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.

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.

"When the Canadian Pacific Railway built through the Rockies in 1884, it laid its track straight down the west slope of Kicking Horse Pass. Dropping 1,140 feet in just 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. Originally intended to be a “temporary” feature, the Big Hill saw regular traffic for more than 25 years until completion of the Spiral Tunnels in 1909. Incorporating more than 90 photographs, The Spiral Tunnels and the Big Hill describes the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Rockies, and recounts tales of daring, disaster, and defiance on what was the second-steepest mainline track ever operated in North America. Maps and diagrams reveal the operation of the Spiral Tunnels, and help you to understand how they create a safer grade for today’s trains. The Spiral Tunnels and the Big Hill is informative and entertaining reading for railway enthusiasts, as well as for those with a more casual interest in the human history of the Canadian Rockies and Yoho National Park."--

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