I once fired a Heisler, and remain close to it. It's in Freeport, IL., and still occasionally runs. At the museum where the Heisler lives, my main love is the Cooper "Coreless" stationary engine, which also runs. In November, I'll be doing my part again by painting the interior walls of the main museum building along with a few other people.
There was a three truck heisler that sat for decades on cannery row in Monterey, CA. A man had planned to run a tourist ride back and forth along a section of the very scenic right of way that was still in use by the pacific railroad sand train that ran out to pebble beach. Locals and environmentalists put a stop to it so it sat and sadly became a toilet for bar patrons late at night and kids to play on during the day. They finally trucked it up to a rail museum/operation in redwood city for another couple decades. A few years ago it headed up to be restored at the Oregon Coast railway. Not sure about the current status though. Probably still in steam limbo as time makes bringing such things back to working rather pricey. Cheers.
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr Hell yeah! My notifications are set for when you post next. Thanks for making quality content! There's so much that I didn't know, and so much that I didn't know that I didn't know (if that makes sense). Looking forward to seeing what there's to say about the climax locomotive. Also, if I may ask, how do you decide what locomotive (either type or specific engine) to do next?
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr I see! Well, I won't ask you to add more to your list. I'd feel bad if the workload/backup was too much. But, in the unlikely event you ever need more ideas, try asking on your community tab! There's likely many locomotives unknown to you, me, and many others that could do with the quality and in-depth research that you do! Thanks again for posting. Keep up the amazing work and see you next time!
One of these still operates at an entrance to Yellowstone National Park. You can see the train and rail yard without riding the train. I hung out there while waiting for the 5pm no reservation Yellowstone Park entrance deadline.
I love the geared jobs! THX fer the vids man! I Am a Shay guy but just dig em all! I live about 15 minutes from Roaring Camp n I can only say ya must see and ride it! It's my fave excursion line I've ridden so far! Cheers from Boulder Creek Ca!
An interesting history lesson. There used to be a working Heisler at a museum in my local area. (It might still be running.) These were important locomotives and my second favorite after the Shay. The three-truck, four cylinder version must have been very powerful.
Hi littlejohnny47. The Shay, Heisler and Climax were three different solutions to the same problem. Each inventor was trying to out do the other two to gain market share. Thanks for the comment and question and thank you for watching!!
In addition to ASL's comment, from what I hear from the grapevine (and a bit of logic), each locomotive has a benefit and a weakness. From what I've gathered (and could very well be wrong about): -Climax locomotives could haul the most, but were slow and prone to severe shaking, wearing out parts incredibly quickly. -Shays were less prone to shakes and were moderately reliable, but due to their driveshafts being mounted on one side of the engine, this leads them to require larger turning radia (radius's?). -Heislers were the most reliable of the big 3, but weren't geared down quite as much as the other locmotives, so they couldn't haul as much as either the shay or climax. Again, this is just what I've managed to piece together and am likely wrong.
@@weylinwest9505 I think you're on the right track. I haven't completed my research of the Climax so I can't offer an opinion yet. But, given how the engines are mounted, I can see where the shaking would come from. The Shays, however, were quite long, relatively speaking, and required a gentler curve due to the travel of its slip yokes. Heisler claimed their design could haul a greater load, albeit not much greater, than a Shay of comparable size.
