Re: At Pioche, Nevada

Hello Dave,

I've been having a friendly debate with Rich Dunn over the origin of the steel hoppers built by Kilbourne & Jacobs which were on the Pioche Pacific. We both have been trying to find photos of these cars in operation or after abandonment. I was wondering if there are any photos of those cars taken by Jim Holmes. The two that you posted are new to me. I see some cars in the background of the second photo that could be the K&J hoppers.

In 1908-1910 the Eureka Hill RR, Silver City, UT, took delivery of a total of 40 of the K&J hoppers, some of which may have ended up on the Pioche Pacific sometime in the early to mid 1930s. Rich thinks that at least some of the hoppers were bought new. Knowing somewhat of the economic conditions in the '30s, I rather doubt that any new equipment was ever ordered by the Pioche Pacific, or by Bristol Silver Mines Co. which was leasing the PP in the '30s.

Cheers,
Sam Bass