16 (14)}}
|-
| 33.7 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|100|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Howe truss. Replaced by {{convert|100|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel pony truss span in 1938. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-19}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1963, a westbound passenger train killed a person sleeping on the track. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Spences&f_pub=-1&f_year=1963&f_month=3&f_day=6 |page=A9 |title=Merritt Herald |date=6 Mar 1963 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 34.8 || colspan=15 | Ten Mile (Guichon) Creek: {{convert|60|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Howe truss. Replaced by {{convert|65|ft|4|in|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel half deck plate girder span in 1939. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-19}}
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}. Named for the Nicola Valley Lumber Co sawmill built in 1908, destroyed by fire c.1909, and rebuilt in 1911.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. Station erected on the south side of the main line about {{convert|400|m|mi|2}} east of Sunshine Valley Rd crossing.<br />{{note|Alpha|e}}. In 1903, the settlement was named after Canford, Dorset.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/pdfs/bchf/bchn_2004_spring.pdf#page=13 |last=Welwood |first=Frances J. |title=BC Historical News: The Creators of Canford |date=2004 |volume=37 |issue=2 |page=13 (9) |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Coyle–Coutlee
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 35.0 || '''Coyle'''{{ref|Alpha|d}} || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || Small passenger shelter. || Unknown.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Jul 1990 ||  || 1925.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Gone by 1960s. || c.1912 || After 1965 || None || None || None || None ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-18}}
|-
| 35.8 || colspan=15 | In 1949, 8 loaded cattle cars ran away from Merritt. The chasing locomotive derailed some cars on trying to couple east of the Coyle siding switch. The brakeman on the pilot locomotive was killed. An eastbound train hit the remainder west of the switch, derailing the locomotive. A large number of cattle were killed. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-17}}<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=cattle&f_pub=-1&f_year=1988&f_month=6&f_day=1 |page=A12 |title=Merritt Herald |date=1 Jun 1988 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 36.2 || colspan=15 | In 1974, a westbound freight train killed two teenagers sleeping on the track. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Shulus&f_pub=-1&f_year=1974&f_month=8&f_day=8 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=8 Aug 1974 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}.  Near the southern fork of Coyle Rd, the station was erected on the northeast side of the main line and the section house erected on the southwest side.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. Area called [[Lower Nicola]]. Station opened as Woodward, prior to rename within a year.<ref name="28Mar07" />{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-19}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Coutlee–Merritt
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 37.7 || '''Coutlee'''{{ref|Alpha|d}} || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || Small passenger shelter. || Unknown.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Apr 1965 ||  || None ||  || N/A || N/A || None || None || None || Feb 1916 to<br/>Apr{{&nbsp}}1965.<br/>Length {{convert|746|ft|m|0|order=flip}} ||  || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-17}}
|-
| 39.0 || colspan=15 | Nicola River: {{convert|84|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Howe truss. Replaced by {{convert|85|ft|7|in|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} steel through plate girder span in 1939. || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-17}}
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}. Station erected on the southwest side of the main line.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. In 1873, Alexander Coutlee pre-empted and built a house. In the early 1880s, he built a hotel, store and warehouse.{{sfn|Cleasby|1977|p=49 (51)}}
}}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="17" style="background:#ffdead;" | CP Infrastructure and incidents for Merritt–Nicola
|-
! rowspan=2 | Mile<br />{{ref|Alpha|a}} !! rowspan=2 | Place !! rowspan=2 | Passenger Service !! colspan=4 | Station Building !! colspan=2 | Section House !! colspan=2 | Section<br />Crew !! colspan=2 | Storage Capacity !! rowspan=2 | Engine<br />House !! colspan=2 | Track !! rowspan=2 | Ref.
