Complete Powder Car From the Homestake Gold Mine

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A complete power car from the Homestake Gold Mine of South Dakota, the largest gold vein ever discovered on the … Read more A complete power car from the Homestake Gold Mine of South Dakota, the largest gold vein ever discovered on the North or South America Continent, a one of a kind piece. This is the 18 gauge steel chassis dynamite car introduced to the mine in the late 1940s. The smaller more maneuverable cars were used if a level magazine needed a smaller replenishment of caps, and or powder. 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 magazines on each level. Chassis models were either 18 gauge, or 30 gauge. The latter gauge was standard on the, "West Ledge", levels between the 6800, and 8000 levels. 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 possibly has the original drawing for this particular powder car. Constructed of heavy duty iron train car rollers on two axles, 3/8th angle iron, c-channel, heavy steel plate, and top box of solid pine as a precaution to lessen the possibility of building up enough energy to cause a sudden electric discharge. Piece is “as found”, will run on any standard rail, and rolls surprising well. However, it should be noted that this is a heavy piece of industrial mining equipment, and will need to be chained, and hauled when off rails, along softer ground. Acquired from a museum in Colorado Springs, which the curator had verified was acquired from Homestake Gold Mine, South Dakota, USA.

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