Incredibly Rare Wooden Ore Cart Found Inside A Mine!

[@uhFluxy]

I know nothing about history or mining but these videos are some of the coolest things I’ve seen on KZbin, deserve some more subscribers.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@trinketsmusings]

Amazing not only that you found the ore cart in tact, but that it MOVED! The wheels weren't frozen. So cool. Love your videos. Thank you so much for posting them!

[@richardbrobeck2384]

great how you guys are trying to preserve our history my grandfather was a miner

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

Starting at 19:21 in the rock to the right, I see the profile of an old bald man. Head, face and chest. Like he's just chilling there, waiting for the next load of ore to be hauled up. An old foreman, forever watching over his mine..

[@emmett33]

Cammi Rosanov check out subphotonic channel

[@DirtFlyer]

Great video! Those old ore carts were amazing to see. Also, I'm a geological engineer so let me pass on a little of my knowledge. That clayey material you found at 15:59 and which had collapsed on the floor a little later on is called fault gouge. It's the ground up material found within a fault from the two planes of rock grinding against each other during each fault movement event. The grooved striations you see there that all go in one direction are called slickensides. Those are essentially the fault planes where the two sides of the fault grind against each other and form those grooves. As far as the glittery stuff, I would guess that is mica, but I'm no mineralogist so that could be wrong.

[@ADITADDICTS]

DirtFlyer Would that mud be a good ore material being that it's ground up from the fault line?

[@TVRExploring]

DirtFlyer Thank you for sharing your knowledge. That's very interesting to know and something that I ill keep an eye out for in mines in the future... By the way, as a big Hughes fan myself, I love your profile pic.

[@DirtFlyer]

ADIT ADDICTS Good question, but mining is not my specialty really. That's one for a good mining geologist or miner to answer. I would think it could be though, since the faults and bedding planes are often where the ore veins are found.

[@bigbaddaddybob9500]

Yeah looks like mica to me too

[@pickenit]

Mica

[@shenanigan87]

That wooden ore car is a truly amazing find, first time I ever saw an intact one in mine exploration videos! Those worn wheels are also a telltale sign of the hard life it had back when in operation. I have to admit though, I wouldn't have been able to resist pushing those carts along that nicely preserved and undamaged track at least once. Or have someone push it while I'm sitting in it. x)

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I have never seen an intact wooden ore cart before or since either and, frankly, I would be astonished if I did. They are just so rare... Judging by the wear on those wheels, it seems the miners definitely got their money's worth out of her! You're certainly right about that. Haha, yes, it was necessary to move the carts just to get inside of the mine, but it was fun to see them roll like that. IT wasn't so easy getting them back in though!

[@alexenaku]

​@@TVRExploringyour videos are awesome and I am still watching the new ones. I am researching wooden and metal carts like this because I know of one that's crashed in a creek bed at a kind of secret mine and cabin. I am thinking about digging it up and carrying back into the mine it came from. It's a shame to see it waste away in its current spot. I am sure some people will recognize which one. Any chance you will be headed to Southern California any time soon? I know this is an old vid so not sure if you will respond.

[@TVRExploring]

That sounds like a worthy and noble project to restore the ore car to the mine that it came out of... I don't have any immediate plans to visit Southern California. I lack the local knowledge to locate the good stuff like this secret mine that you're describing. So, I'm left with the heavily ransacked sites, which carry less appeal for me. @@alexenaku

[@alexenaku]

@@TVRExploring thanks for your response! I will update if I can make it happen. It's such a shame to leave it there. If you do find yourself out this way, I'd be happy to share this one with you. Unfortunately I don't know any others as pristine.

[@RRaucina]

Been in a lot of old mines here in the Sierra, Whitloc, Mariposa mining district. Own several too. I would never mess around in those timbered sections anymore. Got a bunch right out my door for you that have never been filmed - the whole mountain is like swiss cheese. Almost got lost there years ago. Hard rock and no timbers, so quite safe. Back won't let me explore anymore. Contact me if you want some for your list. Found a perfect ore cart a few years back on one of my properties, still had the brass tag on it. Deep in the brush and nearly ran it over with my dozer while brushing. Still have not had time to move it. Looks like it rolled down the hill from a mine higher up and they never had the time or equipment to haul it out.

[@TVRExploring]

I would love to add some of those to my list. They sound phenomenal. Is there an ideal way to contact you? That ore cart sounds like a great find too... I found a steam engine once in similar conditions.

