Lead in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

1. Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35 Marker

Inscription. Locomotive Number 35 was purchased in April, 1931 from the H.K. Porter Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This locomotive was in service on the Homestake Tramway hauling ore from the Homestake shafts to the Homestake mills.

This locomotive is powered by compressed air. The large air tank capacity is approximately 70 cubic feet of air at 1000 psi. It was filled from a large stationary air compressor on the Tramway. The air is released via the throttle to the pistons which drives the wheels, similar to a steam engine.

Compressed air locomotives were replaced with battery locomotives or in some cases, electric locomotives.

Erected by Black Hills Mining Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1931.

Location. 44° 21.131′ N, 103° 45.952′ W. Marker is in Lead, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker is on West Main Street (CanAm Highway) (U.S. 85) east of Siever Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located within Lead City Park, overlooking the historic compressed air locomotive on exhibit there. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lead SD 57754, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Homestake One Ton, End Dump Ore Car (here, next to this marker); Commonwealth Mine Stamp Mill (here, next to this marker); 1912 Lead City Hall / Homestake General Offices (a few steps from this marker); The First National (Norwest) Bank (a few steps from this marker); Homestake Slag Buggy (a few steps from this marker); Homestake Hospital Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Halloran Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Pneumatic Rock Drill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lead.

More about this marker. Marker is a metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high post.

Also see . . . The Robert Pearson Collection: Porter Air Locomotives - Homestake Mine No. 35, South Dakota. Photos of Porter compressed air locomotive No. 35 used in Homestake gold mine in Lead, South Dakota. The 18" gauge locomotive was construction number 7201 and built 4/1931 with 6x10 cylinders, a 36" wheelbase and weighted 5 tons. This was the last compressed air locomotive built by Porter for the Homestake Mining Co. (Submitted on August 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35 Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

2. Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35 Marker (tall view)

Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35 Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

3. Homestake Air Locomotive Number 35 Marker (wide view)

Porter Compressed Air Locomotive (<i>rear view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

4. Porter Compressed Air Locomotive (rear view)

Compressed Air Locomotive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2018

5. Compressed Air Locomotive

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.