Re: NG and mining in Dumfries Virginia

The mine in question was the cabin branch mine, owned by the American Agricultural Chemical Co. The material mined was iron pyrite, which was refined to produce sulfuric acid, which was used in producing fertilizer at their plant in Alexandria, Va. The 0-4-0 was called "Dinkey", it and 0-6-0, named"Dewey", were Porter alumni. The Climax was named Virginia Creeper. I have seen a photograph of the three locomotives in a scrap yard, Woodbridge, Va. with a 1933 date on it.The mines were shut down in 1920 with the collapse of prices for sulfuric acid after World War 1.I believe the top photo may have been an experimental plant to purify pyrite and yield acid and iron ore.The plant was a failure as the iron produced still had too high a sulfur content to be usable.Most of the information relayed here comes from the book "This Was Potomac River" by F.Tilp. I'll send more info shortly.