Felton in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Heisler/Shay/Climax Locomotives

National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

— Felton, California —

Locomotives Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 18, 2022

1. Locomotives Marker

Inscription.
Heisler Locomotive, built by Stearns Manufacturing Company, 1899.
Shay Locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works, 1912.
Climax Locomotive, built by Climax Manufacturing Company, 1928.

The Shay locomotive, patented in 1881, and its two variants - the Climax and the Heisler - employed small high-speed steam engines geared down to axles on four-wheel trucks. They were suited to slow and heavy hauling with high tractive effort on the rough and temporary tracks of the lumber and mineral industries. They hauled heavy loads through difficult terrain from about 1890 to 1960 until replaced by automotive trucks.

Erected 1988 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list.

Location. 37° 2.431′ N, 122° 3.761′ W. Marker is in Felton, California, in Santa Cruz County. It can be reached from Graham Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Felton CA 95018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wagon Top Boiler (within shouting distance of this marker); Roaring Camp Covered Bridge

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(about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lt. John C. Fremont Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away); Felton Covered Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Felton Heritage Tree (approx. one mile away); The Cremer House (approx. one mile away); Felton Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Historic Lime Kilns (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Felton.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted to the track side of the train depot at the Roaring Camp Narrow Gauge rail facility.

Roaring Camp depot and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 18, 2022

2. Roaring Camp depot and marker

The marker is visible, between the doors.

Heisler steam locomotive 1 at Roaring Camp & Big Trees in Felton, California image. Click for full size.

courtesy of UConn Libraries under Creative Commons License 4.0, 1964

3. Heisler steam locomotive 1 at Roaring Camp & Big Trees in Felton, California

Shay locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works, 1912 ("Dixiana") image. Click for full size.

courtesy of UConn Libraries under Creative Commons License 4.0, January 26, 1964

4. Shay locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works, 1912 ("Dixiana")

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.