National and State Register

Colorado Fuel & Iron Company Mine Rescue Car No. 1

Pueblo County

Built in 1882 as a Wagner Palace Sleeping Car, the Pullman Company modified the rail car in 1910 for the U.S. Bureau of Mines’ program to improve mine safety and rescue operations in Colorado’s coal mines.  It is one of only two such cars left in the country.  Six were outfitted by the Bureau to serve as educational centers and rapid response rescue stations. 

A picture of the car on some tracks on some pavement with buildings in the background.

Colorado Fuel & Iron Company Mine Rescue Car No. 1 (2007 photograph.)

Car No. 1 aided at numerous mining disasters before being sold to Colorado Fuel and Iron in 1923.  The company used it at safety conventions and as a traveling classroom.  Between 2002 and 2007, the Pueblo County Historical Society, using State Historical Fund grants and other funding, restored the car before donating it to Pueblo County for exhibit at the Bessemer Historical Society.  The car went on display in 2007 as an interpretive center at the Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary. 

Colorado Fuel & Iron Company Mine Rescue Car No. 1 State Register nomination, 5PE.6218 (PDF)

State Register

Address

215 Canal St., Steelworks Museum, Pueblo

Site Number

5PE.6218

Additional Documentation