[@seandepoppe6716]

Would love to see this too!

[@charleslee1960]

How are you?

[@abitterpill7331]

A treat of a mine to find, especially with the ore carts so well preserved. I can't imagine how difficult it would have been to haul a loaded ore cart up that winze though.

[@budblanke9688]

Thanks for the trip back in time, and especially for the risk you took so I can sit on my couch and still enjoy the mystery around the next corner!

[@chris-nwue_B]

All my years exploring old mines I only found one complete wooden ore cart it was amazing. You can tell the old miners were short who built this tunnel. I spent two years hard rock mining and loved it and miss it all the time.

[@TVRExploring]

Hard rock mining sure beats sitting behind a desk!

[@brianwilson2515]

WOW, THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING US WITH YOU TO EXPLORE THIS MINE, I WOULD LOVE TO EXPLORE STUFF LIKE THIS , AND I HOPE YOU DO MORE FOR US TO SEE. THANK YOU.

[@duanelohr1869]

Both those ore carts deserve a loud WOW, 1 just for still being there 2 just for the history represent. Good job guys.

[@matthewtaylor5655]

Thanks for all your videos, better than TV, I've been fascinated by every one!

[@TVRExploring]

Glad to hear that! Thank you for coming along with us...

[@arnomeesters1]

WOW one of the most beautiful mines i ever saw, i dont know why. but as a kid..i was alway's attracted to mines and ore carts with the tracks, im 46 now, and still love them so much, great video, greetings from the netherlands (holland)

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. Yes, this was an awesome mine to explore. Very hard to get to, but worth it!

[@johnnyo0507]

You guys are extremely privileged to be able to do what you do, and I thank you for your efforts. Watched many of your videos, and I honestly can't think of one where the mine was as intact and clean as this one. Pristine condition. I half expected you to run into Brandon or Bran Don at some point. Such a perfect time capsule. Keep up the good work.

[@ADITADDICTS]

john ostendorf Yea when I first found this site on Google Earth, along with two other very difficult to reach mines, I knew that even though these weren't huge multi level extravaganzas, their remoteness warranted a visit. When they're that far off the beaten path, it's usually pretty intact.

[@TVRExploring]

john ostendorf Thank you for the comment and for coming along with us on so many videos... Yes, the more remote a mine is and the more difficult it is to get to, the more cool stuff we usually find. Even by that standard, this one is exceptional though! I doubt we'll ever find an intact wooden ore cart out in the field again. They're just too rare.

[@ADITADDICTS]

TVR Exploring Yea I would be so F'n surprised if we found another half as intact as this one.

[@tomfips4682]

Excellent camera work and commentary. You do a great job. Didn't even really notice the flickering until you pointed it out, so maybe your your own worst critic. You do an amazing job of covering all the angles so it's easy to understand how the mine lays out. You also NEVER do that annoying put the camera in your face and talk to it. A Lot of KZbinr that post videos don't understand that the viewer wants to see what your looking at, not your face. You're doing fantastic work, don't ever let anyone tell you different. Hats off too you.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much for the comment... I really appreciate your words. Ha, perhaps you're right about being my own worst critic. I see the videos over and over again when I'm editing them and so all of the little mistakes really stand out to me.

[@NWLegacyChannel]

'your your' ?? epic fail

[@MrProductionist]

I appreciate how TVR never takes anything out and just shows the things he finds and puts them back. Cool stuff. Thumbs up 412.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! No, we don't take stuff... I'd rather see it live out its days in place than in someone's garage or backyard.

[@richtyler1353]

You guys should contact a local mine museum to have the oar carts put in for future generations to see. They are beautifully preserved there but with so many people now just destroying these amazing artifacts it should be placed some we’re safe. Otherwise it would be preserved back inside for another 150+ years. If you can’t find some place to take them right away you should try an conceal the mine opening. Such a great find thanks for sharing

[@TeslaTales59]

Excellent find! Those carts are cool. Were you able to get a date when it was last used?

[@TVRExploring]

No, we were not able to determine when it was last used.

[@chrisboyack12345]

Wow! If this video ended after the first minute it would still be amazing. Good job, I'm super jealous, I would love to find artifacts like that.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! Yes, I think an intact wooden ore cart is a once in a lifetime find... We have certainly never seen or even heard of any others out there (excluding museums, but even those are almost all replicas).