|-
! Type !! Built !! Closed !! Comments !! Built !! Comments !! From !! To !! Water<br />Tank !! Coal<br />Chute !! Passing !! Other
|-
| 39.8 || '''Merritt''' || Apr 1907<br/>to<br/> Oct{{&nbsp}}1957 || Unknown || 1909<br />{{ref|Alpha|c}} {{ref|Alpha|d}} || Jul 1990 || Replaced in 1912. Removed c.1995 to a Canford farm. || On northeast leg of the wye.{{ref|Alpha|c}} || Removed c.1987. || Jun 1915 || May 1989 || {{convert|40000|impgal|adj=on|order=flip}} enclosed tank. After 1953, used for diesel emergency. || None || None ||  || [[Wye (rail)|wye]]{{ref|Alpha|e}} || {{sfn|Smuin|2003|pp=6-14–6-16}}
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1910, two loaded coal cars derailed and tipped. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=switching&f_pub=-1&f_year=1910&f_month=12&f_day=23 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=23 Dec 1910 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
|-
|  || colspan=15 | In 1916, an eastbound silk train, carrying $1.25 million of silk, crashed head on into a stationary logging train, when the switch had been incorrectly left set for the Nicola spur. Both locomotives derailed and sustained serious damage. || <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xnicola/1.0184766#p0z-3r0f:%22silk%22 |page=1 |title=Nicola Valley News |date=23 Jun 1916 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
|-
| 47.0 || colspan=15 | '''[[Nicola, British Columbia#Railway|Nicola]]''' ||
|}
{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. Mileages are 1931–1961, measured from the Spences Bridge Station building.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}<br />{{note|Alpha|b}}. Unless specified otherwise, infrastructure detail is c.1931.<br />{{note|Alpha|c}}. Station and section house erected on the northeast side of the main line.<br />{{note|Alpha|d}}. Station existed in the middle of the Coldwater, Coutlee, Voigt, and Garcia block.<br />{{note|Alpha|e}}. Wye existed in the middle of the Coldwater, Coutlee, Garcia, and Tutill block. Southeast leg imprint remains visible. Tails: west to Spences Bridge, south to Brodie, and east to Nicola. The wye was used primarily to turn locomotives.
}}
===Extension===
Merritt–Brookmere
{{Further|Coldwater River (British Columbia)#Former railway trackage}}
==Commercial coal mining==
In 1906 Coal Gulley, one of the first coal companies to begin production, was taken over by Nicola Valley Coal and Coke Co (NVC).<ref name="26May16" /> That year, NVC, Coldwater Coal Co, and Diamond Vale Coal and Iron Mines, began drilling on their holdings.<ref name=19Mar75>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=1975&f_month=3&f_day=19 |page=A7 |title=Merritt Herald |date=19 Mar 1975 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> NVC founded the Middlesboro Collieries (about {{convert|1.6|km|mi|0}} southwest of Merritt). Diamond Vale was in the northeast of the Merritt coalfield (about {{convert|1|km|mi|1}} east of Merritt). The Coldwater River formed the boundary between the Middlesboro and the Diamond Vale properties.<ref name="Minfile" />
While the railway infrastructure was being built, the mining companies prepared for production. The first carload of coal came up out of the NVC mine in January 1907, but the first train load shipped out was that June. Middlesboro, the largest mine in the valley, used coal cutting machines. The coal was loaded onto {{convert|3000|lb|kg|adj=on|order=flip}} capacity cars, which were brought to the surface by mules or horses, or up very steep slopes by steel cable and hoist.<ref name="26May16" />
In May 1908, NVC chartered a train to bring a hundred of Vancouver's most influential businessmen to inspect the Middlesboro operation. By 1909, NVC was supplying fuel for the city of Kamloops and CP steam locomotives.<ref name="19Mar75" /> Most of the coal produced was for railway use.<ref name="Minfile" />
Exhausted coal seams in existing mines decreased production in the late 1920s. The [[Great Depression]] reduced demand in the 1930s.<ref name="26May16" /> On the spur crossing the river, the replacement of a wooden bridge with a steel one in 1938 indicated confidence in the mining future.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=colliery&f_pub=-1&f_year=1938&f_month3&f_day=11 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=11 Mar 1938 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref>
