The crew on the Nelson-Creston run have more than 143 years of experience with the railway among them.

They would have had more years except Trainman Eric Anderson left for a short time to try another line of work.

"Otherwise, I'd have close to 40 years like the others," Mr. Andersonsays. "As it is, I've got 27 years since I came back.

The Nelson-Creston is a preferred run because of the regular hours and daytime schedule, resulting in a high level of seniority among the crew members.

As the train inches out of Nelson, Conductor Harry Stevens opens the caboose window to wave at a retired friend who lives near the tracks and who almost daily watches the train leave. Along the run, there are many other former rail employees to wave at, all friends now enjoying retirement.

Part of the 70 mile (112.6 kilometre) route skirts the shore of Kootenay Lake, which is rich in history and memories for the crew.

Brakeman Bill Chapman recalls vividly the barge ferry to Slocan City and an incident that happened 36 years ago.

ROUGH CROSSING

"It was about 08:00 New Years Eve, and the water was very rough, when we were making the regular crossing from Roseberry to Slocan City. There was the engine, four boxcars of lumber, and the caboose (on the barge) when we set out," he says.

"The water was so turbulent that the barge actually broke open and began to sink, all five of us were rescued by the crew of the tugboat.

"The engine and caboose were lost, the boxcars floated because of their cargo of lumber," Mr. Chapman says, adding "the engine and caboose are still at the bottom of the lake. The water sure was cold!"

The Slocan City-Roseberry rail barge service is the last fresh water barge service on the CP Rail system and in North America. The run is still made about once a week to connect Roseberry and the 31 mile (50 kilometre) spur line on the other side.

CHANGES

The commodities that Mr. Chapman has seen transported over the last four decades have changed. "We move mostly bulk commodities now, whereas, before we handled a lot of merchandise," he says. "There is a veneer mill at Creston, the sawmill at Erickson, and one at Windell, we supply empties and take the loads out."

"The area population has stayed about the same the whole time I've been here, roughly 10,000 people. A lot of retired people move here, while many of the younger people have left."

Mel Ferraro, locomotive engineer, keeps the train rolling at about 25 miles (40 kilometres) an hour most of the way. In his 39 years with the railway, Mr. Ferraro has seen many changes, most of them for the better, he says, especially the advent of the diesel engine.

"People say beautiful steam, lovely steam engine. They like the picture of the smoke coming out the engine. Forget it! I was never so glad as when they left," Mr. Ferraro says.

PICTURESQUE

"You had to shovel coal, tons of it. But with diesels its much better." The conversation changes.

"One thing about this route, though, watch out for falling rocks, but don't worry we'll tell you when to jump," he says, half in jest.

The ride along Kootenay Lake is picturesque, the view is of a broad expanse of water with numerous beaches, resorts, and forested areas.

However, the steep rocky ridges above the track are subject to numerous rock slides. Every curve along the way could present danger, and slide detector fences have been installed to warn train crews of any hazards.

As the train nears Creston the grade changes rapidly and the curvature in the track requires a lot of attention by Mr. Ferraro. "You know, you've got to have eight hands to run a train," he says.