The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site had another item added to its collection thanks to a donation from a local coal mining family.
The Wakaruk family operated the Cozy Coal Mine just north of Drumheller. Last week, arrangements were made to transport a seven-decade-old heavy duty coal cutter.
“This is the Valley’s history,” said Jay Russell of the Atlas Coal Mine, surveying the steel giant on display near the entrance of the historic site.
The machine itself is a Sullivan Iron Clad Undercutter. Jay Russell explains according to family lore, the machine was purchased new in 1948. After the mine closed the machine was moved to a yard in North Drumheller.
“The family saw it as an important piece of mining history," said Russell. "Fred Orosz also saw it as an important piece of mining history, and he coordinated it all."
Joe Sinclair of Tartan Trucking helped move the machine last week and dropped it at the Atlas.
“At first look of it, it is unique to our collection. We have a few other cutters but not like this,” said Russell. "This one has some parts that most don’t have, and is a different model.”
He said the cutter has a very low profile, well suited for shallower mines. The electrically powered cutter has its original cable roller on the back.
“It is unique because of its rarity and its completeness, and is a part of an important chapter in Drumheller history,” said Russell.
The mine operated from 1946 to 1956, and employed about 10 men.
The Cozy Coal would have been a domestic market mine. This is where farmers would have come to pick up their coal, whereas coal from the Atlas or the Midland would have been loaded into railcars destined for Vancouver or Toronto,” explained Russell.
He said they have been expecting the donation for quite some time, and often this is a unique happening at the mine.
“It’s not a white glove affair, usually you have to get a truck that can lift 10,000 pounds,” he chuckles.
