We examined this 1915 Climax, gear-driven, logging locomotive manufactured by the Climax Corp. in Cory, PA. Lumber companies soon figured out that that mules and oxen were ineffecient.
This particular locomotive was not used in Pisgah Forest but worked most of its life in The Great Smokey Mountains before they became a national park. This engine had enough horse power to haul seven fully loaded railroad cars full of logs to the Champion Mill Yards in Canton, NC.
This locomotive hauled logs until 1952. Later, the Forest Service bought it for the Cradle of Forestry for $1,300. In 1981 they wanted to restore this locomotive which cost a whopping $68,000 for a new water tank, cab, boiler jacket, new head lamp, reworking the cylinders and the wheels.
We get a lot of questions from boys about this engine. They are awed by the locomotive.
“How did they get it here?” the boys ask.
The answer is, “A low-boy 18-wheeler, driven slowly and carefully down an old logging trail to its present location on the Forest Festival Trail.
This particular locomotive was not used in Pisgah Forest but worked most of its life in The Great Smokey Mountains before they became a national park. This engine had enough horse power to haul seven fully loaded railroad cars full of logs to the Champion Mill Yards in Canton, NC.
This locomotive hauled logs until 1952. Later, the Forest Service bought it for the Cradle of Forestry for $1,300. In 1981 they wanted to restore this locomotive which cost a whopping $68,000 for a new water tank, cab, boiler jacket, new head lamp, reworking the cylinders and the wheels.
We get a lot of questions from boys about this engine. They are awed by the locomotive.
“How did they get it here?” the boys ask.
The answer is, “A low-boy 18-wheeler, driven slowly and carefully down an old logging trail to its present location on the Forest Festival Trail.
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