Stone Industry
Slate in Buckingham County
12/12/11 18:10
The Buckingham Branch Railroad leaves the old C&O mainline at Bremo Bluff, crosses the James River, then runs southwest through large slate deposits.
Down close to the river is a Solite Plant, where slate is milled into granules and then dehydrated. The granules are the “cinders” in cinder blocks, and are also used on roofing shingles.
The Buckingham Branch turns away from the river after passing the Solite mill, and winds between old slate quarries on its way toward Arvonia.
Old stone handling equipment used to be left abandoned in the woods around the quarries. A fallen stiff leg derrick gave me a view of the bull wheel that is rarely seen.
An old aerial tramway had once been used to move slate out of the quarry.
As interesting as these artifacts were, at the time I had no idea what I was looking at or how rare they were. I wish I had taken more pictures, but getting Kodachrome processed was a strain on my meager budget.
Down close to the river is a Solite Plant, where slate is milled into granules and then dehydrated. The granules are the “cinders” in cinder blocks, and are also used on roofing shingles.
The Buckingham Branch turns away from the river after passing the Solite mill, and winds between old slate quarries on its way toward Arvonia.
Old stone handling equipment used to be left abandoned in the woods around the quarries. A fallen stiff leg derrick gave me a view of the bull wheel that is rarely seen.
An old aerial tramway had once been used to move slate out of the quarry.
As interesting as these artifacts were, at the time I had no idea what I was looking at or how rare they were. I wish I had taken more pictures, but getting Kodachrome processed was a strain on my meager budget.
Riverton Lime Kiln
06/10/10 08:52
This lime kiln once stood up close up to the Norfolk & Western’s Shenandoah line near Front Royal, Virginina.
Of particular interest to me was the fact that the operation used a narrow gauge tram to charge the kilns with limestone quarried nearby.
The narrow gauge tracks were on a high, narrow bridge, with several sections apparently set up to dump carloads of limestone into storage silos.
The tram reached the high bridge by way of a steep incline. I imagine a cable was used to get the cars up and down this steep grade.
The tram ran on 30 inch gauge track to connect the kiln to the quarry.
It was powered by this small Plymouth Diesel locomotive.
The lime was hauled in these small side dump cars, which appear to be homemade.
Of particular interest to me was the fact that the operation used a narrow gauge tram to charge the kilns with limestone quarried nearby.
The narrow gauge tracks were on a high, narrow bridge, with several sections apparently set up to dump carloads of limestone into storage silos.
The tram reached the high bridge by way of a steep incline. I imagine a cable was used to get the cars up and down this steep grade.
The tram ran on 30 inch gauge track to connect the kiln to the quarry.
It was powered by this small Plymouth Diesel locomotive.
The lime was hauled in these small side dump cars, which appear to be homemade.