This empty can of black blasting powder from Canadian Explosives Limited was found while exploring the old railway line from Rocky Mountain House Alberta to Nordegg. Canadian Northern laid the track in the 1910s to tap the Saunders and Brazeau coal fields. Lots of that material moved along the branch into the 1950s, but it went quiet for the most part after that business dried up.
Still, Canadian National (who succeeded Canadian Northern in the early 1920s) held on to it for a long time, in anticipation of the mines reopening. They never did. The track was pulled up by the 1980s and now the roadbed is a recreational trail. It has some scenic sections and is fun to follow.
The can was found in the area of a deep cut and presumably crews tossed it after doing rock work here. The company that made the material only used the name Canadian Explosives Limited for the few years in the late 1920s. Prior, they were Canadian Explosives Company and later Canadian Industries Limited (CIL). This helped date the can, although when made and when used might be some time apart.
Either way, it’s an interesting relic from long ago and we can only imagine how it got here. Did they blow up something in this rock cut or was is discarded while enroute to somewhere else along the line? We’ll never know but it never stops us from thinking of the possibilities.
Short Subjects: Reports a few paragraphs in length and brief in nature. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and things of that sort. You’ll be in and out in no time.
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