Rivarossi HR2947 HO Coos Bay Lumber Heisler locomotive 2-truck model 8 Analog DC

The Heisler was invented in 1891 and Charles L. Heisler received a patent in 1892 and made an impact on the logging industry of the United States through the turn of the century and into 1941 when it was still being run regularly. Although it was considered the fastest of the geared steam locomotives, the notoriety of the Heisler came from its pulling capabilities.

The high tractive effort was perfectly suited for moving long, heavy strings of loaded log cars both on flat ground and uphill. On the two-truck model, the cylinders were centrally located under the drive shaft. The drive shaft is extended into the tender on the three-truck model for more fuel and water capacity for longer and heavier trips.

These locomotives were set apart from the rest by the cylinders being slanted inwards at a 45-degree angle. The center shaft only drove one axle per truck as the wheels in each truck were connected with a side rod.

There were around 625 Heislers produced, ranging from 17 tons to 95 tons. Use the Heisler for what it was created for and pull the new 38-foot die-cast skeleton log cars also produced by Rivarossi. The Coos Bay Lumber Company started a mill in 1907 and only took a year until they started selling lumber, before increasing its business. Setting up many logging camps, and laying railroad along the way, Coos Bay Lumber Company operated in the mountains in Oregon from 1916 through 1956, directly influencing the growth at Coos Bay, which became a major exporting hub for lumber being stacked on sailing ships and transported to San Francisco.

The Heisler could make up to three trips a day dropping off log cars and pulling the newly loaded cars to take down the mountain to dump the logs into Coos Bay. The Coos Bay Lumber Company was considered the most innovative lumber company of its time when logging was happening everywhere across the Pacific Northwest.

Add the matching log car two-packs to complete the authentic logging locomotive! HR6629 & HR6630