Comments on: 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.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 14:59:59 +0000

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.

By: mercer

mercer — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 14:12:11 +0000

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.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 22:02:34 +0000

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 !!!

By: awmooney

awmooney — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 22:00:50 +0000

Thanks, Robin. Thats one of the great things about this group. No matter what the location, someone seems to know something about it. )

By: mercer

mercer — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 21:10:26 +0000

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

By: robin lowrie

robin lowrie — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 20:27:20 +0000

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.