[@gtb81.]

i wish someone could save some of that stuff, there's a lot of amazing and often still useable stuff in places like that, i wish someone could save it all

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, so much is being lost that it would be great if some of it could be saved...

[@gtb81.]

Some people take things from the mines, usually I would say it isn't right, but from a mine I would say it probably needs to be done

[@theogdirkdiggler]

Fantastic! Every video you put out is better than the next! You are the King of mine documents! I am hitting you up some change to help keep these videos coming!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, you're setting the bar pretty high if I keep having to one up the video from the week before! Can't thank you enough for kicking some change down... Exploring abandoned mines is surprisingly expensive given the travel costs and constantly needing to replace gear.

[@darinday6930]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with me...lol I think I have watched all your videos. I grew up near Silverado canyon, Ca. and was lucky enough to explore a bunch of those old mines as a kid before they closed them up. Ever since then I have had a fascination with mines. Now I live near Jerome, AZ and I fanaticize about how cool it would be to explore those mines.. can you imagine. I don't think you can get into any of them, have you done any mines near Jerome? Anyway, Chucks commentary is hilarious, everyone needs a friend like him. Thanks for doing what you guys do. I have been having a blast following along. Keep them coming!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, well, I certainly appreciate you coming along on all of our mine exploring adventures with us! It was great how much more there was in the past to see and explore in regard to mining history. I'm glad you got a taste of that. Now, I feel like we're in this mad race to try and visit/document as many remaining abandoned mines as we can before they're all destroyed by nature, vandals and, especially, various government agencies. No, we haven't made it down to Arizona yet for exploring mines... I have the impression that there are not many left down there that are not closed up?

[@darinday6930]

Again, I appreciate what you are doing. I find mining evidence all around where I live, but have yet to find any mines that are very extensive. They are mostly short little tunnels. However, there was extensive mining in the area at one time. I do find evidence that appears to me like backfills. Jerome is huge copper mine but it is all closed off. I really wish you could get in there and document that mine. I saw a wire model of the tunnels at the meusem and it is like swiss cheese through the mountain. After watching your video on finding mines, I got inspired and am now starting to scout. If I find anything worth mentioning I will let you know. But I am sure a guy like you could find some cool mines here if you wanted. Thanks again!

[@Zenas521]

It must be nice when they are dry. That wooden mine cart was awesome. Did not think you would find such a thing in that condition.

[@oldschoolmoto]

great find carts have the spooked wheels even more rare

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, we were real excited to come across this one... I doubt we'll even find an intact wooden ore cart again. They're just too rare. And especially so up in our Sierra Nevadas!

[@FL70NJ]

Really good video! Very nice carts for sure! There wasn't a straight piece of track in that mine, explains why the blacksmith was right outside the door!! The mud high on the walls could possibly caused the overhead to collapse by getting between the layers! Looking at the mud, it appears that whatever collapsed scraped down it ad left striations on the mud. Can hardly wait for more of your videos! Happy New Year to you guys and the best of luck to you!!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! Haha, you're right about the track in the mine twisting all over the place. Very convenient to have the blacksmith there... That was a good point about the collapse inside of the mine scraping down the side and leaving striations. I don't know how well I showed it, but there was a pile of rubble beneath those striations that definitely supports that idea. Happy New Year to you as well!

[@NitroGuyJH]

I hope some kids don’t destroy that wooden ore cart. That’s a real nice find there my friend. Very very few and far between on witnessing a completely assembled cart made of wood.

[@josefjosef1524]

No need to apologize. You produce nice content

[@anzaal]

So interesting I didnt even notice the flcking untill you mentioned it. Reminiscent of the flicker of the old carbide headlamps or lanterns. It motivated me find my dusty old "Justright" brand carbide lamp up on a high self. They were used for exploring back in the day when all that was available was dry cell batteries and incandescent light bulbs with short lifes. Thanks for sharing.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I've heard those old carbide lights put out a very quality light...

[@martineastburn3679]

Either someone cared for the mine and put the carts inside and left, or they were taken inside with a miner that is under the mud pile. Mining is dangerous job. Wonderful mine. Must have had a vein that was keeping them on the track.

[@2longg]

The light didn't bother me, keep up the great videos! Very educational and interesting!

[@ethanlamoureux5306]

You must be using an LED light with different brightness settings. Typically on the lower settings the LEDs are rapidly switched on and off to reduce the amount of light, but it also can create flicker issues. Using the brightest setting will usually eliminate the LED switching and thus the flicker.

