Post by Nutzkie on Aug 12, 2007 11:51:06 GMT -5
This past Saturday, (August 11th), I had the opportunity to spend the day in the town of Felton, California, just a few miles from the coastal town of Santa Cruz.
In Felton there is a small tourist railroad called the Roaring Camp & Big Trees. It's a quaint little operation presenting many photo ops for the dedicated rail-fan.
This is just a small taste of what went on:
Shay # 1, the "Dixiana," steaming up. Shays were an interesting spin on traditional steam locomotive design. More closely related to a modern car in their drive mechanisms, their wheel sets pivoted, and were powered by a crankshaft and bevel gears. The resulting agility and power made these locomotives favorites of logging railroads, which were known for their tight curves and steep grades.
Taking on water for the trip up the hill. During the course of the 1:15-long trip, the Dixiana will convert over 600 gallons of water into steam, and burn 100 gallons of fuel oil.
Heading into the hills.
Remains of an abandon trestle.
Stopping at the top of the hill. This area is in a stand of ancient redwood trees known as "Cathedral Grove." It's mind blowing to think about it, but many of the trees you see here are estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
The seldom-photographed left side of a Shay.
Ready for the return trip.
The engineer; awaiting the order to move out.
This is something known to railroaders as a "blow-down." Here, the locomotive crew uses high-pressure steam to cleanse the boiler of any sediment or scale that may build up inside.
Crossing Indian Creek Trestle.
Heisler # 2: The "Tuolumne." Heislers were another variant on the concept of the geared steam locomotive. Essentially a V-2 steam engine, a pair of pistons turned a crank shaft running underneath the center of the locomotive. A Shay, on the other hand, used an in-line-three configuration, and a crankshaft running along its right-hand side. For this reason, Shays are commonly referred to as "Sidewinder" locomotives.
Preparing to assault the hill.
The second half of the day consisted of a trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on another line owned by the Roaring Camp group. The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railroad is a three-hour round trip through some of the most spectacular scenery in central California.
Crossing the San Lorenzo River.
Care to venture a guess when the bridge was built?
Passing through a tunnel of trees.
In the San Lorenzo River canyon, the terrain can get a little rugged.
A turn-of-the-century wood crib tunnel... Still in use after all these years.
It gets pretty dark in these tunnels. (I'm sure the guy with the video camera appreciated my flash going off right in his face.)
Arriving at the beach.
Finally there! This is what's known as a CF-7, and I personally thing it's one of the butt-ugliest locomotives I've ever seen. Incidentally, to the left of the locomotive and above the buildings, you can see the "Giant Dipper." This is one of a very few wooden roller coasters still left in existence, and it's listed on the national register of historic landmarks.
Heading home, and receiving a pleasant surprise along the way. Antique crossing signals such as this Magnetic Flagman are a rarity in this age of high-speed driving and increasing traffic volume. To see one of them still plying its trade is to see living history, right before your eyes.
Crossing State Route Nine at dusk. I wasn't expecting the lighting effect to turn out the way it did here, but I like the end result.
Video footage that I shot can be found here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zawb44Fqy-0
In Felton there is a small tourist railroad called the Roaring Camp & Big Trees. It's a quaint little operation presenting many photo ops for the dedicated rail-fan.
This is just a small taste of what went on:
Shay # 1, the "Dixiana," steaming up. Shays were an interesting spin on traditional steam locomotive design. More closely related to a modern car in their drive mechanisms, their wheel sets pivoted, and were powered by a crankshaft and bevel gears. The resulting agility and power made these locomotives favorites of logging railroads, which were known for their tight curves and steep grades.
Taking on water for the trip up the hill. During the course of the 1:15-long trip, the Dixiana will convert over 600 gallons of water into steam, and burn 100 gallons of fuel oil.
Heading into the hills.
Remains of an abandon trestle.
Stopping at the top of the hill. This area is in a stand of ancient redwood trees known as "Cathedral Grove." It's mind blowing to think about it, but many of the trees you see here are estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
The seldom-photographed left side of a Shay.
Ready for the return trip.
The engineer; awaiting the order to move out.
This is something known to railroaders as a "blow-down." Here, the locomotive crew uses high-pressure steam to cleanse the boiler of any sediment or scale that may build up inside.
Crossing Indian Creek Trestle.
Heisler # 2: The "Tuolumne." Heislers were another variant on the concept of the geared steam locomotive. Essentially a V-2 steam engine, a pair of pistons turned a crank shaft running underneath the center of the locomotive. A Shay, on the other hand, used an in-line-three configuration, and a crankshaft running along its right-hand side. For this reason, Shays are commonly referred to as "Sidewinder" locomotives.
Preparing to assault the hill.
The second half of the day consisted of a trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on another line owned by the Roaring Camp group. The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railroad is a three-hour round trip through some of the most spectacular scenery in central California.
Crossing the San Lorenzo River.
Care to venture a guess when the bridge was built?
Passing through a tunnel of trees.
In the San Lorenzo River canyon, the terrain can get a little rugged.
A turn-of-the-century wood crib tunnel... Still in use after all these years.
It gets pretty dark in these tunnels. (I'm sure the guy with the video camera appreciated my flash going off right in his face.)
Arriving at the beach.
Finally there! This is what's known as a CF-7, and I personally thing it's one of the butt-ugliest locomotives I've ever seen. Incidentally, to the left of the locomotive and above the buildings, you can see the "Giant Dipper." This is one of a very few wooden roller coasters still left in existence, and it's listed on the national register of historic landmarks.
Heading home, and receiving a pleasant surprise along the way. Antique crossing signals such as this Magnetic Flagman are a rarity in this age of high-speed driving and increasing traffic volume. To see one of them still plying its trade is to see living history, right before your eyes.
Crossing State Route Nine at dusk. I wasn't expecting the lighting effect to turn out the way it did here, but I like the end result.
Video footage that I shot can be found here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zawb44Fqy-0
