OT1 crosses AZ Rt 177 as it leaves the mine at Ray, AZ with another load of ore for the Hayden smelter.

An empty hopper train returns to the mine at Ray, AZ to gather another load of copper ore for the smelter in Hayden, AZ

An ore train, OT1, slowly backs through the dumper delivering another load for the smelter in Hayden, AZ.

OT1 drags 50 cars of copper ore up a slight grade as it approaches the grade crossing in Kearny, AZ.

A southbound ore train exits Tunnel #2 at a leisurely 10 mph on the way to Hayden, AZ

An ore train from the mine at Ray, AZ poses with the saguaro cactus in Kelvin as it delivers another load of copper ore for the smelter in Hayden, AZ.

Ore Train 1 (OT-1) is southbound at Ray Junction - note the snow on the hills in the background. Snow is rare in this part of the state and I was lucky to get some sun at the right time.

Ore Train 1 (OT-1) is southbound at Ray Junction.

Copper Basin Railway #401 leads the first ore train of the day, OT-1, into Hayden, AZ. Hayden is the location of the massive ASARCO copper smelter, which keeps this shortline busy nearly 24/7.

Copper Basin Railway #402 leads a sulfuric acid train downgrade from the ASARCO smelter. The train is about to enter the Copper Basin mainline at Hayden. The smelter, the reason for this shortline... (more)

Copper Basin Railway’s empty ore train No. OT-2 rumbles through Ray Junction, Arizona, on March 29, 2010. Spring has sprung in the high desert, as the Gila River is running brown and a hillside of... (more)

Ore Train 1 (OT-1) is climbing a short grade southbound as it arrives at Ray Junction. The 301 is the CBR's newest engine, having been in service for almost a year now.

Ore Train 1 (OT-1) is climbing a short grade westbound in the Ray yard as it heads towards the Ray Mine.

Ore Train 1 (OT-1) is climbing a short grade southbound into Ray Junction moments before sunset.

A train of empty hoppers with 2 GP18's and 1 GP9 is running downhill from the copper smelter at Hayden. The Christmas Caboose is lit up every evening.