They call it the Canmore “Engine” Bridge. Here in a thoroughly spectacular setting, it spans the mighty Bow River and while used by pedestrians and cyclists today, it used to support a railway line that once served Canmore’s coal mine. Yes, they mined that stuff here – and in fact many of the newer residential areas are above the old underground workings. Today the town is more known as an outdoor recreation mecca with few fully aware of its gritty industrial past. The bridge is one of the last things left from those days.
Canmore was founded in the 1880s, concurrent with the railway’s arrival (Canadian Pacific’s east/west mainline). Right off the bat, coal was discovered and soon on a mine established. The railway itself became a good customer for a time, using it to fire its fleet of steam locomotives. The rest was shipped out to industrial concerns and sold as domestic heating fuel. Back when houses were heated by coal – quite common in the old days.
Canmore “Engine” Bridge, with gorgeous mountains as a backdrop. Researched, Written and Photographed by Chris Doering and Connie Biggart.(BIGDoer/Synd)
To reach the mine a spur line was built. It left the mainline, crossed the river and then trended east to reach the loading tipple. It was perhaps a few clicks long. When built it was outside town. Now it’s well within its borders.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
The original bridge here was made of wood. In 1919 it burned down and was replaced by the current structure. This second bridge was not built new here however, but rather came in from somewhere else, and was reused.
Here’s what we know. The bridge is said to be from 1880.* Indeed, it follows design and construction techniques of the era. Clearly it’s pre-tewentieth century – no argument there. It was already old when installed in Canmore. We don’t know from where it may have come – CPR records searched were rather silent on it. We did find it was built in Toronto however.
* When speaking of the “bridge”, we’re referring to the most prominent span, one of two that make up the structure as a whole. The second span is circa 1910/1920s, probably, is of different form and is only touched on briefly.
That the CPR had a spare bridge kicking about is not odd. It must have been replaced itself at some point (probably because it was being taxed capacity wise) and held in case there was a need somewhere down the road. The wood bridge in Canmore burned down, they had a nice steel one with nothing to do and it was the right size and capacity rating. Viola! What a beautiful solution. And in typical railway fashion it would have been done on the cheap. It all fits.
The bridge remained in use until the mine closed in the late 1970s. In the some eighty five odd years the “Canmore Mines” operated almost 16 million tons of coal, coming from both underground and pit mine workings, was extracted here. This translates into well over two hundred thousand rail cars of the era being filled and all moved out over this very bridge, as many as a hundred per day when business was good. That’s a lot of stuff!
Post closing – for a time the bridge stood there disused, the railway not terribly interested in spending money to dismantle it. Then at some point a couple decades ago it was bought by the town, probably for a nominal sum, and converted to pedestrian use (officially that is, I heard it was used in that capacity even before that). It’s now part of the Canmore Pathways system. The bridge also supports a pipeline.
In design the bridge uses a fairly rare Whipple Truss, the first and only this author has seen in person. Diagonals are elongated rods and tie in with a vertical at least two away from the anchor point. These are under tension. Pin connections are used throughout as was common for the time. It also has box ends, further dating it.
A Whipple Truss structurally is very similar to the Pratt Truss design more commonly used by railways.
A second span here uses a more conventional Warren Pony (open topped) Truss. Compared to the stunning piece of metalwork that is the Whipple span, the second one gets minimal attention from us. Suspect that holds true of anyone who views the Canmore Engine Bridge.
The coal mine, which was one of the earliest in the province, one of the longest lasting and one of the biggest in terms of output once used a steam locomotive to move cars about their property. And they did so well into the 1960s. This “engine”, for which the bridge is named (we believe – no one we reached out to seemed to know for sure) resides today at Calgary’s Heritage Park.
The bridge is certainly stunning in it’s own right. Add to that the scenic wonder that is Canmore, what with all those towering mountains, the deep green Bow River, the deep green woods, well, it’s awe inspiring. We stand there and repeat to ourselves “this is something amazing”. Could a more scenic setting be imagined? Not likely. Prominent peaks seen include Ha Ling Peak, Miner’s Peak, Mt Lawrence Grassi and East End of Rundle a long mass that continues west all the way into Banff Park.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: May, 2017. Location: Canmore, AB. Article references: Book: Canmore – story of an era, Various CPR records, Alberta Energy (Ministry of Mines), BenGadd.com, Bridgehunter.com.
