Saturday morning was an unusual (at least for May 1999) sunny morning and I decided to follow the CN and Fraser Canyon route. Traffic was very light and my first photo stop was for CPR Extra #5709 east at the south end of the Alexandra bridge. Arriving Boston Bar I learned that Canadian National was holding eastbounds and clearing westbounds from the Ashcroft subdivision. A sixty hour line closure had commenced at Wallachin to install a concrete pan deck on the bridge there. CN 2530 west was waiting for clearance at the crossing. Proceeding railway east, a westbound has just cleared the Stoyama Creek Viaduct (MP 123.6) as CN 5407 west approaches the bridge. Local scuttlebutt has is the large hole between the bypass and the highway will be filled and when double tracking is done the bridge will be dismantled.

At Lytton I visit the local museum, an extensive collection of artifacts and photographs reminds me of a stay there at the Anglican church manse, probably back around 1948 and then again in 1958 with a CNR bridge and building gang. At that time we dismantled the stockyard on the far shore of the Thompson River where it meets the Fraser. We also dismantled the water tower.

Arriving Lillooet at 1500k, BC Rail B36-7 #3607 running light was drifting into the shop track from the north. Shortly after, I met a large contingent of railfans from Kamloops, Ashcroft & Vancouver, assembled in the hot afternoon sun to catch the train as it arrived from the south. The steam train was late, having holed up at Seton to meet the southbound Budds and at Retaskit for a freight. As 3716 steamed into view, Brian Peters and Doug Cummings along with WCRA's GORDON HALL beamed from the baggage car door. Passengers detraining were thrilled with the first day of the trip.

Sunday morning was again bright and sunny, as #3716 proceeded from the shop track. The assembled railfans and vehicles would rival the big chase of the Great Canadian Steam Excursion of past years. Train departure was delayed until 0930 to allow southbound freight #4612 into the yard and then the show as on. The first runby of the day was on the Fraser River bridge just north of town. Several passengers hiked the steep roadway and path to reach the photo viewpoint prepared by Kevin Dunk. He gave a new meaning to branchline by pruning several branches out of the way from offending trees. The chase then continued to Pavilion where the railway leaves road access, the road over Pavilion mountain was closed so enthusiasts were forced to take the long way to Kelly Lake via Marble Canyon and #97.

#3716 did a runby at Hilltop and was held there for 20 minutes while RTC sorted out the Kelly Lake maneuvers. The passenger extra had to be turned on the wye and northbound BC 30 was on her tail. Freight 4605 south was also there at the north end, broken in two due to a failed midtrain unit, the remainder somewhere north as it doubled the hill between Lime and Kelly Lake. In ten distinct moves the entire passenger extra consist was turned on the wye and then reassembled for the return to Lillooet. In the midst of the action, the crew of 4605 sidled up alongside the steamer for an old and new portrait appreciated by the crowd. While most of the group returned south, I decided to continue north and seek out some different action.

I headed north to Lone Butte then east to Little Fort on highway 16, crossing the Thompson River there on the reaction ferry. Then it was railway east on the road to Dunn Lake, exiting at the Balm of Gillard Farm on a narrow public road which paralleled the Canadian National mainline. I arrived at station name Boulder to find the normally shallow creek in flood. Undaunted, I found a way across on foot and made it to the gravel pit at spur mp 81.6.

This is a unique photo spot that I discovered last year, and this time I managed to capture CN 5629 west, a highrail vehicle and then the Rocky Mountaineer east behind #801. For the adventuresome, you can go east, emerging at Blackpool or west to Chinook Cove and Chu Chua for parallel running with CN and lovely old buildings - the country store and a one room schoolhouse, both long unused but typical of the buildings linked to the railway in the past.

Traveling south on highway 16, CN 2530 was eastbound at Barriere, likely the first through after the Wallachin closure, the same train I had seen Saturday at Boston Bar. VIA's Canadian was arriving at Kamloops at 1430 - Three F40's on the point, #6442, 6445 & 6431 with 22 cars - baggage 8605, coaches 8101,8125, 8122, Skyline domes 8504 & 8515, Manor sleepers Craig, Laird, Amherst, Skyline dome 8517, Manor cars Thompson, Burton, Hearne, Rogers, Drummond, Wolfe, diner Alexandra, Sherwood Manor, Chateau Rouville, Brant Manor and dome observation Kootenay Park. The Canadian is rarely seen in daylight in Kamloops and was perhaps delayed by the Wallachin line closure as well.

The CNR Lorne St. station has been given a facelift, renovations and restoration are underway. The brick and stone work have been neatly tuck pointed, doors have been replaced, glazing fixed and trim painted. A new clock tower graces the southside promenade, nicely interfacing with the new Plaza suites development. Further east on Lorne St., a replica of a water tower has been constructed. The 1929 Sheep Breeders Ass'n. has also been restored with a new building next door created in the same architectural style. This area will eventually become the new home for steam engine #2141, which is progressing steadily - recently the tender tank has been placed on a new tender frame and truck assembly.

The trip closed off with the Kamloops Wildlife Park, where the new C.P Huntington amusement park train (as in Stanley Park) has been dedicated and put into service. This rail operation is largely a cooperative venture supported by the Kamloops Senior Citizens and retired railroaders in the area.