Our narrow
guage steam locomotive,
the Henry Clay,
is a 0-4-0 type
lokie that was
built by the
Vulcan Works
in 1927,
typically used
to haul coal
from strip
mines.
Our narrow |
|
|
 Travel back through time on an old-time
narrow gauge steam locomotive, the Henry Clay. Built in the 1920's, The
Henry Clay takes you on a scenic three-quarter mile ride around the side
of Mahanoy Mountain to show you another kind of mining called strip mining.
You'll visit the Mammoth Stripping, an area where an unusually thick seam
of anthracite known as the Mammoth Vein outcrops to the surface of the earth.
Here, in days gone by, monstrous steam shovels ripped out millions of tons
of coal from the exposed vein and left a wall of solid rock 150 feet high
exten- ding westward as far as the eye can see. Much of the coal was pulled out by the narrow gauge predecessors of our
own Henry Clay . . . a lot of it on the same trackbed. You'll learn about
the Centralia mine fire as you gaze across the valley to find smoke rising
out of the ground. This perpetual underground fire has resisted all attempts
to extinguish it, and has necessitated the relocation of many residents.Nearby
is a relic "bootleg" coal hole. This and  others
in the area were dug by men who were willing to defy trespass laws and brave
cave-ins to obtain a few bags of coal to sell or heat their homes. The entire
tour lasts about 30 minutes. |
| To arrange a group tour, call us today at: 570-875-3850 570-875-3301 |
MINE TOUR / GIFT SHOP Copyright 1997 by Rob Mull Advertising
and ASHLAND COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES Mastercard, Visa, MAC & Discover Cards Accepted. |