THE HEISLER LOCOMOTIVES MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR AN REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE! THE EARLY AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE WAS BUILT TO EARLY MOTORCYCLE DESIGN , USING CHAIN DRIVES, WITH THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BEING LAID SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. BEHIND THE ENGINE, AND ALSO CROSSWAYS WAS THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY! ON THE REAR AXLE WERE THE DRIVE SPROCKETS AND WHEELS , WITH ALL THE OTHER PARTS USING CHAIN DRIVE SIMILAR TO THE BICYCLES! UNFORTUNATELY ALL THIS CHAIN DRIVE WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF 6 OR 8 MOTORCYCLE CHAINS, TO LUBRICATE AND PROPERLY ADJUST! LOUIS SEMPLE CLARKE AN EARLY AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN ENGINEER, AND FOUNDER OF THE AUTOCAR CORPORATION MAY HAVE USED THE HEISLER DRIVELINE TECHNOLOGIES TO CREATE THE MODERN LONGITUDINAL ENGINE, CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION DRIVESHAFT, AND CENTER REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRIVELINE SYSTEM! THE AUTOCAR CORPORATION BUILT CARS AND TRUCK,THEN IN 1913 DISCONTINUED BUILDING AUTOMOBILES AND BUILT BETTER AND LARGER TRUCKS! TODAY, AUTOCAR CORPORATION IS THE OLDEST AUTOMOTIVE BRAND , STILL ACTIVE IN THE USA! KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!! 👍👍
Know a 84yr old veteran named Tom Hiesler in STL during dinner said i think it was was His great grandfather who invented this engine. Personally can't prove him wrong so simply saying. Himself being 84 isn't technically doing well.
Hi rudyjavurek2817. That's amazing. I can only imagine what was passed down through the family history about Charles Heisler. I hope things improve for this gentleman!! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!!
I once fired a Heisler, and remain close to it. It's in Freeport, IL., and still occasionally runs.
At the museum where the Heisler lives, my main love is the Cooper "Coreless" stationary engine, which also runs.
In November, I'll be doing my part again by painting the interior walls of the main museum building along with a few other people.
There was a three truck heisler that sat for decades on cannery row in Monterey, CA. A man had planned to run a tourist ride back and forth along a section of the very scenic right of way that was still in use by the pacific railroad sand train that ran out to pebble beach. Locals and environmentalists put a stop to it so it sat and sadly became a toilet for bar patrons late at night and kids to play on during the day. They finally trucked it up to a rail museum/operation in redwood city for another couple decades. A few years ago it headed up to be restored at the Oregon Coast railway. Not sure about the current status though. Probably still in steam limbo as time makes bringing such things back to working rather pricey. Cheers.
Nothing better than learning about old logging Heislers at 7am! Thanks for making the awesome video ASL. Can't wait for the next one!
Hi weylinwest9505. That's hilarious!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and stay tuned for the Climax coming soon!! Thanks for watching!!
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr Hell yeah! My notifications are set for when you post next. Thanks for making quality content! There's so much that I didn't know, and so much that I didn't know that I didn't know (if that makes sense). Looking forward to seeing what there's to say about the climax locomotive.
Also, if I may ask, how do you decide what locomotive (either type or specific engine) to do next?
@@weylinwest9505 I had quite a list of topics I wanted to cover when I launched the channel. However, I'm always open to suggestions!!!
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr I see! Well, I won't ask you to add more to your list. I'd feel bad if the workload/backup was too much. But, in the unlikely event you ever need more ideas, try asking on your community tab! There's likely many locomotives unknown to you, me, and many others that could do with the quality and in-depth research that you do!
Thanks again for posting. Keep up the amazing work and see you next time!
There is a Heisler about 12 miles from me. Also a Shay, a Climax and a Willamette at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad.
This is fascinating! Many thanks for all the details. I love the Shakespeare quote. I once had a minor role in a production of Twelfth Night.
One of these still operates at an entrance to Yellowstone National Park. You can see the train and rail yard without riding the train.
I hung out there while waiting for the 5pm no reservation Yellowstone Park entrance deadline.
I love the geared jobs! THX fer the vids man! I Am a Shay guy but just dig em all! I live about 15 minutes from Roaring Camp n I can only say ya must see and ride it! It's my fave excursion line I've ridden so far! Cheers from Boulder Creek Ca!
An interesting history lesson. There used to be a working Heisler at a museum in my local area. (It might still be running.) These were important locomotives and my second favorite after the Shay. The three-truck, four cylinder version must have been very powerful.
