I’m surprised Kevin Musser doesn’t have an answer for this riddle…

He probably does, but I don’t think he knows about this site yet…

Hopefully someone will clue him in (it might be me). When I designed this site I was hoping that people would use the comments sections to engage in some interesting historical discussions, and he would be a great addition. Thanks for getting it started here and in the other posts you commented on - it means a lot to me to hear some encouraging words and participation from the world out there. Thanks!

I’ve worked at The Quincy for 7 years and now the KNHP. Excellent site and interesting. Should be fun to start some discussions!

about the mystery mark, I’d be stunned if that was marked by KNHP staff

Nick..

Welcome aboard. Its great to have more knowledgeable people joining in on the conversation, makes the site much more interesting. So feel free to start some discussions …

I didn’t think the park would of marked the cars but somebody did and it was a guess on my part. Perhaps Quincy marked them before abandoning the mine, but I’m not sure why they would do that either. It could just be random graffiti - I don’t know.

My first run through here at the Q&TL was one of my first excursions and suffers from inadequate coverage in the form of photos. (although I took a lot of video) I hope to return this summer and document everything a little better, especially the abandoned cars. Maybe then I can find more clues.

Sorry for the long delay, they are QMHA (Quincy Mine Hoist Association) markings, probably for ‘Save’. Years back QMHA sold off most of the Quincy locis, and most of the rail cars for pennies on the dollar, most of the cars were scrapped. They saved a few for display, and eventual restoration. During this time they sold off a bit of underground mining equipment for scrap as well…

I once asked this question too about the ( S ) and I was told that it was marked for SCRAP but was thank GOD they were never taken. There is a junk yard along the portage that I explored. When I was there I found a cab of a locomotive and a water tank from a locomotive called a tank locomotive most likely from a C&H 0-6-0-T. Instead of a coal car it had a built in coal bin on the rear of the locomotive and a large half round water tank that was placed over the top of the locomotive boiler. This kind of locomotive was used in yards or at mines. I know for fact that C&H used this kind of locomotive and had a few. Oh the treasures you can find in a junk yard.

Vince Fontana

Vince…
I think I know the scrap yard your referring to and I always thought it would be interesting to look through there myself, knowing the type of treasures that I would be sure to find. Although the never scrapped the cars, there sure isn’t much left of them now however. While still around, they won’t be that way for much longer.

To confirm, I had heard the “S” was for “save”. Since it appears on the remaining equipment, that seems to be the best conclusion. Albeit, it is a bit counterintuitive in a world where “S” usually means scrap. But it is the Copper Country.

Thanks Paul for clearing it up. Since these cars were still around I assumed the S was save, and not that someone just forgot about them. But like you said, it is the Copper Country and I couldn’t be sure. I have also recently discovered a second line of old Quincy rock cars at the Pewabic property - and all of them have “s” on them as well. Since these cars also sit on Quincy Hoist property I assume that they did the marking when they acquired the old ruins.

Actually, one of the cars on the Pewabic property actually has “Save” written on it, with the big “S” and smaller “ave”. It looks like it was all written at the same time.