All language subtitles for The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys - S01E01 - Canada.en

[Narrator] We're going on
an amazing adventure,

[Narrator] We're going on
an amazing adventure,

riding the rails
through the Canadian Rockies...

riding the rails
through the Canadian Rockies...

...revealing
breathtaking landscapes.

...revealing
breathtaking landscapes.

This is our office,

and if I ever grow tired
of the scenery,

I have bigger problems

than being tired
of the scenery.

than being tired
of the scenery.

[Narrator]
We'll enter a wilderness

inhabited by magnificent beasts

inhabited by magnificent beasts

and discover

and discover

one of the world's
most treacherous waterways...

Hell's Gate
is just around the corner,

water gets pretty turbulent.

[Narrator]
...in landscapes formed

millions of years ago...

millions of years ago...

...giving up secrets
of our past.

[Claudia Harding]
Some of the weird wonders

apparently inspired

some of the weird wonders
from Star Wars.

some of the weird wonders
from Star Wars.

[Narrator] We'll meet the people

[Narrator] We'll meet the people

who live and work
along this special railway.

Sometimes,
bears are startled by trains

and they run
straight down the tracks.

and they run
straight down the tracks.

[Narrator] With hidden treasure
for the taking...

[Narrator] With hidden treasure
for the taking...

Whoa! There we go!

There's a big piece.

[Narrator] This is
no ordinary railway journey,

[Narrator] This is
no ordinary railway journey,

this is one of the most scenic
railway journeys in the world--

this is one of the most scenic
railway journeys in the world--

this is one of the most scenic
railway journeys in the world--

Canada.

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

Vancouver.

British Columbia.

A natural sea port,

A natural sea port,

historically,

it was a vital trade link
to the East

it was a vital trade link
to the East

and became a starting point

for the Canadian Pacific
Transcontinental Railway

for the Canadian Pacific
Transcontinental Railway

in 1887.

Now it's the beginning
of our great escape

Now it's the beginning
of our great escape

on the Rocky Mountaineer.

This enormous 80-tonne train

This enormous 80-tonne train

is powered by two
3000 horse power GP40-2 engines.

is powered by two
3000 horse power GP40-2 engines.

Carrying up to 590 guests,

it's the only passenger train
running right across the Rockies

on the Canadian Pacific Line.

on the Canadian Pacific Line.

We begin in Vancouver Station.

Manned with top-notch staff,

Manned with top-notch staff,

eager to create
an unforgettable trip.

eager to create
an unforgettable trip.

And as an extra treat,

And as an extra treat,

the men in kilts
have come out to pipe them off.

[bagpipes playing]

[bagpipes playing]

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

[train bell clanging]

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

The 600-mile-long journey

on this specially-designed
viewing train,

on this specially-designed
viewing train,

follows in the footsteps
of the 19th-century pioneers,

follows in the footsteps
of the 19th-century pioneers,

who battled through

the unchartered
Canadian Rockies.

the unchartered
Canadian Rockies.

On board, seasoned hosts
Pete and Jocelyn

On board, seasoned hosts
Pete and Jocelyn

are ready to fulfil
the passengers' every need.

are ready to fulfil
the passengers' every need.

Pete was working
as a cocktail waiter

Pete was working
as a cocktail waiter

in his hometown of Birmingham

before making the jump
into the Canadian wilderness.

before making the jump
into the Canadian wilderness.

Some people
are very into the flora,

Some people
are very into the flora,

some people
are all about the history.

I've found out that
I'm a bit of a geology geek

I've found out that
I'm a bit of a geology geek

and that
I'm a bit of a salmon geek!

and that
I'm a bit of a salmon geek!

We are ready for lunch--
busiest time of the day!

So, ladies and gentlemen,

welcome aboard
the Rocky Mountaineer.

welcome aboard
the Rocky Mountaineer.

Hello! How are you?

[passengers chime in]

Good, good, excellent.

Good, good, excellent.

My name is Jocelyn.

My wonderful partner here,

making you
some drinks right now,

making you
some drinks right now,

this is Pete.

So, we will be with you

for the journey
into the Canadian Rockies.

for the journey
into the Canadian Rockies.

So, we're going to be
passing out

So, we're going to be
passing out

the wonderful
Rocky Mountaineer tradition

that is the sunrise toast
of peach bubbly.

that is the sunrise toast
of peach bubbly.

[laughs]

Why not?

Why not?

[♪♪]

We'd like to raise a glass
to toast to you.

We'd like to raise a glass
to toast to you.

Good afternoon,
welcome aboard, and cheers!

Good afternoon,
welcome aboard, and cheers!

Cheers!

[Narrator] Glass in hand,
the wild journey begins.

[Narrator] Glass in hand,
the wild journey begins.

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

Starting in Vancouver,

our trip sees us visit

our trip sees us visit

the turbulent water
of Hell's Gate...

...pan for gold
on the Fraser River,

before stopping in the Interior
at Kamloops.

before stopping in the Interior
at Kamloops.

The next leg
continues eastward--

we'll set foot on Kiwa Glacier,

we'll set foot on Kiwa Glacier,

get up close and personal
with the wildlife,

before arriving
at our jaw-dropping final stop--

the awe-inspiring
mountain destination

the awe-inspiring
mountain destination

of Banff in Alberta.

of Banff in Alberta.

Every mile of track
has a story to tell.

Every mile of track
has a story to tell.

The route starts
by following the Fraser River,

The route starts
by following the Fraser River,

named after intrepid explorer
Simon Fraser.

named after intrepid explorer
Simon Fraser.

200 years ago,

he and his crew took on

a treacherous journey
across the Rockies

a treacherous journey
across the Rockies

in search of new trade routes.

in search of new trade routes.

After surviving this,

one of the most dangerous
stretches of water on the river,

one of the most dangerous
stretches of water on the river,

he named it "Hell's Gate".

he named it "Hell's Gate".

[Pete] This, of course,
as you may have heard,

is the narrowest point
in the Fraser River,

is the narrowest point
in the Fraser River,

just 31 metres across.

At its current depth,
it's about 150 feet deep,

At its current depth,
it's about 150 feet deep,

and because it's so deep,

there's an enormous volume
of water passing through it--

there's an enormous volume
of water passing through it--

the equivalent
of a volume of water

the equivalent
of a volume of water

the size
of the Empire State Building

going through Hell's Gate
every minute, twice.

going through Hell's Gate
every minute, twice.

It's one of those rapids

It's one of those rapids

that really divides
the fine line

between bravery and stupidity,

as it is such a turbulent rapid.

as it is such a turbulent rapid.

Simon Fraser
eloquently put in his journal

Simon Fraser
eloquently put in his journal

that they had endured so much,

but, for surely,

we have entered
the Gates of Hell.

we have entered
the Gates of Hell.

