Higher fuel prices, coupled with the effects of the provincial carbon tax, are adding to the costs of keeping the Kettle Valley Steam Railway on the tracks.
Ron Restrick, manager of the tourist train, said the recycled waste oil used for the steam train is much cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel, but the railway’s fuel bill still tops $44,000.
“That’s a significant amount of fuel for a small organization like ours,” he said. “We only operate 97 days a year.”
The fuel for the steam train costs 32¢ a litre, including the carbon tax which has risen to 6.75¢ a litre.
The provincial carbon tax was implemented in 2008 and initially was set at 2.7¢ a litre on fossil fuels. In the years following, the tax has risen significantly.
While the railway’s fuel price is almost $1 a litre lower than the cost of the cheapest motor fuel at the gas stations, it is still a lot more expensive than the price of 10¢ a litre the railway paid just a few years ago.
Restrick said the locomotive is versatile and can operate on various fuel sources. “A steam engine will burn anything,” he said. “It’s a very simple fire box we use.”
The steam train uses a significant amount of fuel, consuming 29.1 litres for every kilometre travelled. As a result, even a slight increase in fuel prices has an effect on the railway’s expenses.
Restrick said the steam railway has worked to keep fares affordable, although this year, there is a slight increase in the prices of adult tickets.
For passengers coming to the train, Restrick said the higher fuel prices are likely to have an effect, although he believes passengers will be willing to pay a bit more to get to the Summerland steam train.
“We have a unique situation in the Okanagan,” he said. “Our ridership continues to come here, even though fuel costs for them are continuing to rise.”