Clear cut by the old steam donkey

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Rob · #1 Post by **Rob** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:10 pm

Went for an impromptu drive on the Chemainus main and found that they have clear cut around the old steam donkey by the turn-off for Rhinehart Lake.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50454072398_0aa57bca61.jpg UZNU6349 by green_rover_guy, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50454942882_95d21b11af.jpg NVWQ0890 by green_rover_guy, on Flickr

Here's a link to some pics https://flic.kr/s/aHsmRmhALh

franko · #2 Post by **franko** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:33 pm

Hey thats so cool Rob, that thing must be 100 plus years old!

RobinS · #3 Post by **RobinS** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 7:50 am

It was a steam powered skidder when new. Built by Lidgerwood aprox. 1929. It was converted to diesel during world war two. It's a shame people have a need to vandalize everything, it was really cool when I first saw it in the 1970's

rgallant · #4 Post by **rgallant** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:04 pm

Did that thing used to have tracks ?

cbalme · #5 Post by **cbalme** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:32 pm

I think it was just on wheels and was pulled around, hopefully they don’t dismantle it more than it already is.

Those pictures make it look small!

rgallant · #6 Post by **rgallant** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:08 pm

25 guys used to run that here is a link to a little more info if you interested https://cecilashley.wixsite.com/the-las ... he-loggers

island dormy · #7 Post by **island dormy** » Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:55 pm

Hi Guys

I am not sure what I am about to say is true but according to one of the old timers at the forest museum it was originally hauled by train steam engines on rails to the different logging area when they used to log by rail.
When rail logging ended it was hauled around by D-8 cats to the different areas. If you take a close look at all the wheels they appear to be train wheels with the flanges ground off.
It was supposed to be donated to the forest museum but the cost to get it there was deemed too much so it has just been left to rot.

Victor

RobinS · #8 Post by **RobinS** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 5:43 am

Our scenery on Vancouver Island is second to none but for some of us , finding an old rusty relic of a bygone era makes our day . I know of several that are closely guarded secrets for obvious reasons.

Colin · #9 Post by **Colin** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 9:58 am

rgallant wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:04 pm Did that thing used to have tracks ?

I think the wheels are off an old tank chassis

island dormy · #10 Post by **island dormy** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 8:55 am

Hi

Yes the outside wheels that show in Robs photos look like tank or bulldozer wheels.?
It has been years since I have looked at it and before they clear cut around it it was hard to get close, but in between the outside wheels at each end if I remember correctly it is solid wheels 10 -12 feet (or however wide it is) and I think there were 2 solid rows of them those were train wheels since they had access to lots of worn out train parts as it was rail logging in those days.

Maybe we should get up there again for a drive soon.

Victor

The Rover-Landers of BC

The Rover-Landers of BC

Clear cut by the old steam donkey

Clear cut by the old steam donkey

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