Saginaw Timber Company #2
The Saginaw Timber Company 2 was built in 1912 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. This steam locomotive incorporates several design features well suited for use on a logging railroad including a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement with an impressive tractive effort of 27,039 lbf (120.28 kN). The number 2 also has four flangeless center drivers, in order for it to negotiate with tight 30-degree curves commonly found on logging railroads. It was also built as an oil burner in order to prevent forest fires potentially caused by coal burning locomotives. A very detailed history of this locomotive can be found on this Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polson_...
The Mid-Continent Railway Museum featured in our clip is an outdoor, living museum and operating railroad recreating the small town/short line way of life during the “Golden Age of Railroading,” with operating trains, educational exhibits, and displays of restored rolling stock. Mid-Continent has operated at North Freedom, Wisconsin since 1963. They have an EXCELLENT write up and history of North Freedom, Wisconsin, The rail spur built by the Chicago & North Western Railroad, and the iron mines served by the railroad. Please visit their page and spend a little time reading about the history of this fascinating spur. https://www.midcontinent.org/about-us...
If you are ever in the Baraboo / Wisconsin Dells region I would highly recommend a visit to North Freedom, WI and spending a day enjoying all the museum has to offer, It's well worth it!
P.S. If you would like some additional reading on the depot at North Freedom check out this link https://www.midcontinent.org/about-us...
For information regarding the town of Ableman (later changed to Rock Springs) please visit this link https://saukcountyhistory.org/rock-sp...
Footage era September and October of 1998 from the camera of Bradley A. Plets
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