Steam & Excursion > Three Manufacturers With Three Variations Of The Same Theme!

Assembled here at Rayonier's Hoko Camp in 1959 were 3 steam logging lokies from 3 different manufacturer but all designed to do the same task. Their job was to navigate flimsy trackage over steep grades and still have the power to bring in long heave loaded log trains.

On the right we see Lima's Pacific Coast Shay. This was the final refined version of Ephraim Shay's geared locomotive invention that had proven so valuable in the development of logging railroads.

In the middle we see 3-truck Wilamette #4. When some of the Shay patents had run out in the early 1920's The Willamette Iron & Steel Works of Portland, Oregon hired away one of Lima's chief designers and they set out to build a close copy of the popular Shay locomotive. The Willamette would incorporate a number of improvement that buyers of Lima's Shays had been asking for. It was the success of the Willamette that led Lima to develop the Pacific Coast Shay that is represented with #10 to the right of #4.

Finally, on the left we see Baldwin's answer to the 2 geared engines sitting to the right. Baldwin knew that one of the draw-backs of the geared logging locomotives was their slow speed. As logging line pushed ever further from the mills that need the logs to cut, this speed factor became a problem. Baldwin set out to develop a series of small-drivered logging mallets that could handle the flimsy trackage of most logging lines and still take steep grades. The addition of saddle tanks, as we see here with 2-6-6-2T #8 gave the mallets traction that began to rival that of the slower geared engines.

Fortunately for us, all 3 of these engines survive today. #8 is privately owned and awaiting restoration. #4 is on display at Port Angeles, Washington. #10 is on display at Forks, Washington.


Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/18 04:16 by LoggerHogger.

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Beautiful stuff Martin.Your post's are my first stop on Trainorders each morning.
Regards,DK

Now that’s a logging railroad. Excellent photo, thanks for all the details.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

I save Martin's for last, since they are usually the best (for last)