[@zerofox7347]

I thought I'd watched all your videos and I was scouring YT for a mine I hadn't seen and then I spotted this one I'd managed to miss some how! So glad I double checked back, what a great find👌😉

[@TVRExploring]

One of my favorite mine exploring trips...

[@RickWeberSR]

I WANNA GO! I'm a blacksmith, and I'd love to make something out of a piece of drill steel or track!

[@markcantemail8018]

Thank you for showing us the ore carts , happy new year !

[@TVRExploring]

Happy to be able to show the carts to you... Happy New Year to you as well!

[@bobmacadu840]

Well done. Looks like a breeze after the last mine. That winz would make a great roller coaster, there's even a functioning cart to ride down it. 😱

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, I could stroll through one like this all day compared to the last one! Haha, well it would definitely be a one way trip on the roller coaster!

[@GoldenNorway1]

Very interesting to me as an artisanal miner myself. In fact, we're constructing both ore cart tracks and a minecart these days, so it's interesting to see how it was done ack in the day. I've come across multiple abandoned mines featuirng minecarts here in Norway, but then again these mines were also extremely remote into the mountains/wilderness. I can only recall one made out of wood, though. The rest were all made out of metal sheets. Interesting video, thanks for sharing. EDIT: As you mentioned, the timbers weren't processed at all. This usually means that the mine is at least 70 - 100 years old, as timbers from the 50's usually is processed. I must admit that I don't really know if that's the case in the US like it is here, but I find it logically to assume it is.

[@TVRExploring]

I've noticed that ore carts are much more common in Europe than in the U.S. I've come across many, many ore carts at mines in Italy, for example. By contrast, they're almost unheard of out in the U.S. and a wooden ore cart really is unheard of. Yes, you're right about the timbers. In our experience, they are usually at least a hundred years old if they are completely unprocessed. Undoubtedly, there are exceptions, but that is generally the case... Good luck with your artisanal mining! That sounds fascinating.

[@gravelydon7072]

Part of the reason they are rare in the US is because during the war, there were scrap drives. Steel was collected for the war effort wherever it could be found and drug out. And yes, that wood ore mine cart should be put in a museum. Spoked wheels were common in the early days of mining because they were lighter to transport. Both in getting them to the mine and when in use. People still cast them today to make model mine carts.

[@kneedeepinbluegrass3086]

Expected a Sleestak to wake up in there.

[@leviwhatever6192]

Oh crap I KNOW this place. I am very glad that you are obviously not the sort to reveal its location. Hopefully no asshats will come upon it. Such a cool old relic place. Thank you for the memories sir.

[@adulfdabo898]

Thank you for uploading and taking me with you on these adventures! I just discovered your channel and you got a new subscriber. Stay safe!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much for coming along!

[@dezhead3529]

Those mining cars have got to be the best I've ever seen I've been in a lot of mines seen a couple cars but nothing as nice as those your videos are fun to watch keep it up and thanks for replying to my comment on some other of your videos you guys are great

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, it was phenomenal to see those ore carts like that and I really doubt we'll ever see another intact wooden ore cart in a mine. Those are just so rare...

[@ADITADDICTS]

dezhead These were the first " working " ore carts I've found in an abandoned mine.

[@TheEditorKIV]

So I randomly stumbled on your channel, this is like 100% AWESOME! Amazing videos!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@5Dworld]

im getting claustrophobia just watching the guy walking deeper and deeper in. "get out of there you maniac!"

[@dogmosatchmo]

I have never subscribed to anything so fast...Amazing work. Don't mind the flicker at all...

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! I'm glad you don't mind the flicker... I'm kind of a perfectionist about my own videos and so all of the little stuff like that bugs me.

[@vincentfontana7915]

In them dry mines like the one your in check out the side of the rail every so many feet there will be a manufacturing date. It will give you a rough Idea when they were mining. Towards the entrance id say most likely would be the oldest rail. In wet mines the dates can be almost impossible to read. Keep the good stuff coming I'm digging it Bro I'm into mine exploring in the north west upper peninsula of Michigans Iron and copper ranges. Lucky to have my personal collection of all kinds of stuff from abandon mines.

