Hey you know, it's like growing up in PA, you HAVE to have a positive outlook on it because there's a good chance it put food on your table growing up you know! LOL!! It did in my case. I've told folks before there is probably over 150 combined years of coal mining in my family. One of my granfathers and my aunt worked at Peabody's Sinclair Surface Mine with the "Big Hog" Power Shovel. My dad worked at Peabody's River Queen Surface Mine alongside the "Big Digger". That was a Marion 5960 Power Shovel (my avatar). And my other grandfather was part of some of the earliest "organized" mining in my hometown. He was doing underground mining in the 1940's up till his retirement.
So you see where I am coming from. When the soft market hit bottom in the late 80's and 90's, it killed my home. Literally. Like you said, it is coming back and part of that is really because power companies are installing FGD Scrubbers which really help clean the emissions up. You guys with Anthracite, I have alot of admiration for you all!!! That's an interesting way to mine coal I have to say and your videos have helped me understand it a bit more. That market is as fluid as the Bituminous market is, if not more. Also, let's face it, seeing a Marion 7400 is never a bad thing. Especially when it's as good looking as the one you've featured!! I'd come to PA just to see & take pictures of those working!!
My picture gallery in case you'd like to see some of my pictures, etc.:
www.flickr.com/photos/perspectivephotography