Durango in La Plata County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Swivel End-dump Car
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
1. Swivel End-dump Car Marker
This swivel end-dump car has a 1 1/2 ton capacity of ore, yet it could be handled and dumped by a single person.
These small, swivel end-dump cars were most commonly called one ton cars, yet they came in a number of sizes ranging from one to two ton capacity. The box portion sat on a turntable that allowed it to swing to either side while the wheels remained stationary on the track. The dump hinge was positioned relative to the center of gravity allowing a loaded car to be easily dumped by one person when the locking device was released.
Swivel end-dump cars were replaced by larger capacity mining cars in the 1900s. These modern ore cars carried from three to twelve tons of ore and mechanically dumped to one side.
Mining equipment donated to the City of Durango by the Greg Anesi Family.
Erected by City of Durango.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 37° 16.648′ N, 107° 52.984′ W. Marker is in Durango, Colorado, in La Plata County. It can be reached from Roosa Avenue 0.1 miles north of Avenida Del Sol, on the right when traveling north. The marker is beside the Animas River Trail, near Schneider
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The American Dream (here, next to this marker); Shaft Can Skip (here, next to this marker); The Fancy Ladies (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Plata County Vietnam Veteran Memorial (about 400 feet away); Stuart Allen Roosa (about 600 feet away); Electric Revolution (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Pleasant Summer Afternoon, circa 1885 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Durango circa 1889 (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durango.
San Juan County Historical Society
2. Marker detail: Miners with a swivel end-dump car at the Susquehanna Tunnel north of Silverton, 1880s
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
3. Swivel End-dump Car Marker
Looking east from the Animas River Trail, the Animas River is in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2025
4. Swivel End-dump Car
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 188 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 12, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
