Eric Ross Wrote:
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> Yeah, I’d heard about the mileage disparity
> between the 11 and 33. At this point, I’m glad
> that they both survived into preservation (funnily
> enough, all of Pickering’s later locomotives,
> except for 2-truck Heisler number 4, have
> survived), and I’d give anything to be in the
> cab of the 11 while she was operating, oven-like
> cab conditions aside. I have survived said oven
> conditions before, as when I was just a kid back
> in 2007 or so, I got a cab ride in MRSR West Coast
> Special No. 91. I don’t remember much of the
> ride, sadly, except for the heat. I still enjoyed
> being in the cab of my favorite Heisler though.
>
> I’m just glad that the 11 is cared for in-doors.
> I know the likelihood of seeing her run is
> extremely slim, but one can dream, eh?
>
> I didn’t know that the Pickering considered a
> West Coast Special. I wonder what its roster
> number would have been, had Pickering actually
> gone for one. Pickering never used the roster
> number 9 in later years (I’ll have to look if
> they ever did, for that matter), so maybe that’s
> what she would have been. I expect she would have
> the same treatment in respect to Heislers 1 and 5
> as 11 was to 33, since the all-weather cab
> wouldn’t have been ideal in California.
>
> I also think it would be fun to be in the Kidney
> Kruncher for a heavy day of hauling. While the
> crews may not have liked it back in the day,
> it’s a rare enough experience now that you
> really can’t help but enjoy it! The Lunkenheimer
> that Hillcrest 10 often wears is the perfect
> ambience of the tall forests of the Pacific
> Northwest, IMHO.
>
> Thanks for all of the info!
Eric, don't forget that the 11 was the only Pacific Coast type Shay to have the larger fuel tank.
That extension in the middle took away for any open window to vent some of the heat.
The West Coast Special that was looked at by Sam Matson of Pickering was White River's in WA.
She stayed on the property late for possible sale as she had significant work done to her in the 40s, but
not the heavy usage expected. Problem at that late date was parts availabilty & some differences with Pickering
patterns. I liked being on the 91, she was open and roomy, but had the brake valves piped up aways apart that was
odd and a little unhandy. That and the unbalanced throttle that you had to keep a tug on most of the time just like Climax 10
I'm biased as it's mine, but if you want to hear a nice whistle on the 10, google Mount Rainier Scenic January 2006
and go to about 7:40. Whistle came off of a Somers Lbr. Co, Shay and was given to me by Charles Heimerdinger
abut 45 years ago. Climax 10 rides best with a really heavy train
