Geared Steam Locomotive Works ©

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The Oxford Foundry & Machine Co. Ltd.  of Oxford, Nova Scotia, Canada  were "Iron & Brass Founders & Machinists".  In addition to  various types of machinery and equipment for logging and other industries, they also offered a geared steam locomotive (pictured above).    

The company placed an advertisement in the "Nova Scotia Directory" early in the 20th century with the image above and the following text (in dark red & transcribed as printed):

OXFORD TRAM ROAD ENGINE

Designed to run on sawn wood rail 4 x 4 Hardwood or 4 x 6 Softwood.    To use machine in winter the only change required is to put a set of creepers on wheels, and these are furnished with machine steam trolley, is much superior to gasoline, as latter car has so much delicate gear and is constantly giving trouble, is our experience.    The steamer is under the control of the driver, gasoline has to be stopped by brake power before a reverse can be made in shunting or in case of road giving way.   While in steamer the reversing level will almost instantly stop or reverse motion of car.   Customer who used both says:   "Cost of fuel for the gasoline was over four times as much as for steamer."    Machine weighs about eight tons.   A machine of this kind has hauled 20 M  sup. feet of lumber up 5 per cent. grade.    20 M feet of lumber with eight trolleys would weigh about 35 tons.

Observing the image (all we have to go on),  you can note some of the following features:

• Eight, fixed position spoked drivers 
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• Center two drivers are "blind" (without flanges) to allow maneuvering sharper curves.
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• Engineer's seat was similar to that used on farm implements of the period.
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• Two vertical centrally located marine type cylinders
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• Large vertical boiler with an extended smoke stack.  With a stack  this tall,  overhead clearance would be a large factor in construction of the tramway.   Tunnels and overhanging tree limbs would be prohibited.
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• Winter operation in Canada  with the open cab would have been a challenge.

The advertisement was provided courtesy of John Taubeneck of Seattle, Washington

This page changed January 01, 2013 06:54:36 PM