I was a groundman on the 1650B. It was the best job I have ever had. My crew was Pat Duncan operator, Dave Harn #1 oiler. Vern Plate #2 oiler and myself Chris Darnell the groundman. We dead headed it from the South pit to the North pit where it ceased operation when it was done.
Chris, thanks for the information regarding your working as a groundman on this particular 1650B shovel. Any idea what year when this strip mining shovel was retired and when it was ultimately scrapped?
Very cool to see. My great grandpa worked in there back in the 50s or so. Wayne Hogon was his name. My grandpa Bob Stockman was a dozer operator in the UMWA as well in Norris, IL with Consolidated coal co in the 60s to the late 80s and then went to southern Illinois around DeSoto to the burning star #5 mine.
Does anyone know when this operation ceased operating? A couple of guys I worked with at Morgan's mine in Colorado later came here. I believe Mike Nayden was operating the dragline at one time and Butch O'Bryant was a crewman on the shovel. Another former from CO I believe worked there also, Kenny Bell.
It is too bad there is not a video with these in operation. My grandfather and father used to farm some of the United Electric coal mine ground, and can very well remember my parents getting scared that I was getting too close to the edge of the pit when those shovels were in operation when I went to take a look.. I can remember the huge electric lines going to the shovels laying on the ground supplying the power and the dips on Hwy 78 south of Canton when these behemoths crossed the highway......it was quite a operation to get them moved. Something that was quite spectacular but being in the area, we took it for granted.
I believe that footage was shot next to the former north pit. The wheel and shovel from the south pit were parked by the machine shop, and I think may have already been dismantled for scrap by 1990. I'm not sure, but I think the dragline from the south pit may have gone to the Industry Mine.
My grandparents are from Canton. I don't know a whole about the man because we were never close but my grandfather, Eugene Freeman, used to be a miner. Not sure that he ever worked that exact spot. I know his name, he was from Canton and a miner and he particpated 35 different battles in WWII. He was a tail gunner. I was always impressed by the big equipment he operated both at work and on his farm. I was also very proud of and respected his military career. Looking at your video I can't help but think of him and wish we were closer. Anyway, great video and thank you for sharing it. Sorry to ramble.
I believe all the giant strip mine shovels are gone across the country with the exception of the "Big Brutus" shovel which has been a museum in southeast Kansas for decades now. Many draglines continue to operate in coal mining areas of the country.
Tons of massive machines all packed together
That’s quite the sight
I was a groundman on the 1650B. It was the best job I have ever had. My crew was Pat Duncan operator, Dave Harn #1 oiler. Vern Plate #2 oiler and myself Chris Darnell the groundman. We dead headed it from the South pit to the North pit where it ceased operation when it was done.
Chris, thanks for the information regarding your working as a groundman on this particular 1650B shovel. Any idea what year when this strip mining shovel was retired and when it was ultimately scrapped?
Very cool to see. My great grandpa worked in there back in the 50s or so. Wayne Hogon was his name. My grandpa Bob Stockman was a dozer operator in the UMWA as well in Norris, IL with Consolidated coal co in the 60s to the late 80s and then went to southern Illinois around DeSoto to the burning star #5 mine.
Did that DeSoto, IL mine have a huge strip-mining dragline?
Does anyone know when this operation ceased operating? A couple of guys I worked with at Morgan's mine in Colorado later came here. I believe Mike Nayden was operating the dragline at one time and Butch O'Bryant was a crewman on the shovel. Another former from CO I believe worked there also, Kenny Bell.
It is too bad there is not a video with these in operation. My grandfather and father used to farm some of the United Electric coal mine ground, and can very well remember my parents getting scared that I was getting too close to the edge of the pit when those shovels were in operation when I went to take a look.. I can remember the huge electric lines going to the shovels laying on the ground supplying the power and the dips on Hwy 78 south of Canton when these behemoths crossed the highway......it was quite a operation to get them moved. Something that was quite spectacular but being in the area, we took it for granted.
Big Giants resting. Sort of sad in away. All those good Jobs.
Lot of history sitting there. Lots of stories from the operators... sad to see it like this but as in everything it all has a limited LIFE...
I believe that footage was shot next to the former north pit. The wheel and shovel from the south pit were parked by the machine shop, and I think may have already been dismantled for scrap by 1990. I'm not sure, but I think the dragline from the south pit may have gone to the Industry Mine.
Thanks for the information!
This was just south of Canton Illinois. Freeman United Coal Buckheart Mine.
Thanks for spotting the location where I shot this!
My grandparents are from Canton. I don't know a whole about the man because we were never close but my grandfather, Eugene Freeman, used to be a miner. Not sure that he ever worked that exact spot. I know his name, he was from Canton and a miner and he particpated 35 different battles in WWII. He was a tail gunner. I was always impressed by the big equipment he operated both at work and on his farm. I was also very proud of and respected his military career. Looking at your video I can't help but think of him and wish we were closer. Anyway, great video and thank you for sharing it. Sorry to ramble.
I wonder if any of these still exist
I believe all the giant strip mine shovels are gone across the country with the exception of the "Big Brutus" shovel which has been a museum in southeast Kansas for decades now. Many draglines continue to operate in coal mining areas of the country.
@@WAL_DC-6B I meant the ones specifically in this video
@@aj41926 I believe what's seen in my video were all scrapped in the early to mid 1990s.
is the bucket wheel excavator the Bucyrus WX?
It is to be hoped someone more knowledgeable on this strip mining equipment can come forward to answer your question.
I used to hunt Canton and Cuba area
1650b
Bucyrus Erie 1650B stripper shovel.
Plenty of bird activity
Good observation!