Chicago Coal Mine

Mike Piersa · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:10 pm

The recent discussions on industrial locomotives and mine cars reminded me of the time I came across an operating mine railway by surprise. In 2004 I found a discount fare for Amtrak which enabled me to make a round trip from NYC to Chicago. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. In addition to steam locomotives, a German submarine, and a variety of other artifacts, I was shocked to learn that there was an operating narrow gauge mine train in the basement! After waiting in a long line, which passed by a working rotary mine car dumper, I boarded the train, which looped around the basement in a simulated bituminous coal mine. At the end of the ride, a tour was given of the replica mine.
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/coal_mine/index.html
Here are some images:

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:27 pm

Woah thats in the basement of the museum??

Actually, judging by those shining rails, I believe it! Thats a neat little trammer the have. How well replicated was it mike? Looks like they did a pretty good job. The motorman is even lights up like a bituminous "miner!" The kicker would be if they even had the air on to make it 52 degrees...

That would for sure be on my list of things to check out in the Chicago area if I get out there again.

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:28 pm

now thats cool! i have heard of that before but never saw any photos. guess thats one way to get away from state and federal inspections! :roll:

Mike Piersa · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:40 pm

For the most part, the mine was very well done. There was an impressive array of 1930s machinery, some of which was operating. I think they also did a safety lamp demonstration. The tour had just as many, if not more, elements than the local mine tours.

Industrial Rail Ray · **Joined:** Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:56 am **Posts:** 61

The Goodman-Mancha "Electric Mule" model (not trammer) was built for the Museum of Science and Industry, in the mid-1960s.

Ray

John · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:42 am

this "tour" is great-they take you down in a cage, then you get in a mantrip and go for a little ride to see the face and a few other exhibits. real nice.

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:49 am

Anyone have more photos of it? Mike? John? Ray?

Miner Greg · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:15 pm

Yeah I would love to see pictures of that. Pretty neat.. The Franklin Mining Museum also has a replica zinc mine, but I don't think it is as big and it doesn't have a train..

Miner Greg

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:52 am

theres a model mine in i think the smithsonian in washington d.c. but nothing like that. They didn't have anything on anthracite mining..

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:53 am

the more i look at that mancha mule, the more I want one....

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:59 am

Ray, whats the tonnage on that electric mule?

Industrial Rail Ray · **Joined:** Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:56 am **Posts:** 61

The unit is 4-tons.

Ray

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:48 pm

really? that looks way smaller than ours, and ours is 4 tons.

Industrial Rail Ray · **Joined:** Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:56 am **Posts:** 61

My bad, it's actually a Mancha 3-Ton BN Model (Electric Mule) at the Museum of Science and Industry. Below is a Goodman company photo of the unit @ the museum:

Below are the specs:

Enjoy,

Ray

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:01 pm

nice ray, nice.

Chicago Coal Mine

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