Amador County – Amador County Supervisors last week discussed possible trades of its wooden train to the Durango Railroad Historical Society, in exchange for possible relics of the mining industry that were forged in Sutter Creek’s Knight Foundry.

Supervisor Louis Boitano said when the Admin Committee discussed the issue, he wondered if they might have an item in Durango to trade, such as a product made by the Knight Foundry, which in the latter part of the 1800s was a leader in building mining stamps and other mining equipment and shipped it around the country. Boitano said he recently acquired an 1880s “stamp battery.” He invited Niederauer to tour the Knight Foundry, the only operational 19th century forge of its kind in the world.

Supervisor Brian Oneto asked Durango RR Society President George Niederauer if he had “any unique items related to the mining industry” for a possible trade. He said the train would “probably help you more than it would us.”

Niederhauer said the Emma Sweeney, life-sized model train would get thousands of visitors a year. He said a pavilion to house the train is already built. It was made for an engine the Society owns, but after it was refurbished, the engine has been kept inside.

Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said removing the train model would leave a “gaping hole” on the Amador County Historical Society property, and he encouraged Niederauer to look for a trade item. Plasse said “it would not surprise me if there were significant artifacts there that were manufactured right here in Sutter Creek, California.” He said that might include mining or timber industry items, such as a sawmill. Plasse also suggested Niederhauer contact a truck driver he knows who lives in Durango and visits his mother in Amador County.

Supervisor Richard Forster said Knight Foundry’s records could be researched to look at what was made and where it was sent, relative to the Durango area. Boitano, a member of the Knight Foundry Board of Directors, said he has a Knight production catalogue that could help identify items.

Oneto asked if the Durango organization could offer trading material, or “sweeten the pot a little bit,” and raise its offer of a $5,000 donation. Niederhauer said he would have to talk to his board. But he said “it’s going to be a heck of a lot of money for us to go forward,” and he realized “there’s a lot more work to be done” on the Emma Sweeney after seeing the train in person, and a “lot of parts need replacement.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.