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10b
10b. Coal mines and Sulphur loading points.
Winniandy – Mile 108.9 Grande Cache
Sub (Lot code SN-001, SN-002, etc.)
The first mine is at Winniandy (54°00’24.83”N
119°06’21.01”W) on the Grande Cache sub about 25 miles
north of Grande Cache, Alberta. The coal produced from this
mine is a high quality metallurgical coal. The mine was origi-
nally operated by McIntyre Porcupine Mines Limited (then
Smoky River Coal), and they shipped coal to Japan via Neptune
Terminals in North Vancouver.
The trains were operated in 98 car-sets that included one
double-rotary car located on the end of the train. Without this
important car, either the engine, caboose or coal car would suf-
fer a broken drawbar or yoke when the coal car was turned to
unload it.
The cars used were 4000 cu. ft. gons in the UNPX 100000-series
and had a placard placed on the side of the car near the middle
CN Coal and Sulphur Operations - 6
with the McIntyre Porcupine Mines Limited name and logo
applied (11).
These cars have been renumbered and rebuilt, but can be
recognized by the large plate welded over three side panels.
I first saw these trains in 1972 while working on a gang in the
Fraser canyon at Falls Creek on the Ashcroft Sub. This paint
scheme is currently not available from North American Railcar
Corporation.
The mine at Winniandy was costly to load at because it
required a five-man crew from Jasper including two engi-
neers and five dynamic-brake, pacesetter-equipped locomo-
tives (SD40, SD40-2). Power requirements changed as units
increased in horsepower. At least one of the engineers was
required to be on duty at all times. One engineer would run
from Jasper to Winniandy, and then go to bed; the second
11. UNPX 100259 leased by McIntyre Porcupine
Mines Limited at Winniandy. Rick Walker photo.
11
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MRH-Apr 2013