Kamloops (Junction) – Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada | Train Spotting Location

Kamloops Junction is one of those rare railfan gems where two transcontinental Canadian National routes converge beside the Thompson River, producing a steady parade of heavy freight, long intermodal strings, and the occasional gleaming passenger consist against a backdrop of sage-covered hills. Whether you’re chasing power lash-ups, studying yard moves, or waiting for VIA Rail’s stainless-steel coaches to glide past, this junction delivers an immersive, all-day trainspotting experience that feels both intimate and grand at the same time.

🛤️ The Trainspotting Experience

A typical visit starts with the low rumble of GE and EMD locomotives drifting across the river flats. From the gravel pull-off above the throat of the yard, railfans get a clear, elevated sight line of north-south mainline movements and the branch that swings west toward Clearwater. Trains slow to enter the yard, giving ample time to note consist details, but on the open main they roar through at 40–50 mph, wheel flanges squealing as they tackle gentle curves. Horn echoes carry across the valley, mixing with the metallic clank of couplers whenever yard crews re-block merchandise trains. Expect mixed-freight cuts exceeding 9,000 ft, double-stacks stretching even longer, and the occasional paired helper set shove on the rear. Nighttime action doesn’t really stop; locals report that horns are limited after 23:00 but the soft diesel growl continues well past midnight.

🌄 Landscape, Setting and Local Atmosphere

The junction sits on the north bank of the Thompson River, framed by semi-arid benches dotted with ponderosa pine and bunchgrass. Elevation is roughly 340 m, high enough for sweeping views yet low enough that winter snow accumulation is modest compared with mountain passes to the east. Summers are hot and dry—look for shimmering heat waves above the rail as temperatures climb into the 30 °C range—while spring and fall offer crisp air and stunning golden light on the hillsides. To the south, Mount Paul and Mount Peter form distinctive twin peaks; to the north, rolling ranch country stretches toward the Interior Plateau. Despite being within city limits, the atmosphere feels surprisingly rural, with the soundscape dominated by river rapids, yard idling, and the occasional raven.

🚂 Type and Frequency of Train Activity

Kamloops Junction is part of CN’s busy Ashcroft and Clearwater subdivisions, key links in the Vancouver–Edmonton corridor. Freight volume routinely tops 25 mainline movements each 24-hour cycle, distributed roughly as:
• Intermodal and priority merchandise: 8–10 trains
• Bulk commodities (grain, potash, coal, sulfur): 10–12 trains
• Local/yard turns and work extras: 3–5 movements

Passenger appearances are limited but photogenic. VIA Rail’s “Canadian” glides through three times weekly in each direction, usually in the late evening westbound and early morning eastbound. From April to October, Rocky Mountaineer operates daylight runs that pause at Kamloops overnight; its two-unit GP40-2 “blue and gold” sets arrive mid-afternoon and depart the next morning, providing ample daylight photography.

📸 Best Angles for Photos and What Railfans Enjoy Most

1. Riverbank Embankment: From a short footpath leading down to the shoreline, you can frame locomotives with the river foreground and sage hills beyond—ideal for 85 mm to 135 mm lenses when the sun is behind you after mid-morning.
2. Overpass Catwalk: A pedestrian-friendly sidewalk on the nearby road bridge offers a classic overhead view of the ladder tracks and yard throat; the vantage works best in late afternoon when golden light rakes down the valley.
3. West Slope Cut: A dusty access road climbs the hill west of the junction, giving a three-quarter telephoto angle that captures lengthy trains snaking through the curve with Mount Paul in the distance. Sunrise backlighting adds dramatic silhouettes, while sunset paints locomotives in warm tones.

Railfans particularly enjoy tracking train progression by radio; a handheld scanner tuned to CN road and yard channels provides audible advance notice as crews call clearances at Mile 0.0 and 5.3. Long shutter exposures at dusk yield streaking headlight trails against the river—an increasingly popular technique shared on local rail forums.

🕰️ Historical or Cultural Relevance

Rail activity has shaped Kamloops since the 1880s, when the Canadian Pacific completed its cross-country line on the opposite bank. Canadian Northern (ancestor of CN) arrived in 1915, establishing this north-side junction as a crew change and classification point. During World War II, wartime traffic surged, prompting expansion of yard trackage still visible today. The nearby heritage Kamloops North station, built in 1927 with signature prairie-modern lines, remains a functional stop for VIA Rail and a photo favorite. Rail culture permeates local events; the annual Kamloops Heritage Railway excursions, although operating downtown on CP rails, draw steam enthusiasts who often extend their visit to include hours at the junction.

🧭 What Makes This Spot Different from Others

Unlike mountain passes where trains burst briefly into view, Kamloops Junction offers sustained, multi-angle visibility thanks to open terraces and riverbank clearings. The combination of heavy CN mainline traffic, yard switching within earshot, and occasional passenger glamour trains is uncommon in British Columbia’s Interior. Add in unobstructed vistas, forgiving light at both sunrise and sunset, and a setting that feels remote yet is minutes from urban conveniences, and you have a location that balances comfort with authentic mainline railroad grit.

📚 Additional Resources

Kamloops Heritage Railway
VIA Rail – The Canadian Schedule
Canadian National Railway – Network Map