Earlier that same morning (December 1, 1977) Extra 6511 East is ready to depart Ray Junction for Hayden. Kennecott Copper GP39 number 2 will take the empties back to the open pit mine at Ray.

Later in the day, Kennecott Copper GP39 number 1 has picked up some gondolas set out by the train from Tucson. These GP39s were built in 1970. The concentrator near the open pit mine at Ray processes 250,000 ton/day of raw ore and produces about 30,000 ton/day of enhanced ore. This enhanced ore is then moved to Hayden for processing into copper anodes. Asarco purchased the operation from Kennecott in 1986.

Sunset Route Index

Ore train at Kearny