Gilpin observer., 1904-10-20
YAK TUNNEL PLANT.
Electric Locomotive Installed In Big
California Gulch Bore.

c'ss'S .SSS"0ssvC sUoSduS0 III Dig
California Gulch Bore.
One OF the triumphs of modern min
Ing methods and of modern engineer
ing is the successful installations and
operation Of the new electric plant at
the Yak tunnel, says the Leadville Her.
aid Democrat. The effects of this inno-
walton in the mining methods in vogue
In the Leadville district will be far
reaching and will eventually result in
the adoption of similar methods in
many other properties. Its immediate
erect Will be the opening up of sew
eral properties to active operation and
the increased output of ore through the
tunnel.
The electric plant includes a large
power house, an electric tramway ex-
tending over three miles of track under
ground, electric hoists and a complete
electric lighting plant for all the prop
critics entered or traversed by the Yak
tunnel
The Yak company began planning
Tor the installation of electric power
and light more than a year ago, and
Vice President Walter w. Davis COM
municated with number of the larger
electrical companies with regard to the
feasibility of putting the plans into op-
GRAFTON. There were many difficulties
in the way and some of the obstacles
seemed insurmountabe to expert cleo
tricians who visited the tunnel and dis
cussed the specifications.
The tunnel penetrates from Califor-
mia gulch under Iron hill and into
Greece and Johnny hills. Both in it's
main line and its numerous ramifica-
80 4 H.
important and larger producers of good
mineral. The tunnel was started sew
eral years ago as a mining venture. 1t
developed into most important under
taking, and within short time the
company realized that the tunnel could
be made the outlet for an immense
area of rich mining territory. The tun-
mel was pushed in as far as the Cord
and then was extended to the Ibex No.
shaft, two miles from the mouth.
Branches have been driven in various
directions to tap number of other
properties. There is altogether over
three miles of tunneling now completed.
Up to the present the power used in
the operation of the drills and hoists
in the Yak and other properties reached
by the tunnel has been compressed air.
An immense compressor plant stands
| at tA0 luOuln vi lut luuEtl, WHICH Is
one of the most complete in the state.
The ore from the various properties
was dropped into the cars through
chutes coming down from the slopes
and drifts to the main tunnel and its
branches. Mules were used to haul the
ore cars out of the tunnel.
Ordinarily one mule would haul eight
to ten cars at trip and would make
seven trips a day. About fourteen tons
of ore or other material was thus
hauled out by the mule at each trip.
The mule was fairly reliable, and the
only danger was from receiving a
shock from the trolley heel of the ami
NAL
The possibilities of the tunnel have
continued to grow during the past two
years, and upon the completion of the
tunnel as far as the Ibex, it became
apparent that the facilities for opera
ton would have to be increased by the
installation of the modern plant which
has just been completed. The greatest
difficulty to be overcome was the water
A heavy stream flowed through the
tunnel. which interfered with the ordi-
nary methods of transportation. This
was gotten under control by Superin-
tendent John II. Champion, who con-
ceived the idea of putting the drainage
ditch under the track. There were long
distances in the tunnel where the cars
had to be hauled through water which
flowed over the bed of the tunnel to a
depth of eight to fourteen inches.
After Mr.. Campion's ditch plan had
been placed in operation. the track was
made dry with the exception of a short
distance where the water sometimes
attains depth Of four or five inches.
In accordance with these conditions,
the specifications for the electric loco
motive called for machine which
would travel in water five inches deep
when necessary. The size of the orig
inal tunnel required the engine to be
narrower than the ordinary electric
traction locomotive. Accordingly the
Goodman Manufacturing Company built
locomotive especially for the Yak.
which combined the necessary power
with the construction which would en-
able operations in water.
The locomotive is thirty-two inches
wide. 1t Is an extreme narrow gauge
double type OF locomotive, guaranteed
to run in five inches of water. II
weighs five tons, and has a drawhead
strength sufficient to pull any weight
of train that II will ever be called upon
to handle.
The locomotive Is now used to haul
twenty cars at a trip and makes fifteen
trips day. That means thirty-fve
tons of ore or other material trip. In
other words, the electric locomotive
brings out of the tunnel at each trip
two and one-half times as much ore or
other material at each trip, and makes
twice as many trips day as the sup
planted mule.
The work done in the Yak has pushed
the capacity of the tunnel to the limit.
Under ordinary conditions. and with
the methods in vogue before the eiec-
trio plant was installed. the vast ore
bodies in the Cord and Tankerstown