My sister and her husband will be hiking in British Columbia this coming July. They would like to get photos of where the trains enter the spiral tunnels'. Any suggestions of where? What trail names? or Requirements? They are both in good shape and have hiked much of the Appalachian Mountains. I'm not sure what else to ask.
I've never been there, but I did find some insight on the web. I hope to see this line someday, so know a wee bit about it. I'm hoping some TrainBoard members can help you. One website shows these locations where you can watch trains, but the sample photos don't look that good because trees partially obscure the railroad. From the viewpoint 7.4 km east of Field on the Trans-Canada Highway, you can see the Lower Spiral Tunnel in Mt. Ogden. The Upper Spiral Tunnel in Cathedral Mountain can be seen from the pull-off 2.3 km up the Yoho Valley Road. Here's an old map showing the original and new lines: Also this https://www.frograil.com/railroad/bc.php Your sister and her husband may do well to stop at some open spots on the mainline along the Trans-Canada Highway where there's more opportunity for good pictures, perhaps Golden, Field, Lake Louise, Banff and others might be good. This is a busy line, so with a bit of patience and an eye for composition, they could bring home some great stuff.
We stopped at a scenic overlook on the highway overlooking one of the tunnels. Don't know anything about hiking trails.
Was camping a few years ago at Yoho National Park in the valley not far from Field. There are some trails heading up in the direction of the tunnels but I don't remember exactly where the trail head starts and I'm not sure if trails go all the way up to the tunnels. It doesn't really look all that far but distance looking up on the side of a mountain can be a very deceiving no matter how good of shape your in trust me I been hiking in the Canadian Rockies for years. Certainly a beautiful area and you can see the trains entering the tunnel from the campground. You can also hear trains at all hours when you trying to sleep LOL.
I have been on the roads that CN/CP follow from Golden back to the West side of Fraser River Canyon. If you find a pull-out on the hiway, use it and wait for a few minutes and you will see a movement. Busy lines as someone else posted - you will not be disappointed. I has been a few years since my last visit so I don't really know train density although with 2 lines, you will get something.
@ Everyone, thanks! I hope to be posting pics from her trip in a few weeks. As most know, communications are limited. ☻
Another tip for your BC holiday... download the Mobile Drive BC app onto your smartphone. This is very helpful for highway road conditions and weather info.