The railroad and Gallup's coal mining history went hand-in-hand. The more the railroad needed Coal the more mining industry grew. There are a variety of coal cars across the Gallup area- at the Visitor's Center, Rex Museum, Courthouse Square and more.

Miners hand-loaded coal cars. While hitched together a full "Trip" (several cars at a time) were hoisted to the surface from underground and dumped into large railroad cars.