A crew at the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum pull five vintage mine cars out of the mine tunnel Friday afternoon. The unearthed mine cars haven't seen daylight since 1972, when the mine closed. Pictured are, from left in front, Edward Evans, Lansford, Alex Shereba, Coaldale, vice president of the Panther Creek Valley Foundation that operates the mine and museum, and back, Heather Frye, Coaldale; Zachary Evans, McAdoo; Daryl Hartman, Shamokin, and Zach Petroski, foundation president. KELLY MONITZ SOCHA/TIMES NEWS

A crew at the No. 9 Mine and Museum in Lansford unearthed these vintage mine cars that have been buried in mud deep in the mine since it ceased production in 1972. KELLY MONITZ SOCHA/TIMES NEWS

A crew from the No. 9 Mine and Museum in Lansford stand in front of vintage mines they unearthed from deep in the mine on Friday. The cars, which were mired in mud, are seeing daylight for the first time since 1972. From left: Zachary Evans, McAdoo; Edward Evans, Lansford; Alex Shereba, Coaldale, who is vice president of the Panther Creek Valley Foundation that operates the site; Daryl Hartman, Shamokin; Zach Petroski, foundation president; Heather Frye, of Coaldale, and her son, Declan Frye, who just turned 3. KELLY MONITZ SOCHA/TIMES NEWS