[Narrator] Today,

[Narrator] Today,

it takes
expert navigational skills,

jet engines and guts,

jet engines and guts,

to get anywhere near.

Adventurous tour guides
Renee and Jesse

may be up for the challenge,

may be up for the challenge,

but they also know the risks.

Hell's Gate's
just around the corner,

but there's a lot of debris
in the water.

but there's a lot of debris
in the water.

[Renee] There's a lot of
sticks and stuff in the water.

[Jesse] If we lose the pump,

[Jesse] If we lose the pump,

we'll be making it down
very easily.

If you guys are good,
we'll turn it around here.

The water gets pretty turbulent
and whirlpooly.

The water gets pretty turbulent
and whirlpooly.

You got you get sucked
into the whirlpool sideways,

and it can be pretty dangerous.

and it can be pretty dangerous.

When you get in there,

it's essentially a giant eddy
full of whirlpools--

it's essentially a giant eddy
full of whirlpools--

full of boils.

[Jesse] It's always spinning

[Jesse] It's always spinning

and going
in opposite directions.

It causes hazards.

It's not the best idea

to be going
into that eddy today.

to be going
into that eddy today.

[Narrator] And it's not just
a nightmare for boats--

[Narrator] And it's not just
a nightmare for boats--

Hell's Gate has always
been a challenge

for salmon migrating
up the river to breed.

for salmon migrating
up the river to breed.

The arrival of the railway
made things even worse.

The arrival of the railway
made things even worse.

[Renee] When they were building
the rail line,

[Renee] When they were building
the rail line,

one of the workers

put a little too much dynamite
to do some blasting

put a little too much dynamite
to do some blasting

and actually caused
a massive rockslide,

and actually caused
a massive rockslide,

where a large chunk
of the canyon walls

where a large chunk
of the canyon walls

fell into the river,

essentially almost
blocking off the river.

essentially almost
blocking off the river.

The water naturally
pushed its way through,

but it created
this giant turbulent rapid,

but it created
this giant turbulent rapid,

and it caused

and it caused

a ton of problems
for the spawning salmon.

So, when you get to Hell's Gate,

there's a series of concrete
man-made fish ladders,

there's a series of concrete
man-made fish ladders,

and, essentially, all they do
is slow the water down,

and, essentially, all they do
is slow the water down,

and it allows the fish
an easier way around the rapid.

and it allows the fish
an easier way around the rapid.

[Narrator] They may have
stemmed the flow to some extent,

[Narrator] They may have
stemmed the flow to some extent,

but Hell's Gate
still had a horrific reputation,

but Hell's Gate
still had a horrific reputation,

and the 19th-century
railway builders

had to somehow find a way

had to somehow find a way

to get a rather oddly-named ship
through this deadly stretch.

to get a rather oddly-named ship
through this deadly stretch.

There was a paddle wheeler
that they had come up here.

There was a paddle wheeler
that they had come up here.

It was called the "SS Skuzzy".

[Narrator]
Navigating the "SS Skuzzy"

[Narrator]
Navigating the "SS Skuzzy"

through Hell's Gate

was certainly a difficult job.

was certainly a difficult job.

They had Chinese workers,

They had Chinese workers,

between 50 and a hundred,

on each side of the banks,

on each side of the banks,

with big ropes,

and they attached them
to the paddle wheeler,

and they attached them
to the paddle wheeler,

and, basically, were told,

"Heave Ho! Heave Ho!",

"Heave Ho! Heave Ho!",

and they had to pull
this paddle wheeler

up through the rapid.

up through the rapid.

You know,
a bunch of guys fell in,

they'd grab the next five guys,

they'd grab the next five guys,

"Get on that rope,
pull it through."

And when you go to Hell's Gate,

And when you go to Hell's Gate,

you can still see
the metal bolts,

the rings in the rock,

the rings in the rock,

where the lined
those ropes through,

and pulled that boat through.

and pulled that boat through.

[Narrator] The "Skuzzy"
made it to the other side.

[Narrator] The "Skuzzy"
made it to the other side.

Back on the Rocky Mountaineer,
it's lunch time.

Back on the Rocky Mountaineer,
it's lunch time.

Executive Chef Daniel Stierhof

Executive Chef Daniel Stierhof

has created a unique menu
for the journey.

Produce and proteins are sourced
from along our route.

We get some of our beef
from Alberta,

We get some of our beef
from Alberta,

so we get that beautiful
triple-A Canadian beef.

so we get that beautiful
triple-A Canadian beef.

[Narrator]
But cooking on a train

is slightly tricky.

[Daniel] It truly is
a unique experience.

I've worked in kitchens
that are much smaller,

I've worked in kitchens
that are much smaller,

that aren't moving,

but this is
the crème de la crème,

but this is
the crème de la crème,

and definitely top-notch

and definitely top-notch

when it comes
to working on trains.

The food's been terrific,

and so has the service.

and so has the service.

I didn't know
we'd be fed so much food.

[Narrator] As the gold-star
service continues,

[Narrator] As the gold-star
service continues,

our train heads north
up the Fraser River.

our train heads north
up the Fraser River.

Just below the tracks,

modern-day explorers head out
in search of the real thing.

modern-day explorers head out
in search of the real thing.

Okay, let's get to it

Okay, let's get to it

and see if we can find
some gold.

[Narrator] Our voyage
through the Canadian Rockies

[Narrator] Our voyage
through the Canadian Rockies

whisks us past
some breathtaking scenery...

whisks us past
some breathtaking scenery...

...and,
four hours out of Vancouver,

keeping things rolling
on the train

keeping things rolling
on the train

can be pretty challenging.

Okay, coming up next,

Okay, coming up next,

you've got two beef
and one chicken.

Our ex-Brummie, Pete,

has been a host
for four seasons now.

has been a host
for four seasons now.

It's been quite a journey
from the West Midlands

to Canada's
most western state--

to Canada's
most western state--

something of a love affair,
in fact.

Like many great travel stories,

Like many great travel stories,

initially,
there was a girl involved.

But I was never quite done.

But I was never quite done.

Three months became six,
became a year.

Three months became six,
became a year.

I didn't see myself necessarily
staying here forever,

but I didn't see myself leaving
any time soon.

but I didn't see myself leaving
any time soon.

And then I would find myself
returning to England,

And then I would find myself
returning to England,

and I would actually miss
the mountains,

and I would miss the ocean,

and I would miss the ocean,

and I would miss
British Columbia.

[Narrator] We're now 156 miles
north of Vancouver,

[Narrator] We're now 156 miles
north of Vancouver,

and the landscape offers more
than just incredible views.

and the landscape offers more
than just incredible views.

This is also a busy route
for freight.

This is also a busy route
for freight.

And there is the train.

And there is the train.

