Pictured here in the mid-1950s is a Caterpillar DW 15 motor scraper at work for McNamara Construction Ltd. during construction of Highway 401 through the Greater Toronto Area.
Although highway planning was ongoing, construction was postponed by the Second World War. It ramped up post-war and by the 1950s, the 39 km 401 section called the ‘Toronto bypass’ was underway.Â
Earthmoving contractors of the era were quick to augment their tractor & scraper fleets with the more productive wheeled scrapers.
In operation since the 1930s, the Leaside, Ontario-based McNamara got its start in highway construction in Ontario continuing through to the early 1960s.
Ever expanding, McNamara took on several construction projects in the United States as well as the building of major airports and dams throughout Canada.
However, by mid-1960 it had ceased operations. Nonetheless, it had been an important player and innovator in several facets of the industry.
The Caterpillar DW 15 scraper was introduced in 1954 to supplant the DW 10 model made from 1941 onward. Powered by a Caterpillar diesel of about 112 Kw, the unit was initially rated as 11-12 cubic yard heaped capacity. By the end of its run in 1960, it had been updated in both horsepower and capacity.
During this same period, Caterpillar had introduced the DW 20 and the DW 21 scraper models that became common on earthmoving jobs.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association 2024 events include Wheels & Tracks, held June 8-9, and the ‘Last Blast’ event on October 19.
Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum, near Barrie, Ontario. To see more than 60 pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend.
HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. For more information, visit hceacanada.org.
