1/6 scale PHOENIX LOG HAULER

[Ackman]

This working, 1/6 scale PHOENIX LOG HAULER, was 6 years in the making, by WI native, Dan Kiekhafer. Dan was a "master model builder"!!! He took most measurements from a full size hauler in Wabeno, WI. (The log haulers were built in Eau Claire, WI) He also has access to some existing blueprints & then scaled everything down. He made his own patterns & castings. The toughest part was making the caterpillar tracks. The engine was mounted on a special skid, that Dan also built. It had rollers, so that when the engine was steamed & running, people could see the tracks moving & what a sight it was!!! Dan left us, about 10 years, but his legacy lives on. The engine is on special loan, in a glass showcase, to the PAUL BUNYAN Museum, in Eau Claire. Ironically, Dan never showed anyone how to run it.

[Tore Blom]

Some very interesting machines these. How many is it known to remain of these?

I do not know if you are aware of the two up in the very North of Finland. They were brought up there in 1912 as a part of a forest project. Unfortunately I have had difficulties in obtaining sufficient information as it is mono-language spoken litterateur/articles in Finnish only, I have found. Two of the kind was brought up there and is thought being of the 100hp version. How many sizes was there to chose between?

Tore Blom

[Chuck Sindelar]

I thought they were built in just the one size, but I could be wrong on that. I have seen the scale mod. in the Logging museum in EauClaire, and I also thought it was well done. There has been that same rumor floating around here for a decade or more about the two that remain in the North of Finland. I hope someone will now confirm that rumor once and for all. Exactly where are they? Are they accessable, so one can go there and see them? Are they complete and running, or mere skelitons rotting away in the woods? Has anyone that has actually seen them report back to us here?
thanks

chuck Sindelar

[Tore Blom]

They are definitely there.
I was trying to get some information last autumn but found it difficult. However I am sure it is possible if one tried harder. The publication was not much in help, text in Finnish and the pictures did only show the old days.
I am sure they are not running. The area is in the very north close to Russian border. From all experiences engines in areas close to Soviet, or where the Russians have been in the past, engines are cannibalised in an amp tempt to make them unusable. Why I would not be surprised if these are also rubbed un various parts of dignity.

Below is an answer from the Minna Halonen representing park or the museums, or both? / Tore Blom



"More information about Sandbergs steam lokomotive will be found in this
address http://www.rovaniemi.fi/?deptid=7811. It is Lapland Forestry Museum
in Rovaniemi. Information is in finnish. The other lokomotive is in museum
and the other one is still in Savukoski. Juhani Pelkonen has made
publication about this subjekt."

[Ackman]

Here's a pic of one of the PHOENIX Log Haulers in northern Finland. This is in a reserve/park, close to the Russian border. It was not only cannibalized, but was also burned. I have known about this hauler & have had the pic for many years. I have corresponded with a gent in Finland, about 5 years ago, & learned about the other one. It's farther north & in a very remote area. Due to my old 'puter crashing & NOT having the brains at that time to put all the info on disc, the info I had is lost! My Dad worked for PHOENIX STEEL Corp., which was originally PHOENIX Mfg. Co., that built them. We spent many years finding what info we could on the haulers. My Dad is gone, but I know quite a bit about the history of PHOENIX. I also have 15 orginal glass negetives that were given to us when the company relocated. What happened to production records, is anybody's guess! There are also rumors of 2 or 3 haulers in swamp areas in WI, but nothing has been found, YET!!! There is also a rumor of one in a remote area of Alaska.

[ChadYelland]

Hi, guys, theres 2+ up here in canada, our museum has engine numbers 61 and 63 i think, 61 is being rebuilt to running condition, at our Saskatoon branch and the other is restored for display inside our North Battleford branch

[Tore Blom]

Where do one find serial no on these engines? If I make a tour out there to see the Finnish ones it would be good to know where to look for the # as I presume the tags etc are gone.

What is the serial no on the other? like the ones you mention Randy, and what about the date of the your Canadian ones Chad. Does anyone know or?


Tore Blom

[survivingworldsteam]

The one in Alaska is owned by Keith Christenson, Iditarod, Alaska. It is my understanding there is also a Phoenix log hauler at Cedar Valley Memories, 1525 State St., Osage, IA. It is part of the Smolix Collection.

Another one is at the logging Museum in Rhinelander, WI. See http://www.donovan.homedns.org/grvs/.../photo_24.html

Yet another is at the logging museum in Wabeno, WI. See http://www.tailwinds.org/west/wi/d70.html

I did not realize that Lombard log haulers had two horizontal cylinders, while Phoenix log haulers had four vertical. That makes it easy to tell them apart.

Tore, I would like a copy of your pictures when you get back, if you don't mind. Unfortunately, I can't help you in regards to a builder's plate; although somewhere on the steam engine themselves is usually a good place to start.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project

[Tore Blom]

James did you have the information from John B Toy regarding new entries to the european list? I have suplied them with the infos I had gathered about Scandinavian engines, but I might wery well send you this as well. With easter in front there should be some time to do that I think.

Tore Blom

[Wayne Welch]

Here is a photo of the one at Osage, IA.

[ChadYelland]

the only numbers i know of are on the center of the smokebox door on the thing that looks llike a cast steering wheel, i don't know if its stamped anywhere else or not, i'll see if i can find some pictures off them to post

[Ackman]

I've seen the hauler in Rhinelander, many times. It was a runner, when it was brought there, before the museum was truly organized. Parts have been stolen from it, over the years & it has seen many years of weather & neglect...now it's just a shell for the tourists to gawk at. I've also had the pleasure of riding in the one at Wabeno, WI. I believe that Chad is right, that the only numbers are cast into the front boiler door. Here's a couple more pics: The first one is of a hauler ready to be shipped, by rail. (Name of man standing there & date of pic, unknown at this time.) The second pic is of the interior of PHOENIX Mfg., Co., take in July 1910.

[Bob Cutler]

The Phoenix in Osage Iowa is still going strong my nephew helps run it and the 100 hp case. Bob, well he kinda helps.

[Craig A]

I had photos of the Wabeno Steam Hauler posted at the old board.
I'll have to track them down and repost them......

[Craig A]

Here's a pic of the model Steam Hauler built by Dan Kiekafer (?).
when this was taken at the Edgar, WI, show the sign said "One More Year".

[Paul E]

thanks for the information I will and them to my list. Do you know if they are operational?

[Paul E]

the serial number is on the front of the boiler. Wabeno's is no.79