Columbia & Western Community Society
In 2021 the original Columbia & Western Trail Society was rebranded as the Columbia & Western Community Society. We still promote and maintain the breath-taking 85 km section of Rail Grade from Castlegar to Fife, however, the group has expanded to include the communities along the Rail Grade route. We remain a Not-for-Profit Society partnering with local interest groups, residents, industry partners, and governments to maintain our world-class historic railway line.
Our Mission & Values
The Columbia & Western Community Society is based just minutes away in Castlegar, BC. Our mission is to recognize and help preserve the historical value of the former Columbia & Western Railway and provide a safe and enjoyable user experience.
One of our goals is to preserve the vast history of the area and promote and maintain the Columbia & Western Rail Grade as a world-class historical Rail Grade for the benefit of all users.
While valuing the historic nature of the Columbia and Western Rail Grade, we recognize the local communities and industries that use the route for residential/farm access, transport, recreation, rural development and the tremendous benefit from having public access to the railway corridor for all users to share.
A Trail Community is Born
The original Columbia & Western Trail Society started in 1998, after the lack of maintenance and preservation of the railway corridor saw the continued deterioration of the Rail Grade. Starting out with hand tools and limited resources the Society has blossomed with the help of our valuable volunteers, as well as community and industry partnerships that have given access to the heavy machinery and resources required to be able to maintain and preserve this historical area for all users.
User Passes
The Columbia & Western Community Society leases and operates a section of private land from our Industry partners at the Castlegar Terminus. Daily and/or annual user passes with registration for signed liability waiver indemnification are required on this section of the Rail Grade for mandatory insurance requirements and maintenance. User passes and registration can be purchased online at www.columbiaandwestern.ca
User Pass holders can enjoy activities from hiking, cycling, equestrian (horseback), to off-road motorized recreation such as ATV/UTV/SXS, dual-sport motorcycles, dirt-bikes, and 4WD vehicles. History buffs, model Railroaders, local residents, and Industry partners sharing use on the Rail Grade also find a home with the Columbia and Western Community Society with a user pass.
Membership
The Columbia Western Community Society is inclusive of all users, believing that shared use on the Rail Grade is what makes the Columbia and Western Rail Grade successful in a world class user experience. While not required when purchasing a user pass online, you can also apply for a Columbia and Western Community Society Membership online at www.columbiaandwestern.ca
The Society holds two general meetings per year, and informal sessions when necessary for the executive to carry on society functions, like making decisions regarding upcoming maintenance and fundraising activities.
The Rail Grade
The Columbia & Western Rail Grade is located in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Beyond the 85km section from Castlegar to Christina Lake maintained by the Columbia and Western Community Society, the Rail Grade follows along the rest of the 162km abandoned Canadian Pacific Boundary Subdivision from Christina Lake to Midway with the last train going through in 1991. At Midway, it joins the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) creating a large portion of the B.C. Rail Trails through Southern British Columbia.
Rail Grade Maintenance
We maintain the trail from Castlegar to Christina Lake for all trail users to enjoy while protecting the environment, wildlife, and surrounding ecosystems. During the summer months, volunteers can be spotted along the trail removing fallen rocks and trees, placing water bars in wet locations, and keeping the water culverts clean. Sometimes major equipment is hired to repair the surface of the trail, replace old existing culverts, and maintain ditch lines along the trail.
There are several trestles and tunnels on the rail trail that have, or are in the process of being, upgraded. Safety fences have been placed on many of the rock retaining walls that overlook the valley below. All the bridges have been upgraded with a wood deck to ease the rider along. Since the C&W became part of the Trans Canada Trail, funds have been available for much of this work, and the society continues to partner with trail organizations like Trails BC, Trans Canada Trail, and ATV/BC who are also dedicated to providing a world-class trail network in British Columbia for all to enjoy.
You Can Help
As a non-profit society, we rely on the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, residents, and Industry partners. Without their continuous involvement and hard work, Rail Grade development, maintenance, safety, and education would never have become a reality. If you are interested in volunteering with the organization, please contact us and we will be happy to speak to you further on volunteer opportunities that suit your skills. As a not-for-profit organization, we are always happy to receive donations from individuals or corporations who support our mandate and activities. We would like to encourage all Rail Grade users to become members of the Columbia and Western Community Society. Your support is vital for the continued development and maintenance of the Rail Grade.
Join Us Today
The Columbia and Western Community Society is a community group which promotes the use and development of the Rail Grade along the abandoned Boundary Subdivision of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the West Kootenay region of BC. As a Registered Society under the BC Society Act, the Society has an elected board of directors that follow a constitution and bylaws. Members are encouraged to participate in the ongoing maintenance and management of the Rail Grade as volunteers.