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SAGINAW AND MANISTEE FLAGSTAFF OPERATIONS: 1941-1952
On March 1, 1941, the Saginaw and Manistee leased the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company from manager Joe Dolan. The S&M had acquired vast timber holdings in the area of Mormon Lake; the lease of the AL&T allowed them to harvest these holdings.
The Saginaw extended the Howard Spring line an additional 14 miles to Allan Lake, located South of Mormon Lake. The Allen Lake Line was essentially a steam engine powered, reasonably straight conveyor belt to and from the mill. With the exception of several short spurs and a "Y" near the southern end, the line was fed by trucks. Mechanized logging had replaced the need to constantly relay spurs into the forest. A steady flow of quality timber was provided to the leased Flagstaff mill, and during WWII made a significant contribution to the war effort.
In October of 1944 the Saginaw and Manistee purchased its' first and only 2-6-6-2 articulated mallet locomotive. Not just any articulate, but a true mallet with high- and low-pressure steam cylinders. It had previously been used in the Pacific Northwest. Later, in 1953, it was sold to Southwest Lumber Mills, then scrapped in 1956 (Schuppert, pages 96, 97.)
South-West Lumber Mills took control of the AL&T and the Saginaw lease in 1952-53. The next reorganized company, South-West Forest Industries, ran the line until March of 1966 (Kuhn 1981:101; Glover 1965; Stein, Report #19, page 33.)
"NEW LOGGING LINE IN ARIZONA OPENS FOR SERVICE
Operating the only logging railroad in either Arizona or New Mexico, Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Co. and Southwest Lumber Mills, Inc., both of Flagstaff, Arizona, in May of this year secured the railroad from the Arizona Lumber and Timber Co. It is now about 26 miles long, extending into the Cocconino (sic) National Forest, with eight miles of new line expected to be built this summer. A 2 1/2 mile section was rebuilt to 1 percent eliminating a switchback and 4 percent grades.
Longe range plans are to eventually build 75 miles of line in about 20 or 30 years to reach into the companies' timber reserves.
Motive power at present includes three locomotives, one of which is a shay. The roundhouse is located at the Southwest mill and the shops at the Saginaw mill are being enlarged to handle the railroad equipment." ("The Western Railroader" (published by the Southern California Railroad Club, Volume 6, Number 6 (60); Summer, 1943.)
It was hoped that the operations would continue for decades, which it did under new ownership and with a number of changes to the aforementioned plan. The article mentioned additional branch lines and rebuilding of the mainline into the woods. What eventually occurred was the use of trucks to haul the loads to the rail line, and then transporting the logs to to the mill site. Other than a few additions and changes, the main rail feeder remained much the same. I did research on this feeder line several years ago, and there were indications of rebuilding in the rock fill structures. It would be interesting to do further field research and find the switchbacks and old right of way. Another project, for another day.
Observations and Musings
A Mystery Shay is Revealed
After a short absence, I once again awakened this Blog from its blissful slumber, authoring new posts. There was some urgency in completing the updated engine roster, as the old list was outdated. I am thankful for all of the research by prior scholars who immeasurably helped in documenting this information. Combined with my recent research, I hope to have given them due credit for their prior work.
I am also thankful for a significant milestone in the number of hits on this Blog. It is now becoming a reference point for research and information on the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company of Williams, Arizona. This is not to be confused with other logging railroads that used the same name in different formats, and in separate regions of the country. Thanks to all who have browsed these pages, and making this Blog what it is today. Hopefully, I will get a book published someday...
THE SAGINAW AND MANISTEE LUMBER COMPANY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER
The following information is an attempt to document the various steam locomotive on the widespread operations of the Saginaw. One of the unique problems of compiling an accurate list is that they purchased new and used locomotives at will and threw leased engines into the cauldron whenever it suited their needs. It may have been a practical choice at the time, however, when it comes to documenting events for posterity it can prove a challenge.
Thus, using the builder's date cannot be used to accurately document when and where a particular engine was employed. Some of the greatest sources of information, like the Lumberjack publication, are at this time lost to research. What has been documented may not be the full story, as engines moved from one line to another, and others introduced as needed. Unlike some larger companies where documents abound along with images from the past, the Saginaw continues to reveal its historical secrets only through steadfast, thorough research and determination.
