When the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built through the Rockies in 1884 it laid track straight down the west slope of Kicking Horse Pass. Dropping 1,140 feet in 7.1 railway miles, this section of railway was a construction worker’s horror and a railroader’s nightmare that soon became known as the Big Hill. Intended to be temporary, the 4.5 percent grade, more than 3 miles long, saw use for 25 years until completion of the Spiral Tunnels in 1909. The two tunnels – unique in North America – loop over themselves, doubling the length of track and halving the grade. Incorporating more than 100 photographs, The Spiral Tunnels and the Big Hill – An Illustrated Railway History describes the construction of the CPR and recounts the tales of daring, defiance, and disaster on the second-steepest mainline track ever operated in North America. Maps and diagrams reveal how the Spiral Tunnels create a safer grade for trains. The text provides up-to-date descriptions of today’s locomotives and explains the many challenges of operating trains on mountain grades. A Canadian bestseller for three decades, this revised edition will be informative reading for railfans, for travellers in the Rockies, and for those with an interest in Canadian history.

A great source of Canadian Rockies maps, Parkways of the Canadian Rockies is a fact-filled driving guide to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, and Kootenay National Park. First published in 1975, Parkways of the Canadian Rockies was the first comprehensive map and interpretive guide to roads in the Canadian Rockies. The revised 5th edition includes: Colour photography Driving distances in both kilometres and miles More than 400 points of interest Descriptions of 80 short hikes Natural history facts and statistics 38 colour Canadian Rockies maps Information on campgrounds and lodging

A drive through the mountains is always a pleasant experience. Travellers will be able to make the most of their road trips through the Canadian Rockies by keeping Dave Birrell's new pictorial guidebook handy in their glove compartments. Birrell delivers 50 magnificent mountain panoramas taken from highway viewpoints in the Rockies. Interesting historical tidbits accompany the panorama photos, helping the reader identify peaks by name. Read the fascinating stories associated with geographical features such as valleys, lakes and passes and meet some of the individuals who shaped the early history and exploration of the Rockies.

Few stories in the annals of railroading are as compelling as the construction, evolution, and astounding successes of the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways. This sprawling volume combines two of Voyageur Press' most successful Railroad Color History titles into one volume taking in the grand scope of both railroads. Author Tom Murray presents fastidiously researched and concisely presented histories of each railroad, along with more than 300 photographs, including rare archival black-and-white images and modern and period color photography sourced from national archives and private collections.

Railway history comes alive in this fascinating book about one of Canada's most incredible railway stories. The Spiral Tunnels and The Big Hill describes the construction and operation of the world-famous Canadian Pacific Railway through the treacherous Kicking Horse Pass in the Canadian Rockies. The perils of operating the section of track at the notorious ""Big Hill"" on the western slopes of the Great Divide are recounted through tales of disaster and defiance and are illustrated with over 60 black and white photographs. The Spiral Tunnels are explained through stories, maps and diagrams which reveal the operation of the tunnels and how they solved the problems which resulted in so much mayhem and madness. The Spiral Tunnels and The Big Hill is informative and entertaining reading for railways enthusiasts, as well as for those with a general interest in the human history of the Canadian Rockies and Yoho National Park.

This glorious visual celebration of train travel keeps you on the right track with stop-offs at the most important and incredible rail routes from all over the world. Your first stop in The Train Book is the groundbreaking steam locomotives of the 19th century and your final destination is the high-speed bullet trains of today. From the Union-Pacific Railroad to the Trans-Siberian Railway, you'll cross the continents to experience epic journeys and staggering scenery. You'll pick a seat on the most iconic locomotives, including the Orient Express, the Blue Train, and the Eurostar. You can also inspect the engines of famous British trains, such as Rocket, Mallard, and Javelin, and international trains, such as India's Palace on Wheels and America's Thatcher Perkins. You'll meet the true pioneers of train and track, including "Father of the Railways" George Stephenson, engineering legend Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Métro maestro Fulgence Bienvenüe. For train-spotters and transport enthusiasts everywhere, this is your trip of a lifetime.

In an era when picture postcards became a unique new way to "call home," they quickly established a role in enticing an ongoing parade of tourists to British Columbia. This book features an impressive collection of black-and-white lithograph images that were sold to the public in the early twentieth century. Documenting life in British Columbia during this period of time, each image has a story to tell. Collectively they define the state of affairs in B.C. a century ago. The book is divided into geographic regions, with an introductory article and map for each. Fred Thirkell and Bob Scullion's previous book of postcard images, Postcards From the Past (1996), won a City of Vancouver Heritage Award.

Explore western Canada’s rich railway history, travelling from the grand railway hotels and rustic stations to the creative engineering that created spiral bridges and soaring trestles. Relive this time through a trip on one of the many steam trains, visit a railway museum, or walk the trails where trains used to rumble.

A century of dealmaking and government misdeeds forms the backdrop of this entertaining account of sternwheelers, iron horses and mountain roads. Battling factions of rail builders crossed many a line in the sand as they carved up both the land and the spoils of industry. Did both federal and provincial politicians wittingly sabotage road-construction programs to the benefit of the rail barons? Were Cornelius Van Horne, Major A.B. Rogers and Andrew McCulloch fully deserving of the accolades bestowed on them? Was railway man J.J. Hill a genius or an opportunist? R.G. Harvey has applied a keen mind and deft pen to uncover skulduggery in politics and critical routing errors by the early surveyors and engineers who "carved their western paths." In turn he has exposed new scars and wrinkles to add to historic portraits otherwise untainted.

Rugged landscapes, glacier-carved scenery, and lush forests: Every mile along this epic journey presents an opportunity for adventure. Explore the best of the Rockies with Moon U.S. & Canadian Rockies Road Trip. Multiple Routes: Choose a portion of the road trip that covers the Rockies in the US and Canada, or embark on the ultimate three-week route between Calgary and Denver, including Jasper, Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Zion Unbeatable outdoor adventures along the way: Hike through alpine wildflowers, beneath waterfalls, and past snowy peaks and glaciers. Spot wild elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, marvel at Yoho’s thundering Takkakaw Falls, or paddle over a crystal-clear lake. Soak up views of the Tetons, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, or go whitewater rafting. Soak in a natural hot spring, hike to your campsite, and spot the Milky Way before you drift to sleep under the stars Eat, sleep, stop and explore with lists of the best views, restaurants, unique activities, and more: Ride the International over the Alberta-Montana border or stay overnight in the elegant Chateau Lake Louise. Catch the annual Stampede in Calgary, Sundance in Salt Lake City, or the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Chow down on poutine, Alberta beef, and wild huckleberries, or explore the international food scene in Denver Covers 9 national parks: Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain National Park Maps and driving tools: Easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions, and full-color photos throughout Expert advice from former national park guide and author of Moon USA National Parks Becky Lomax Helpful resources on COVID-19 and road-tripping the U.S. and Canadian Rockies Planning your trip: Find when and where to get gas, how to avoid traffic, tips for driving in different road and weather conditions, safety tips, and suggestions for LBGTQ+ travelers, seniors, and road trippers with kids With Moon U.S. & Canadian Rockies Road Trip’s flexible itineraries and practical tips, you're ready to fill up and hit the road. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.