Donkersloot began working at Brandon University in 1970/1971 as the Clerk of Works. From 1973 until his retirement, he was the Director of Physical Plant.
The 1960s campus expansion necessitated a large, updated heat source so a central steam plant fueled by coal was built north of the campus adjacent to the CPR rail lines on Pacific Avenue. A 25-year agreement was made between the University and John R. Brodie of the Great West Coal Company, which guaranteed BU lower coal prices tendered by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways on an annual basis. Brandon College Engineer John Kasiurak officially opened the Heating Plant on 24 January 1962. An extension and/or upgrade of the steam plant appears to have occurred in 1970.
Until the 1990s, heat was piped underground to the campus from the Pacific Avenue Heating Plant but inspection standards were outpacing the maintenance and repairs required to keep the plant operating smoothly. Consequently, a new steam plant was built immediately adjacent to the University to the west of Darrach Hall on 20th Street. This building was essential to handling additional loads from the proposed library expansion. The original steam plant was subsequently sold.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by Tom Donkersloot during construction and stored in albums in the Physical Plant H-Hut until they were transfered to the McKee Archives by Doug Duncalf in May 2008.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the installation of a tank at Brandon University's old coal steam plant at 20th Street and Pacific Avenue. Photograph is looking north and there are some buildings in the background. The tank is being installed by a crane from Brandon Rentals.
Notes
Donkersloot recorded the date and time each photograph was taken on the back of the photos.
George White's No. 2 plant was located in Brandon, north of the CPR tracks about 15th Street. These steam engines were assembled here, but the actual extent of manufacture is not known. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
George White steam traction engine
Notes
Photo taken in Killarney, Manitoba
Sign on smoke box door (front end) reads: George White & Sons; London and Brandon; First Quality Line
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Somerville Steam Marble & Granite Works - Advertisement
Notes
From The Nor'West Farmer, August 20, 1900
Shows the Fleming monument and dates as erected in Brandon Cemetery in 1899.
"Fleming monument is easily found in oldest part of Brandon Cemetery" - Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009).
In 1917 the Brandon Electric Light Co. and the Brandon Gas & Power Co. merged to form the Canada Gas & Electric Company; CG&EC was subsequently taken over by the Manitoba Power Commission;
Brandon's central heating system was taken over by the Brandon Steam Heat Users Co-operative;
On September 13, 1957 at 3:38 PM, an explosion in the boiler and stack destroyed the large stack causing two fatalities.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Canada Gas & Electric Co. steam plant
Notes
View (from 10th St.) of the coal-powered steam generating plant located at 10th St. & Lorne Ave.
Copy negative from 8x10 negative by C.J. Smith (on file).
In 1917 the Brandon Electric Light Co. and the Brandon Gas & Power Co. merged to form the Canada Gas & Electric Company; CG&EC was subsequently taken over by the Manitoba Power Commission;
Brandon's central heating system was taken over by the Brandon Steam Heat Users Co-operative;
On September 13, 1957 at 3:38 PM, an explosion in the boiler and stack destroyed the large stack causing two fatalities.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Canada Gas & Electric Co. steam plant
Notes
Rear view of the coal-powered steam generating plant located at 10th St. & Lorne Avenue
Coal was fed from boxcars up elevators to crushers in two cupolas from which it was fed by gravity to chain grate boilers; The chain grate revolved slowly but constantly with coal fed at front edge, burned, and dumped as cinders in pit at far end
The two boxcars shown were used to haul the coal; One is lettered for the Canadian National, the other is still lettered for the merged Grand Trunk Pacific; Cinders were loaded in gondola cars at far right
Copy negative from 8x10 negative by C.J. Smith (on file).
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway steam shovel & earth cars.
Notes
Used in the construction of the Brandon, Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay Railway at Bunclody, Manitoba
Great Northern Railway photo
From the collection of Gilford Copeland of Bunclody, Manitoba
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway steam shovel loading cars near Bunclody, Manitoba.
Notes
Used in the construction of the Brandon, Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay Railway at Bunclody, Manitoba
From the collection of Gilford Copeland of Bunclody, Manitoba
According to Stuckey and Bain (1996), “The Brandon, Saskatchewan & Hudson’s Bay Railway was built and operated as a totally owned subsidiary of the Great Northern Railway. Construction commenced in late 1905 and by the end of 1905, less than a mile of track had been laid north of the boundary at St. John. In 1906, the remaining 68.6 miles to Brandon were laid and service commenced that year. During the Depression of the 1930s, traffic declined significantly and the entire branch was abandoned in 1936. Over much of the branch’s length, the ties and rails were laid on the prairie without ballast and today little remains of the line apart from traces where there were cuts and bridges.” (p. 18)
Stuckey, L. A., & Bain, D. M. (1996). The Great Northern and Northern Pacific railways in Canada. Calgary, Alberta: British Railway Modellers of North America.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Great Northern Railway steam shovel.
Notes
Used in the construction of the Brandon, Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay Railway at Bunclody, Manitoba
Great Northern Railway photo
From the collection of Gilford Copeland of Bunclody, Manitoba
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