[@garywheeler7039]

Some of the old oil drums had a couple rolled eye beam shaped rims that circled the drum, at about one third the distance from the bottom to the first rim. I am guessing 1920's or earlier. Made them easy to turn on their sides and roll around. Similar in function to the vee shaped stiffeners that were later formed as part of the sheet metal on oil drums for instance in the 1930's. I happened to see one drum, I should have picked it up that was embossed 35 on the top, I am guessing it was from 1935. Some tin cans were marked in a similar date stamp on the lid.

[@jburritt426]

How fun to see this. Thanks for sharing. The ore carts are wonderful and the mine is very interesting.

[@TVRExploring]

Glad you enjoyed it... This is one of my favorites.

[@christopherpoucher483]

The dump back panel, cast wheels and original wood still clings to the rusty hardware that fastens it!!!

[@Benjamin.A.]

5:40 i believe this is to protect the crotch, in case you step on a shovel etc. lol

[@ljgitis550]

It really looks like a bike seat. Wonder if they may have had some kind of seat setup.

[@danceswithjunk]

reminds me of a leg off a pot belly stove. They slide right off.

[@davidk7544]

This is very cool that you shared this. I really wish you'd brought a geiger counter and a short and long wave UV lamp. There is a lot more going on in the overburden than meets the eye with white light.

[@TVRExploring]

Getting to these mines requires serious bushwhacking and we are limited in what we can reasonably carry when water requirements are factored in. There is a lot of gear we have that doesn't get taken on every trip. We have to try and guess what we will need before we head out and we, inevitably, guess incorrectly.

[@Andrew-13579]

Would a cheap Geiger counter be of any use? Natural Uranium emits gamma rays, right? This instrument runs on a 9v battery and I believe it would go nuts if it encountered anything approaching hazardous. www.geigercounters.com/M4Kit/ I built one as a kit several years ago. Still works. Definitely detects the radium in the phosphorus-coated needles of a WWII aircraft instrument I have. They are lightweight and fairly small. I could solder together another one. It's pretty easy. Redesigned kit it much easier than the one I built years ago. As for UV light, there is a pocket-sized, Jaxman U1, 365nm LED, 3w, UV light with UV bandpass filter and rechargeable battery for about $75 on amazon. Would that do?

[@frankcarbalan9572]

Love your videos and the way you present them! I love your zoomable flashlight. I'm looking for information about it. The flickering is caused by the electronics in your light source. Frequently, LED light sources are pulsed at a rate that is imperceptible to the human eye. But the pulse rate becomes visible when it creates a "beat note" (the difference between two frequencies) with the scanning rate of your video camera. This is a little like watching an old western movie where the wagon wheels on the stagecoach seem to be going backwards! Of course, they're not going backwards, it's only an illusion caused by a mismatch of the rotation rate of the wheel spokes and the scanning rate of the TV or the frame rate of the film camera (in this case). Almost ALL LED light sources, even many car brake lights and such are scanned or multiplexed to control brightness or conserve power. Hope that helps.

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, this was an old video. I've got new lights now that don't do that...

[@MasterSplinter3200]

Did you find the Cabin just above and around that mine shaft? The one where a boulder and some rocks caved half of it in. There are more shafts just on the other side of that mountain too. I have 35mm pics of where you were at 20 years ago. The old man that mined those shafts have passed away since then but he lived down in the plain just below. You may have seen a property with a bunch of old relics that's kinda like an amature museum on the way. That was his place. Super glad to see the Ore Cars are still there. I never would have thought I would see this on the interwebs!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, we found the other stuff as well... However, I didn't include any of that in the video as I did not want to give too many clues as to the location. It is a remarkable site and I hope the ore cars stay there.

[@danielt.3152]

I have a question. I have seen several mine explorations where the miners use soot to make a drawing of a bull head on a timber or wall. Is this a reference to a the maze or labryinth of minos where a half bull and half man eat people? Or something else? I have been puzzling over that theme reoccurring and I can't 100% make it a fit?

[@Steven-vo8tk]

Loved the carts. Great find. Great video as always. Thanks

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, it was a great feeling to find the carts. Ha, you can hear how excited we were in the video...

[@alphaone101]

Great video and exploration......well done........thanks for sharing.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it...

[@smileypete4625]

A-m-a-z-i-n-g! I'd be torn as to whether the ore cart belongs in a museum, one one hand it would be in safe keeping, on the other hand the mine must be well hidden for it to have survived so long, so it's in relative safe keeping just where it is, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the most determined mine explorers. :) Yet another excellent video.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! Yes, I would hate to see a "collector" haul the ore cart out of there with a helicopter or whatever and have it end up in someone's garage or backyard. Much better to have it quietly collecting dust hidden away inside of a remote mine...