The following can be considered the most accurate at the time of publication:
No. Type Builder Built Comments
212 2T Shay Lima Unknown Used; 1894-1898 Saginaw Southern. 1899- Challender. 1908-Sold to Mexico, scrapped
556 2T Shay Lima 556 1889 New: 1889-1921 Saginaw Southern, S&M. 1921- Sold scrapped
327 2T Climax Climax 327 1901-02 Saginaw Southern
1 2T Climax Climax 1481 1917 Used; Bellemont and Chalender
1 (585) 2T Shay Lima 585 1899 Used, from Saginaw Lumber Co., Michigan. Saginaw Southern. 1919-to AL&T 1941- Leased to S&M #585, Flagstaff Area
2 2-6-0 Baldwin 23883 1904 New
3 2-6-0 Baldwin 32249 1907 New; Bellemont (Image)
4 2T Shay Lima 2732 1913 Used, 1923; ex AL&T; Possible Bellemont, Garland Prairie. 1929- for sale, scrapped
4(2) 3T Shay Lima 3026 1919 Used, 1941-Leased to S&M Flagstaff line.
4(3) 2-6-6-2 Baldwin 56738 1923 Purchased used 1944. Flagstaff line. To Southwest Lumber #4. Scrapped 1956
5 3T Shay Lima 2905 1917 AL&T #5, to S&M 1941 Flagstaff line. Damaged firebox, 1950 scrapped.
25 2-8-0 Baldwin 35938 1911 Known as 2 Spot, display Flagstaff.
248 4-6-0 Rogers 5285 1898 Used,' 1943: Flagstaff. Scrapped 1948.
105 3T Heisler Heisler 1596 1930 Used; at Allen Lake c. 1955 (Further investigation reveals this was a Southwest Lumber Mills engine, post 1953 after S&M ownership.)
(Note: "T" designates number of powered trucks for geared engines)
(2-6-0 Engines #2, #3 were the only new locomotives that were built by Baldwin. These two engines appear to have been used for a number of years, appearing on several lines.)
(Three engines were leased for Bellemont Line: two 4-4-0s and a 2-8-0.)
(Chart and information Stein; Report #19, page 114. Schuppert, pages 59, 96,97. Shaylocomotives.com/data. Additional information Author's research.)
(Additional engines were in use on the Flagstaff line. A roster is available in Schuppert's excellent book "Central Arizona Railroad," page 96 (out of print.))
(An interesting side note; during research in the company archives, I found a document soliciting a bid on a narrow-gauge Shay. There were no additional notations or specifications, implying that there was no further action taken on the proposal. It does lead one to speculate as to why they were thinking narrow gauge. Could it be that they hoped to connect with the narrow-gauge railroad to Jerome? Were they thinking that a slimmer track would help them navigate the forest terrain, into those difficult and unique stands of timber?)
A SUMMARY OF ENGINES ON THE VARIOUS LINES
TUSAYAN
According to the Auditor's Report, authored by C.E. Siddall, for the period of September 1, 1929, to August 1, 1930 (NAU Cline Library Special Collections, MS #84, Box 15 of 15, Taxes and Insurance), Exhibit "A" stated the following inventory was located at Camp 2, assumed to be Apex since it was the Headquarters' Camp in the Tusayan line:
"2 Baldwin Rod Locomotives #1, #2 1 Shay Geared Locomotive #4
1 Climax Locomotive #3 (at Williams) 10 Russel Log Cars
2 Fairbanks Morse Speeders 86 Russel Log Cars (at Williams)
(The Climax #3 and rod Locomotives #1, #2 do not appear on the prior roster in this section.)
Steam engines continued to provide the motive power for the log trains. Three engines were purchased or relocated from other operations: two Baldwin 2-6-0s (road numbers 1 and 2); and one Shay (number 4; Auditor's Report, 1930.) According to the report, engines #1 and #2 were built new for the S&M, probably other than Baldwin.
Once shiny, stout and strong, the work ahead in the woods would be tough and unforgiving. The engine crews would be proud of their iron steeds, keeping them clean and maintained, despite the dusty and muddy environment (An extensive history on these locomotives is located in the book by Al Richmond, The Story of the Grand Canyon Railway, pages 111, 112.)
