Re: FW heater on geared locomotives

I had forgotten about the Abitibi Power Shay and was not aware of any Heislers with a FWH. Was it a factory installation or applied later? For most loggers ease of maintenance was more important than efficiency, so it would be unusual for a FWH to be installed after a locomotive was in service. Of course not all geared locomotives were sold to loggers, in fact several class one RR's had a few. Apparently the Worthington was well liked by J. Neils Lumber Co. (KL&L) but you are right about the Rayoneer shop crew, according to Jim Gertz. I once lived just around the corner from him at Port Angeles WA. This was 40 years ago and I don't remembered much of what he said now.