[Narrator]
It's steeped in history,

with some treasures hidden
just off the track.

with some treasures hidden
just off the track.

[Dan Hurd] We are off

to one of my favourite claims
on the Fraser River.

to one of my favourite claims
on the Fraser River.

[Narrator]
Modern-day prospector Dan Hurd

[Narrator]
Modern-day prospector Dan Hurd

not only looks the part,

but knows all about
the gold here.

but knows all about
the gold here.

[Dan] I've nicknamed this claim
"Pickerton",

just because of

just because of

all the gold pickers
that we found.

Gold pickers are gold flakes

Gold pickers are gold flakes

that are big enough
that you can pick up by hand.

If we're lucky,
we will find some bigger gold.

[Narrator] Sometimes,

[Narrator] Sometimes,

Dan finds a bit more
than he bargained for.

[Dan] About a week ago,
I was here,

and as I was panning

and as I was panning

down on the far side
of the river,

a black bear walked by.

I've had some bears

a little uncomfortably close
at times,

a little uncomfortably close
at times,

but I've lived my whole life
out in the forest like this,

but I've lived my whole life
out in the forest like this,

I have never had an encounter
that has worried me.

I have never had an encounter
that has worried me.

You know, we're just
minutes away

from the claim up the hill here,

and we see the tracks going by
right there.

and we see the tracks going by
right there.

And those tracks are old-old,

And those tracks are old-old,

they've been here
since, well, the gold rush days.

[Narrator] A nugget's throw
from the tracks,

Dan finds his zen.

Dan finds his zen.

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

[Dan] This is
my little piece of paradise.

[Dan] This is
my little piece of paradise.

Be very careful on this shale,
it's razor-sharp rocks.

Be very careful on this shale,
it's razor-sharp rocks.

I do know this spot
right below us

has produced well in the past,

has produced well in the past,

so I think that's where
I'm going to try to start today.

Okay, let's get to it,

and see
if we can find some gold.

[♪♪]

The gold forms in bedrock

from hot water
bubbling up from below.

from hot water
bubbling up from below.

It dissolves a bit of the gold,

then deposits it
in quartz seams,

then deposits it
in quartz seams,

and then, over time,

the bedrock erodes
and breaks up the quartz seams,

the bedrock erodes
and breaks up the quartz seams,

and free up the gold
into the rivers.

and free up the gold
into the rivers.

And that's a full pan.

We'll find a spot to sit down
and work it.

We'll find a spot to sit down
and work it.

So if there's any gold
in the pan right now,

So if there's any gold
in the pan right now,

it'll have sunk down
through all the gravel,

it will be sitting
on the bottom of the pan.

it will be sitting
on the bottom of the pan.

And then I can slowly wash away
the top stuff,

the light stuff
has no gold in it.

the light stuff
has no gold in it.

You get pretty quick
at doing one of these pans.

I think this is only been
not even a minute so far

and I'm almost done.

and I'm almost done.

Ah, there we go!

There is one of
the nice pieces of gold

There is one of
the nice pieces of gold

you can find
on the Fraser River.

That's probably .1 of a gram-ish

That's probably .1 of a gram-ish

and that would be worth...

and that would be worth...

$5 to $10...

that piece of gold.

[Narrator]
Dan's treasure may be modest,

[Narrator]
Dan's treasure may be modest,

but it connects him

to the very beginning
of gold mining in The Rockies.

to the very beginning
of gold mining in The Rockies.

Right here where we're sitting,
the Fraser Canyon,

is the site
of the very first gold rush

is the site
of the very first gold rush

here in Canada--

and it was a big one.

Someone let it slip
down in California

Someone let it slip
down in California

that there was gold
in Fraser's River,

that there was gold
in Fraser's River,

and one person told another,

and one person told another,

that person told 10 more,

those 10 told 100 more,

and, all of a sudden,

there were 30,000 people

there were 30,000 people

heading up the Fraser River
to find gold.

[Narrator]
And the holler of gold

can still cause
a rush to the head.

[Dan] Those things
still happen today.

[Dan] Those things
still happen today.

We call them "staking rushes"
or "staking frenzies",

We call them "staking rushes"
or "staking frenzies",

but I've even started
a few myself.

but I've even started
a few myself.

Everyone loves the thrill
of a treasure hunt.

I will never
get rid of this claim.

I will never
get rid of this claim.

This is mine forever
because I love it so much.

[Narrator] With enough treasure
to buy a round of coffees,

[Narrator] With enough treasure
to buy a round of coffees,

a happy Dan heads off
for a bit of train spotting.

a happy Dan heads off
for a bit of train spotting.

This is one of
my favourite spots

to view the trains,

from this little
secret lookout here.

from this little
secret lookout here.

The scenery for the trains
is amazing,

The scenery for the trains
is amazing,

seeing the two Cisco Bridges,

crossing over,

crossing over,

and just beautiful,

so neat to see.

so neat to see.

I like bringing people here
to see these bridges.

[Narrator] Our train heads over
the smaller Cisco bridge

[Narrator] Our train heads over
the smaller Cisco bridge

on the Canadian Pacific Line,

which stretches 160 metres
across the Fraser River.

which stretches 160 metres
across the Fraser River.

Incredibly,
the original span

Incredibly,
the original span

was built and shipped

all the way from England
in 1883.

all the way from England
in 1883.

The current bridge,
now 110 years old,

The current bridge,
now 110 years old,

is one of Canada's
most iconic structures.

is one of Canada's
most iconic structures.

The construction

of this coast-to-coast
railway line

of this coast-to-coast
railway line

was arguably Canada's
greatest feat of engineering.

was arguably Canada's
greatest feat of engineering.

It also must have been
quite a sweat to build...

It also must have been
quite a sweat to build...

Tackling 8,000-foot mountains
and steep river rapids,

it took thousands of men
to create.

it took thousands of men
to create.

[Pete]
You can see in the distance

that the forest
is really thinning out

that the forest
is really thinning out

and the peaks in the distance--

and the peaks in the distance--

it's becoming
that semi-arid desert.

A very, very dry,
very arid area.

A very, very dry,
very arid area.

And this town, that--
we're just coming into town--

which is the town of Lytton--

it has record temperatures
of about 44°C.

it has record temperatures
of about 44°C.

[Narrator]
In the town of Lytton

is a tiny museum dedicated
to the railway workers.

is a tiny museum dedicated
to the railway workers.

Local resident
and history enthusiast Lorna

Local resident
and history enthusiast Lorna

has found a way to remember

that it wasn't just
the Canadians

that it wasn't just
the Canadians

who built this mountain railway.

There's a dark side
to this railroad's history.

There's a dark side
to this railroad's history.

To have a big enough workforce,

they controversially imported
thousands of Chinese workers.

they controversially imported
thousands of Chinese workers.

they controversially imported
thousands of Chinese workers.