During [[World War II]], a federal subsidy to coal producers kept prices affordable for consumers. When the subsidy was withdrawn in 1944, Middlesboro Collieries closed permanently.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=coal&f_pub=-1&f_year=1944&f_month=2&f_day=25 |page=A1 |title=Merritt Herald |date=25 Feb 1944 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> Over the decades, the company produced {{convert|136852|ST|order=flip}} of coal, and Diamond Vale (closed in 1945) produced {{convert|46393|ST|order=flip}}.<ref name="Minfile" /> At the time, the replacing of coal-burning locomotives with diesel ones severely reduced demand.<ref name="26May16" />
In 1946, Gerard and Associates bought the Middlesboro Mining Co, renaming it the Coldwater Coal Co. The mine finally closed in 1963.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=Gerard&f_pub=-1&f_year=1986&f_month=7&f_day=16 |page=A9 |title=Merritt Herald |date=16 Jul 1986 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> Only a fraction of coal reserves were recovered during the five decades of mining.<ref name="26May16" />
==Railway operation and demise==
In November 1915, the [[Kettle Valley Railway]] (KV) took over the management of the line,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/similkameen/1.0412717#p0z-4r0f:%22Nicola%22 |page=2 |title=Princeton Star |date=29 Oct 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and coal shipments continued as the primary traffic. During 1916–1959, blockages on the KV [[Coquihalla railway link|Coquihalla segment]] or in the lower [[Fraser Canyon]] created bursts of activity when trains temporarily diverted via Merritt. In October 1957, passenger service (provided by [[mixed train]]s) ended. When the Coquihalla track closed in late 1959, trains rerouted via Merritt but stopped at no stations officially, but unofficial stops between Meritt and Spences Bridge were not uncommon.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}}
[[File:Merrit Station 1940.jpg|thumb|Train Station, Merritt, 1940]]
The freight crew base moved from [[Brookmere]] to Merrit in 1966, where it remained until 1985. The Merritt station freight revenue exceeded $6 million annually during the 1970s. Freight comprised lumber and chips from the mills, equipment for industry and ranches, and copper and iron from Coyle.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=telegraph&f_pub=-1&f_year=1978&f_month=8&f_day=23 |page=A2 |title=Merritt Herald |date=23 Aug 1978 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}</ref> The spur to Nicola was abandoned in 1979 and the rails lifted in 1980.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-13}}
After [[Penticton]] station closed in 1985, an additional crew was based at Merritt to handle the three times weekly service to Princeton, Penticton and Okanagan Falls. The final train from Penticton was March 1989 and from Princeton was in April. The final trip to Spences Bridge was that May.{{sfn|Smuin|2003|p=6-5}} The rails were lifted in 1991{{sfn|Sanford|2002|p=248}} and 1992. The province purchased the right-of-way in 1995 and returned the parts through the reserves to First Nations.{{sfn|Langford|2002|p=245}}
==Rail trail==
Around 2019, plans were made to rehabilitate the rail bed toward Spences Bridge and Brookmere. However, when the [[2021 Pacific Northwest floods|2021 flood]] took out the bridges and most of the rail bed, interest in the proposal evaporated. The first step to revive the project was completion of the short Merritt–Coutlee leg in 2024. Also after the flood destroyed sections of highway 8 a vehicle bridge has been installed where a former railway bridge was and a dirt road constructed along the former rail alignment to re-route traffic around a washed out section of the highway.{{reflist}}
==References==
* {{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0379329#p13z-5r0f |last=Cleasby |first=Henry Standley |title=The Nicola Valley in review |year=1977 |website=library.ubc.ca}}
* {{cite book |last=Sanford |first=Barrie |title=McCulloch's Wonder |publisher=Whitecap |year=2002 |isbn=1-55285-402-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Smuin |first=Joe |title=Kettle Valley Railway Mileboards |publisher=North Kildonan Publications |year=2003 | isbn=0-9696971-2-0}}
[[Category:Nicola Country]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway stations in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway lines]]