Steam & Excursion > Steam Locomotives Came In All Sizes And Shapes For This Job!

Most every railroad logging camp back in the days of steam had a "bull cook" engine.  We see one of these in this photo.  It was the job of the "bull cook" locomotive to handle all the odd jobs and switching moves that were required on a daily basis in any railroad logging camp.

Generally, the "bull Cook" job would fall on the shoulders of a small steam locomotive that was no longer big enough to handle the log trains for which she had been originally built to pull.  As replacement steam motive power grew in size and power, the smaller older logging locomotives were adapted to new roles such as that of "bull cook" so they could still earn their keep.

In this view, we see Hammond Lumber Company #3 at Camp 3 in the redwoods high above the company headquarters at Samoa, California.  Built by Baldwin in 1887, this 2-4-2T had formerly pulled log trains for the Bayside Mill & Lumber Co. out of nearby Bayside, California before being acquired by Hammond.  She only weighed 26-tons and her 12 x 18" cylinders produced a mere 6,820#'s of tractive force. 

Loggers had a tendency to find a use for any piece of equipment they purchased, no matter how old it was or how out of date.  This was certainly true for the "bull cook" engine in any logging camp.

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/19 03:50 by LoggerHogger.

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Thanks for sharing these images. Your commentary on each one makes the image come alive.
Bob

The pin through the slot in the knuckle hints that they still used link and pin couplers as well as the Janeys.

LD

LarryDoyle Wrote:
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> The pin through the slot in the knuckle hints that
> they still used link and pin couplers as well as
> the Janeys.
>
> LD

Also very handy for attaching a cable end when you need to pull something with a cable.
Just about every logging railroad locomotive I've ever seen has had these knuckles on it.

Another great photo Martin.Cool old spar tree in the background.
Regards,DK

Great photo!  A lesson to be learned. What is a "bull cook?"

In the photo I haven't decided if there's scratches on the negative or those are guide wires holding up the pole in the background. Any info on that part of the photo?

"Bull Cook" is a loggers term for the man who swept out the bunkouses and lit stoves in the morning at camp.  His name came from the first chore he did every day which was to feed the oxen.

Martin