Re: Q&TL #6

Indeed, the focus is on the hoist and associated #2 shaft since it is the world's largest steam hoist and the 9,200+' deep shaft was at one time the world's deepest (might still be the western hemisphere's deepest, memory is a bit fuzzy).

But there is a ton of great railroad history as well with the extensive network over steep grades which supplied the mines with coal and moved the copper rock to stamp mills, smelters, and distant markets. Most is gone now with all track abandoned and structures like the huge Copper Range roundhouse replaced with a residential subdivision, but enough of the Q&TL remains to give a reasonable impression of days past (engine house, water tower, most of the grade, several engines and other rolling stock).

It's been about nine years since I've visited but I recall in my last summer of giving mine tours at the Quincy some investments were being made in the infrastructure. A new rail line was being built for direct access to the adit used for entry into the mine for tours. Prior to that we took a long circuitous drive thru town to reach the adit 550 vertical feet below the surface facilities. I think the new line had to be a cog railway, it's extremely steep. At the time (mid-90's) the mining district inclucing the Quincy had recently been raised to new status (National Historic Park, I think?) with the NPS so that may have made federal funding available. If we're lucky there's more to bring some part of the railroad back...