Big Valley in Stettler County, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region
Locomotive Turntable
The turntable was one means of turning steam locomotives and an essential component of the roundhouse complex. It consisted of a revolving bridge, balanced on a centre bearing, in a circular pit. After dumping their fires at the ash pit, locomotives were moved from the lead track and carefully positioned on the turntable bridge. Using an air-motor, located at one end of the bridge, the operator aligned the turntable with the track of the desired roundhouse stall.The 70 foot turntable installed at Big Valley in 1913 was typical of these installations and could accommodate all but the largest branch line locomotives used by the Canadian Northern Railway on the prairies. It was taken out of service in 1948 and dismantled, leaving the concrete wall and pit seen here today.
[Photo captions (clockwise from top left)]
• CNR "Ten-Wheeler” class steam locomotive number 1327 on the turntable, circa 1913. Photo Credit: Provincial Archives of Alberta
• Another example of a standard turntable bridge and pit. Vallee Junction, Quebec, 1996
• Children, Clarence Johnston and Bruce Mitchell - CNR locomotive number
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 52° 1.969′ N, 112° 44.947′ W. Marker is in Big Valley, Alberta, in Stettler County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Railway Avenue South and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is behind the Big Valley Historical Society's grain elevator. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Railway Ave S, Big Valley AB T0J 0G0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. The Roundhouse (a few steps from this marker).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), May 18, 2015
2. Locomotive Turntable Marker
The back of the featured marker is on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 43 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