In 1978, my husband and I
actually purchased this lot.

In 1978, my husband and I
actually purchased this lot.

We were told that there was

a Chinese Joss House
or temple on the lot.

a Chinese Joss House
or temple on the lot.

Most local people
didn't know about that building,

Most local people
didn't know about that building,

so we started researching,

and then four years ago,

and then four years ago,

I decided I'll just go ahead
and create this museum.

The idea is to give awareness
to people,

The idea is to give awareness
to people,

not only their hardships,

but the Chinese contributions
to our province.

but the Chinese contributions
to our province.

Many people remained
out of necessity

Many people remained
out of necessity

and started restaurants,
laundries and merchant stores.

and started restaurants,
laundries and merchant stores.

So that's my goal here--

to get people
thinking about that.

to get people
thinking about that.

[Narrator] In 1879,

American on contractor
Andrew Onderdonk

American on contractor
Andrew Onderdonk

won the contract

to build a substantial section
of the line--

to build a substantial section
of the line--

a total of 227 miles.

a total of 227 miles.

To complete the railway

To complete the railway

through the mountainous
and hostile terrain,

his search for labour
was forced to go global.

People wanted to come
make their fortune,

People wanted to come
make their fortune,

go back to China.

[Narrator] But their arrival
was far from welcomed.

[Narrator] But their arrival
was far from welcomed.

[Lorna] There was definitely
a negative response

[Lorna] There was definitely
a negative response

to hiring Chinese,

there was this thought

that they were taking jobs
away from other people,

that they were taking jobs
away from other people,

but not so,
they really were not.

Most of them
would have been just doing

Most of them
would have been just doing

hard labour
pick-and-shovel jobs,

some people, the explosives--

some people, the explosives--

they were blowing up rocks
for tunnels.

they were blowing up rocks
for tunnels.

One Chinese person per mile
died on the railway work.

One Chinese person per mile
died on the railway work.

They were put into
a position of danger

They were put into
a position of danger

that the non-Chinese workers
were not,

that the non-Chinese workers
were not,

their standard of living
was less.

And also, at the end of it,

And also, at the end of it,

they were basically abandoned

to make their own way
within Canada.

to make their own way
within Canada.

The Chinese importance

in the construction
of the railway

in the construction
of the railway

is hugely understated.

[Narrator]
They worked in harsh conditions

[Narrator]
They worked in harsh conditions

for little pay.

Historians believe

around 600 of them died
to make this route possible.

As the track
winds its way along the river,

the extraordinary landscape

the extraordinary landscape

shows the physical challenges

the railroad builders faced
on a daily basis.

the railroad builders faced
on a daily basis.

[Pete]
And just across the water,

in a few moments,

in a few moments,

we'll get our first glimpses
of Rainbow Canyon.

Rainbow Canyon is named

because of the minerals
that get exposed

because of the minerals
that get exposed

by the very steep fall line

reacting with
the bit of rain it gets,

reacting with
the bit of rain it gets,

and showing very beautiful reds
and blue colours.

and showing very beautiful reds
and blue colours.

That is why it takes
its name, "Rainbow Canyon",

but the rest of the area
is called "Avalanche Alley",

but the rest of the area
is called "Avalanche Alley",

and that's because
the snow that does fall here,

and that's because
the snow that does fall here,

it builds up,

and it falls down on the tracks,

and that's why

and that's why

it's a rather dangerous
part of the journey--

not for us--

the Canadian National
does have various rock sheds

the Canadian National
does have various rock sheds

which channel
all the falling debris.

[Narrator] Safely through
the perilous canyons,

[Narrator] Safely through
the perilous canyons,

the Rocky Mountaineer

is nearly at its halfway point,
at Kamloops.

is nearly at its halfway point,
at Kamloops.

After 200 miles

After 200 miles

through Canada's
most scenic rail highway,

the train stops.

the train stops.

Hosts and passengers disembark

Hosts and passengers disembark

and head to their hotel,

oblivious
to what is about to happen

oblivious
to what is about to happen

in the wee small hours
of the night...

Out of the dusk
appears the night shift,

Out of the dusk
appears the night shift,

headed up by maintenance manager
Mike Ryder,

headed up by maintenance manager
Mike Ryder,

who's in charge
of getting our train ship-shape

for the next day.

for the next day.

7's flagged,

we'll do 5, 8 and 9 right away.

we'll do 5, 8 and 9 right away.

Nothing else right now.

Please have a safe night.

[Narrator] With only a few hours
till its scheduled departure,

[Narrator] With only a few hours
till its scheduled departure,

the pressure's on.

We're going to clean
the exterior.

We're going to clean
the exterior.

We're going to clean
the interior.

We're going to stock the train.

We're going to stock the train.

We're going to provision it
with food,

with supplies, with drinks.

with supplies, with drinks.

We're also going
to repair the train.

We're also going
to repair the train.

Any defects that may have
come up throughout the day

Any defects that may have
come up throughout the day

are going to be addressed.

My job is to ensure

that those work orders
are closed tonight.

that those work orders
are closed tonight.

[Narrator] Keeping this mammoth
twin-engine train

[Narrator] Keeping this mammoth
twin-engine train

in perfect working order

is where engineers

is where engineers

Kevin Soprovich
and Darrell Bliault

step in.

step in.

We are jacking a coach

because we have a spring

that's dislodged
on the other side.

that's dislodged
on the other side.

It's hit a heavy bump
and dislodged itself.

It's hit a heavy bump
and dislodged itself.

[Narrator] If the team don't fix
the spring in time

for the early-morning departure,

for the early-morning departure,

the passengers could be in
for a bumpy ride.

[Darrell] You see

[Darrell] You see

where the spring
has been dislodged here.

[Kevin] So you see
where it's popped over?

[Kevin] So you see
where it's popped over?

It's not sitting properly
in here.

So it's going to cause
this equalizer bar--

So it's going to cause
this equalizer bar--

so every time
the wheel bounces,

it's going to bounce sideways

it's going to bounce sideways

and not bounce properly
up and down.

So, we're just going
to take the weight off.

So, we're just going
to take the weight off.

It should give us
enough clearance

just to shimmy that
back into place.

All right, going up.

[Narrator]
At the other end of the coach,

there's another issue--

there's another issue--

one of the buffer rods

needed to hold
the carriages in place,

needed to hold
the carriages in place,

so passengers can cross
from one to the other safely,

has been damaged.

If you break one,

and say you go on a curve,

it will push it back--

it will stay there
if it's broken, right?

So now you have a gap,
which is unsafe.

So now you have a gap,
which is unsafe.

[Narrator] They'll only have
till daybreak to fix it.

[Narrator] They'll only have
till daybreak to fix it.

