The Marion 8800 Dragline was constructed at Peabody's Homestead Mine in 1963 and operated there until Homestead Mine was closed. It originally had a 85-yd. bucket when built. Several years after it began stripping, there was a boom failure, and decision time was at hand. Did the mine want to repair the machine, as such, or did they want to make modifications? The decision was to strengthened the boom and to re-fit it with a larger bucket. The boom was shortened and a 100 yard bucket was installed. The M 8800 was placed back in service.

After a service period of about twenty-five years at Homestead Mines, the M 8800 was running out of places to strip. There always seem to be some confusion as to where Ken Mine ended and where Homestead Mine started or vice-versa. The decision was made to close Homestead and to keep Ken open for a few more years. The M 8800 was walked to Ken Mine and was able to strip for a few more years. When Ken Mine closed, this beautiful old machine was scrapped. Such is the eventual life of any big stripper. Most are just too large for a museum, thus they are either buried or cut up for scrap metal.  


	
Homestead Mine

The first of the Marion 8800 series of draglines and the first to break the 100 cu-yd barrier.  Peabody Coal Company started using this one at their Homestead Mine in Western Kentucky in 1961.