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Caption: Classic old CP station out on the plains, no doubt long gone. Coalhurst used to be a coal town, hence the name, and is located within stone' throw, so to speak of Lethbridge, a rather substantial community. I rather liked this shot. The pole line, the classic building with living quarters upstairs, the outhouse, downwind of course, and even the seemingly ever-present volkswagen "bug", which makes me wonder if CP offered these clunkers to the agents at a discount.:o) I believe that is a wye out there by the grain elevator. And what a nice name! "Ellison's Best Flour"!!! Like an ad from the '50s. Don't recall seeing that one anywhere else.
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The wye was for the branch line up to Diamond City, Picture Butte, Iron Springs & Turin. There used to be a large sugar plant at Picture Butte, if I recall correctly. The line stopped at Turin but was intended to head further.
Maybe that’s a second-hand CN Beetle…
I heard VW will stop production of that classic, after 2019.
After that, they’ll only be available in Hollywood movies, and Arnold’s backyard
Thanks, Robin. Thats one of the great things about this group. No matter what the location, someone seems to know something about it.
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And as for this Mr. Mercer, there is no room in my backyard for such junque.:o)
I’ve always been curious about these little rust heaps because so many station photos I have feature an ugly old Beetle Bug as the resident vehicle. The guys had to have been paid better than that !!!
Arnold, in 1970 the best paying Agent’s position in the GTA were places like Richmond Hill, Brampton, Oakville and 1 or 2 others. You needed 25 years or more to even think about holding them – at approx $125 a week. Sure that sounds like big money in 1970 but really it was not.
Maybe it’s where the sticker originated – My Other Car is a Tricycle.
Bruce: Your comment made me go to the box in the closet titled “Pittances of the Past” and retrieve a pay stub from mid 1970 in which I cleared $112.50. So yes, the Agent’s pay was pathetic. And for the kiddies on this group; thats a WEEK, not a DAY. I sincerely hope agents back then at least got a few ‘perks’ to help them along. Your message certainly was an eye-opener.