By dawn, the train will be
as good as new...

By dawn, the train will be
as good as new...

...ready to hit

...ready to hit

the most extraordinary part
of this unique railway journey,

the most extraordinary part
of this unique railway journey,

through not just one
national park,

but three!

but three!

We're in Kamloops--

a major road, river
and rail junction

a major road, river
and rail junction

in the centre of the Rockies.

It's halfway
to our final destination--

It's halfway
to our final destination--

Banff in Alberta.

The repaired and restocked
Rocky Mountaineer

now embarks on
a 400-mile voyage

now embarks on
a 400-mile voyage

full of majestic glaciers
and snowy peaks

full of majestic glaciers
and snowy peaks

along the Thompson River.

We might only be going
at 35 miles an hour,

but that simply prolongs

but that simply prolongs

the pleasure of seeing
these Rocky Mountains.

Several are over
12,000 feet high.

Several are over
12,000 feet high.

Refreshed after their pit stop,

Jocelyn and Pete
are back to multi-skilling.

Jocelyn and Pete
are back to multi-skilling.

[Jocelyn] Well, we're a host,

but we are a bartender,

but we are a bartender,

we're a psychiatrist,

we're, um...

we're, um...

a party pumper...

historian.

historian.

[Pete] Thank you.

Keep everybody smiling,

whether it be a story,

whether it be, like,
just interaction,

whether it be, like,
just interaction,

then that's what we do.

I consider myself
a provider of nice times.

I consider myself
a provider of nice times.

[Narrator] Our train journey
is about to take a turn

[Narrator] Our train journey
is about to take a turn

to a much colder, higher region,

as the line heads north.

as the line heads north.

You can see that

the environment
has changed drastically--

the environment
has changed drastically--

we quickly leave
that semi-arid desert--

and that's because

and that's because

we're starting to go back
into that mountainous region,

we're starting to go back
into that mountainous region,

so we're gonna start to see

the southern part
of the Monashee Range,

the southern part
of the Monashee Range,

which is a part--

it's a sub-range
of the Columbia.

it's a sub-range
of the Columbia.

Rather incredibly,

we're at about 1,100 feet
above sea level now,

we're at about 1,100 feet
above sea level now,

but we're going to take
our guests

another four and a half
thousand feet

before we reach
our highest point,

before we reach
our highest point,

when we'll be
in the Rocky Mountains.

when we'll be
in the Rocky Mountains.

[Narrator] The Rockies
might stand tall and proud

above our rail route,

but they are not invincible.

The famous glaciers above
are shrinking fast.

The famous glaciers above
are shrinking fast.

Glaciologists Brian and Ben
are switching from rail to rotor

Glaciologists Brian and Ben
are switching from rail to rotor

to investigate.

[Ben Pelto] Okay, here we go.

We're heading back
to the Kiwa Glacier.

We're heading back
to the Kiwa Glacier.

It's one of the largest
glaciers in this area.

The Kiwa Glacier is terminating
into a large lake,

The Kiwa Glacier is terminating
into a large lake,

and that lake
is increasing in area

as the glacier
retreats backwards.

[Narrator] Despite being far
from any city,

[Narrator] Despite being far
from any city,

the effects of global warming
are still hitting the area hard.

the effects of global warming
are still hitting the area hard.

It is predicted

that 80% of the ice cover
in the Rocky Mountains

that 80% of the ice cover
in the Rocky Mountains

will be gone
in the next 50 years.

will be gone
in the next 50 years.

This glacier
is really falling apart

since last year.

since last year.

It broke off big-time.

You could see from
all those icebergs

You could see from
all those icebergs

And then if you look
along the side of the glacier,

there's all these collapsed
old ice caves

there's all these collapsed
old ice caves

and things like that.

All these collapses
are a bad sign for this glacier.

All these collapses
are a bad sign for this glacier.

It's pretty spectacular.

It's pretty spectacular.

[Narrator]
Scientists like Ben and Brian

are trying to understand
their retreat,

are trying to understand
their retreat,

which is by no means risk-free.

which is by no means risk-free.

[Ben] If the weather comes in,

do you want us to be
anticipating you coming back?

do you want us to be
anticipating you coming back?

[pilot] Yeah, absolutely there,

[pilot] Yeah, absolutely there,

if it looks like
it's going to turn there,

I'm gonna come back
for you guys.

I'm gonna come back
for you guys.

[narrator]
To measure the retreat

of this seven-kilometre-long
glacier,

of this seven-kilometre-long
glacier,

they have to work on ice
at an altitude of 7,000 feet,

they have to work on ice
at an altitude of 7,000 feet,

making the job
physically exhausting.

making the job
physically exhausting.

[Ben] We're drilling a hole
in the glacier.

Down at this elevation
of the glacier,

Down at this elevation
of the glacier,

we experience a lot of melt,

so we need to drill this hole
pretty deep.

so we need to drill this hole
pretty deep.

We do this in September
or August each year,

and then when we come back
the following September,

this pole will be
sticking out of the glacier.

this pole will be
sticking out of the glacier.

The lower parts
of the glacier here

will naturally lose
a lot of ice.

will naturally lose
a lot of ice.

In a given season,

In a given season,

we might find
six to seven metres of ice melt

during the summer,

during the summer,

and then, in the winter-time,

due to ice dynamics,

due to ice dynamics,

that ice is replenished
from higher up the glacier,

that ice is replenished
from higher up the glacier,

but what's been happening

is that that replenishment

is that that replenishment

is not keeping up
with the amount of melt

at the lower part
of the glacier.

at the lower part
of the glacier.

[Narrator]
At times, they've found

that the ice has dropped
by a metre in height

that the ice has dropped
by a metre in height

in just two weeks.

The dark line
on the valley walls

The dark line
on the valley walls

indicates just how high
the glacier used to be.

indicates just how high
the glacier used to be.

More worryingly,

without the supporting ice,

without the supporting ice,

the walls become
prone to collapse.

[Brian]
If you look carefully here,

[Brian]
If you look carefully here,

you can actually see
the whole series of trees

you can actually see
the whole series of trees

that we often refer to
as a drunken forest.

that we often refer to
as a drunken forest.

So, the trees
are sort of walked around

and flopped around like--

well, like they've had
a long night at the pub,

well, like they've had
a long night at the pub,

I guess.

This is a key indicator
of unstable terrain.

This is a key indicator
of unstable terrain.

The glacier has retreated
several kilometres

The glacier has retreated
several kilometres

from its outermost moraine.

from its outermost moraine.

What's clear is

the more recent retreat

the more recent retreat

we can attribute
to human activity--

greenhouse gas emissions.

greenhouse gas emissions.

[Narrator] No one wants to see

the national parks
lose their majestic snowy peaks,

the national parks
lose their majestic snowy peaks,

least of all

those admiring them
from onboard our train.

those admiring them
from onboard our train.

