K+S PoTaSH CanaDa SHoRT Line 101 aT THe WeSTeRn DeveLoPMenT MuSeuM

By Corinne Daelick,

WDM Content Specialist

the K+S Potash Canada Short Line 101 is the only place in Saskatchewan where you can experience the sounds, smells, and feeling of a steam train. The little train – as the Vulcan locomotive is affectionately known – started chugging along the tracks at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in Moose Jaw in 1978.

Early History of the Vulcan Locomotive (Artifact: WDM-1973-S-3146.6.A-F)

The story of the Vulcan locomotive (Vulcan, for short) begins in 1914 when the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania shipped the shiny new narrow-gauge locomotive to Hillcrest, Alta. For the next few years, the Vulcan worked in the coal mines at Hillcrest Collieries in the Crowsnest Pass. It is believed that the Vulcan was onsite on June 19, 1914 for Canada’s worst mining disaster when an underground explosion killed 189 miners at the Hillcrest coal mine.

From Hillcrest, the Vulcan moved to Alsask, Sask. on the Saskatchewan-Alberta border where it hauled hopper cars loaded with sodium sulphate from a salt lake bed to the Saskatchewan Minerals dehydration plant. The Vulcan moved again to another sodium sulphate mine at Bishopric, Sask., southwest of Moose Jaw. The locomotive ended its working life as a steam heating unit for the Bishopric plant.

the vulcan comes to the Wdm

Fortunately, the Vulcan did not fall victim to the cutting torch, a fate that befell thousands of steam locomotives in the 1950s and 1960s. Instead, the engine was acquired by the WDM in 1958. From the mid-1960s to 1971, the Vulcan was used to transport people at the WDM Saskatoon during their major summer event, Pion-Era. The little train ran back and forth on a straight track carrying WDM visitors.

It was in 1977 that the Vulcan made its move to the WDM Moose Jaw. Staff and volunteers began a restoration project to rebuild the engine and build a 550-metre (1,800-feet) loop track. Rebuilt as engine 101 on the Short Line 101, the Vulcan made it’s inaugural trip on September 4, 1978.

Restoration and repair work has taken place regularly over the years. The late 1980s saw another overhaul of the engine, but by 2008, the locomotive needed a new boiler. In 2009, it was dismantled at the WDM Curatorial Centre (WDM corporate office) in Saskatoon and a new boiler was commissioned. This major restoration ensured that the Vulcan was safe and ready to operate. In 2017, the Short Line railway track underwent repairs with worn track and rail ties being replaced.

In August 2018, the Vulcan made the news when thieves broke into a locked storage compound and stole the bell off the locomotive. Despite the media attention, there were no leads on its whereabouts so a new bell was purchased and installed. As luck would have it, in March 2019 a good Samaritan found the original bell and it was returned to the WDM.

Important for the WDM is the support that the Short Line 101 receives. In 2018, the WDM was thrilled when K+S Potash Canada came on board to sponsor the little train. As a major attraction for the WDM, having the support of K+S Potash Canada means that the WDM can continue to share this piece of Saskatchewan history.

The K+S Short Line 101 has had a long and interesting life. From working in coalmines and salt beds to giving rides to excited museum visitors, the little train keeps chugging and is a beloved part of the Moose Jaw community. The Short Line 101 will be on the rails in summer 2023, continuing to offer a unique experience for visitors to the WDM Moose Jaw. Visit wdm.ca/ride-the-101/ or wdm.ca for more information. l

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