Re: Why did the EN buy it?

In late 1936 metals markets improved, leading to an uptick in mining in Eureka County. A Canadian company, the Eureka Corporation, acquired Eureka's principal mines in early 1937 with big plans for developing the property. About the same time the Eureka Nevada Railway's 1920 Porter 2-8-0, Number 11,had the time on its flues expire. It also needed a new fire box, with repairs estimated to be $5,000 to 5,500. Also, the EN's other workhorse, #10 (2nd) ( Also an ex-Uintah locomotive), had developed a crack in its cylinder saddle.The EN's manager worried that if this defect was found by the ICC inspector it would be put out of service. It was decided that it would be cheaper to buy a used engine rather than fix #11. The Uintah #12 was purchased for $3,500 and was delivered in December 1937. The #12 turned out to be a little too heavy for the EN's worn out track and only made two troublesome trips, where it spread the rails numerous times. In January 1938 the price of silver and other metals collapsed and the EN filed for abandonment in April 1938.




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2019 04:34PM by Greg Maxwell.