Mines with tracks

[fredmcain]

Group,

I was wondering if any of you explorers still find many mines with old ore car tracks left in them? Is this a common thing or is it getting pretty rare? Also, are there any active working mines out there still using car tracks?

Regards,

[Mike]

Oh, sometimes I do. We quite often find mines with tracks in them, but I'd say only one is 30 mines has any cars left in them. Utah's governing powers makes it tough to mine underground, so we have only a few underground mines but I don't know much about them. I know Nevada is big in underground, so perhaps you might have better luck with that?
I guess we do own an electric locomotive that we take into the Ophir Hill. Usually pull cars around with that underground. Always a good time!

[fredmcain]

Fish,

Fascinating, absolutely fascinating! How do you get the locomotive in there to start with? Is the opening good enough that you can just set it down on the tracks outside and drive it in? Also, are all the tracks still in good enough shape that derailments are not an issue?

Regards,

[Mike]

One of our forum members built the entire locomotive from scratch, literally. The video below is version 1 of the trammer. I think it's gone through a few revisions since. We've also greatly improved the mine's interior since then.

[fredmcain]

Fish,

Wow! That is beyond awesome! I sure wish I could come see this stuff, but, unfortunately I'm in Indiana. Here is another mine railway video on this page but I would assume you've seen this before already: http://www.undergroundexplorers.com/videos.htm

[Kiel]

Miah's trammer is awesome, its like an indiana jones ride!

[Kiel]

We see lots of mines with various gauges. The ones that are easily accessible or the sections close to the entrance are the first lengths of tracks missing. Track is super heavy to move, so I'm surprised a lot

[fredmcain]

I would like to get some more information on this Ophir Hll Mine with tracks & tram. It appears from the video that the Mojave Underground has this gem at its disposal. How is that? Does The Mojave Underground actually own this mine or have a lease on it or something? My dream is to see more abandoned underground mines like this saved and perhaps even restored with dangerous timbers replaced and such.

Regards,
Fred M. Cain

[Mike]

Be it known, the Ophir Hill mine is a rare mine to access. It's been almost a year since we've been able to get in. I know it seems that we're in it everyday, but it's quite the opposite. When we can get in, we'll get in. It's certainly not at our disposal. The mine is owned by the Ault family and they are extremely strict on access to the mine.

[fredmcain]

I wonder what the Ault family's long term intentions are for the mine? I hope it doesn't get sealed, then. The tracks look like they are in very good condition. So good, in fact, that it appears someone has done some sporadic maitenance on them although perhaps that's not the case. I just wish more mines like this could somehow be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Regards,
Fred M. Cain

[Mike]

We've easily put almost a thousand man hours into maintenance on this mine. I'm not sure what their long term plan is, but I know as long as the owner is alive, he'll never let it be sealed.

[go_browns79]

I've done most of my exploring in the deserts of Nevada and California. It's very common out here to find tracks, some are in perfect condition and still shiny. Here's a small mine that still had a couple hundred feet of track outside going around the mountain, it was impressive. The desert does an amazing job preserving the mines out here.

[Danb]

In American Fork Canyon at the top of Major Evans Gulch we explored a mine at the 9,000 ft. level. It had tracks. They feel apart as we walked on them. I don’t know if the tracks where wood or rusted iron. It was amazing how much water was in that adit at that elevation.

Dan

[fredmcain]

In American Fork Canyon at the top of Major Evans Gulch we explored a mine at the 9,000 ft. level. It had tracks. They feel apart as we walked on them. I don’t know if the tracks where wood or rusted iron. It was amazing how much water was in that adit at that elevation.

Dan

Dan,

When you say "at the 9,000 ft. level", you mean the elevation outside the mine, right? Surely that mine wasn't 9,000 feet deep!

The tracks might've been made from steel but sometimes mines have acid in them. Over the years that can really do a number on iron or steel.

Regards,
Fred M. Cain

[fredmcain]

Bill,

Awesome picture, Bill! If you find more pictures of mines with tracks either inside the mine or outside, I sure hope you share them with us!

Regards,
Fred M. Cain