[@MinesoftheWest]

Amen

[@garywheeler7039]

There is a similar ore cart on display in Modesto at the Stanislaus County Museum. Corner of 14th and I st.

[@fuzzwack1]

AWESOME!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

WOW! You don't find the carts much anymore. I know a mine nearby that has one, but it also had a gate welded over the entrance. Lot of neat stuff left in that mine too! Most times they get picked over pretty fast.

[@TVRExploring]

Ore carts are a very rare find, to be sure...

[@shannonhunt7966]

Videos like this make's me want to explore the mine's where I use to camp when I was a teenager

[@TVRExploring]

Be careful because it's pretty fun and you'll get sucked in!

[@leehilton9932]

I think that ones good enough to get runnin. The place is in really good shape to be abandoned! No air lines, or vent. Thats an old old mine. A hell of a find all the way around on that one.Great find on the wooden ore cart too.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, the lack of air and water lines in the haulage drift, along with the steel I found in the winze, suggests that all of the drilling here was done by hand. Pretty awesome, huh? That definitely marks it as an older mine... And, yes, we feel very privileged to have had the chance to see those ore carts.

[@leehilton9932]

TVR Exploring yes very cool. I wonder how good the ore was? Its a mine that's definitely worthy of doin some more research on, or some samples takin and tested

[@TVRExploring]

That I can't say as we found no information at all on this mine... For them to do as much work as they did though, they must have been getting something decent.

[@leehilton9932]

TVR Exploring right, thats what i was thinkin. Thats a pretty good size mine to all be done by hand. We're talkin what, maybe 5 foot at a time depending on rock? Nothing with the bureau of mining? If i was you and no claim is found for it, I'd put a claim on it!!! You could hit the mother load! I live in South Dakota away from the black hills or i would be lookin for one myself

[@TVRExploring]

Seriously, five feet on a good day? Nope, this one is totally off of the radar. No information at all.

[@ippielb]

This would be so cool to be able to go explore these places. We have nothing like that where I’m from.

[@Hidden_Destinations]

The reason for LED flickering is because unlike incandescent lights, LEDs are turned on and off very rapidly to save power (called PWM). The frame rate and shutter speed of the camera interact with that and cause the affect.

[@donaldpowers5557]

man that was great cool carts and different mine in side...i appreciate it very much.......oh yea....Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR...

[@TVRExploring]

Happy New Year to you too! Thank you. Yes, we were really excited by this discovery...

[@imthekicker4073]

This channel is underrated as hell

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@peteestep5440]

Those are awsome.i would be curious as to what is the price of an original wooden mining ore car from the1800s.

[@ugsisr]

Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties is Arizona is loaded with old mines. Worked that area for years and was always finding new mines. Interesting exploring with a few good finds

[@TVRExploring]

I would imagine you saw some pretty interesting things...

[@CornishMineExplorer]

Those ore carts were amazing to see in that mine, love the old wooden one and amazing to see it all original and still intact! (mine explorer porn!) Such a nice clean adit too, I wonder what that silt/claystuff was, maybe it collapsed so bad it caused the mine to shut? That track down the winze was mental , imagine hand winching all the rock up from down there! I think this was a really old mine, the wooden carts, tree trunks for supports, lack of machinery and the hand drills, I would imagine every inch was hand drilled and blasted, dug and pushed out all by hard labour, just amazing amount of effort went into this mine! Thanks for showing us around! PS the flickering lights is annoying, I had the same problem with a head lamp I got ages ago, changed over to a Fenix and its all good again, just need a wider beam for the gopro.

[@TVRExploring]

Well, that makes it easy. I'll be using a Fenix head lamp next season! I am sure it is the head lamp that was causing the flickering in the video because I have had the handheld light much longer and never once had an issue when I was using it. Anyway, yes, the wooden ore cart was some serious mine equipment porn. I really doubt we'll ever make another discovery of an intact wooden ore cart. They are just too rare and too vulnerable to rot, fire, theft, etc. I agree with you that this is an old mine. There is no road in, it isn't indicated on topographic maps, there is no modern or even semi-modern equipment inside or outside of the mine... I'm sure the ore carts and everything else was brought in with mules. And, yes, winching a load of rock up that steep winze would definitely have taken some muscle! Thanks for the comment and the advice.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Cornish Mine Explorer When exploring these old mines, I wonder if they've ever seen Scooby-Doo and Shaggy fly by them at 80mph in an ore cart, while a phantom follows them closely behind in another ore cart?

