Copperopolis

Always wondered about the name Copperopolis, which was in the title of "Hangtown

and Copperopolis", or somesuch, a cartoon about a dinky railroad.  Assume thetown was named during the gold rush, and while Atizona has Jerome and copper, how about

California...any copper mining?

Google is your friend: http://www.calaverashistory.org/copperopolis

Yes, there was mining there for many years. We had good friends that lived in Angels Camp and we would drive by Copperopolis to get there. Always liked the name. That's why I used it in the story. Don

I've driven Highway 49 several times, as the gold country route, and seen the signs,

but don't think I ever turned off for Copperopolis, although I had seen the cartoon mentioned. I tramped around and photoed some of those giant wheels used to move

water, I think for mine dewatering, on 49, but don't think models of them would be

appropriate for my area. The artist probably chose the name because he liked the sound of it, also.

With copper prices way up, I'd think some of these old mines there and in the U.P.

would reopen.  Thanks for the link, mwb.

Done a lot of filming in that area for a casino. All that area is very interesting. I always thought copper mining was open pit mining. When I did some research Copperopolis seemed to have the perfect type of copper mines for my layout. I like you traveled 49 many time but never stopped. I'v already built all three mines and started framing that part of the layout. I think it will be interesting to see in operation. This is one of the mines I finished over two years ago. Don

When I first visited Jerome, Ariz., and the place was inactive and had not become an

artist's colorny like it is today, I walked through a tunnel, and then jumped back

a few feet, for I had come out overlooking a deep drop into a great big open pit.

I thought copper mines were open pit, too, until I got to the U.P. of Michigan a couple of years ago.  I saw shaft mines but one pit mine there.  What is now going on at Victor, Colorado is that where there were shaft mines, they are using giant trucks and machines to scoop it all out into an open pit.  Dunno if that is practical at Copperopolis.

That really is a very neat article and place.

Gerry

I can't wait for the next sections. I hope OGR will cover them extensively.

Traction equipement, catenary, pantograph ...  WOW! 

Don,

can you post more pictures ?

Great work Don! It reminds me of a cross between John Allen's work and Knott's Berry Farm....two things I think visually are very cool!!

Don - Great article in the latest issue of OGR.  Another beautiful modeling job, you haven't lost your touch.

Art

Since my issue of OGR just rode in today on the skin and bones back of the U.S. Mule,

I did not really know the subject of the Copperopolis posting.  Fantastic modeling!

(true, I'm biased toward ghost towns) but the weathering and detail are worthy of all

the comments.  In your shoes, I might have tried to con your wife into shopping for

panty hose.  Got some weird stares when I looked for wedding veil material for fencing.  {just had a thought...probably because of what is in the news a lot lately)

There are a couple of new copper & nickel mines opening in the U.P. of Michigan.  Unfortunately, they are planning on using sulferic acid to remove the ore - very risky enviromentally speaking.  The companies are foreign owned and had poor records in the past. (google Eagle Mine) I'm surprised that they got permission, but then, money talks.   I wish they would use the underground hard rock methods that were used before.  Hopefully at least it will provide some business to the railroads.

You can be quite sure that we will!  

This is the last mine building for the biggest of the three mines. Also there will be a bucket tram to bring more copper from a upper copper works. Don

Really looks great, Don.  Very nice work.

Art

Great job Don, I just got my issue of OGR and will read the article now that all those neat pictures got me hooked.

Thanks Paul, I started the next section last week. Don

Beautiful job!!!  I really like the rock work.

Having made a living in the electrical industry, I wondered how much copper is provided by re-cycled scrap v.s. mine production ore.  This search article appears old. May be 1/2 of all, (new), copper product is from recycle??  So we still do mine considerable copper ore.  IMO.

Mike CT   

Don, as I said in my earlier post I will read the article. Well I did and it was very enjoyable. My question to you is: How much of the article is fact and how much fiction?

Yes indeed a great article, spectacular photos.  There is so much to look at, I couldn't really decide what I liked the most.

Paul, glad you liked the article. There are some real facts in the piece. My wife is Greek and her family came through Ellis Island. They didn't stay in New York but settled in Oakland, California and opened candy stores. The Tom of Tom Maniatis is Vicky my wife's cousin and Maniatis is my wife's maiden name. Copperopolis is a real copper mining town in the California foothills. I always liked the name so used it in the story. The rest is all fiction based on some mining facts. Again thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the article. By the way I tried to blur the car to make it look like it was speeding out of town at night but I don't think it worked well.  Don

Chris, this is a test shot for the article. Just another view of the hotel. Don

THAT'S a nice bonus photo!!!!  THX

Beautiful photo Don.  The overall weathering is right on the money, and the hotel is an eye catcher with the roof shingles curling up and the missing clapboards....I just love the "feel" of it.  And that fence around the cemetery reminds of one by where I grew up...creepy.  And using the heat gun on it really created a wonderful effect of dilapidation.  Just a spectacular scene. 

Don:  My issue of OGR just arrived this PM and I've only had a moment to glance at the article.  Looking forward to reading it through but the photos look wonderful.  That little brass W-B 50 ton electric is just perfect to handle the "branch" line of the Milwaukee Road.

Bye the by, I'm still working on the wooden pole/Marklin catenary from your last article!  Kind of layed off of it in summer, but will finish most of it next fall.  You do really neat stuff.

Paul Fischer

Hi Don, Wonderful article and beautiful modeling work. You should be real proud of Copperopolis, the article and the work.

I read the story twice, once just the pictures and the second time the article. Good stuff!

My OGR just arrived this afternoon. Don, you've done it again. Fantastic work. Are you going to make a video?

he better make a bunch

I sure hope my issue arrives today!

--Greg

AMCDave, That is the ultimate compliment. John Allen has inspired me most of my modeling life. Knott's Berry Farm was my favorite place to go as a kid. Hours of driving through orange groves then. Early 50's before Disneyland. Don

Don,

Great article!  I think the speeding car photo was effective.  I chuckled when I saw it, and hadn't seen any of the comments on the forum at that time.  It is good to have fun with our hobby.

Don, Outstanding concept and execution!!!

I would be happy with half of your talent, well , a quarter of your talent.

Fred