In blistering 110 degree weather, Copper Basin Railway GP40-2 304 strains its way up the grade out of the enormous ASARCO Ray Copper Mine with loaded copper ore for the smelter at Hayden. Thi... (more)
The eastbound OT-1 is nearing Tilbury Road crossing in Kearny.
The westbound OT-1 is clearing the yard limit sign at Hayden Junction. The copper stripes glisten in the late afternoon wintertime light.
The southbound OT-1 is nearing Ray Junction with Teapot Mountain in the background.
The westbound OT-1 is heading north to the mine at Ray.
The southbound OT-1 at Kelvin.
One of four shuttle trains a day carrying copper ore from the huge Ray Mine to Hayden smelter was only a couple miles into it's run to the dumper at Hayden approaching Ray Jct
OT-1 is eastbound with 45 loads of copper ore.
The OT-1 is southbound on the Ray Branch with 42 loads of copper ore.
OT-1 has 42 loads of ore headed for the smelter in Hayden. From what I understand the ore trains could stop running at any time as the mine has begun to curtail certain operations which will have ... (more)
The OT-1 is westbound in the late afternoon sun just leaving Tunnel 2.
The OT-1 is westbound in the late afternoon sun.
The OT-1 is southbound at Kelvin. Good winter rains have made the paloverde and mesquite trees blossom out before the intense summer heat arrives.
My trip to the Copper Basin still ranks among my best trips. A guided tour of the operation with the CEO without any prior arrangements speaks loudly of treatment visitors receive, if following t... (more)
Westbound OT-1 empties at Ray Junction is climbing a grade towards the copper mine.