Thank You Steve! Excellent History lesson on a fantastic logging locomotive
Great video! Thanks Man, I love these old geared locomotives photos! Wish I could go back in time and see each one at work!
Thank you Steve! Great overview of an interesting design. I have often wondered why there were three major variations of the geared locomotive?
Hi littlejohnny47. The Shay, Heisler and Climax were three different solutions to the same problem. Each inventor was trying to out do the other two to gain market share. Thanks for the comment and question and thank you for watching!!
In addition to ASL's comment, from what I hear from the grapevine (and a bit of logic), each locomotive has a benefit and a weakness. From what I've gathered (and could very well be wrong about):
-Climax locomotives could haul the most, but were slow and prone to severe shaking, wearing out parts incredibly quickly.
-Shays were less prone to shakes and were moderately reliable, but due to their driveshafts being mounted on one side of the engine, this leads them to require larger turning radia (radius's?).
-Heislers were the most reliable of the big 3, but weren't geared down quite as much as the other locmotives, so they couldn't haul as much as either the shay or climax.
Again, this is just what I've managed to piece together and am likely wrong.
@@weylinwest9505 I think you're on the right track. I haven't completed my research of the Climax so I can't offer an opinion yet. But, given how the engines are mounted, I can see where the shaking would come from. The Shays, however, were quite long, relatively speaking, and required a gentler curve due to the travel of its slip yokes. Heisler claimed their design could haul a greater load, albeit not much greater, than a Shay of comparable size.
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr I guess at that rate, it would come down to pounds of tractive effort and the cohesion factor, right?
Another interesting video, please keep them coming.
Hi cdjhyoung. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for the Climax coming soon. Thanks for watching!!
I used to know a guy who was a Heisler engineer on the Sumter Valley Railway in Oregon.
Thank you for a great video, and for the way
you make the story very listenable and understandable !
Another nice piece of history explained, I have seen the Heisler in NZ.
I think I saw one of these in Scotia, California.
Excellent! Thanks!
THE HEISLER LOCOMOTIVES MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR AN REVOLUTIONARY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE!
THE EARLY AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE WAS BUILT TO EARLY MOTORCYCLE DESIGN , USING CHAIN DRIVES,
WITH THE ENGINE
CRANKSHAFT BEING LAID SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.
BEHIND THE ENGINE, AND ALSO CROSSWAYS WAS THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY!
ON THE REAR AXLE WERE THE DRIVE SPROCKETS AND WHEELS , WITH ALL THE OTHER PARTS USING CHAIN DRIVE SIMILAR TO THE BICYCLES!
UNFORTUNATELY ALL THIS CHAIN DRIVE WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF
6 OR 8 MOTORCYCLE CHAINS, TO LUBRICATE AND PROPERLY ADJUST!
LOUIS SEMPLE CLARKE
AN EARLY AMERICAN
AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN ENGINEER, AND FOUNDER OF THE AUTOCAR CORPORATION MAY HAVE USED THE HEISLER DRIVELINE TECHNOLOGIES TO CREATE THE MODERN
LONGITUDINAL ENGINE, CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION DRIVESHAFT, AND CENTER REAR DIFFERENTIAL DRIVELINE SYSTEM!
THE AUTOCAR CORPORATION BUILT CARS AND TRUCK,THEN IN 1913 DISCONTINUED BUILDING AUTOMOBILES AND BUILT BETTER AND LARGER TRUCKS!
TODAY, AUTOCAR CORPORATION IS THE OLDEST AUTOMOTIVE BRAND , STILL ACTIVE
IN THE USA!
KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!!
👍👍
Very nice, like
Know a 84yr old veteran named Tom Hiesler in STL during dinner said i think it was was His great grandfather who invented this engine.
Personally can't prove him wrong so simply saying.
Himself being 84 isn't technically doing well.
Hi rudyjavurek2817. That's amazing. I can only imagine what was passed down through the family history about Charles Heisler. I hope things improve for this gentleman!! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!!
I own one just Walting on boiler cert should get it
❤💪