[@CornishMineExplorer]

Yes lol, they would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for them meddling kids :)

[@cliffhyatt5058]

Cornish Mine Explorer a

[@ADITADDICTS]

@@HighlanderNorth1 miner 49er!

[@markfrench8892]

I'm hooked so I just subscribed. My grandfather was a hard rock miner and worked in Nevada extensively. Even have pay cards from several large mining outfits he worked for.

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for subscribing. Nevada has an amazing amount of mining history... Those pay cards are a nice souvenir!

[@docmccoy1928]

Wooden ore cart is like to die for, that is so cool. One thing that strikes me is all the curves they had to put in the tracks. That is hard even with a machine to get the inside and outside radius of a corner. To do that by heating and bending is a feat. They must have had a very accomplished blacksmith to say the least.

[@ADITADDICTS]

Doc McCoy If he wasn't accomplished then I know he was hot from all that damn work next to that forge!

[@TVRExploring]

Doc McCoy Thank you. Yes, "to die for" is a good description for the wooden ore cart. That discovery was all Chuck (my exploring buddy Adit Addicts)... Like you said, the blacksmith must have been damned good because that smithing operation was pretty primitive and to get the rails perfectly curved like that would not have been simple.

[@chuckhaynes6458]

The muddy clayish muck is consistent with the type of "Heavy Ground" found throughout "The Comstock Lode". Over 750 miles of tunnels were excavated under Virginia City in material as bad or worse than this. Much of it was done by Spiling.

[@TVRExploring]

That's interesting about the "Heavy Ground." I haven't seen it in that many locations in Nevada and didn't know that the Virginia City ground was like that. No wonder most of those mines are caved.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Wow man I am jealous! That is a truly special place!

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, it was awesome to come across this mine... It is very special indeed. Thank god for Nevada, eh?

[@MinesoftheWest]

Haha right, that ore cart would be mush by now if it were in Oregon or California Lol

[@TVRExploring]

I actually found one this summer at a super remote location (I haven't posted that video yet). It was inside the adit (wet, of course) and there was this jumble of metal sitting on the track. It was beneath a stope and so at first I thought it was some sort of platform and then I realized that it was the frame for a wooden ore cart! The rotted, mushy remains of the wood was still faintly visible underneath. Someone left it there ages ago and it just rotted away in place.

[@MinesoftheWest]

Wow that sounds awesome - excited to see that video! It's too bad we lose so many interesting artifacts to water..

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, that was a good one for more than just the ore cart too... You are 100% right about the water. The guys in Nevada and the other desert states have no idea how spoiled they are!

[@tifaimoana4705]

New subscriber here! Just discovered you. Thanks for your AMAZING exploration videos!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@rodneyjohnson6313]

Nice to find something that takes place in real life instead of the Minecraft game it's getting harder and harder to find videos like these cuz Minecraft keeps replacing them all

[@MetalTiger88]

looks like a great rollercoaster :D

[@ericscarburry8527]

Another great video!

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks, man. I'm afraid we'll never find something like that wooden ore cart again.

[@TheOnlyBongo]

Maybe you can answer this question of mine since it never really graced me up until now. Most ore carts I see are usually in museums, used as decorative pieces, or are replications made by people in the modern day for the former two purposes. Most, if not all of them are usually seen (Or in the case of replications, painted) a heavy brown rust color. But upon seeing the more in-tact ore carts pulled out of the mine, I have to ask...were they always painted and just lose their paint to rust due to elements, or were they sometimes painted and mostly just left bare metal?

[@TVRExploring]

I wish I could answer your question, but we haven't seen anything consistent in regard to the ore carts. Those in good shape are painted and those that are old and exposed to the elements are usually rusted. So, it becomes a chicken or egg question. Are the ore carts rusty because they weren't painted or are they rusty because they are old and the paint wore off?

