Pictured here in 1975 is the Terex 33-19 Titan prototype haul truck in action.
Planned in the late 1960s and built in the London, Ontario, General Motors plant, this 350-ton capacity rear dump hauler rolled out of the factory in June 1974. Weighing in at 260 tons empty, 20 metres in length and 8 metres wide, it was quite the haul truck in the era.
This diesel-electric drive rear dump hauler was powered by a 16-cylinder EMD locomotive engine rated at 2,475 kW, which in turn drove an alternator supplying rectified current to the four drive motors located in the rear axle housing.
Initially leased to Kaiser Steel Corp. the Terex Titan went into service for three years at their Eagle Mountain iron ore operation in California. In 1978, it was relocated to their large-scale coal mining operation in the Kootenay region of British Columbia where it remained in service until 1991. By 1993, the Titan was in danger of being scrapped.Â
Due to the generosity of the Elkview Coal Corporation and citizen volunteers that are proud of their coal mining heritage, the Titan was disassembled and moved to its current display location on Highway 3 in Sparwood, B.C. If you’re heading by, it’s well worth the stop to see this massive one-of-a-kind Canadian built hauler. Many thanks, to those who had the foresight to preserve it.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association 2024 events include Wheels & Tracks, held June 8-9, and the ‘Last Blast’ event on October 19. Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum, near Barrie, Ontario. To see more than 60 pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend.
HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. For more information, visit hceacanada.org.
