Check out our movie of
Riding in the Cab of the OCSR's 1910 Heisler Locomotive
28 minutes long, 100Mb
Last Update:  September 24, 2007
Engineer/owner Scott Wickert (left) and Engineer/Fireman Aaron Zorko (right) operate this locomtive every weekend through the
summer months with help from other POTB employees and OCSR volunteers.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is a non-profit group operating a steam engine on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, working in
conjunction with the Port of Tillamook Bay.   The locomotive is a 1910 60 ton Heisler that was originally built for the Curtiss Lumber
Company in Mill City, Oregon.   Today it is owned by Scott Wickert who is also its engineer.   

The number 2 has an interesting history in that it has served almost its entire working life in the area of Mill City, Oregon.    After the
Curtiss Lumber Company, it served with the Hammond Lumber Company, the Mill City Mfg. Company, the Vancouver Plywood & Vaneer Company
and finally the Wills Shingle Company.   In its final years it operated on what would be known as the shortest shortline railroad in the
Northwest and it would be the last operational steam engine in the Willamette Valley (baring excursion steam engines.)

Sometime in the 1970s, it was purchased by Jack Rodgers and moved to his History of Logging Museum in Ashford, Washington.   When that
museum closed it was purchased by Jack Anderson around 1999 or 2000 and then stored at the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe,
Washington.  Sometime in 2000 it was aquired by Scott Wickert.    Scott moved the number 2 and himself to Tillamook, Oregon several years
ago and went to work for the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad.   Scott operates the Port's diesel locomotives on the weekdays while driving
the number 2 on the Port of Tillamook Railroad during the summer weekends.

Recently, the Port of Tillmook Bay and the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad completed the new engine shed that currently houses the number 2
when its not in use.  There are future plans to open a restoration shop in the Tillamook area and several steam locomotive restoration
projects that are planned for the future.    Steam appears to be very alive and well on the Port of Tillamook Railroad.

One of several geared locomotive designs that were used primarily to haul logs from the woods, the Heisler has the distinction of being
among the fastest and most powerful geared locomotive, as well as the least produced.  Only about 625 were made between 1894 and 1941.    
The 1910 Heisler discussed here was built by Heisler Locomotive Works in Erie, Pennsylvania.  It was originally wood fired, which was
common for the Heisler. However in the Pacific Northwest, oil was the preferred fuel for steam engines by the 1930s and at that time, the
Heisler was converted to burn oil instead of wood.   

