The Bear Harbor Lumber Company #1 locomotive, pictured, belonged to a group of locomotives nick named "gypsy". As far as it is known by this author, the "gypsy" type locomotives were predominately built by a small number of firms located in California. Similarly, as best can be determined, they were also operated only in California. (Information to the contrary is solicited.)
The "gypsy" locomotives were flexible dual purpose machines. They were logging locomotives and they were "yarding" engines. As a logging locomotive, they operated the same as any other logging locomotive. As "yarding" engines, they would use an attached spool and cable to drag ("yard") logs from the forest floor to a loading point near the track. In most logging operations, this function was usually handled by a dedicated steam engine referred to as a "donkey". The "gypsy" locomotive eliminated the need and expense of this 2nd engine along with the usual crew of men it took to operate it.
a steamer from San Francisco delivered her in 1892. She became the first of two locomotives to run on the short-lived Bear Harbor Railroad. She was one of just 20 "Gypsy" 0-4-0 steam locomotives built in San Francisco between 1882 and 1892. Designed specifically for California timber operations before John Dolbeer's steam donkey engines became commonplace, they combined the qualities of both log-haulers and donkeys. In the latter role, a Gypsy sat on the tracks while hauling and loading logs with the front-end capstan winch.
the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906, that broke the camel's back. Not only did the tremor damage the mill and, especially, the log-holding pond, but landslides blocked the railroad. The "million-dollar mill that never milled" was left to the elements.
For decades, the railroad from Andersonia to the coast lay abandoned, until the rails were ripped up in the 1930s, leaving Bear Harbor Lumber Company No. 1 forsaken near Andersonia.
In 1958, Grant Anderson Jr., great-grandson of Neff Anderson, helped salvage the old girl and in 1977 she was shipped to Fort Humboldt State Park, where what is now the Timber Heritage Association restored her to her former glory.
Bear Harbor Lumber Company No. 1's winch is powered by her two driver cylinders via an elaborate gear system. Of only 20 Gypsies ever built, Bear Harbor Lumber Company No. 1 is now the only working true Gypsy locomotive in the world.
https://real-life-ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Bear_Harbor_Lumber_Company%27s_locomotive_1
https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/the-bear-harbor-railroad-1892-1905/Content?oid=12063503
Meet Bash and Dash!
ReplyDelete