Rivarossi Heisler Steam Locomotive Coos Bay Lumber Company #8 2-Truck HO Scale DCC Ready Analog Model Train

The Heisler, a steam locomotive, was invented in 1891, and Charles L. Heisler received a patent for it in 1892. This locomotive made a significant impact on the logging industry of the United States throughout the turn of the century and into 1941, when it was still being regularly operated.

Although the Heisler was considered the fastest of the geared steam locomotives, its notoriety stemmed from its impressive pulling capabilities. The high tractive effort of this locomotive made it 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, while on the three-truck model, the drive shaft extended into the tender, allowing for greater fuel and water capacity for longer and heavier trips.

What set the Heisler apart from other locomotives was the unique 45-degree angle at which the cylinders were slanted inwards. The center shaft only drove one axle per truck, as the wheels in each truck were connected with a side rod. In total, approximately 625 Heislers were produced, ranging from 17 tons to 95 tons.

The Coos Bay Lumber Company, a pioneering lumber company, started a mill in 1907 and began selling lumber within a year, quickly expanding its business. The company set up numerous logging camps and laid railroad tracks in the mountains of Oregon, directly influencing the growth of Coos Bay, which became a major exporting hub for lumber being stacked on sailing ships and transported to San Francisco.

The Heisler was perfectly suited for the Coos Bay Lumber Company's operations, as it could make up to three trips a day, dropping off log cars and pulling the newly loaded cars down the mountain to be dumped into Coos Bay. The Coos Bay Lumber Company was considered the most innovative lumber company of its time, as logging was happening extensively across the Pacific Northwest.

Rivarossi, an Italian manufacturer now part of the Hornby Hobbies family of brands, has produced some of the most iconic locomotives in steam, diesel, and electric over the past 50 years. Their Heisler locomotive and matching Skeleton log cars are DCC Ready, configured for a 21-Pin Socket Decoder, making it easy to upgrade to digital circuits. These HO 1:87 and OO 1:76 Gauge railway layouts feature knuckle couplers, adding to the authentic logging locomotive experience.

The essential role of steam locomotives in the development of the western United States is undeniable. These workhorses became crucial in the forestry industry, navigating the difficult terrain to haul timber that was quickly manufactured in paper mills and used in the construction of new towns, as business continued to grow and shape the recently inaccessible mountains and dense forests.

Building model railway layouts has never been easier, thanks to the Hornby brands, such as Skaledale and Skale Scenics, which bring your layout to life with a wide range of buildings, monuments, and trees, adding realism to any layout or diorama.

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