Thanks for all of the replies to my question on coal mine ownership by the Q. The reply pointing to Bulletin 35 got me to pull out one of my three copies of that Bulletin. I pulled out the one I received as a member way back in 1999 because it is full of underlining and highlighting by this reader. Bad thing is the binding is breaking down.
On pg 100 author John Mitchell writes about the WWI coal shortages and how the Q decided to utilize parts of the coal leases acquired by Mr Hill back in the early 1900s. The Q set up a subsidiary, Valier Coal Co. in 1917 which built Valier No 1 to supply coal to the Q on lines east of the Missouri River. Which leads me to believe there was likely a Q owned mine(s) on lines west somewhere. There is also a mention of a Valier mine in Montana to supply the GN. I also checked the Q 1917 annual report by going to the BRHS members only page to read it. The information is on page 21 of that report.
The mine closed in 1949 but reopened two years later leased to Old Ben Coal which operated it as Old Ben Coal mine 22 until 1960.
I would add that I recall profusely thanking John for writing Bulletin 35 when I met him at a BRHS a few years later. He thought I was kidding until he realized I was serious.
But I would disagree that Bulletin #35 has everything one could ask about the Q and coal. It doesn’t cover the mid north central Illinois mines which were as old or older than the southern IL mines. Take a look at all routes on a Burlington map for ways to get to places like Streator, La Salle, Ladd, IL and others. For that matter look at an atlas to see how many other RRs went to those places. They were all trying to get to the those coal mines and those routes are older than the lines to So. IL. One of the overriding reasons that the Ottawa,Oswego and Fox River Valley RR (the branch from Montgomery,Illinois to Streator,IL) was built was to secure direct delivery to towns along the line from Streator,IL coal mines rather to bring it by wagon from Q stations over on the mainline.
And Of course there was coal In Iowa and on lines west that aren’t discussed in BB35.
Thanks,
Leo Phillipp
BRHS member and Director, etc.
On Sep 24, 2024, at 9:51 AM, Fred Hilgenberg via groups.io <hilgy1954=comcast.net@groups.io> wrote:
I found a digitized "Google Book" ("Shipping Mines and Coal Railroads of Illinois & Indiana 1903") that has listings of coal mines by railroad (entire book attached on this message). Page 9 has an index of the CB&Q mines (33 listed):
<CB_Q mines in Illinois 1903.jpg>
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Grateful Fred
Sugar Ridge Tower MP40 CC&P
<Shipping Mines and Coal Railroads of Illinois _ Indiana 1903.pdf>