Ah, the train is returning to the station. It actually resembles a type of mining engine rather than a typical passenger or freight engine, even if we were to rewind time to the 1800s.

What a diminutive caboose! It almost evokes feelings of playing with my Lionel train set, a Christmas gift from when I was around ten years old. Although I didn’t take the ride this time, I’ll definitely add it to my To-Do list for my next visit.

This intrigued me — what is a “Gravity Train”? The sign reads as follows:

These unique systems were widely used across the Southwest to transport ores from the mountain’s high elevations to the mills located in the valleys near water sources for processing.

Before the invention of the gravity train, the ore had to be loaded onto the backs of mules, which then embarked on long switchback trails out of the mountains. This method was both costly and time-consuming.

Remarkably, the trams required no power — no power at all! The weight of the loaded buckets pulled the empty buckets back up the mountain, allowing them to be reloaded once again.

Necessity truly is the mother of invention.

However, in this modern era, the Gravity Train has transformed into an amusement for visitors to Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour. It certainly appears to be a fun experience!

Ah, the ubiquitous selfie! It seems that even during a brief ride, you’re distracted by the desire to capture a photo that no one else will truly care about, and you’ll likely forget all about it within a month or so. Modern Civilization, indeed!

Regardless of whether you choose to ride the train or the Gravity Train, you’ll be returned to your departure point. This photograph captures the other side of the station.

In the train station parking lot, we find a couple of vehicles that have overstayed their welcome. The one on the left appears to be a Model T Ford, while the other looks like a truck. Notice how its tires have disintegrated due to years of sitting in the scorching Arizona sun.

From this vantage point, we can see the ghost town itself. For some reason for me, the house with the blue siding evokes the classic film “Psycho” directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Both this shot and the previous one feature windmills. In the past, windmills were used to pump water from an underground source for human and animal consumption. However, this particular windmill lacks the pumping mechanism, so we’ll have to use our imagination to envision it working.

Another vehicle disintegrates in the sun — this time, a flatbed truck.

Before the invention of the internal combustion engine, people, goods, and raw materials were transported by animals, most commonly by horses or mules. This animal appears to be a cross between a horse and a mule, which is quite intriguing.

Here’s a beautiful shot looking back across the train station parking lot, with the mesa in the distance. It’s a lovely sight.