6. Because of the terrain, the line could be closed by avalanches, or rock slides, or by too much snow on the track.
   --Forest fires were a danger to the wooden trestles and bridges.
   --Steep grades and lots of snow; used plow car to clear tracks ahead of train.
   --Safety was important because trains carried crew and passengers.
   --Safety checks were carried out on a regular basis, some by McCulloch himself.

7. Creation of Hope-Princeton Highway in 1949. Freight could be carried in trucks.
   --People could travel in own cars. More people had cars.
   –Decreasing freight to carry. No longer profitable to run rail line in southern BC.
   –Snow problems made travel on line unpredictable. Line had to be closed and trains rerouted.
   –Maintenance was said to be too costly. Part of the track was removed.

Discussion Questions

1. Andrew McCulloch played a major role in the construction and the running of the KVR.
   –He planned the route through difficult landscape, he hired crews, and he supervised workers.
   –He continued to work on the KVR after it was built to keep it running.
   –The scenic route was very popular with passengers.
   –Route was difficult and costly to build. It was a “wonder” that it was finished and that it continued to operate for over 40 years.

2. McCulloch successfully met many challenges.
   --He performed many feats of engineering skill.
   --He would have had a sense of great achievement.
   --He would have been proud of what he accomplished.
   --He continued to work for the KVR until he retired.