Mine Props

Previous Topic Next Topic
 
classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
30 messages Options
12
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Mine Props

Keith Hayes
This post was updated on .
Now that I have a ton of coals, I should probably develop some loads. But all coal makes the C&S a dull road.

The Dillon-Keystone thread indicated there was a logging operation at Keystone that cut logs for mine props. Seems like a nice option to coal.

I was operating on a friends layout and using a bamboo skewer to uncouple cars and the thought occured to me that it was about the correct size for a mine prop. What's more, bamboo skewers are a bit uneven, which is even better.

So instead of watching paint dry (really!) I used my NWSL Chopper to cut up some mine props for a coal load. These appear to be about twice the height of the sides of a coal, about 6' in length. I n the posted photo, the props are placed vertically against the car sides (to create higher sides), then placed flat on the bottom of the car.

Here the little people are starting to assemble a side.

Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Jeff Young
Here's another mine prop load, this one at Jefferson.  (Note also the other side of the pic, which shows construction details of the pump house coal shed.)

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Keith Hayes
Jeff, a photo from that same day of railfanning was what initially stuck in my mind.

However I found the photo and realized (I believe) it is a load of ties being removed during scrapping operations.

Note the flat spots toward the top of the ties where the rail sat?

But...it is a nice image of the coal shed!
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Jeff Young
Oh dear, I believe you are correct.

I'll contribute this one from Bailey's then, which shows similar loading as at Keystone, but with much sparser "walls" on the sides):

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Keith Hayes
Ooh, much more visually interesting. What is the date on the Baileys photo, Jeff?
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Jeff Young
1926.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props -- Coal Cars with Props

Jim Courtney
In reply to this post by Keith Hayes
Here is a photo from your era, Keith:

http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/42512/rec/15



Otto Perry caught an inbound train off the South Park, outside of Denver. Four gons of mine props in a mixed consist of gons with props, a couple of boxcars and a cut of stock cars. I always assumed the mine props from Platte Canon were shipped west to Climax or Leadville--maybe these cars are consigned to a Clear Creek destination.

And here is a 1929 photo of newly repainted phase 1 (1902) gon 4350 with a similar load at Grant in January, 1929:


In the Klingers' C&S Platte Canon Memories . . .


Because of the date, I think this is one of many Denver Water Board Special photos, taken the same day at Grant, to document then current railroad business (such as it was).

Here are two others, also from the Klingers' book, same collection, same date:




Looks like boxcars were also used to transport mine props. The third boxcar seems to be loading itself!

Would make another interesting load -- a boxcar, both doors open, with the visible ends of the mine props visible in both ends of the car.





A view of the east end of the Grant siding (left) and house track with loading platform (right). There are great piles of mine props lying about, sorted by different lengths.

Looks like you might need a bigger bag of skewers, Keith.
Jim Courtney
Poulsbo, WA
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props -- Coal Cars with Props

Keith Hayes
And progress!
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props -- Coal Cars with Props

South Park
  If you look carefully, you will note most of the mine props have lots of knots
and the bark is still present.  Those skewer sticks are much too straight and "clean"
to accurately look like most mine props.
"Duty above all else except Honor"
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props -- Coal Cars with Props

Paul R.
A good stain dip should fix that! Paul R.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props -- Coal Cars with Props

Pat Student
In reply to this post by Jim Courtney
Jim

Don't forget stock cars.

Pat
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

ComoDepot
In reply to this post by Keith Hayes
I can not find the photo currently, but there is a photo of a derailment just north of Como, Boreas Pass direction, everybody out there having their photo taken and the load includes props.

Gondola marked for King so would be 1885 to 1896.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Jim Courtney
Hey CD, I think this is the photo you're thinking of:




The photo is in Digerness, The Mineral Belt, Volume 2.


While not clearly labeled, it is implied that the wreck during DL&G days occurred near Michigan Spur, on the grade to Kenosha. The coal cars in the center and at the left frame have unusual sides. Maybe Ron Rudnick could help identify them.


In the same book is this photo at Braddocks, north of Breckenridge:




In this very late DL&G, or very early C&S view, almost half of the four engine train is mine props in coal cars or poles on a flat.
Jim Courtney
Poulsbo, WA
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

ComoDepot
That is the one, I have a clearer version somewhere...

Bob and I tried to find the actual spot the photo was taken from some years ago, we thought the stones might help, got close but no cigar.

Location, about a quarter of a mile north of Como, after the end of the yard and before the line takes a sharp left towards the upper mines.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Robert McFarland
In reply to this post by Jim Courtney
Is that a LaMothe car?
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Chris Walker
Mine Props you say?  Are you sure they aren't Stulls, Posts, Caps, and Girts?
UpSideDownC
in New Zealand
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Keith Hayes
Rocky Ops was this weekend and after three days/ 12 cumulative hours on the clock, I am pretty tired. I got to visit/ operate on three great and very different layouts (all HO). It inspired me to do some work on the layout,  but what could I do quickly? Oh, finish the mine prop load!

It turned out well and I am debating if I want to make a rubber mold and cast these in urethane? It would be an easy way to make 6-8 loads for a train.
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Don Gustavson II
Looks good Keith.
HOn3 is the path I have chosen.
The Nearly Historical Railroad.
http://www.nhrailroad.com/
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Keith Hayes
In reply to this post by Keith Hayes
The first attempt at a rubber mold did not go well. The second attempt turned out much better.

Two part casting resin came next. The thought occurred that the load could be heavy, so a large piece of balsa is inserted into the casting.

The balsa is light, so a couple business cards held down by weights heep the works in place.

After about 20 minutes the goo is formed up enough to take the part out of the form.

The first casting turned out well. After I have 3-4I will finish them.
Keith Hayes
Leadville in Sn3
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Mine Props

Jim Courtney
Great work, Keith.

I suspect that the final painted/stained resin casting will be much more realistic than the original skewers.
Jim Courtney
Poulsbo, WA
12