Alix Lake served as the primary water source for railway steam locomotives in the Village of Alix, supporting Canadian Pacific Railway operations with a dedicated water tank system.[1][2]
Water Supply Infrastructure
- The CPR built water tanks at sidings like Alix, drawing water directly from Alix Lake using pumps or gravity-fed systems to refill locomotives.[3][2][1]
- Water tanks typically held thousands of gallons—sometimes up to 40,000 gallons—providing enough supply for frequent train stops on the steam-era CPR rail line.[2][1]
- These tanks were critical for keeping locomotives running between major refilling stations and would have been placed conveniently close to both the tracks and the lake.[1]
Operation and Water Quality
- Water from Alix Lake was chosen for its reliable availability and proximity; the CPR typically sited sidings and tanks where natural water sources were accessible year-round.[3][1]
- Since prairie lakes often contained hard water, railway crews sometimes installed water softeners to prevent scaling damage inside locomotive boilers.[1]
Later Use and Legacy
- With the transition to diesel propulsion by the 1950s, Alix Lake’s water tanks for locomotives became obsolete and were dismantled, with some repurposed locally or commemorated as part of the village’s railway heritage.[2][1]
- Alix Lake continues to play a role in community life and environmental management, but its historical importance as a railway water supply remains noteworthy for the local heritage.[4][3]
Alix Lake’s supply of water was central to CPR steam railway service in the region, forming an essential part of both local industry and community history throughout the early 20th century.[3][2][1]
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- https://heritagepark.ca/exhibits/railway-water-tower-2/
- https://mbagmuseum.ca/artifact/macgregor-water-tower-1900/
- https://www.bigdoer.com/66568/hikes-and-summits/alix-lake-loop-alix-alberta/
- https://www.lacombeexpress.com/local-news/alix-lake-dredging-project-phases-one-and-two-complete-8141821
- https://www.bigdoer.com/52083/exploring-history/cpr-water-tower-cranbrook-bc/
- https://www.traingeek.ca/wp/trains/class-1-railways/cn-in-alberta/three-hills/
- https://www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2025/08/28/2025-08-28T16_13_42-06_00=VillageofAlix=604A40BF-EBD4-4D25-BB36-4B72201D9CA0.htm
- https://www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2025/08/28/2025-08-28T11_56_22-06_00=VillageofAlix=BF602316-1D2B-4475-A986-60B83E49630E.htm
- https://www.villageofalix.ca/index.php/download_file/43/143/
- https://www.villageofalix.ca/index.php/download_file/view/1359/143/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/1jsf86i/how_do_trains_have_potable_water/
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