We went to visit our family friends in Canaan yesterday, and he and I took a ride to the Sand Road quarry for a tour before the Game.
I didn't take any more photos of the siding, since his from the other day were excellent. I didn't see any kind of build plate or reporting marks on the center cab, but the sticker with the QR code I pointed out earlier is marked "Griffin Wheel, Columbus Ohio, 2022". The wheels on the poor thing have certainly not been replaced remotely near recently, the oil pan is missing from the engine on the north end, and the rails under it are almost completely sunk in the mud. Also of interest, that cart that we thought was a generator is actually a massive air compressor with a GM flat head engine within. There was a date stamp, '55 I think?
He also explained to me about their rail service. They are an originating shipper, but just barely. They only produce one or two carloads of material a month, nothing earth shattering (pun not intended), and have to bring all material from the pit across the street to the loading dock. Anecdotally he mentioned that they have to remember to check that the unloading doors on the cars are closed each time they load, after experiencing material being loaded then immediately dropped to the track below.
The way it was explained to me was that this pit is not a high production plant for Century; it was purchased from another owner to essentially hamper competition in the area. Still though, it's an impressive operation, despite the small size.
My friend also showed me a frog and a section of rail he dug up the other day while at work. He's holding up hope that he'll find a mine cart or other narrow gauge rail equipment as they dig and blast further. We saw the entrance to an abandoned mine, which he told me that older employees have reported there to be intact rail within.
It was an interesting tour, despite finding a few ticks on my clothes LOL. And just another reminder, this was all on a private tour with a company employee. Do not trespass into the quarry or the loading area across the street, it is private property and extremely dangerous.