Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mining Train
This small train once hauled many tons of zinc ore from the earth, operating through a tunnel connecting mines in Ivanhoe and Austinville, Virginia. Constructed by the Fulford Company in 1948, the two battery-powered locomotives feature roller bearings, trolley type controls and primitive cable braking. Cars are connected by linking and pin. The red car carried explosives used in blasting. The track gauge for this train is 2 feet; standard gauge track for full sized trains is 4 feet 8.5 inches between the rails.
The New Jersey Zinc Company had its origins in northwestern New Jersey. The Sussex Zinc and Copper Mining and Manufacturing Corporation was incorporated in 1848 for the purpose of mining zinc, and the New Jersey Exploration and Mining Company was incorporated in 1849 for the purpose of mining iron. In 1852, the two companies merged to form the New Jersey Zinc Company. The New Jersey Zinc Company was the largest producer of zinc and zinc products in the United States from 1897 until the time of its merger with Gulf and Western Industries, Inc. in 1966.
Erected by Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
Topics.
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Location. 37° 16.388′ N, 79° 56.813′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of Norfolk Avenue Southwest and 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region and in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Virginian Class SA #4 (a few steps from this marker); Virginian Railway Caboose #321
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