Two hours into the second day,

the landscape may change

the landscape may change

but the hospitality
remains unstoppable.

but the hospitality
remains unstoppable.

Wine and cheese!

Well, I believe that

we still have
some hungry guests,

we still have
some hungry guests,

and even if they're not hungry,

we're going to over-indulge.

[Jocelyn] We don't like guests

[Jocelyn] We don't like guests

to go more than an hour
without anything.

[Pete] An hour?
It feels like 45 minutes.

[Pete] An hour?
It feels like 45 minutes.

45 minutes!

We're pretty relentless
in the feeding.

We often like to put
people's nerves at ease

We often like to put
people's nerves at ease

by saying there are no calories
on the train,

by saying there are no calories
on the train,

but it's certainly
a land of indulgence.

[Narrator] And, like the food,

the historical sights
just keep on coming.

the historical sights
just keep on coming.

This is the site
of Craigellachie,

This is the site
of Craigellachie,

and what that is,
it's the site of the last spike.

and what that is,
it's the site of the last spike.

Every single rail tie

that gets put
underneath the rails

that gets put
underneath the rails

on top of the ballast
with the rails on top,

all those get held in place
with a spike,

a single iron spike,

a single iron spike,

and it's here

that the very last spike
was banged in,

that the very last spike
was banged in,

completing effectively

what was
the Trans Canadian Railroad.

what was
the Trans Canadian Railroad.

[Narrator]
On the 7th of November, 1885

[Narrator]
On the 7th of November, 1885

at 9:22 in the morning,

railroad financier Donald Smith

railroad financier Donald Smith

drove in
the ceremonial final spike,

marking the end

marking the end

of all
the engineering challenges,

money crises

and natural disasters
to hit the construction.

and natural disasters
to hit the construction.

At last,

the nation's railroads
ran the breadth of the country.

the nation's railroads
ran the breadth of the country.

[Pete] We can see this cairn
as well,

[Pete] We can see this cairn
as well,

which commemorates the site
of the last spike,

which commemorates the site
of the last spike,

and what's interesting
about that

is that there is a rock

from each
of the provinces of Canada

from each
of the provinces of Canada

and the three territories, too,

and that symbolises
a unity of the country.

and that symbolises
a unity of the country.

[Narrator] This railway route

is probably the only
rail journey in the world

is probably the only
rail journey in the world

that goes through
three national parks--

that goes through
three national parks--

Glacier, Yoho and Banff,

each one
with its own unique story.

each one
with its own unique story.

Just above our train route

at Kicking Horse
in Yoho National Park,

at Kicking Horse
in Yoho National Park,

most days,

Parks Canada Guide Claudia
can be found trekking.

Parks Canada Guide Claudia
can be found trekking.

Today, she's making her way up

to one of the most famous sites
in the world--

to one of the most famous sites
in the world--

that's if you're either
a Star Wars obsessive

that's if you're either
a Star Wars obsessive

or have an interest

in the early origins
of human kind.

in the early origins
of human kind.

We're on our way up

to one of Yoho National Park's
iconic Burgess Shale sites.

to one of Yoho National Park's
iconic Burgess Shale sites.

Mount Stephen--

then it really starts
to get steep.

The discovery
of this particular site

is closely tied in

with the building of
the Canadian Pacific Railway.

with the building of
the Canadian Pacific Railway.

It brought a lot of workers in,

who probably were scouring
these hills

hoping to find some gold,

hoping to find some gold,

and instead they found
stone bugs.

[Narrator] These weren't
just any old bugs--

they were early
marine invertebrates,

they were early
marine invertebrates,

dating back 540 million years
to the Cambrian Period.

dating back 540 million years
to the Cambrian Period.

This was an exciting
new discovery for scientists.

This was an exciting
new discovery for scientists.

[Claudia]
The community that lived here

[Claudia]
The community that lived here

was in a warm tropical ocean

and was much like
a modern-day reef community,

and was much like
a modern-day reef community,

and then these big mud flows

and then these big mud flows

would come and cover up
the communities,

and layer after layer
was laid down and compressed,

and layer after layer
was laid down and compressed,

and layer after layer
was laid down and compressed,

and then,
over millions of years,

transformed into rock

transformed into rock

and then pushed up

into what we now see
is the Canadian Rockies.

into what we now see
is the Canadian Rockies.

[Narrator] What's extraordinary
at this Burgess Shale site,

[Narrator] What's extraordinary
at this Burgess Shale site,

is that it revealed
incredible detail

in some of
the soft-bodied fossils.

in some of
the soft-bodied fossils.

Advanced imaging revealed
hearts, livers and eggs,

Advanced imaging revealed
hearts, livers and eggs,

all previously unseen.

all previously unseen.

The exquisite preservation
then exposed something amazing--

The exquisite preservation
then exposed something amazing--

the first ever record
of skeletal remains.

the first ever record
of skeletal remains.

We can find
our distant ancestors

We can find
our distant ancestors

here at the Burgess Shale.

We have
our very first chordates,

We have
our very first chordates,

so that's the group
that we belong to,

so that's the group
that we belong to,

and these animals
are much more basic than we are,

and these animals
are much more basic than we are,

but they have a notochord,

which is
the precursor to a backbone.

which is
the precursor to a backbone.

This is an ancestor to fish

and anything with a backbone,
like us.

and anything with a backbone,
like us.

[Narrator]
Our long-lost relatives

[Narrator]
Our long-lost relatives

from 550 million years ago.

Now these ancient creatures
have become Hollywood stars,

Now these ancient creatures
have become Hollywood stars,

inspiring the world of film.

Some of the weird wonders

Some of the weird wonders

apparently inspired

apparently inspired

some of the weird wonders
from Star Wars.

Have you ever seen
the original,

Have you ever seen
the original,

where they have the bar scene
from Tattooine?

Apparently, those aliens

Apparently, those aliens

were inspired by creatures
from the Burgess Shale.

[Narrator] As a relatively
recent discovery,

these rocks undoubtedly

have many hidden wonders
yet to be found.

have many hidden wonders
yet to be found.

I always tell people
when we come up here

I always tell people
when we come up here

that they could be
the first person

to find something brand-new
that no one else has ever seen.

to find something brand-new
that no one else has ever seen.

[Narrator] The Burgess Shale
is extraordinary.

[Narrator] The Burgess Shale
is extraordinary.

This Unesco World Heritage site

This Unesco World Heritage site

attracts scientists
all year round

to catch a tantalizing glimpse

to catch a tantalizing glimpse

of life over
500 million years ago.

of life over
500 million years ago.

Without the railway builders,
it might never have been found.

Without the railway builders,
it might never have been found.

