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
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.
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
this page online
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Silicon Valley, and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
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
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012
2. Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive Marker
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
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 2,371 times since then and 76 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.
