One of the most interesting aspects of NG&SL railroads are the unique locomotives many of those railroads custom built to fit their needs. Do you have a particular favorite or favorites that you can share with us? If so, do you have a photo of it? Personally, I love those little ratty looking logging locos with all the cable and chains. I'll see if I can find a pic of one. ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
For steam the Southern Pacific narrow gauge were neat looking. We have one in Sparks that has been stuffed but is readily available to look at and touch and measure. As to modern narrow guage the WP&Y had neat diesels and they also have two steamers running up there now. Also the narrow gauge engines on the New Zealand railways are interesting. hogger
Hogger .. I agree with you about the NZ narrow gauge RRs. But the most unique narrow gauge / short line I have ever seen as far as motive power is concerned is at the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad in New Hampshire. Each steam locomotive is raked to keep the Crownsheet wet as the little loco pushes one care up the mountain with grades over 37%! Is there anyone else out there who has ridden this little railroad? ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
If it has to be a narrow gauge diesel, I'd go with the WP&Ys hands down. (anyone know where I could get blueprints on these engines. ) www.whitepassrailroad.com/photos/wp17.html Standard gauge diesels....bah! Standard gauge steam. Baldwin 2-6-6-2 compounds. Sierra RR #38! They have that "shortline-logging" feel to them, lots of details, yet simple. And they're big! web3.foxinternet.net/sarek/mallets/ Narrow gauge steam. I'm a sucker for the 1875-1881 3' steamers that came out of Baldwin. Mainly the 4-4-0s. On the more modern side, I like the NCO RR engines, many of which transfered down to the SP Narrow Gauge. Their work orders actaully call out references to standard gauge Southern Pacific engines. The #14 (2-8-0, later SPNG #1 & NCNG #9) actually has a "Southern Pacific standard Oil Fire door" called out for mounting on it's back head! Sure they were all inside frame, and not as big as the ones built for the EBT (except #14), but they had style. Oh, and any shay is better than all of the above listed equipment. Espically narrowgauge West Side Lumber & Flume Co. #8, #9 and Pickering Lumber #10 (all built to the same prints.) CNGN
Well .. it certainly appears that you know your narrow gauge / short line locomotives and their respective assignments :0 There's an old abandoned Sierra 2-6-6-2 sitting behind the old mill off of the McCloud RR in McCloud, CA. She's in parts, but you can see it is all there! Wish there was a way to get her out and restore her! Oakdale!! You must be familiar with the little Porter 0-4-0 that sits in Coulterville. Granddad used to have a ranch outside of Greely Hill. I have a Westside Model of Westside Lumber Company's #8 Shay. She's a beauty! Thanks for the input! ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
Ironhorseman, That 2-6-6-2 you saw up in McCloud, CA is what's left of Sierra RR #38. She's owned by Fred Kepner. He'll die before letting anyone else dare touch her, even for presevation purposes. As if anyone doing work on it will make it less his. It was bought, along with SEVERAL other engine with his "mommies" money. Sorry if I come across rather upset, but I visited the #38 just a couple of weeks ago and nearly cried. All his engines are in similar states of death like that. And oh yes I know the Porter. Neat little engine! *edit*Kepner, not Kesson. My apologies.* [This message has been edited by Cal_NarrowGauge_Nut (edited 04 October 2000).]
Fred Kesson? Or is it Fred Kepner? Kepner owns a whole bunch of equipment that is stored at the McCloud and Yreka RRs. It was only through litigation that Jeff Forbis, (the owner of McCloud RR) was able to save old number 25 from Mr. Kepner's growing number of hulks. It is rumored that the CEO of the Rocky Mountain Mining RR & Museum is working on a deal with Kepner concerning #38. But I don't hold much hope for it personally. I agree .. it is a sad thing to see such a great locomotive lay in waste. ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
Ironhorseman, Yes, I meant Fred Kepner. Fred Kesson is actually a fine gentelman in Felton, Ca. who found some (3' gauge) Carter Brother's of California 10ton trucks on the side of a hill at the lumber company he works for. Slightly modified, but still the only known set of those trucks left. Working on a deal for #38? Now that's good news. We can only hope that Fred mellows in time and realizes that he has more engines than he can handle. CNGN
I have found a source of HOn3 disiel power.It runs good is heavy . It's K&M engineers pty ltd. 70 Planthurst road Carlton NSW 2218 E-Mail bobr@midcoast.com.au I got mine from Lloyds Model Railways Mail order service PO Box 57,Kippax,ACT 2615 web addy: http://www.users.bigpond.com/lloyds/
