Vanderhoof to Peace River

British Columbia, Canada

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ORTH from Vanderhoof, on the Canadian National transcontinental
railway across Central British Columbia, which runs from Yellow-
head Pass to the seaboard at Prince Rupert, a wagon-road suitable for
motor traffic, 38 miles long, reaches to Fort St. James, on the southerly
shore of Stuart Lake. Beyond to the northward is a large territory with
many sections well suited to agricultural settlement and other economic
development at present lacking in lines of communication.

A railway across this district would afford transportation to many
sections suitable for settlement and mining and general development.
At present there are no transportation facilities and development waits
upon them. To-day only a scant population of pioneers are scattered in
a few places.

In 1920 a reconnaissance survey was made by V. H. Williams, C.E.,
for the Department of Railways across this portion of the Province. He
said :—

“ The result of my reconnaissance is that it is quite practical to build
a standard-gauge railway through this section of British Columbia, and
in no case will any serious difficulties be encountered. Construction for
the most part will be extremely light; a gradient not exceeding I per cent.
can be obtained; very little solid rock exists; good crossings of all rivers
and streams were found; and an abundance of gravel for both ballast and
concrete-work is to be had practically throughout the entire line. Timber
for piling, culverts, and ties is for the most part, however, scarce.

“Leaving the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway at Vanderhoof, the
Nechako River is crossed about Mileage 1 to the mouth of Clear Creek.
Following Clear Creek for about a mile, the line would come out on a
large plateau which extends for about 10 miles and is quite flat. A range
of hills extends generally east and west at this point, separating the
Nechako and Stuart Valleys. The summit is reached in about 6 miles
on a maximum grade of 1 per cent., being 170 feet above the plateau.
From this summit to the crossing of the Stuart River there is a fall of
95 feet in a distance of 20 miles. Fort St. James lies about 114 miles to
the north, being Mileage 30.5, elevation 2,225 feet.

“Leaving Fort St. James, the line would run in a north-easterly
direction, passing the east of Mount Murray, crossing Ocock River at
Mile 49, elevation 2,425 feet. It would now continue in a northerly
direction and to the east of Lookout Mountain, crossing Tsilcoh River
at Mile 59, elevation 2,535 feet, and continuing northerly to Poison Creek,
Mile 67, elevation 2,530 feet. From this point it would be necessary to

Three.