Parent organization Capstone Mining | ||
The san manuel arizona railroad
The San Manuel Arizona Railroad (reporting mark SMA) was an Arizona short-line railroad that operated from a connection with the Copper Basin Railway (CBRY) at Hayden, Arizona to San Manuel, Arizona, 29.4 miles (47.3 km).
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History
San Manuel Arizona Railroad was constructed by a joint venture consisting of Utah Construction Company and The Sterns-Roger Manufacturing Company, which had a contract with San Manuel Copper Corporation for the construction of the railroad. The company was incorporated September 29, 1953, and the railroad began operations in 1955. The copper mine at San Manuel was permanently closed in October 2003. The SMA ceased operations in 1999. In July 2012 work was started to re-open the operation [construction of a new locomotive inspection and servicing shop & Administrative Offices] and upgrade of 29+ miles of mainline track between San Manuel & Hayden (Arizona). In April 2013 it was announced the railroad will be purchased by Capstone Mining Corp. as part of the Pinto Valley mining operation acquisition from BHP Billiton in 2013.