Although the photographs are not captioned as to their location, it is very possible that these were the two engines abandoned near Apex. Probably Shay #4, and locomotive #2. Both were scrapped in 1941. (Photographs courtesy of Arizona Memory Project: Williams, Arizona Collection. A copy of the original scan is available at the Williams Historic Photo Project, in Williams, AZ.)
In the North Country, steam engines powered the logging railroads until the very end of operations. Used locomotives were still available, since the mainline companies were transitioning to diesel power. However, these companies were keen on getting every mile of usefulness out of those steam engines, so finding them in reasonable operating condition was becoming a problem (this is one of the reasons why the Saginaw's 2-6-6-2 was retired, as it was just worn out to justify a rebuild.)
THE DIESEL EXPERIMENT
SURVIVING STEAM ENGINES
2-6-6-2 #12, Southwest Forest Industries, on display in Flagstaff
Engine number 12 is similar to the original 2-6-6-2 (#4) operated by the Saginaw and Manistee during the Flagstaff years. In October of 1944 the Saginaw and Manistee purchased its' first and only 2-6-6-2 articulated mallet locomotive. Not just any articulate, but a true mallet with high- and low-pressure steam cylinders. It had previously been used in the Pacific Northwest. Later, in 1953, it was sold to Southwest Lumber Mills, until having been scrapped in 1956 (Schuppert, pages 96, 97.)
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Arcata and Mad River articulated locomotive, pre-Southwest Lumber Mills, Inc. #12
One of my obsessions is to find images of the steam locomotives (and one ALCO diesel switcher) that haunted the woods of the North Country. A good source of information are second-hand images on eBay.
I acquired an original photograph of Arcata and Mad River Railroad locomotive #12. This was part of a collection of images from an amateur rail photographer, who graciously provided written information with each entry. The following is a paraphrased translation:
Arcata and Mad River Number 12, 2-6-6-2T Baldwin 1929- builder number 60870, compound (Mallet).
Ex-Hammond Lumber #60, Mill City, Oregon
Ex-Hammond and Little River, Red (Redding, Ca.?) #12
Ex-Hammond Lumber #12
Leased by Northern Redwood for Arcata and Mad River, 1951.
Purchased by Southwest Lumber Mills, Inc. in 1956.
This was the second articulated locomotive to operate out of Flagstaff and is currently on display at the Heritage Museum in Flagstaff, Arizona. Photograph image author's Collection
............
The average steam logging locomotive can be said to chug its way through the forest, satisfied to rock about the unballasted rails, glad to have a day in the sunshine. A proud little iron horse: at times prancing yet determined as it goes about its work. An articulated, fire-breathing 2-6-6-2 is not just another steam engine. Such a devising of man thunders, shaking earth and sky, loudly announcing its presence; a majestic form casting broad shadows on the landscape, leaving no one to doubt as to what approaches through the cloud of steam and smoke. Such a spectacle, once witnessed, will always be remembered; awesome to behold; urging even the proudest of men to stand in silence, hat in hand, humbled with respect and admiration. This is no pony; this was an iron-willed stallion at work!
SAGINAW AND MANISTEE: COMPARISON OF IMAGES, FLAGSTAFF AND WILLIAMS MILLS
Occasionally in my research, I find contradicting information especially when it comes to photo images. This is not to say that anyone had forethought of malice or deception; it's just that photographs are often mislabeled, or the history is muddied after time has passed. This often results in repetitive errors in historical narratives, until such time that the context is questioned. My intent is not to maline someone, but to clarify after research shows that an earlier conclusion is possibly in error. As an example, take the following image:
Saginaw and Manistee Bellemont Line: Spurs North and West of Kendrick Peak (Part 4)
(The usual copyrights and such legal matters apply)
During the Summer of 2023, I continued my explorations of the S&M lines in the far northern regions of the Bellemont Line. The days were once again hot and limited my activities in the forests. I did promise to explore the spurs located northwest of Kendrick Peak, particularly one of those that was covered in Parts 1-3 of this research project. Not one to spoil the ending, you will have to read all the prior parts to get and understanding of where this is at, plus it encourages you to read more of my prior posts.
