Magma & SMARCO?

John Barnhill Jan 4, 2009

  1. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Anbody know if there are any locos left on either Magma Arizona or San Manuel Arizona properties? Thanks.
     
  2. JDLX

    JDLX TrainBoard Member

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    Potentially, there could be three locomotives in Superior, Baldwin S-8 #9 and the two RS-3's brought in from the San Manuel Arizona and related private mine road. I have not been able to get a straight answer on whether any of these locomotives are still in Superior or not. I would love to know if the #9 is still there, or, if it is not, where it went of when it was cut up???

    Jeff Moore
    Elko, NV
     
  3. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    If they are there, they are unavailble. I have prowled around every street in Superior that one legally can, and there is no sign of anything. Baldwin #10 is at the museum in Chandler of course. PM to you later.
     
  4. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Are the ones from SMARCO the ones that went to Nevada Northern perhaps? I would also love to know what happened to Magma #9.

    Google Earth on Superior turned up a big goose egg. Didn't spot anything that looked like a loco but had to ask.
     
  5. JDLX

    JDLX TrainBoard Member

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    "Are the ones from SMARCO the ones that went to Nevada Northern perhaps?"

    No. Only one RS-3 made it to Nevada Northern, and that was RS-3 #13, originally brought in by Magma and donated to the museum when BHP pulled out.

    As for the San Manuel Arizona...last I heard that railroad was still in sporadic operation, but that's been a while ago. I missed that in your first message.

    Jeff Moore
    Elko, NV
     
  6. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure San Manuel is long gone.

    Also, the RS3's went to Texas, I believe. I saw pictures of them being moved.
     
  7. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Well if I get the chance while in the area, I'll give it a looksee and see what I can turn up. This will be in Feb. so if nothing new here till then, I'll give ya all and update. :)
     
  8. Benny

    Benny TrainBoard Member

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    Mammoth still has a railroad, but I would advise against the trip unless you like to see pretty Country. there are nice detail sort of things you can see on Mainstree mamoth, but otherwise, you'd be going a long ways for little gain.

    There are railroad museums down here with all sorts of things, though.
     
  9. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Exactly the type of thing I'm looking for. Benny, when was the last time you were able to verfy this lines existance? From my maps and stuff, this should be the San Manuel Arizona RR (closed) but if there is something else at Mammoth, I'd definately like to know.
     
  10. MRL

    MRL TrainBoard Member

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    Going south presumably of Mammoth AZ I was able to get into the street view and look north and south like I was standing in the middle of a crossing. Followed thr track south to a series of switchbacks. I traveled west on 77 and came to a overpass in street view and there were no tracks unless they are burried.
     
  11. MRL

    MRL TrainBoard Member

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    Followed the track north and found a big mine with a bunch of cars parked most of them are white. Nothing like engines are around though.:tb-confused:
    Looking north of Kelvin there are a few trains in a mine and looks like there are two engines don't lnow if this is the same rr but I found something like engines.
     
  12. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Sweet! I'll google earth it too to take a looksee. :)
     
  13. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    Trip report

    Ok, I'm back from my explorations of Arizona.

    At Superior there was nothing to be found.

    San Manuel Arizona appears to be in operation. Rails were shiny and no 'exempt' signs at the grade crossings. I was able to spot two of their blue and yellow units at San Manuel along with several cars. I believe the units were GP38s or 39s but low light, light rain, distance and a large fence kept me from getting closer for positive ID or numbers.

    Also since Kelvin is mentioned in this thread, there was no access to the huge mine complex there and no trains spotted.
     
  14. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not having been out to San Manuel, does it look like one could try and get some decent legal shots, or is all the action behind fences?
     
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Anyone have a few photos they could share?

    Boxcab E50
     
  16. John Barnhill

    John Barnhill TrainBoard Member

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    I think legal shots could easily be had at Mammoth, however, you probably have to have knowledge of when the trains run which may not be that often. Otherwise, it does not appear shots could be gotten at San Manuel though if there was a guard at the gate, I would have asked.
     
  17. MP333

    MP333 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Boxcab, here's a really good website with lots of related photos. Most of these pictures go back a few years: Desert Rails
     
  18. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    IIRC, they were used on the Blacklands RR, which operates a former Cotton Belt line between Mt. Pleasant and Greenville, TX. They're no longer used, having been replaced by other power.
     
  19. OleSmokey

    OleSmokey TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, I am planning to make a day of it tomorrow at Florance toward Keamy and from there towards San Manuel. The track is still in use going toward San Manuel but the switching and the 6 mile line to the mine has been pulled out rail,Bed and all trestles and bridges but one and that is the one on 77 north before mammoth. SMARRCo. only went to the Hayden Jct. most of the time. Was originally built in 52 and the town in 54. but has been closed since 2001. There are some rumors around that the San Manuel smelter may be rebuilt and put back in service. Like I said just a rumor. I'd like to see it and what they have for engines like rs3's maybe???? Some gp's??? Magma is not dead!!
    I thought i was all alone, nice to see i am not. If you are out there I have a white Isuzu Trooper Ugly but is four wheel drive and It has a Cb antenna with a red ball on top. Like I said Ugly!! It works, That's the Just of it. i will report tomorrow and I will have to set up a photo site at Picasa at my new GMail site. I am doing mine in N scale but don't hold that against me ok?? Old Smokey said it.:tb-biggrin:

    Sorry i almost forgot. Someone above posted about seeing cars down at Keamy, The Ray Mine is in Operation. It is a few miles north and east of Hayden. Go to Kelvin and you will see a set of tracks going north. go up 2000ft and turn right on Mineral creek rd and go north to the Ray Mine. That may explain some of the mystery. I wander if they are running them trucks that havve track wheels up that way toward San Manuel?? I saw what looked like some cars up that way this evening but couldn't see what and how many. Later, Dan AKA Smoke
     
  20. OleSmokey

    OleSmokey TrainBoard Member

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    O, boy...Someone said Pictures...I have two winners that am in process of making from scratch out of a 50 ton open hopper and a caboose that was a kit bash for sure..may become a royal pos before it is over....

    [​IMG]

    And the headbanger,

    [​IMG]

    here is one or two others but you can find these at there site at this link below.

    San Manuel Arizona Railway Co. :mbiggrin:
     

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