Eagle Gorge Heisler?

Jason Mitchell · **Posted:** Sat May 03, 2003 2:21 pm

I recently read "Washington State Steam Locomotives" by K. Johnsen, and noticed the photo of wrecked Eagle Gorge Heisler in Washington State. Has anyone been to the site to see this engine? Surely there couldn't be much left of the locomotive?

James Hefner · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2003 1:10 am

Jason,

After several years of careful nogotiation between Scott Wickert, the logging companies that work the area, and other authorites, he recieved permission to clear the area around the Heisler and examine it for possible extraction and restoration.

The photos he took of it, one of which was published on a "Surviving World Steam Locomotive" update CD-ROM, shows that all of the pieces appear to be there, but it was torn apart as it rolled down the hill and is of course quite rusty.

I do not know the current status of the locomotive, but my guess is that when and if it is possible, Scott will remove the pieces. He has already do so with Shay #169/1887, which he and his dad have been slowly restoring over a number of years.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

> I recently read "Washington State Steam
> Locomotives" by K. Johnsen, and noticed
> the photo of wrecked Eagle Gorge Heisler in
> Washington State. Has anyone been to the
> site to see this engine? Surely there
> couldn't be much left of the locomotive?

Surviving World Steam Locomotives
james1@pernet.net

William L. Petitjean, P.E · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2003 12:33 am

Scott Wickert has removed all the pieces from the resting place down in the canyon. The remains are at his place in Chehalis, Washington. This is definitely a "fixer upper special".

Bill Petitjean

petitinc@nwlink.com

Jason Mitchell · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2003 1:34 am

That must have been some kind of removal. Sounds like Mr. Wickert has his his work cut out for him.

> Scott Wickert has removed all the pieces
> from the resting place down in the canyon.
> The remains are at his place in Chehalis,
> Washington. This is definitely a "fixer
> upper special".

> Bill Petitjean

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2003 10:33 am

Marvin Kendall of East Barnet, Vermont (whose little 22-ton Heisler was operated at the two Railfairs) also has some parts off the Eagle Gorge locomotive, removed about 15 years ago for his restoration.

ryarger@rypn.org

Jason Mitchell · **Posted:** Tue May 06, 2003 2:11 pm

It would be interesting to find out what he was able to get. From photos it looks like the engine was not even worth salvaging parts off of.

> Marvin Kendall of East Barnet, Vermont
> (whose little 22-ton Heisler was operated at
> the two Railfairs) also has some parts off
> the Eagle Gorge locomotive, removed about 15
> years ago for his restoration.