Larry Buchan

Above: The two torches - the 1903 one is on the left; the 1910 one on the right.

"Field Hill" is the Canadian Pacific Railway's torturous ascent of the Rockies from Field, B.C. to the top of Kicking Horse Pass. When the line was first opened around 1885, the grade was 4.4 percent -- extremely steep by mainline standards.. This was considered temporary but lasted for twenty-five years. Those twenty-five years produced some of the most harrowing experiences in railroading history. In 1910, a major realignment reduced the grade to 2.2 percent (compensated). This realignment was made possible by the construction of the famed "Spiral Tunnels", an engineering landmark still used by the CPR today. Above image: A postcard of the original Field Hill showing a passenger train with helper. Click on image for larger version. Below: A postcard of the lower Spiral Tunnel on the 1910 alignment. Click on image for larger version.

Below: Floyd Yeats' last run on the CPR in 1979, eastbound at Banff, Alberta. The second engineer (Fireman) on the crew was his brother Bill. See notes at bottom of page. Farther Below: A diagram of a CPR torch as specified in the list of standard locomotive equipment.

Most railroadiana comes with no story. We find it at a garage sale, on the internet, or elsewhere, and we can only imagine the "who", "what" and "where" of it beyond some very general information like railroad ownership. These two torches are different because they have a definite history and were passed down through working railroaders.

Torches such as these were used by locomotive engineers when oiling the running gear at night. My friend Floyd Yates gave me these particular torches in September, 1994. He had them in his rumpus room and had spray painted them with gold paint. I used to visit him at least once a year, and he would tell me many stories about his career on the Canadian Pacific Railway. He told me he got the torches from an engineer named Bill Adamson. Inside the long torch is a rolled-up piece of paper with notes that Floyd had written. The notes say,

Dad's friend -- Floyd's father -- was George Yates, who also lived in Field. Both Floyd and his younger brother Bill grew up there. Both became locomotive engineers working out of Calgary.

These torches would have predated flashlights and were part of the supplies that the CPR equipped all their steam locomotives with. I have a 1919 Locomotive Cyclopedia that shows the second torch, the 1910 one, as part of the supplies. The list is as follows:

Canadian Pacific Railway Standard Locomotive Tool Equipment

In Engineer's Portable Tool Box

1 2/1/2-Lb. Hammer 1 Hank of Tar Band.
1 24-In Pipe Wrench 1 Cold Chisel.
118-In Monkey Wrench 1 Square Set.
112-In Monkey Wrench 2 Water Gage Glasses.
2 Balls Cotton Wick 4 Water Gage Glass Washers.
3 Small Lamp Wicks 1 Union Wrench.
1 Lb. Copper Wire. No. 18 I. W. G.

In Sealed Boxes on Tender

1 Combination Wrench.
1 Chain 1 Inch X 18 Ft.
1 Valve Stem Clamp.
1 Journal Wedge.
2 Car Replacers Outside
1 Journal Bearing Inside.
1 Steel Wedge for Raising Engine Wheels.
1 15 Ton Style K Norton Jack for Tender of 4000 Gallons or Over.
1 Hardwood Block for Crosshead.
1 8-in. Bottle.
Jack for Tender Under 4000 Gallons.
1 Tommy Bar.

In Boxes Under Peak of Cab

4 White Flags.
6 Green Flags.

In Rack on Outside Deck of Cab

2 Air Hose.
4 Torpedoes.
1 Signal Hose.
1 Red Flag,
1 Steam Heat Hose for Engines so Equipped.
1 Box Matches.
1 Flagman's Kit consisting of:
8 Fog Signals.
5 Red Fusees.

Engine Supplies.

1 or 2 Water Gage Lamps According to Requirements.
1 Coal Pick.
1 Poker, length [10 Ft.-9 Ft.]
1 or 2 Steam Gage Lamps According to Requirements.
1 Hose, length [7 Ft.-6 Ft.] as required.
1 Two-Gallon Oil Can for Engine Oil.
1 One-Gallon Oil Can for Kerosene.
1 Coal Scoop.
1 Two-Quart Valve Oil Pail.
1 Pinch Bar.
1 Three Pint Pot for Filling Lubricator.
1 Shaker Bar.
1 Galvanized Iron Pail for Grease.
2 Torches. [See Figure at right]
1 1 -1/2 Gallon Galvanized Pail and Cover for Dope.
3 Cab Curtains.
1 Two Quart Oil Can for Signal Oil.
1 Key Ring with Brass Tag.
1 Spring Oiler.
2 Packing Irons [Hook-Pusher.
3 Cab Seats [Engineer, Fireman, Brakeman].

Notes

A hearty THANKS to Larry Buchan, retired engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railway, for sending this article for our website.

Larry notes that both Floyd and Bill Yeats have written books that are available from the British Railway Modelers of North America. Floyd's book is called "Canadian Pacific's Big Hill". It has many good photographs and describes operations in this territory. Bill's book is called "Men of Steam" and does not have as many photos but has lots of stories about working on steam with the Canadian Pacific Railway. See ordering information on website. Floyd passed away in 2000; Bill is still with us.

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