BIG CREEK & TELOCASET
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Image, Big Creek & Telocaset 3-Trk Heisler #5 Order No. BCT05I Photograph from Paul Eilenburger Collection (Probably by Paul Eilenburger, but not varifiable) It is October of 1945 in the tiny interchange mountain town of Telocaset, Oregon, along the famous Union Pacific Eastern Mainline between La Grande and Baker. It is here, at the summit of the Blue Mountains, at Milepost 313, that mammoth motive power was, and still is, often the order of the day to top the 3,446 ft. grade. On this particular day, however, the glory fell to this classic 3-truck Heisler #5 belonging to the local Big Creek & Telocaset Railroad Company. Built by Heisler in 1924 as S/N 1501, it started out as #5 for the Ostrander Railway & Timber Company. Shown here over 20 years later, sitting next to the UP main, it is a perfect form, fit and function example of American ngenuity solving a complex transportation problem. Also, itis a real trackside scene stealer to boot!
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RAILROADS OF CALIFORNIA & THE WEST
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