Draft:Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. Falk

Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. 1 Falk
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Marshutz and Centrell Build date 1884 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-0 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 33 in (0.838 m) Adhesive weight 33 drivers Loco weight 240,000 lbs Fuel type Wood Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 9 in × 12 in (230 mm × 300 mm)
Career Official name Falk Retired 1927 Disposition Operational

Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. Falk is a 0-4-0 Locomotive built by Marshutz and Centrell in 1884. This "gypsy" type locomotive was purchased by Noah Falk in San Francisco and shipped by vessel to Arcata, CA. It was first used at the Dolly Varden Mill in north Arcata until the mill was closed in 1885. In 1886 it was moved to Falk, California, for use on the Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. railroad. Logs were hauled from the woods to the mill. When the railroad was extended five miles up a narrow, winding canyon, a larger locomotive was purchased in 1903. The Falk was relegated to switching duties at the mill. In 1927 it was retired. The locomotive was given to the city of Eureka, California, for use in a 1936 Fourth of July parade operating on street car tracks. It was then displayed at Fort Humboldt and given to the State of California when the military fort became a state park. Restored by NCLIA volunteer labor and State Parks funding in 1986, it operates monthly during the summer at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park Logging Exhibit. Owned by California State Parks.

Falk 1 (SteamExpo 86)

In May 1986 the engine participated at SteamExpo 86 in Vancouver British Columbia alongside with V&T 22 Inyo, CP 374, CP 3, Dunrobin (2nd), PL Co. 12, GW 51, AP 2, CN 1392, UP 4466, HL Co. Ltd. 1, MB 1077, QRR 2, Tom Thumb (1927 Replica), Best Friend of Charleston (1928 Replica), MRSR 91, John Bull (1939 Replica), CP 2860, CP 1201, CN 6060, John Molson (1970 Replica), and Stephenson's Rocket (1979 Replica). In June 1999 Along the way SP 4449 and MEL Co. 1 had to stop for a picture to pose right next to MCRR 25 for a picture and then they set off again to the California State Railroad Museum. In Sacramento, the engine participated at Railfair 1999 alongside with Eureka (locomotive), BHL Co. 1, SCLL 4 Denna, F&W Co. 1 Sespe, ML Co. 1, MSVR 3, JK&Co. Gwen, SERA 28, PM Co. 1, MEL Co. 1, GCRR 1925, H. RY. Co. 5, Best Friend of Charleston (1928 Replica), KFR 6, De Arend (1939 Replica), John Bull (1939 Replica), SP 4449, UP 3985, UP 844, AT&SF 3751, John Molson (1970 Replica), and a newly restored SP 2467 where Gov. Stanford, C. P. Huntington, V&T 13 Empire, V&T 12 Genoa, NPC 12 Sonoma, NSL 1, AT&SF 1010, NWP 112, UP 4466, GR Co. 10, SP 4294, AT&SF 2925, and AT&SF 5021 live. SP 1233 had to pull a mixed freight train. UP 4466 did a last year run before being retired and put back on display. The shay locomotives were having the great shay race. Everything went well then suddenly UP 844 had suffered a tube and at the end, UP 3985 had to take UP 844 home dead in tow back to Cheyenne, Wyoming for an overhaul restoration into operating condition. As of 2024, the locomotive is still operational.

Gallery

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  Falk 1
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  Falk 1-2