Steam & Excursion > Not All Steam Facilities & Their Maintenance Were Created Equal!

Like any other industry, steam railroading had a variety of participants.  Some were large mainline railroads with huge investments that were well protected through the construction and use of well-maintained facilities that kept the steam power in top shape so it was seen as the pride of the railroad.  Below that were every imaginable other form of steam operator who created their own facilities and maintained them as they had funds available or simply as they saw fit.  It is this lower level of the spectrum that we see depicted  here.

Located in Oro Grande, in Southern California was the Golden State Portland Cement plant and it's steam powered plant railroad.  Needless to say, the plant operator spent little if any time or money on the repair and maintenance of any of his fleet of steam locomotives as we see in this view taken in the late 1930's.  Even the shop that housed the engines for light repairs was treated to no upkeep in keeping with the rest of the railroad.

Shay #2, shown her, was built in 1917 by Lima and worked her whole life on the plant tracks a Oro Grande.  Her only paint job she ever received was likely the one Lima put on her.

Oh, yes, the track at the plant recieved the same level of care as the motive power.

Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/18 03:47 by LoggerHogger.

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Tough times in Southern California at Golden State Portland Cement.  Thanks for sharing this rare image.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/18 03:41 by cozephyr.

Never saw a slope backed shay before now.  Interesting. 

Ironman Wrote:
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> Never saw a slope backed shay before now. 
> Interesting. 

There were a few of them built.  Most were built for industial and mining plants like we see here.

Martin

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Awful, just awful.

Great posting, Martin.  Thanks very much.

I wonder if it was set up for one man operation.  The pilot step on the firemand side is missing and it looks like it was removed on purpose.  Maybe it was because they didn't want anyone rideing on a side where there was no-one watching.

What’s lurking behind??

Posted from iPhone

That is a sad, but interesting photo.  I noticed that slope back tender too, and it looks like the cab might be home made.  It would be fun to model this scene, but it would be tough to beat it up this much.

Craig Hanson
Vay,ID

Hey!  But at least it is superheated!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/18 09:06 by Earlk.