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad operates the Heisler at least twice a day between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach on the summer weekends.
Be sure to check their website for the schedule and ticket prices.   www.ocsr.net  Their Heisler is one of the most beutiful looking
locomotives around.   Its several trips a day and 10 mph speed make it an easy chase for any railfan.  I highly recommend paying a visit to
Garibaldi.
Historic Pictures
These historical photos of the number 2 were taken during its final years working in Mill City in the 1950s.
Photos on the left are courtesy of the Salem Public Library historic photos collection, Ben Maxwell photos.
Photos on the right are courtesy of Marc Reusser, www.steaminthewoods.com
Cab ride in the No. 2 - June, 2006
The number 2 prepares for its run by backing out of the brand new twin stall engine house on the engine track and then onto the POTB main, after a POTB local
passes through.  Garibaldi is the home of the OCSR locomotive and where the train departs at least twice a day on the summer weekends.   Photos: June, 2005
The number 2 is a well maintained and cared for Heisler.   Gauges keep both the engineer and fireman apprised of the locomotive's condition.  Rebuilt to modern
boiler standards the number 2 is a very safe and reliable locomotive.    This was originally a wood burning Heisler when it was built in March, 1910, but sometime in
the 1930s, it was converted to burn oil, which was a much more common source of fuel for Northwest steam engines of the day.   Photos: June, 2005
Departing Garibaldi on a beautiful sunny day on the Oregon coast.  Photos: June, 2005
This scenic point is north of Garibaldi.   To the left is main channel of Tillamook Bay.   Photos: June, 2005
Passing a point north of Garibadi and south of Barview, note the signature rocks out in Tillamook Bay.   This is near the mouth of the Tillamook Bay, with the ocean not
far way.  The scene here can vary by the tide.  Number 2 chugs along allowing passengers plenty of time to take in the view.  Fireman Aaron Zorko keeps close tabs on
the condition of the engine, water level and fuel mixture.  Photos: June, 2005
This is Barview.  One of the better spots to photograph the number 2 (or any POTB train) as we head north.   Number 2 negotiates a long fill in between a tidal pond
and Smith Lake.  Photos: June, 2005
Scott Wickert is the primary engineer of the number 2.  He's also the owner of the locomotive.    Number 2 passed under the recently constructed Twin Rocks overpass.  
The privately owned footbridge allows the kids from the Twin Rocks camp to safely cross Highway 101 on their way to the beach.  Photos: June, 2005
The number 2 arrives in Rockaway Beach.  This is our destination for today.   Here we layover for a short period before the return trip
back to Garibaldi.  Photos: June, 2005
The return trip involves the number 2 pushing the train back, while Conductor Jody Moore mans the RDC watching the intersections and operating
the air horn.   In these photos Scott opens the throttle to the number 2 to get us underway, while Aaron has the busy job of keeping the fire alive and the water
high.        Photos: June, 2005
The return trip takes us through the same scenic areas along the east shore of Tillamook Bay.   In the photo on the far right we pass next to one of the lumber industries
that the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad serves and that helps support the Tillamook area.  Photos: June, 2005
After we arrive back in Garibaldi, our trip for the day was done.  The crew, including Conductor Jody Moore, takes on water for the number two from a local
fire hydrant.   Before use of this hydrant was approved, the number 2 used to have tow a water car, since water towers have long since disappeared from the railroads.
Photos: June, 2005
Around Garibaldi Station
The brand new twin stall engine shop has just been completed and will house the Number 2 locomotive.    The POTB 4414 is currently being used in Garibaldi to
move the Number 2 and passenger cars around the engine house when the Number 2 is not under steam.  Photos: June, 2005
The number 90 was used by Rayonier logging out of Hoquiam, Washington from 1926-1960.  When retired, the locomotive was donated to the City of Garibaldi where
its been on display ever since.    For the last several years, there were plans to restore this Baldwin 2-8-2.   It looks the restoration might actually happen in the
near future.  This locomotive is very similar to the Chehalis - Centralia Baldwin that runs up in Washington.  Photos: June, 2005
Several historical railroad buildings are in the park next to the Garibadi station and the Rayonier number 90.  One is an ex-Southern Pacific speeder shed.  The other is
the ex-Southern Pacific Garibaldi depot.  This one room depot was built in 1936.  Photos: June, 2005
Around Tillamook
This is the disassembled Rayonier Number 3.   A 24 ton 2-truck Lima shay built in 1910 for East Kootenay Logging Company in British Columbia before eventually
working for Rayonier Logging in Washington.  Here's some photos of it taken by Troyce Brooks when it was on display in a park in Hoquiam, Washington.   Photo
1,  Photo 2.   This is Aaron Zorko's steam locomotive.   Plans are to eventually restore it, although several other projects are ahead of it.  
Photos: October, 2004
The E. C. Schevlin Timber Co. #3, is a 1909 42 ton Heilser Locomotive that is owned by Scott Wickert.  It currently sits outside of the Air Museum hanger on
display  in Tillamook, awaiting a future restoration.  Photos:  June, 2005
This is the front and back of the new Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
brochure.  

The neat thing about this brochure is that the photos on the front and
back were taken by my wife Jennifer.  We are very honored that the
OCSR would find our photos worthy of printing in their brochure.
Very cool indeed!
If anyone has any further information on any of the above railroad that you'd like to share, you can
Email me anytime.  Thanks.
Copyright © 2005-2007 Brian McCamish,  All Rights Reserved

Note about the photos on this site:
Most photos were taken by me, except for those that are otherwise indicated.   I usually allow people to use my photos for personal use or
websites.  Simply Email me.   I may not have authority to grant permission regarding some photos that were only loaned to me by others
specifically for this website.   Every effort has been made not to include other's photos without the proper permission and credits, however, if you
see any photos which belong to you and that I don't have permission to use, I apologize.   If you send me an Email, I will remove the photos
immediately or give proper credit, which ever you wish.
Chasing the No. 2 - September 2007
These photos were taken in September of 2007 showing the OCSR No. 2 between Garibaldi and Mohler.   This first batch of photos were taken by me.   The second
batch was taken by my wife Jen.
The following photos were taken by Jen