Pictured here in 1975 is the Terex 33-19 Titan prototype haul truck in action. Planned in the late 1960’s and built in the London, Ontario, General Motors plant, this 350-ton-capacity unit rolled out of the factory in June 1974.
This diesel-electric drive rear dump hauler was powered by a 16-cylinder EMD locomotive engine rated at some 2,475 kW (3,300 hp) 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 Corporation, the 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. Due to the generosity of Elkview Coal Corporation and local citizen volunteers proud of their coal mining heritage, it was disassembled and moved to its current display location on Highway 3 in Sparwood, B.C.
Weighing in at 260 tons empty, 20 metres (66 feet) in length and over 7.6 metres (25 feet) wide, it was not an easy task. When you’re heading by, it’s well worth the stop to see this massive, one-of-a-kind Canadian built hauler; thanks to those who had the foresight to preserve it.