Underground mining locomotives are one piece of the heavy machinery puzzle that mining companies rely on for day-to-day operations. Mining trains have been used for more than a century to haul equipment and ore. Steam-powered trains of old were valuable mining workhorses, but they don't hold a candle to modern mining locomotives, powerful beasts of burden that take advantage of modern technology to get the job done.

Locomotives for mining consist of an engine that pulls mine cars to and from a mine. Underground mine locomotives must be able to pull extremely heavy loads. When shopping for trains, you can easily find traditional diesel mining locomotives for your operations, but manufacturers also offer battery-powered engines. Hydrogen-powered engines could be the future of mining trains, but aren't commonly available just yet. Look for these essential pieces of equipment when shopping for a mining train:

1. Diesel and battery-powered mining engines get the whole train moving.

2. Consider used and rebuilt mining locomotives to keep expenses down.

3. Because mining engines see heavy use, mining operations need to keep spare parts on hand to minimize downtime.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy mining locomotives from reputable manufacturers

When buying trains for mining, talk to the retailer about how powerful the engines are and how much maintenance and repair they're likely to need. Underground mining locomotives have to work hard, so you need to make sure you're getting a quality engine that's up to the task.

I recommend: Brookville Equipment manufacturers mining locomotives, as well as other hauling equipment. At MiningEquipment.com, you can find an assortment of mining locomotives for sale.

Look into rebuilt mining engines to cut costs

A rebuilt or remanufactured mining engine can save your operation money. Talk with your retailer and find out as much as you can about a rebuilt locomotive's previous workload before you buy.

I recommend: Mid-Am Equipment locates both rebuild and new locomotives to spec for their industrial clients. Republic Locomotive rebuilds and repairs heavy-duty locomotives.

Find parts to maintain your mining locomotive equipment

A broken-down engine can bring mining operations to a halt. You'll want to find retailers who stock parts for your mine locomotive to ensure that you always have access to replacement parts.

I recommend: Locomotive specializes in rebuilding mining locomotive parts, and has before and after photos on its website. Logan sells locomotive parts to keep your mining engines running smoothly.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ore cars and heavy-duty hauling equipment are essential components for your mining locomotives. Mine cars, or ore cars, carry ore out of the mine. Hauling equipment can transport your engines and ore cars from one site to another. Look for retailers who offer the accessories you need for your mining operation.