In 1911, Drumheller Valley’s very first load of coal was brought out by wheel barrow. At the time, coal was undercut with a hand pick, blasted with dynamite, and hand loaded into pony-drawn coal cars.
Drumheller coal quickly proved ideal for railroads, home heating, cooking, and making electricity. As demand for Drumheller coal skyrocketed, mines sprung up along the river valley and competition became fierce. In order to compete, many coal operators sought to improve productivity.
Mechanization, the process of using machines rather than muscle to extract Drumheller coal, started in earnest in around 1913 when the Newcastle and Rosedale mines purchased electric coal cutters.
Coal miners loved the machinery that reduced their toil, but
Drumheller coal quickly proved ideal for railroads, home heating, cooking, and making electricity. As demand for Drumheller coal skyrocketed, mines sprung up along the river valley and competition became fierce. In order to compete, many coal operators sought to improve productivity.
Mechanization, the process of using machines rather than muscle to extract Drumheller coal, started in earnest in around 1913 when the Newcastle and Rosedale mines purchased electric coal cutters.
Coal miners loved the machinery that reduced their toil, but