Almaden in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

1. Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive Marker

Inscription. The Mancha “Little Trammer” is one of the smallest mining locomotives manufactured by the Mancha Storage Battery Locomotive Company. It is powered by batteries, allowing it to be used deep within the mines without emitting toxic fumes. Although small for a locomotive, it was capable of pulling several 1.5 ton fully-loaded ore cars (up to about 10 tones total).

The Mancha has a removable battery box that allows an exhausted battery pack to slide off and a freshly-charged battery to slide on. This allows the Mancha to continue operation for as long as freshly-charged batteries are available, much like many of today’s cordless tools.

This particular locomotive was used the Guadalupe mine from the 1940s until the mine closed in the 1970s. The Guadalupe Rubbish Company donated the Mancha to NAQCPA in 1987.
Specifications Manufacturer: Mancha Storage Battery Locomotive Co., St. Louis, Mo.
Model: Little Trammer Type B
Gauge: Adjustable, 18 to 24 in.
Weight: 1.5 tons
Power Supply: Two #725 batteries, 20V ea. in series, 13 kw max.
Traction Motor: 5.5 bhp
Top Speed: 6 MPH light, 3 MPH loaded

Erected by New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association/The California State Society Daughters of the American

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Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.

Location. 37° 10.392′ N, 121° 49.584′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Almaden. Marker can be reached from Almaden Road, on the right when traveling south. The Hacienda Mining Display is a short walk on the Deep Gulch Trail from the Almaden Quicksilver County Park parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Jose CA 95120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mine Ventilation Fans (here, next to this marker); Mine Air Compressors (a few steps from this marker); Skip Loader (a few steps from this marker); Gould Rotary Furnace and Condensing System (a few steps from this marker); D Retort and Condensing System (a few steps from this marker); Shaker-Concentrator (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercury Storage Vault (within shouting distance of this marker); Hoeing Table and Cleaning Tank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

More about this marker. The Hacienda Mining

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

2. Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive Marker

Display is still under development.

The Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

3. The Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

4. Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive Marker

A Tommyknocker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

5. A Tommyknocker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,628 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 19, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.