The recent postings in answer to my question on the Mt. Tamalpais RR gravity car prompted me to explore the book, “Crookedest Railroad in the World", by Theodore G. Wurm and Alvin C. Graves (Academy Library Guild, Fresno, CA, 1954).

Two of your kind responses indicated that the surviving locomotive is the former #9 Heisler. And therein lies some confusion, IÂ’m afraid. I offer some extracts from WurmÂ’s and GravesÂ’ book:

“She (#9) was the last Tamalpais locomotive in existence when residents of Mill Valley went searching for a monument in 1951.” (Page 89)

“It (#9) was sold in 1924 for $9750 to Siskiyou Lumber Co., Macdoel, Calif. From there it went to Dolbeer and Carson Lbr., at Falk, near Eureka Calif. Retired 1951. Broken up for parts and scrap 1953.” (Page 107)

“An attempt was made by interested residents of Mill Valley in 1952 to have engine 9 returned to the town as a permanent monument to the mountain railroad. Although several people expressed interest, public apathy was such that the plan was abandoned and the engine dismantled early in 1953.” (Page 108)

And yet a clipping I have from the November/December, 1981 issue of “Motorland/CSAA” magazine says, “One engine survives as a monument at Pacific Lumber Co. headquarters at Scotia, near Eureka.” This article doesn’t identify which specific locomotive was surving.

Wurm and Graves list three Heisler locomotives in the Mt. Tam roster, #2, #3, and #9. They don’t tell the eventual fate of #2 - “Joseph G. Eastland” - although it did turn over in 1900, killing the engineer with scalding steam. Heisler #3 - “S.B. Cushing” - “...was not satisfactory in service and was returned to the manufacturer soon after delivery.” (Page 41)

Well, you can see why all that leaves me confused about the identity of the surviving Heisler. It’s certainly no big issue, but a nagging “loose end”. Any further enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!

Later editions of the Ted Wurm book correct the locomotive information.

The locomotive at Scotia is indeed Heisler serial number 1446, originally built for the Mt. Tamalpais & Muir Woods as #9 and the last steam locomotive they acquired. The three-year-old locomotive was sold in 1924 for a lumbering career in northern California and wound up on the roster of the Dolbeer and Carson Lumber Company where it was still on hand when that company was acquired by The Pacific Lumber Company. TPL never operated the locomotive, but they did letter it for themselves, still as number 9, and place it on a slab of concrete in front of the company office at Scotia in 1951, where it still resides today.

Mt. Tam Heisler #2 was sold to lumbering interests in Washington State in and around Shelton where it was scrapped about eighty years ago. The rejected number 3 returned to the Heisler factory and vanished, apparently remanufactured sufficiently to receive a new builderÂ’s number before once again heading outside.

Many thanks for all your good information! I'll update my book - didn't realize there were later editions of it.

Dick