A Complete Powder Car Ore Cart From the Homestake Gold Mine South Dakota

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This is a complete power car from the Homestake Gold mine, South Dakota, “the dynamite car” in original red paint. … Read more This is a complete power car from the Homestake Gold mine, South Dakota, “the dynamite car” in original red paint. This is truly a one of a kind piece of history, as far as we can tell there is not another like it anywhere, on any platform. Could be repurposed as a small trolley or train ride for small children, used as outside decor, interior bar cart, a striking conversation piece that without a doubt would be a wonderful addition to any serious collection. Not sure when this version was first introduced, but probably in the late 40s, early 50s. These smaller cars were primarily used on the various levels between the magazine on each level and the work areas. Larger transport cars were used to transport ANFO from the surface to the main magazine on the 800 Level, and from the 800 to the smaller magazine on each level. If a level magazine only needed a small replenishment of caps and/or powder, then a smaller car was used. Chassis' were either 18-in. ga or 30 ga. The latter gauge was standard on the "West Ledge" levels between the 6800 and 8000 levels. The larger cars I refer to were a different design from this one.
Also, the 4 inches of hardwood was a retrofit to comply with the Mine Safety and Health Act.
The Homestake Adam's Research and Cultural Center in Deadwood, SD quite possibly has the original drawing for this particular powder car. Constructed of heavy duty iron train car rollers on two axles, thick angle iron, c channel, and heavy steel plate, top box of steel plate and solid pine as an obvious precaution to lessen the possibility of a static discharge building up enough to cause a sudden static discharge. Piece is “as found”, runs on any standard track, and still rolls surprising well. However it should be noted that this is a heavy piece of industrial equipment, and will need to be chained, and towed when moving on softer ground. Circa 1940s, Homestake Gold Mine, South Dakota, USA.

Additional Piece Info:
approx weight - 800lbs to 1/2ton See less