I know a little bit about the Feather River Railway outa Oroville through Feather Falls and on into the woods. It was Hutchinson Lumber earlier. Now I keep running accross this Swayne Lumber. I've even got a roster on my site with pics from Oroville. Question is, are these two entirely different operations with differernt row and all or what?? I can trace the Feather River Ry on maps but have no indication of a second row for the Swayne. Recently ran accross a mention that the Swayne ran up to near Bucks Lake. Unfortunately this doesn't help me locate a row on any maps I have. Any help is appreciated.
According to the very tiny bit of data I have, they both existed at the same time. So, there must have been seperate trackage. Boxcab E50
Hello again John, I'll take your question to a fella named James Lenhoff. He's quite knowledgeable about the Oroville area. If this doesn't work will try a few other sources. Thanks for comments on Clover Valley Lumber Company Jim
John, What little I have heard about the Swayne is several years ago PG&E drained Bucks Lake and found a loco at the bottom close to the dam. The loco and what ever else was in the lake were removed and taken some place. I am not sure where but someone on the board may know. Welcome to trainBoard Ole Shannon WP LIVES ATSF LIVES
Good day, My sources tell me that this same "train" was buried in Butt Valley Res. (locally called Butt Lake), not Bucks Lake. PG&E had been using it for loads in the building of this man-made lake. Butt Lake is located just a stone's throw southwest of Lake Almanor; it's a water storage area for PG&E. My sources suggest that some locals took pictures of the discovery "uncovered" when PG&E drained lake for maintenance. If Mother Nature ever stops dumping snow in the area, I plan on visiting the area.... If I find anything, will share.... Jim
Let me also welcome you to the Trainboard, Ole Croc. Great people and a fantastic source of info,both extremly helpful and courtious. Welcome. Joseph
Dinky. Dinky is the name of the train, engine, found at the bottom of Butt Valley Res. It was used in the building of the basin back in 1913. The engine and misc. equipment was re-discovered when PG&E lowered the waters to due some maintenance more than a few years ago. Somehow or other, Collins Pines Lumber Company got ahold of the engine and has it on exhibit in front of their Chester headquarters. It's easily spotted (Passed by it several times....)from Hwy. 32 just as one enters the big city of Chester. Will get more info, if snow ever stops. John on your other questions: Feather River RR and Swayne. Have your tried the website: www.oac.cdlib.org Hope this helps some.... Jim ps: stumbled across this info while researching data on the Clover Valley Lumber Co.
Wow, thanks for all the responses. I hadn't gotten back to this thread till now. I know of the "Dinky" on display in Chester. I just havn't gotten a pic yet. Is this indeed a Swayne lumber loco??? Jim thanks for the link, I'll check it out.
So far the only history for the "Dinky" is it is ex Great Western Power. Nothing mentioned of Swayne just yet. By the way, is GWP a predecessor to PGE?? Seems they've (GWP) had more than one loco in their history too.
