This is only model 50-B in existence. This one was used in the construction of the Panama Canal Between in 1923-
The 180 Thousand-pound machines, rated at 75 Tons were built between 1923 and 1939 and were among the strongest and largest tracked Steam shovel at that time.
534 BUCYRUS and BUCYRUS ERIE 50-B were built between 1923 and 1939. Twenty-five of them were shipped to help build The Panama Canal.
In the early 50s, Roy and Russell Drand shipped it to Rollinsville then operated in Lump Gulch Placer about 6 miles south of Nederland Colorado until 1978. Steve and Laurel Higgins donated it to Nederland Mining Museum in Nederland Co. and it was moved on Oct 21 2006. I saw it being operated via compressed air in September 2007 at the Museum.
What a piece of history it is!
A crewmember tooled this toothed slide-spline, in and out on the square axle to engage the track drive wheel for the steering of the tracks.
