The BC South Line, an 80-mgt line through the Rocky Mountains of western Canada, is one of the most-demanding sections of track on the Canadian Pacific Railway, or any system, for that matter. A 1.1-percent ruling grade and high curvature characterize the line. Nearly half of this 750-mile, predominantly single-track territory is curved; 80 miles are six degrees or more.
Weather compounds the engineering challenge, with temperatures ranging from 110 F in Summer to -30 F with as ...