[@passionvoice]

Worked in an underground Potash mine in New Mexico for a few years. We woud encounter mud but it was dried and on top of a sbstance called "Carnelite" which was both brittle and hard. The mud layer was where the Back could seperate. The mine used Hydraulic Roof Bolting equipment. Bolts were drilledand installed in the Back and as the need arose, in the Rib to prevent the sluffing you encountered. The Mud layer is the key, the rock would alsways seperate at the Mud layer because it has no strength. It ws not uncommon to tap the Back or a Rib gently with a hammer or wrench. A hollow sound was an indication of Danger. Just a tip.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for sharing that... It sounds like interesting work. And, yes, the mud layers always seem to create trouble.

[@maikailoa808]

Really amazing to find the charts in such great shape, wow what a nice find. Ron

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thank you for sharing.

[@anthonyarmstrong5012]

Another sweet video👍🏼 happy 2018

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you! Happy 2018 to you as well!

[@danielpercent5434]

I thought I was going to hear "geeeeeeet oooooooouuuuuut" in a whisper voice

[@charleslee1960]

BigBadJohn

[@pappysproductions]

That's SO awesome!!!

[@justaperson9743]

Those are cool ore carts!

[@TVRExploring]

This is my favorite kind of mine to find.

[@lynnepierce3676]

😮 What a super find!!👍😊

[@IanDarley]

Nice find and great video as always

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Ha, you can tell how excited we were to find these...

[@Mike-01234]

Thanks for documenting these on video taking the risk to go into these places the western United States was built on mining, and no one is preserving any of this history at least we have these videos.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. We can't protect these sites, but it is important to us to at least try to document them so that people know what once was and what has been lost.

[@gonebarefoot69]

Great find! Id love to do the same here in Colorado. Someday I hope to find an untouched one! Whoop Whoop

[@TVRExploring]

They are very rare indeed!

[@TVRExploring]

I hope you find one though!

[@misterp158]

Good Stuff. Thanks

[@MuskratOutdoors]

What a great mine!

[@hopeofnope8553]

Where in Northern California do y’all go, what mine is this?

[@TheFurriestOne]

Huh, it's different from the newer metal one all the way down to the wheels, neat! Cloth-wound fuse too, great finds! Love the details on the wooden cart, very clever yet simple design! Suppose a single miner might've slept in the mine to discourage claim-jumpers? Thanks for documenting this awesome rare find!

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, it felt great to find this site... Discouraging claim jumpers might have been one motivation. Mines provide good shelter too though, so perhaps he just didn't want to bother building a cabin?

[@smokinvr4]

Thats great..assuming its on a patent claim though considering usually all the artifacts are gone if its on public lands. Interesting fact, you can tell the direction of the slip of the fault by feeling the slickings..its called agryllic alteration turns rock and other minerals into that soft material from the pressure. Looks like a Nevada silver mine. Would love to poke around in there.

[@TVRExploring]

I don't believe this is patented, but it is in an extremely remote location and is not indicated on maps. So, that has done a good job of protecting it so far... That's interesting about being able to determine the direction. I didn't know you could do that.

[@DesertDogExploring]

You found the Holy Grail of ore carts!!! That's incredibly lucky. Your "mud mineral" looks like kaolinite, an aluminum silicate mineral. The glitter I have no idea - could be any number of things. Without a sample and a loupe, it's hard to even wager a guess. You guys were lucky to find that one.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I would not expect to ever find another wooden ore cart in even half as good as shape as this one...

[@blnokc6793]

About when was this mine operational?

[@williamnelson4066]

Quartz and gold go together, the sparkly stuff could be copper,nickel. Be good idea to take a sample

[@scottbaker4314]

It's time for me to find this mine site so I can complete my back yard rail road. We have been taking all the track and carts we can get our hands on.

[@TVRExploring]

I'm assuming you are trolling, but, unfortunately, there are plenty of pieces of shit that think that way...

[@deesmith5600]

Thank you for finally giving an effort to get a close up of the type of mineralogy existing in this mine. For me ,an I think I can express the same for other viewers that this tends to be a disappointment in a majority of your vids.Dont get me wrong you have a good gig going on. It would be nice to have a. Closer look. Especially when there is Native mineral. (Gold included) . There are mineral out there that is extremly rare.example - Native Selenium. So rare it said there is no. Existing locals for it because it so rare. But it does exist Ive collected it from a pocket mine myself. Anyway .Another request on the subject here.

[@randylewis3080]

Great vid guys enjoyed it fully. Keep up the good work.

[@georgestrong777]

Cool

[@vernscheck2658]

What was the blue stone?

[@craigbowlby1465]

That object that was made by bending a piece of track into a circle, is a forge that was used to heat the track for bending.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.