Grain Elevator

  «My father, Henry Schielke, opened the Alberta Wheat Pool elevator in Acadia Valley, AB in 1928. I'm glad to say that it is still standing and is now a museum. Henry took, a now, very famous picture from the top of the elevator showing a line of farmers with their wagons drawn by horses (mostly) waiting for the 'relief' train to come in to help them in the 1930s. The picture has been used in many books and now is attributed to the Glenbow Foundation. Henry finished his grain buying career in Olds. AB after 25+ years.»

  «Great Film! I built a model elevator for my ho scale layout just like that one, Ruston Hornsby diesel had air or crank start, Fairbanks and Crossley gas engines were commonly started with your hands and feet on the spokes.»

  «Many memories. My Dad bought grain 1930 t0 1944 s/w of Rosetown at a place that isn't there anymore. He started the big engine by putting his foot on one of the spokes on the wheel and turning it by hand to start it. Now I see it has a starter in 1981. That's progress I guess. »

  «I was a Sask Pool agent in the 1960's and ran an elevator and engine just like this one. It sure brings back memories my neck itched when he got the dust on top of his head.»

  «Nice documentary. I hauled many thousands of bushels to elevators like that one although by the 1980s they mostly used hopper cars, not boxcars.»

  «I'm surprised they're putting the grain in boxcars, although I suppose there's no reason why it wouldn't work -- makes me wonder how they unload them. I know by the 1980s the CPR had special cars for grain, several purchased by the Alberta government -- we used to see them in Calgary all the time. »

  «It's filmed in Wood Mountain, SK. It's the last standing elevator for 50km in any direction. It's not still in operation. There are many great photos of this elevator online and in publication. The Sask Encyclopedia has the elevator on the back cover, and google images has many examples of it too.»

  «Any idea where in Saskatchewan this was filmed? Inglis, Manitoba has 5 elevators you can tour. They are beautiful.»

  «Well done - brings back lots of memories from days at the elevator.»