This Porter 0-4-0 was built in 1887 for the Detroit Copper Co., and was named La Nena.  It served the mines and smelters near Metcalf, Arizona.  The gentleman standing in this 1937 photograph is Mr. George Gamble, a retired engineer.  The tiny Porters were tough, simple to operate and repair, and had considerable power for lugging heavy loads on the 20-inch gauge mining railroads.

HISTORY

The history of the Morenci and Metcalf mining districts is fascinating.  My E&SG is loosely fashioned after the little railroads that hauled copper to the smelters, and supplies to the mining communities near Clifton, Arizona.

Here is just a small sampling of what I've uncovered in my research...see the LINKS page for information on excellent mining museums and libraries.

Here is a look at the same locomotive in 2007, on display at the Adobe Mountain Railroad Park in north Phoenix, Arizona.  She still has the same dents in her right cylinder, and the same bend in her pilot grab iron.  The bell and whistle are stored elsewhere for safekeeping.  Note the low-profile sand dome and the unusual hoops fore and aft to lift the overhead electric wire (used to power electric locomotives) over the superstructure.

Another venerable Porter 0-4-0 is displayed in downtown Phoenix at the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum.  This is Arizona Copper Company No. 2, which was built in 1882 as the William Grant.  Originally, this locomotive was built with a 2-axle trailing truck under the cab, making it a 0-4-4.  It was cosmetically restored in 1990 by Phelps Dodge after having been abandoned with two other Porters on a lonely mountainside near Metcalf, Arizona for 67 years.

This little Porter, and Detroit Copper No. 2, were inspiration for some of my own models - look carefully and you will see the little 0-4-0 model perched here on top of the front footboard.  There's definitely a family resemblance!  

This is a photo taken along Chase Creek near Morenci, Arizona, early in the 20th century.  It shows the 20" gauge Coronado Railroad to the left, the 30" gauge Shannon Arizona Railroad in the center, and a local highway above the railroads.  A very crowded canyon indeed!  This tightly grouped vertical separation is the look I am attempting to achieve in my imaginary E&SG RR.

These workers from the Jerome mines typify the tough, resourceful men who mined the hard rock in search for copper.  They overcame tremendous obstacles to literally move mountains in their quest for the red metal.

All contents Copyright 2007 Verne Niner.  Best viewed at 1280x1024 resolution.

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