Steam & Excursion > The Role Of Some Steam Locomotives Changed Over Time!

As changes in technology took place over the decades that were the steam era, there was an evolution in some cases as to the working roles that some steam locomotives were assigned to.  Here is one such example.

In 1923, when the Manary Logging Company of Toledo, Oregon placed an order with Lima for the 50-ton Shay #4 we see here, they needed the geared engine to work on the steep grades deep in the woods where the logging was actually taking place.  It would be #4's job to bring in the freshly cut log loads directly from the landing area down to the Manary mainline where 2-8-2 #1 would take them the rest of the way back to the mill in Toledo.

#4 would stay in this role of woods lokie until the late 1930's when log truck have evolved to the point that they could carry the cut timber from the landing down to the mainline for re-loading onto Manary's disconnect log cars for the trip to the mill behind a faster rod-type locomotive.  Thus, the log trucks took over the role that had #4 had been built for in the first place.

Fortunately, #4 still had a new job waiting for her when she was retired from the woods.  Her geared power and great traction that had made her an ideal lokie deep in the woods, also made her the perfect switch engine at the Manary mill in Toledo.  She would work in this role for successor Pacific Spruce Corp. and later C.D. Johnson Lumber Co. until she was finally replaced by a diesel in 1952.

We see her here kicking some Southern Pacific gondola cars around at the Toledo mill in May, 1949 for C.D. Johnson.  While not the role she was first built to handle, she has adapted to this new job quite well.

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/20 04:58 by LoggerHogger.

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