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12/23/2024
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Viewing Album:  Narrow Gage Steam Lokie HENRY CLAY – Ashland, PA
 
By:Bob Krug
Dates:8/8/2015 - 8/8/2015
Album Info:One of the lesser-known operating steam locomotives in Pennsylvania is the Henry Clay, which operates at the Pioneer Coal Mine in Ashland, Schuylkill County, PA. It’s a 42“ gage 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive built in 1927 by the Vulcan Iron Works, Wilkes Barre, PA. During it’s first working life at a mine in Pennsylvania’s anthracite region it was used to shunt coal bogies from the mine mouth to a breaker. These diminutive, spartan steam engines were referred to as “Lokies“. With the saddle tank filled, the Henry Clay weighs 30 tons. It burns anthracite coal, but there is no coal bunker aboard the locomotive because coal and culm were readily available on the ground around the mines where the lokies worked. The original boiler was replaced in 2000 by the current boiler which is welded steel and is largely shrouded from view by the saddle tank. No air brakes / just a steam brake on the locomotive. The mine cars these lokies hauled were connected by link and pin so there were no provisions for a train air brake line. Water from the saddle tank can be added to the boiler via either of two separate injectors. Working pressure is around 100-110 PSI. The Henry Clay pulls a trainset of five ex-mine bogies refitted with benches for passengers. The bogie wheels are unsprung so it’s a noticeably rough ride which adds to the authenticity. The train operates forward & reverse along about 3000 feet of narrow gage track, going east from the mine mouth to an overlook where passengers de-train to see a strip mined area, and a replica wildcat mine. The train moves along a bit faster than a walking pace, so this is a steam train ride one can actually chase on foot. If you visit, be sure to get the combination ticket for the guided mine tour as well as the train ride. It’s a bit off the beaten path but the Pioneer Coal Mine is a very family-friendly attraction that’s interesting, informative, and fun for kids of all ages.
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The Henry Clay pulls the passenger train past the coal supply
Title:  The Henry Clay pulls the passenger train past the coal supply
Description:  The little Lokie is fired with the anthracite coal seen scattered on the ground in the foreground. No need for an extravagance like a coal bunker on a lokie that will be working the mines.
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:25:45 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  129   Comments: 1
The Henry Clay pulls away from the strip mine overlook to shunt another trainful of passengers out to the eastern end of track
Title:  The Henry Clay pulls away from the strip mine overlook to shunt another trainful of passengers out to the eastern end of track
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:26:44 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  97   Comments: 0
The Henry Clay steam lokie approaching yard limits
Title:  The Henry Clay steam lokie approaching yard limits
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:24:44 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  116   Comments: 1
The Vulcan-built Henry Clay simmers in the station area, just outside the mouth of the Pioneer tunnel coal mine.
Title:  The Vulcan-built Henry Clay simmers in the station area, just outside the mouth of the Pioneer tunnel coal mine.
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:27:34 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  103   Comments: 0
The Henry Clay steam lokie between storage sheds
Title:  The Henry Clay steam lokie between storage sheds
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:37:34 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  80   Comments: 0
The Henry Clay approaching the passenger boarding area
Title:  The Henry Clay approaching the passenger boarding area
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:39:28 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  76   Comments: 0
The diminutive Vulcan-built Lokie highballs its train down the main line
Title:  The diminutive Vulcan-built Lokie highballs its train down the main line
Description:  ("Highball" means it was traveling a bit faster than a walking pace for me.)
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:44:57 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  438   Comments: 0
The Henry Clay shoving the trainset eastbound through the S-curve
Title:  The Henry Clay shoving the trainset eastbound through the S-curve
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 9:00:13 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  63   Comments: 0
Henry Clay lokie shoving the train through the S-curve
Title:  Henry Clay lokie shoving the train through the S-curve
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:46:17 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  63   Comments: 0
Henry Clay lokie in profile at the strip mine overlook
Title:  Henry Clay lokie in profile at the strip mine overlook
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:49:08 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  82   Comments: 0
The Henry Clay pulls away from the strip mine overlook
Title:  The Henry Clay pulls away from the strip mine overlook
Description:  Clean-burning anthracite produces a nice white exhaust
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:50:11 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  78   Comments: 0
Henry Clay B&W
Title:  Henry Clay B&W
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:51:02 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  78   Comments: 0
With the bell ringing, the Henry Clay pulls into the station at the mine mouth
Title:  With the bell ringing, the Henry Clay pulls into the station at the mine mouth
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:51:46 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Steam,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  98   Comments: 1
Out riding choo-choos with Grandpa
Title:  Out riding choo-choos with Grandpa
Description:  I had my two grandsons along for our visit to the Pioneer Tunnel and Coal Mine. Ages 4 and 1, plus that old relic in the middle.
Photo Date:  8/8/2015  Upload Date: 8/10/2015 8:52:35 PM
Location:  Ashland, PA
Author:  Bob Krug
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  PTCM 1(0-4-0T)
Views:  125   Comments: 0

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