CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Copper Basin Ry. - Thurs. 04-25-2019 - ASARCO smelter and the "Local"

Rail Fan Adventure --

After a restful night in the General Kearny motel, we headed the seven miles over to Hayden to see what was going on. I learned that the “Local” had gone to Magma at 6:00 AM and would be back in early afternoon. The next OT-1 would report at 12:10 PM.

1. Kennecott Copper Corp. donated this compressed air locomotive for display in Kearny. It was used in the Ray deep mine. Kearny AZ.
Kennecott Copper Corp. donated this compressed air locomotive for display in Kearny. It was used in the Ray deep mine. Kearny AZ.

2. KCC compressed air loco plate Kearny AZ. Click here for a larger image.
KCC compressed air loco plate Kearny AZ.

3. H. K. Porter Co. specialized in industrial locomotives. KCC compressed air loco badge. Kearny AZ.
H. K. Porter Co. specialized in industrial locomotives. KCC compressed air loco badge. Kearny AZ.

4. Very basic controls. KCC compressed air loco. Kearny AZ.
Very basic controls. KCC compressed air loco. Kearny AZ.

5. Stephen Kearny historical marker.
Stephen Kearny historical marker.

6. CBRY GP39-2 403 (ex-KCC 3) and GP9 208 (ex-BN, nee-CB&Q) at Hayden Jct. AZ shop.
CBRY GP39-2 403 (ex-KCC 3) and GP9 208 (ex-BN, nee-CB&Q) at Hayden Jct. AZ shop.

7. CBRY 505 “GP39CLC” is ex-CSX 4296, nee-C&O 3916. Hayden Jct AZ.
CBRY 505 “GP39CLC” is ex-CSX 4296, nee-C&O 3916. Hayden Jct AZ.

8. The ASARCO smelter is on the hill side behind the community of Hayden. The line crosses the highway and starts up a steep grade just east of the Hayden Jct. yard. CBRY 501-304-402 switch ore concentrate loads behind ex-Rock Island GP18s 203-201-202. CBRY 501-304-402 203. Hayden AZ.
The ASARCO smelter is on the hill side behind the community of Hayden. The line crosses the highway and starts up a steep grade just east of the Hayden Jct. yard. CBRY 501-304-402 switch ore concentrate loads behind ex-Rock Island GP18s 203-201-202. CBRY 501-304-402 203. Hayden AZ.

9. I took these photos from the parking lot behind the plant office. These engines may be stored, because there doesn’t appear any unused tracks at the Hayden Jct. yard. There is a center cab switcher parked or stored in the background. CBRY 203-201-202. Hayden AZ.
I took these photos from the parking lot behind the plant office. These engines may be stored, because there doesn’t appear any unused tracks at the Hayden Jct. yard. There is a center cab switcher parked or stored in the background. CBRY 203-201-202. Hayden AZ.

10. ASARCO concentrator. Hayden AZ.
ASARCO concentrator. Hayden AZ.

11. “Hayden Concentrator Since 1911” I don’t know if this facility is still active. Everything is behind a fence. ASARCO concentrator. View 2. Hayden AZ.
“Hayden Concentrator Since 1911” I don’t know if this facility is still active. Everything is behind a fence. ASARCO concentrator. View 2. Hayden AZ.

12. The railroad dumper is down beside the highway. Ore is conveyed up to the crusher (pictured here), and then on up to the plant behind me. In the background are tailings, what is left after the valuable minerals have been removed from the ore. ASARCO crusher. Hayden AZ.
The railroad dumper is down beside the highway. Ore is conveyed up to the crusher (pictured here), and then on up to the plant behind me. In the background are tailings, what is left after the valuable minerals have been removed from the ore. ASARCO crusher. Hayden AZ.

13. The smelter area and its giant smoke stack. ASARCO smelter. Hayden AZ.
The smelter area and its giant smoke stack. ASARCO smelter. Hayden AZ.

14. The concentrate gons were being dumped at that A-frame structure just left of center. ASARCO smelter. Hayden AZ.
The concentrate gons were being dumped at that A-frame structure just left of center. ASARCO smelter. Hayden AZ.

15. Looking south across the street at the conveyor, crusher, and tailings impoundment. ASARCO tailings impoundment. Hayden AZ.
Looking south across the street at the conveyor, crusher, and tailings impoundment. ASARCO tailings impoundment. Hayden AZ.

16. We drove over to Kelvin to await the eastbound “Local” coming from Magma. CBRY 302-503. Kelvin AZ.
We drove over to Kelvin to await the eastbound “Local” coming from Magma. CBRY 302-503. Kelvin AZ.

17. CBRY 302-503. View 2. Kelvin AZ.
CBRY 302-503. View 2. Kelvin AZ.

18. The “Jake” Jacobson Bridge of Unity commemorates a local girl who championed respect, compassion and forgiveness between ethnic, religions and political groups. Jacobson, the well-known manager of Copper Basin Ry., gave the eulogy at her death in 2000. The new highway bridge crosses the old, narrow bridge across the Gila River which is now used as a walking trail. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ. Click here to view a larger image.
The “Jake” Jacobson Bridge of Unity commemorates a local girl who championed respect, compassion and forgiveness between ethnic, religions and political groups. Jacobson, the well-known manager of Copper Basin Ry., gave the eulogy at her death in 2000. The new highway bridge crosses the old, narrow bridge across the Gila River which is now used as a walking trail. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.

19. CBRY Jake Jacobson image.
CBRY Jake Jacobson image.

20. The local will soon be stopping at Ray Jct. to allow the westbound OT-1 to get on the branch up to the mine. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.
The local will soon be stopping at Ray Jct. to allow the westbound OT-1 to get on the branch up to the mine. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.

21. ASARCO’s Mission copper mine near Sahuarita AZ, produces approximately 450 tons of copper concentrate daily, and this is shipped in Union Pacific family hoppers to Hayden for smelting. View 2. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.
ASARCO’s Mission copper mine near Sahuarita AZ, produces approximately 450 tons of copper concentrate daily, and this is shipped in Union Pacific family hoppers to Hayden for smelting. View 2. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.

22. The local runs from Hayden Jct. to Magma Jct. (Union Pacific interchange) and back at least a couple of times each week, I’ve read. View 3. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.
The local runs from Hayden Jct. to Magma Jct. (Union Pacific interchange) and back at least a couple of times each week, I’ve read. View 3. CBRY 302-501. Kelvin AZ.

Now it is time to see what the OT-1 is doing.

Everett Young

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young