I found this picture “out there”:
I have NEVER seen a water tank on a geared engine like that. Thought I’d share.
Ed
Thanks for posting the image, Ed. I have never seen anything like this, but you know the old saying…there’s a prototype for 'bout everything in rails.
Any more information about the location or the operation?
-Crandell
Looks maybe home built - did they maybe need more water capacity than provided with the tank on the back? Or maybe convert that one to all fuel, and move the water tank over the boiler?
–Randy
I’m sure that tank is home-built. Can you imagine the faces on “the Heisler brothers” when a customer said: “Just one more thing. We want a big stupid looking watertank on the front of your beautiful geared locomotive.” I’m thinking apoplexy.
My wild guess is they kept the fuel capacity the same, and added water capacity.
Apparently, the loco was in New Mexico. Who knew New Mexico had trees?
Here’s the page:
http://www.american-rails.com/nm-lrrs.html
It does seem that somewhere, somewhen, a logger tried every possible goofball idea that exists in all possible universes. Some even worked.
Ed
Adding a water tank over the boiler increases the load on the drivers giving more tractive effort. An example of a factory built one is 0-4-0T, 2 ft gauge SD Warrren #1 in this undated photo from about 115 years ago.
Both remaining SDW locos are now owned by Boothbay Railway Village, and restoration of SDW 2 to operation is almost complete, maybe for next summer season.
I suspect that tank is added weight over the front drivers for better traction.
If the water tank was added for greater traction, they could have used concrete instead, which weighs more than twice as much and doesn’t tend to rust out its container. Or leak out.
Ed
The extra water would be an asset; in the woods, particularly in a logged area, finding water that is not full of mud and gunk can be a problem. The extra water would extend the range the loco can run
Hello that is a strange looking loco. I like it. But I think it might be factory made. I found a photo more of a side view.
not sure if its the same one. I cant make out the name on the back. I found the photo here view.https://www.pinterest.com/pin/532832199638748957/
Have a nice day Frank
Aren’t all Hieslers tank engines (0-4-4-0t)?
In addition to the smokebox saddlebag it appears that the regular cistern is deeper than standard, coming well above the cab window sills. Apparently the purchaser wanted the extra pulling power, and was willing to take it in the form of usable boiler water rather than metal or masonry.
Since most logging outfits ran uphill to the camps and downhill to the mill the extra weight would have been available while climbing, and rather less necessary when descending.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - without Heislers)
Yes, but not saddle tanks like that draped over the boiler. The tank on a stock one is behind the cab, the space divided for fuel and water.
–Randy
SImilar but not the same as the one in Ed’s picture. Ed’s doesn’t appear to have a headlight, adn the grabs on the extra water tank are only along the top, there are a pair of vertical grabs on yours.
Pacific Log Co, or RR Co, is what I can make out.
–Randy
Frank,
That’s a neat picture. No, it’s not the same loco. The tanks are shaped differently.
It looked like it said “Northern Pacific” on the side. So I did some research. Yup. Actually says “Northern Pacific Ry. Co.” Northern Pacific actually owned a Heisler. That one. Bought July 1907. Sold March 1913 to Pacific States Lumber Company. It and three NP Shays operated on the Yacolt Branch (26.9 miles long) of the NP in logging operations.
So, there were at least two Heislers with those funny water tanks.
And I’ll bet that the one on the NP loco was installed by Heisler.
Wonder if any other Class 1’s had a Heisler. Or Climax.
Also kinda weird, the Yacolt Branch left the main line just north of the SP&S Vancouver yards. I DID NOT KNOW THAT. Wow. The tracks seem to still be there.
Ed
PS: bit of an update: The tracks sure are still there: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
Thanks very much for the links.
I believe the Cimarron & Northwestern ran through the northern part of what is now the Philmont Scout Ranch. There certainly are remains of a railbed going up the valley. Going up to Mt Baldy, we saw winch houses and cables going up the steep slopes that were associated with old mining activity.
Fred W
modeling foggy coastal Oregon in HO and HOn3, where it’s always 1900
Considering the beating taken by locomotives in service on less-than-perfect ROW, it could easily be the same locomotive after a rollover or two and subsequent repairs.
West Side Lumber Co had their ‘Rollin’ Number Six,’ a Shay which was photographed well capsized in Last of the 3-Foot Loggers. Reputedly, she made a habit of it.
Railroads of the Black Hills documents the history of a 2-8-0 from Baldwin to final service in Colorado - including one post-washout wreck that removed everything fragile above the bent and twisted running boards. It looked like something found in a scrap box at an estate sale. After the subsequent repairs it didn’t look much better. The shop crew apparently went to their scrap bin for mismatched sand domes and a steam dome shroud that looked like part of an oil drain funnel.
Absence of a headlight proved only that the locomotive was expected to stop before sunset. Loggers and other captive industrial operators were rather casual about that sort of thing before OSHA.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Hello Ed thanks for the info on that loco. But I agree with Tom that there is a chance it could be it. I read the page you linked to and most of the railroads listed had a geard loco but it was after 1920. I only seen one that was 1905. Now if we could date the photos then we would know for sure. Eather way it was a cool find. For some reason I just like these strange loco’s. Have a nice day Frank
A collector showed the HO scale model that Bill Ryan of PFM ordered to United in 1955 in his blog.
[quote user=“G Paine”]
And, sitting over the smokbox, the water tank had it’s own feedwater heater… sort-of.
Jim
Funny!