Great pics and story Chris. I think that the CPR designation for the line was the “Canmore Mine Spur”. I inspected this bridge around 1977. If I remember correctly both spans are constructed of iron and the pin connected through truss was fabricated in 1885. The fabrication date sticks in my mind because it is the oldest span that I ever inspected. Cheers.
Thanks, it’s an impressive structure. Our data shows an 1880s build date, but a few years older than what you mention. Either way, it’s ancient. That’s an interesting job, bridge inspector.
One of the comments below mentioned that this bridge used to be referred to by locals at one time as the “indian bridge”. I grew up in Canmore in the 70s/80s/90s and it’s always been known as the Engine Bridge, and no other name I can remember. Now, up river, less than a mile, there’s a spot called Bow River Bend in which sat a small tiny cottage (no longer there now), and spanning the river, which is much narrower in this area, there was an old wooden bridge that in itself had been there for decades (it is no longer there), and that is the bridge that locals called “the Indian bridge”.
We did a job on the river banks here a few months ago.if you turn right at the end of this and walk down the trail for 5 minutes you will come to a little spot we were working but it’s also where the local hippies ride their bicycles to so they can drink beer all day.
Been used for over 30 years as a foot bridge. Locals called it at one time the “Indian Bridge” I used walk across it whenever I visited my grandmother there.
Hmmm, that name is new to us. However, yes a lot of people we chatted with spoke of using it as a foot bridge long before it became that in an official capacity. Thanks for commenting!
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Great pics and story Chris. I think that the CPR designation for the line was the “Canmore Mine Spur”. I inspected this bridge around 1977. If I remember correctly both spans are constructed of iron and the pin connected through truss was fabricated in 1885. The fabrication date sticks in my mind because it is the oldest span that I ever inspected. Cheers.
Thanks, it’s an impressive structure. Our data shows an 1880s build date, but a few years older than what you mention. Either way, it’s ancient. That’s an interesting job, bridge inspector.
One of the comments below mentioned that this bridge used to be referred to by locals at one time as the “indian bridge”. I grew up in Canmore in the 70s/80s/90s and it’s always been known as the Engine Bridge, and no other name I can remember. Now, up river, less than a mile, there’s a spot called Bow River Bend in which sat a small tiny cottage (no longer there now), and spanning the river, which is much narrower in this area, there was an old wooden bridge that in itself had been there for decades (it is no longer there), and that is the bridge that locals called “the Indian bridge”.
Ahhh, that helps explain things. Thanks for clarifying and “adding to the story”.
One heck of a scenic setting indeed! Thank You Chris & Connie!
You are most welcome Carol!
I have crossed this bridge with someone who was even prettier than the scenery. Canmore is a special place to me.
Ahhh, that’s special!
We did a job on the river banks here a few months ago.if you turn right at the end of this and walk down the trail for 5 minutes you will come to a little spot we were working but it’s also where the local hippies ride their bicycles to so they can drink beer all day.
Haha! Is there a place in Alberta Rockies you haven’t worked at?
(Randy, a friend of the society, does shore line remediation, among other things).
Two thumbs up!!!!
And two hands clapping. Thanks!
It is wasted on pedestrians for sure!
Big bridge for small people. It should last forever now!
Scenes from the movie ‘Last of the Dog Men’ were filmed there.
I’ll have to look it up. Thanks for the tip.
Wow!
A person of few words…still, a big thanks.
Been used for over 30 years as a foot bridge. Locals called it at one time the “Indian Bridge” I used walk across it whenever I visited my grandmother there.
Hmmm, that name is new to us. However, yes a lot of people we chatted with spoke of using it as a foot bridge long before it became that in an official capacity. Thanks for commenting!
I love the mountains!
You and me and Connie, and everyone does! Don’t they?
Looks like a Phoenix Iron works truss bridge.
Not familiar with that firm, however we do know this one was made in Toronto Ontario. Thanks for commenting!