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I plan to model the Birmingham Mineral Railroad built in the 1880s-1912 by the L & N. The first 50 mile stretch heading north out of Birmingham was completed in 1890 and included these features. Bradford or Dixiana Mines a booming mining opperation 9 miles off the main line it follows Self Creek through draws in Red and Sand Mountains and includes a shaft, red brick coke ovens, spur track with a turnaround Y and tipple. Compton 5 miles off the main line through a draw in Red Mountain. It is an open quarry opperaion for limestone. It has a spur . It closed sometime around 1920 and does not exist today. Ive been all through the woods where it once was. The features are spectacular, the double trestle ,Gurly Creek , the stone wall on the creekside next to the old bed.The Compton spur followed Gurly Greek though Red mountain. Chepultepec Depot later relocated 5 miles north to the boomtown of Oneonto, local lore says the move was because no one could spell or say Chepultepec. Oneonto or modern day Oneonta, named by an L & N engineer did not exist in 1888 but was made the county seat of Blount County Alabama in 1891. Oneonto has the relocated depot and a turnaround Y. Champion Mines an open iron ore mine just outside of Oneonto where the line ends in 1891. By 1912 the line went through the new town of Atoona, tunneled through Straight Mountain east to Gasden then south and west back into the L & N mainline 30 mile south of Birmingham. What type of equipment was used in open mines in 1891? The coke oven mouths were elevated above the spur track all in row for about 300 yards , Were the cars and ovens loaded by hand? I have a 2-6-0 on the way would a late 4-4-0 also be correct for the times ? What type of rolling stock will I need? I know pickings are slim for the 1890 time period.
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