Now the train is heading
into its home stretch,

Now the train is heading
into its home stretch,

but there's still
some food on the horizon.

but there's still
some food on the horizon.

-Company's good.
-Good.

Great to be able to mix

Great to be able to mix

and meet people
from other walks of life.

I love
looking after Australians,

they're always so happy
about everything

and everything is beautiful.

and everything is beautiful.

It doesn't matter what it is--

It doesn't matter what it is--

everything is beautiful.

[Narrator] Next, we're heading
into bear country.

[Narrator] Next, we're heading
into bear country.

Half of the grizzly bear
population of Canada

lives in British Columbia.

lives in British Columbia.

Spotting a wild bear

may be a thrill
from the safety of a train.

may be a thrill
from the safety of a train.

On foot,
only a cool professional ranger

On foot,
only a cool professional ranger

would actually like to meet one.

would actually like to meet one.

Ranger Jesse is on a mission.

[Jesse] We're headed to a place
called "The Five Mile Pull Out"

[Jesse] We're headed to a place
called "The Five Mile Pull Out"

and it's a spot

where we've had
quite a few grizzly bears

where we've had
quite a few grizzly bears

struck and killed
on the railroad tracks,

struck and killed
on the railroad tracks,

and it's an interesting area

because it's the confluence
of the railway, the Bow River,

because it's the confluence
of the railway, the Bow River,

the Trans-Canada Highway,
and the Bow Valley Parkway,

the Trans-Canada Highway,
and the Bow Valley Parkway,

and the whole area
is constrained

and the whole area
is constrained

by steep rocky mountains,

so it's a challenging spot
for wildlife to get to.

so it's a challenging spot
for wildlife to get to.

[Narrator]
Bears don't comprehend

the real dangers of the rails,

but see them as a way
to travel quickly

but see them as a way
to travel quickly

and find grain
dropped by freight trains.

and find grain
dropped by freight trains.

Over the last 10 years,

we've lost six grizzly bears
to mortality

we've lost six grizzly bears
to mortality

on the railroad tracks,

on the railroad tracks,

and one of the hotspots
for grizzly-bear mortality

has been along these curves.

has been along these curves.

Sometimes,
bears are startled by trains,

and when they're startled,
they run,

and when they're startled,
they run,

and they kind of lose
their sense of reasoning,

and they kind of lose
their sense of reasoning,

and they run
where they can run fastest,

which is
straight down the tracks.

which is
straight down the tracks.

This is one of those areas

where we have created
some alternate travel routes

on the other side
of the Bow River

on the other side
of the Bow River

so that the wildlife

don't even have to travel
along the railway.

don't even have to travel
along the railway.

[Narrator] Grizzly bears
are under threat

from trains
and loss of habitat.

from trains
and loss of habitat.

These iconic animals

are now protected and monitored

are now protected and monitored

in the hope
their numbers recover.

These trains
take kilometres to stop,

These trains
take kilometres to stop,

so the best thing they can do
is just honk their horn,

so the best thing they can do
is just honk their horn,

but if it's
a last-minute sighting,

then it's very challenging
for them.

then it's very challenging
for them.

[Narrator] Other animals
are also following the railroad.

[Narrator] Other animals
are also following the railroad.

A lot of elk congregate
around the town of Banff

A lot of elk congregate
around the town of Banff

and that's where
they have their calves,

so, often this time of the year,

grizzly bears
and wolves and cougars

grizzly bears
and wolves and cougars

converge on the town of Banff,

converge on the town of Banff,

as they're trying to get
some of these elk calves

when they're first born.

when they're first born.

[Narrator] Using tracking,

Jesse has a pretty good idea

Jesse has a pretty good idea

of the bear population
in his charge.

[Jesse] There's now roughly
65 adult grizzly bears

[Jesse] There's now roughly
65 adult grizzly bears

in Banff National Park

in Banff National Park

and probably 20 of them
use the Bow Valley

and probably 20 of them
use the Bow Valley

and encounter the railway.

My job is trying to figure out

how we can provide
excellent opportunities

how we can provide
excellent opportunities

for people coming to Banff,

for people coming to Banff,

so they have
a meaningful experience,

but, at the same time,

minimising the effects
we are having on wildlife.

minimising the effects
we are having on wildlife.

[Narrator] As we travel through
Yoho National Park,

[Narrator] As we travel through
Yoho National Park,

it's hard to comprehend

there are so few bears
left in the area.

there are so few bears
left in the area.

All are being
carefully monitored.

16 of them are female,

16 of them are female,

and they hold the future

of these beautiful grizzlies
in British Columbia.

of these beautiful grizzlies
in British Columbia.

Not far down the line,
still in Yoho,

Not far down the line,
still in Yoho,

the railroad builders faced
a very different challenge--

the railroad builders faced
a very different challenge--

a place known as "The Big Hill".

a place known as "The Big Hill".

People were still
driving on dirt roads,

people were still
driving horse carriages,

people were still
driving horse carriages,

so something like this
was a massive feat.

[Narrator] We've travelled
almost 500 miles

across the Canadian Rockies,

across the Canadian Rockies,

and our spell-binding
two-day rail adventure

and our spell-binding
two-day rail adventure

is nearly over.

Life wasn't so plain-sailing

Life wasn't so plain-sailing

for the crew building a line
with so many challenges.

for the crew building a line
with so many challenges.

The worst stretch of all
was known as "The Big Hill".

The worst stretch of all
was known as "The Big Hill".

It had
an incredibly steep slope,

It had
an incredibly steep slope,

dropping 1000 feet
in just 10 miles.

dropping 1000 feet
in just 10 miles.

The Big Hill was in many ways
a cut corner,

The Big Hill was in many ways
a cut corner,

money was conserved

by putting the trains down
what was an illegal grade,

by putting the trains down
what was an illegal grade,

a 4.4% grade.

a 4.4% grade.

It would be
a rather dangerous situation

to have all that momentum
heading down the hill,

to have all that momentum
heading down the hill,

and the first train
that ever went down The Big Hill

and the first train
that ever went down The Big Hill

did actually derail,

did actually derail,

and the engineers on board
didn't make it either.

[Narrator]
When it opened in 1884,

[Narrator]
When it opened in 1884,

The Big Hill section

was one of the steepest
railway lines around.

was one of the steepest
railway lines around.

It was the scene
of many disastrous derailments,

It was the scene
of many disastrous derailments,

as Park Ranger Sarah explains.

as Park Ranger Sarah explains.

The Canadian Pacific Railway
lost steam trains,

they would also lose loads,

they would also lose loads,

they would lose
grain transportation,

they would lose
grain transportation,

sometimes, loss of life,

whether it was conductors
or passengers.

whether it was conductors
or passengers.

