Coal Branch

The Coal Branch

The eastern slopes and foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the area south of the Athabasca River have been dominated by coal mining for nearly a century. Exploration for viable coal mining deposits began in the region during the last quarter of the 19th century. Two other industries were intimately related to the coal mining industry; railways and logging. The development of the Yellowhead Pass for rail transportation promoted active coal exploration and development in the early years of the 20th century. The reliance of railways and other industries on coal for fuel resulted in the creations of a series of mines and communities between about 1910 and 1950 which became known as the Coal Branch. The Coal Branch helped supply our nation through 2 world wars; providing fuel, soldiers and support during these times of crisis. The Coal Branch communities were closely knit groups who shared the risks and sorrows, as well as the joys and benefits of working and living in the Coal Branch. Given the dangers of the work, it was essential that a cooperative spirit prevail. The unity forged by the "Coal Branchers" continues today. Many families have never left the branch, others return to visit and remember. Others are now discovering the people and places which together form the Coal Branch.

The Coal Branch Railway

The story of the railway starts with the history of the fur trade, the Klondike Gold Rush, the national drive for a transcontinental railway system, the influx of settlers and finally the transportation of agriculture and mineral wealth. The early railways builders looked at the Yellowhead Pass through the Rockies as the most accessible route west of Edmonton. This brought the rail development along the Athabasca River through Hinton and Jasper. By 1906 it was evident that coal would be needed to drive the steam fired locomotives on this Yellowhead route. Intensive exploration found the coal that the railways would need and new mines began to spring up.

The Grand Truck Pacific's main line from Edmonton to the Yellowhead Pass was completed in 1910. A branch line to the coal fields was soon required to support the ever increasing need for fuel for the locomotives. The name Coal Branch refers to the branch line of the Canadian National Railways which left the main line at Bickerdike, seven miles west of Edson, and ran southward and westward into the foothills to tap the rich coal reserves of that area. The Branch line was first started in 1912 and ran as far as Coalspur, a distance of 58 miles. From Coalspur the railway turned eastward going as far as Lovett, a further distance of about 20 miles. Another branch ran west from Coalspur to the Yellowhead mine. The Mountain Park branch was built in 1913 and went as far as the village of Mountain Park, a distance from Coalspur of about 30 miles. Each of the two branches of the rail line were known by the name of the farthest community on the line. Thus, the western leg was known as the Mountain Park line and the eastern leg was known as the Lovett line. The Mountain Park portion of the railway was built by Mountain Park Coal Company and leased back to the railway. Later, a short branch was built from Leyland to Luscar. The railway station at Mountain Park had the distinction of being the highest elevation of any at about 6000 feet above sea level.

Numerous coal mines, small and large, developed along the branch to help satisfy the demand for fuel for both the railway and heating. Mining communities established themselves at each site and grew or shrank with the mine's production. For over 30 years coal was "King" and communities thrived. During the war years, although skilled labour was scarce, many of the mines grew in size. But, it did not last. The immediate postwar years brought dramatic changes to the area. With the end of the war, much of the country's war production dropped off quickly. This in turn reduced the tonnage shipped on the railways. Demand for steam coal started to decline rapidly as rail traffic decreased and natural gas took away a portion of the market.

By the mid 1940's, new diesel locomotives started to replace the steam locomotive in the railway's efforts to reduce costs and improve productivity. Such a move threatened the coal industry even more. Within a few a few short years, the steam locomotives and the coal mines that fed them were gone. The towns of Coal Branch began to wither away as families picked up and moved to other opportunities. By the twilight years of the 1950's the last of the coal mines and their towns closed.

Only the limestone quarry operation at Cadomin kept the railway from being completely abandoned. Limestone was shipped from Cadomin to Edmonton for the manufacture of cement. The unused portions of the Coal Branch fell into disuse. The section from Coalspur to Lovett and from Cadomin to Mountain Park were left to grow over. Only the later revitalization of the coal industry would bring back the railway operation in its fullest. Yet, never again would the steam locomotive travel the routes which were once so familiar.

The railway was the only means of mechanized transport in the region for many years. The train which serviced the western Coal Branch was affectionately known as the "The Blue Flea". The train for the eastern branch was often known as "Sam's Train". The coal powered steam engines provided regular service to the Coal Branch, bringing goods and travellers in and out of the isolated communities. Rides on the Blue Flea were generally fun-filled, social events an an attraction at every siding it stopped at. During the 1930's, the communities on the west leg of the Branch were linked by a road cut by depression relief crews and built with community effort. An all-weather road joining the communities to the outside world was not completed until 1951, one year after the first of the Coal Branch mines began closing. The Blue Flea remained the principal means of travel to and from the Coal Branch.

The Coal Branch Society

With one train providing access to the rest of the world, the Coal Branch communities had to create their own amusement. Intense but friendly rivalries developed between sporting teams in each community. Luscar had its championship hockey team while Cadomin and Mountain Park were known for their baseball teams. Tennis, played in formal whites and on proper courts, was a favourite sport in many towns including Coalspur, Coal Valley, Cadomin, Luscar, and Mountain Park. Curling and soccer were also popular sports. Several towns had covered arenas for skating, hockey and curling. Dances were held in alternating communities ever weekend.

While every town had musicians and bands, Cadomin boasted a symphony orchestra. Winter carnivals and ice follies were high scale productions at Luscar and Cadomin. The Coal Branch also provided excellent hunting, fishing, riding, and hiking for the residents. In lean times, many supported their families on the rich resources of the foothills environment. Berry picking was and still is a rewarding venture in the Coal Branch. The best times for Huckleberries in late August in pine forests.

Because of the isolation of the region, the western three communities of Mountain Park, Cadomin and Luscar formed one social sphere while the communities of Mercoal, Coalspur, Robb, Sterco, Coal Valley, Foothills and Lovett formed a second network. The three western mines and the Mercoal mine were the largest, producing bituminous coal for the railway and industrial market. The eastern mines were smaller and less financially stable, producing coal principally for the domestic market. Because of the seasonal use of coal for heating, the eastern mines frequently experienced temporary shut downs.

The communities of the Coal Branch were generally company towns. Houses, hotels, stores, and community facilities were owned by the mines and rental or leased to the workers. Housing shortages in most communities were not easily solved. An individual had to get permission from the company before they could petition the government for the right to build a private house or business within the towns. In most towns, the rental rates were reasonable and the homes modest but comfortable. Most homes had electricity because the mines needed power for operation and had substantial generation facilities. Regular train service made mail ordered goods and supplies an available option.