Modern CN Bunkhouse

[Mcleod]

This is the CN bunkhouse located in Whitecourt, Alberta. It was built in 1999-2000, and replaced the older bunkhouse on the same spot, that was a commercial portable type set-up.
I know that the different roads favor standardizing their common buildings, so I feel confident one could find this same type of building in other locations along CN's track system.
Photographed in February, 2020, these 3 photos show all of the exterior walls of the structure. The pics were collected just in case I ever wanted to build a scale model of this building, and are now part of my own local historical record.

North and west walls - front entrance

North and east walls - 2nd flr exterior exit

South and east walls - South wall facing the tracks.

Have a good day
Guy

 

[Bill Anderson]

Big step up from sleeping in the old bunk house cars and cabooses.

 

[Bob]

Wow, they didn’t waste much money on decorations did they? The brick work is a nice touch, but otherwise strictly utilitarian. I’d have expected a few more windows in what I’m guessing is the entry and stairs to the second floor. I suppose they present a security risk and let heat out though.

 

[Mcleod]

Wow, they didn’t waste much money on decorations did they? The brick work is a nice touch, but otherwise strictly utilitarian. I’d have expected a few more windows in what I’m guessing is the entry and stairs to the second floor. I suppose they present a security risk and let heat out though.

That's for sure, Bob. The modern railway buildings are certainly not as ornate as they were in times past. This bunkhouse looks like a smaller version of the large work camp dorms one finds in the Ft McMurray oil sands projects, which are built from actual prison designs, in many cases.
As late as 1965, there was a CN 3rd class depot standing on the spot now taken up by the current bunkhouse.

 

[Bob]

That's for sure, Bob. The modern railway buildings are certainly not as ornate as they were in times past. This bunkhouse looks like a smaller version of the large work camp dorms one finds in the Ft McMurray oil sands projects, which are built from actual prison designs, in many cases.
As late as 1965, there was a CN 3rd class depot standing on the spot now taken up by the current bunkhouse.
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Well, I was thinking converted barn, but yes, I can definitely see the prison influence there too. I suppose it's just a place to sleep and maybe NOT having sunlight come in when crews are resting during the day would be a good idea. I'd still have expected a few windows though.

I stayed at a hotel in Yellowstone that felt like it was copied from an oil field design, but it was much brighter. Each unit was like a tiny apartment, with a small kitchen, a seating area and desk, and the balcony was also the hallway for room access. That was both good and bad, as it was roomy but also very public. So you had to be careful about closing the drapes.