They realised that just
running straight over

They realised that just
running straight over

and straight down into a valley

with no reprieve,

with no reprieve,

there's no way
to slow thousands of tonnes.

there's no way
to slow thousands of tonnes.

They needed to come up
with a solution

and that solution
was the spiral tunnels.

and that solution
was the spiral tunnels.

[Narrator] They decided to cut
two circular tunnels

[Narrator] They decided to cut
two circular tunnels

deep into the side
of two mountains--

Cathedral Mountain
and Mount Ogden.

Cathedral Mountain
and Mount Ogden.

This would allow trains
to spiral round

This would allow trains
to spiral round

and descend safely
at a much more gentle grade.

and descend safely
at a much more gentle grade.

Basically,
the way they engineered,

they did bring in
Swiss engineers from Europe,

they did bring in
Swiss engineers from Europe,

based on the same way

based on the same way

that they built roads

to ascend as switchbacks
through the Alps.

to ascend as switchbacks
through the Alps.

To build this,

To build this,

a thousand men,

horses,

dynamite,

remove all the rubble,

remove all the rubble,

and then lay the track
once its cleared.

and then lay the track
once its cleared.

[Narrator]
On the 1st September 1909,

this pair of spiral tunnels
opened,

at a cost of around
one and a half million dollars.

at a cost of around
one and a half million dollars.

The extra track

effectively doubled
the length of the section,

effectively doubled
the length of the section,

reducing the steepness
of the gradient by half.

reducing the steepness
of the gradient by half.

At the time,
it was pretty cutting-edge.

People were still driving
on dirt roads,

people were still driving
horse carriages,

the Ford T-model engine
was basically a new phenomenon,

the Ford T-model engine
was basically a new phenomenon,

the Ford T-model engine
was basically a new phenomenon,

so something like this
was a massive feat.

so something like this
was a massive feat.

Right now,

there's a CP rail train

that's coming into
the upper tunnel.

that's coming into
the upper tunnel.

It's going into the mountain,

it's going to be coming around,

it's going to be coming around,

spiralling upon itself lower,

spiralling upon itself lower,

and then coming out right there
in the lower part.

And as it's turning back
on itself,

And as it's turning back
on itself,

it's going to descend,

so that makes it
a whole lot safer,

a whole lot slower.

a whole lot slower.

[Narrator] And what better way
to see this feat of engineering

[Narrator] And what better way
to see this feat of engineering

than by taking a train
right through them--

but this time,

but this time,

we are going up
rather than down.

[Pete]
Now, what's going to happen

[Pete]
Now, what's going to happen

is that we are going
to head towards Mount Ogden,

is that we are going
to head towards Mount Ogden,

and as we get closer to it,

you'll see that,

you'll see that,

50 feet above the tunnel
that we go into,

you'll actually see the tracks
that we'll be on,

you'll actually see the tracks
that we'll be on,

because, to quote my mother,

what we'll be doing

is chucking a U-y
inside of the mountain.

is chucking a U-y
inside of the mountain.

So, can you see,

by looking at
the rail car in front of us,

by looking at
the rail car in front of us,

you can probably see
and probably imagine

which way
the train is going to turn,

which way
the train is going to turn,

and we're just seeing,
quite literally,

the light
at the end of the tunnel,

the light
at the end of the tunnel,

but Cathedral Mountain
was on our right-hand side,

Mount Steven
was directly behind us.

Mount Steven
was directly behind us.

As we emerge from this tunnel,

you'll see that

you'll see that

Cathedral Mountain
is directly in front of us,

and so, rather incredibly,

and so, rather incredibly,

this train has performed
a 3/4 turn.

this train has performed
a 3/4 turn.

[Narrator]
The train has now travelled

for two days

as it enters the final stretch
in Banff National Park.

as it enters the final stretch
in Banff National Park.

This place covers over
2,500 square miles

This place covers over
2,500 square miles

of some of the world's
most majestic mountains.

of some of the world's
most majestic mountains.

It's also famous
for what lies beneath.

It's also famous
for what lies beneath.

Just a few meters
to the east of the line,

hidden in the limestone rock,

hidden in the limestone rock,

are some thermal springs.

Deep in
these famous cave systems,

guide Amar is taking us into
the area's history.

guide Amar is taking us into
the area's history.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park

was created
around natural springs,

so here we have one of them.

so here we have one of them.

All together,
we have nine springs.

In the late 1800s,

when the railway was being
built across the country,

when the railway was being
built across the country,

winter was coming,

work would stop.

work would stop.

Most men would go back East
to their families,

but three railway workers

but three railway workers

decided they were going

to spend their time
in the valley here.

So, they started exploring,

So, they started exploring,

and they discovered
these springs,

so what did they do--

so what did they do--

they had their first bath
in a long, long time.

[Narrator] The railway company
spotted a financial opportunity.

[Narrator] The railway company
spotted a financial opportunity.

[Amar]
After they had their bath,

[Amar]
After they had their bath,

they quickly realised

others would love
to have that same experience,

others would love
to have that same experience,

and perhaps this was

their chance
to make their fortune.

their chance
to make their fortune.

[Narrator] In 1885,

keen to make
the most of the springs,

keen to make
the most of the springs,

the Government opened up

Canada's first national park
around the site.

Canada's first national park
around the site.

It attracted wealth
and tourism to the region.

It attracted wealth
and tourism to the region.

The iconic Banff Springs Hotel
followed shortly afterwards,

The iconic Banff Springs Hotel
followed shortly afterwards,

and the area
still thrives today,

and the area
still thrives today,

with over four million people
visiting every year.

with over four million people
visiting every year.

After 600 miles
of luxurious train trekking

After 600 miles
of luxurious train trekking

across the Rocky Mountains,

across the Rocky Mountains,

we pull into Banff Station.

Welcome to Banff, everybody!

And what a pleasure it's been.
Thank you so much.

And what a pleasure it's been.
Thank you so much.

-Thanks a lot.
-Thank you!

-Good, good!
-See you!

-Good, good!
-See you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

I enjoyed being with you guys.

Pleasure looking after you.

-See you again.
-It was a real pleasure.

It was a pleasure
looking after you.

Have a great time.

Have a great time.

[Narrator] It's been
a fantastic experience--

and the magnificent views
are truly world-class.

and the magnificent views
are truly world-class.

Our railway voyage

has shown us
some deadly waterways,

has shown us
some deadly waterways,

we've crossed stunning bridges,

through beautiful
national parks,

through beautiful
national parks,

while taking in

some incredible feats
of engineering,

some incredible feats
of engineering,

but for Pete and Jocelyn,
this isn't the end of the line.

but for Pete and Jocelyn,
this isn't the end of the line.

Their Rocky Mountain
rail journey

Their Rocky Mountain
rail journey

doesn't stop here...

So that's a real privilege

So that's a real privilege

and we get to do it all again
tomorrow.