The Ozark Cave Diving Alliance

Oronogo 2003

 

In the fall of 2003 the OCDA video team found an old steam locomotive and ore carts back in several of the tunnels of what used to be The Great Circle Mine. These images were captured from video made of that dive. Since that time numerous shafts and tunnels have been explored. The quarry was reported to have flooded too quickly for the mine to remove this equipment. The current owner of the property has declared these deep tunnel areas of the quarry off limits to all divers for the present time.

Brian Moore finds another ore cart full of ore.

The sides swing upwards for the load to be removed.

Front end of locomotive with missing number plate. Note handle on the front end.

The number plate, the upper smoke stack, and engine bell were removed before the flood.

Today we had good vis. Usually there is a thick hazy layer in the tunnels making exploration difficult.

Remarkably well preserved wood due to low water temp.

The oven opening by the rear platform.

Note the "saddleback" style water tank wrapped around the boiler.

Another view of the saddleback tank and running board.

View of the sander compartment on top rear.

 

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