The Loops

For many years steam locomotives on the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway crossed these stone pillars. Building the railway through these rugged mountains was a constant struggle, and in this area steep-sided valleys and cascading rivers required an intricate series of loops and bridges along the line. The loops contained curves equal to several complete circles and allowed the railway to climb into Rogers Pass at a reasonable grade. Loop Brook was first bridged at two points in 1885. In 1908 the original wooden trestles were replaced by steel spans resting on stone pillars. Eight years later the CPR abandoned this part of its line, and the stone pillars of Loop Brook valley remained as monuments to the skill of its pioneers.

British Columbia · Canada