Need a Refill...

The locomotive in this picture on the front of this post card is sitting at a coal dock in Broadview, Saskatchewan. Broadview is about 150 kilometers east of Regina, Saskatchewan,

the capital of the province. Their official website says this, “Broadview is an inexpensive and safe place to raise a family, retire, or start a new business venture. The Town's infrastructure can easily handle significant population growth. We are protected by a 13 member R.C.M.P. Detachment, and have a very well-run volunteer Fire Department. We also boast some of the best Health Care Services you'll find anywhere in rural Saskatchewan. There are many recreational facilities and activities to choose from for your enjoyment. We are a progressive community with a great history and lots of potential for the future. So, please browse through our website and visit our town to decide if this is the place for you. We think it is.” I can tell that the locomotive is just sitting at the dock because there is no one in the cab of the locomotive. Its road number is 389. The engine is a 4-6-0 type of locomotive commonly called (according to the Whyte Classification) a ten-wheeler. Here is some information about 4-6-0 locomotives from this website: https://www.american-rails.com/wheeler.html The 4-6-0 was developed as early as the late 1840s first appearing on the Philadelphia & Reading. Their creation came about because of a need to increase adhesion, which allowed a single locomotive to haul heavier loads. Essentially, it is an American design, and the Ten-wheeler’s extra axle allowed for this increase in tractive effort. For the first time in the railroad industry’s short history it now had a specialized locomotive that could be used for specific purposes, in this case hauling freight and passengers over steep grades. Today, you can find dozens and dozens of 4-6-0s preserved including several that are still operational. Before the 2-8-0 gained widespread use as a heavy-haul locomotive, many railroads turned to the 4-6-0 for that task; the first, true specialized model for freight service (the earlier 4-4-0 was really an all-around design used to pull both freight and passenger trains). As trains became heavier, the 4-6-0 ran into the same problem of all models which lacked a trailing axle or truck; without the added support for a larger firebox and a small frame of just three driving axles limiting boiler size the locomotive, eventually, could simply not keep up with the times. The 4-6-0 was well liked by short lines, logging railroads, and various privately-owned industrial operations due to its weight and nimble ability to operate on light trackage. By the time production of the 4-6-0 had ended an incredible 16,000+ had been built. With so many built the locomotive remained in service many decades after production had ended. Today, several 4-6-0s are preserved around the country, including several of which that are still in operation. Some of the more well-known operable ten-wheelers include: New Hope & Ivyland #1533, (originally built for the Canadian Northern, later Canadian National, in 1911); Sierra Railroad #3 in California; Alaska Railroad narrow-gauge #152 (now #2) at the Huckleberrry Railroad in Michigan; Tweestie narrow-gauge #12 in North Carolina; Virginia & Truckee #25 in Nevada; Nevada Northern #40 at East Ely; Southern Pacific #2248 in Texas; Texas & Pacific #316 (now #201) also in Texas.

The picture was taken by someone with the last name of Robinson. It is a Real Photo post card on Solio brand post card stock. Solio was one of many Real Photo post card papers that were sold by Kodak. The square where the stamp is to be placed tells us that,

not only is this on Solio paper, but, the picture was taken between 1908 and the 1920s. The diamonds in the corners provide that information. The post card was given to me by a very dear friend whose father grew up in Saskatchewan.