Re: Monero Coal

Rader Sidetrack Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A photo of gondolas loaded with what may be coal
> at Monero:
> [ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com]
> bi5Ej8UXA
>
> The caption reads:
>

Quote
The Friends ...
> K-36 #487 and another K-36 making up a freight
> train at the Monero, NM coal dock. 13 stacks of
> replacement RR ties beside the siding.
> D&RGW Monero, NM Taken by Richardson, Robert W. -
> 11/6/1949
>
>

This shot shows the "commercial" coal loading facility from the mine. Here is where the car loads of coal were loaded and sent out into the world. Some went to the RR for use as locomotive coal, other carloads were sold domestically. This place is upgrade from the locomotive coaling facility, around a curve and out of sight from the highway. The locomotive coaling facility was filled by trucks.

There were multiple coal mines in Monero. At least two had aerial tramways that brought down coal to the facility that was hiding from view from the highway. In the early 1980's there were still tram towers visible from the road. One tower was very close to the highway, with a big jumble of cable on the ground next to the highway fence. It would appear that the tramway went cross the highway at one time, and the cables had been cut to remove the hazard. I wish I had been brave enough to document what was still in Monero in the 70's and 80's. It seem like every time I went through there something else was missing. Back then Monero was a place where unwanted strangers did not go poking around, unless you wanted to meet the land owner and his shot gun.