Prototype Information
The Heisler locomotive is one of the three major types of geared steam locomotives (the others being the Shay and the Climax types) and the last to be patented. Charles L. Heisler received a patent for the Heisler design in 1892. The design was an improvement of a geared locomotive called the Dunkirk. Production began in 1894 by the Stearns Manufacturing Company of Erie, Pennsylvania and did so until 1904. Reorganised as the Heisler Locomotive Works in 1907, it produced locomotives of the Heisler design until 1941.
Heislers were produced mostly in two- and three-truck variants in sizes ranging from 17 to 95 short tons. The Heisler was the fastest of the geared steam locomotive designs, and yet was still claimed by its manufacturer to have the same low-speed hauling ability.The WWSL
One of the WWSL's future modeling projects is the modeling of representative locomotives of the Class 1 and Class 3 operating in the Montesano, Wa. area.
As the Olympic Peninsula Logging Company is imagineered over one of the Schaefer Brothers Logging Company's line, a Heisler would be a fitting locomotive project.
The Schaefer Brothers Logging Company's first locomotive was said to be a 45-ton Heisler purchased in 1913. Further research revealed two Heislers in service:
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Built 10-1910 - Std gauge - 63 tons - 2 trucks
Near Satsop & Brady, Washington.
Clark Kinsey collection @ University of Washington Library
Schafer Brothers Logging Co. #103 - s/n 1267Built 12-1912 ~ Std gauge ~ 62 tons ~ 2 trucks
The locomotive operated near the company's Brady, Washington location.
Clark Kinsey collection @ University of Washington Library.
Engineering Information
Heisler locomotives
have two cylinders, sloped at 45 degrees in a 90 degree-V from opposite
sides to a longitudinal crankshaft under the boiler. Shafts, extend fore
and aft from the crankshaft, that lies just above the wheel axles, that
are driven through double universal joints that angle bevel gears down
to the axle centerline on the far side of each truck, the other axle of
the truck being driven by side rods.
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| Two truck version |
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| Early Three Truck Design, McCloud River RR |
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| Three truck version |
I was on E-Bay one day looking for something totally different than locomotive models and happened to run across an AHM / Rivorossi two truck Heisler model up for auction. Figuring that a Heisler locomotive would rarely be found on E-Bay, I immediately put in a bid and several days later the locomotive was mine.
On arrival I did a quick check of the Heisler's operating ability. It runs! It runs really well for a DC powered locomotive! My thinking has evolved from a static unit stored on a display shelf to perhaps something more - a vignette of the Heisler at the Camp 1 engine facility, or the unit substituting for the OPLC 2-8-0 when its in the shop undergoing inspection or repair.
As a minimum I am going to 'super-detail' it but that effort is going to be later than sooner. I have in my railroad library several books/phamplets on Heisler locomotives that I will use for that project. I will update this page when the project is completed.
References
Schafer Brothers Logging Company Heislers
| 91 (102) | 90 ton | Heisler3Tr | 4'-8½" | WCS (KPM) |  Mineral Shops, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, Mineral, WA | operational | Heisler #1930, 1929 |    |
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