The Swayne Lumber Company: Narrow gauge logging in the Merrimac Forest

Fascinating history of the Swayne family's logging, mill and railroad operations in the Merrimac Forest of California. The book examines both the Swayne's operations and those of the Truckee Lumber Co. to carefully explain how the Swayne's careful management allowed them to survive forest fires, train wrecks, loss of steamships, mill fires, low prices and the Depression while other companies were forced into bankruptcy. The book also examines the evolution of lumbering technology -- the Swaynes were pioneers in the use of gasoline powered tractors, lumber carriers and logging trucks and their mill at Oroville had some of the most up-to-date equipment in he state. In addition, the authors also carefully describe life for men in the logging camps. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos (many rare ones taken by Lloyd Swayne, last president of the company). Includes locomotive and rolling stock rosters (with detailed notes), schematic diagrams and maps. Invaluable for modelers -- there are scale diagrams for the logging camp buildings as well as for the equipment. With end papers showing Lima's original drawing of Shay No. 6. 175 pages with index.