British Columbia Railway

railway, Canada

Also known as: Pacific Great Eastern Railway

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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The British Columbia Railway (BCR) is a railway in Canada that plays a significant role in the province's transportation network. It was taken over by British Columbia and shaped into a key part of the province's infrastructure.1

The BCR serves various industries, including mining and forestry, throughout southern British Columbia. The province's challenging terrain, with its mountains and rivers, has made road, ferry, and rail development crucial for connecting isolated areas.2

The history of railways in British Columbia is tied to the province's development, including the gold rush era. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 marked a new era, leading to the establishment of settlements along its route. The BCR itself evolved from earlier private ventures, reflecting the ongoing need for resource-based transportation.31

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railroad
Canadian railroads
…and shaped it into the British Columbia Railway. Even Canadian Pacific has reflected this increasing focus on resource flows. In 1989 it opened the Mount MacDonald Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the Western Hemisphere at just over 14.5 km (9 miles); it runs under Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Range…
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…and shaped it into the British Columbia Railway. Even Canadian Pacific has reflected this increasing focus on resource flows. In 1989 it opened the Mount MacDonald Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the Western Hemisphere at just over 14.5 km (9 miles); it runs under Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Range…
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Fraser River
…Eastern Railway (subsequently called the British Columbia Railway) and the improvement of highway facilities increased the accessibility of the forests and the merging of smaller companies, together with the introduction of pulp mills, consuming chips and small trees, heightened the utilization of forest resources. Forest products are either transported to…
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…Eastern Railway (subsequently called the British Columbia Railway) and the improvement of highway facilities increased the accessibility of the forests and the merging of smaller companies, together with the introduction of pulp mills, consuming chips and small trees, heightened the utilization of forest resources. Forest products are either transported to…
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Sir Richard McBride
His commitment to extending the Pacific Great Eastern Railway put the province considerably in debt. McBride resigned in 1915 because of ill health and served as agent general for British Columbia in London until his death. He was knighted in 1912.
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His commitment to extending the Pacific Great Eastern Railway put the province considerably in debt. McBride resigned in 1915 because of ill health and served as agent general for British Columbia in London until his death. He was knighted in 1912.
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