variations on a theme-Barnhardts
The Barnhardt was , like the skidshack, ubiquitous to the eastern logging scene. Most skidshacks got put on the log cars on moving day via Barnhardt.
The Barnhardt was a loggers idea. He studied a steamshovel, and decided it would me a good starting point for a self propelled log loader, that could travel on rails on log cars. He went to the steamshovel company, and logging in the east was never the same.
The first photo shows the old and many times rebuilt Keystone Barnhardt that works the log reload @ Ridgemont Tn. The narrow gauge log cars are also a Keystone Locomotive Works cars, which are also good gars, due to thier cast white metal construction, they weigh enough to track well, even on the rough code 55 handlayed track at the reload, which was laid before there was a narrow gauge railroad to hook to it, and all the operation I invisioned for it was to have a narrow gauge log train move to the right or left, in order to clear crossing on the standardgauge siding to the log reload, or dual gauge switches , on the right side of the passing siding.
The standard gauge log cars are MDC shorty flats, which used to be available in 3 pack kits. Thes make nice cars, as they have metal underframes, they have enough low wieght to operate well empty, especially if you replace the wheel sets provided will all metal wheel sets. Note the operation tab. Dr. Tom's and my tab on car operation system, borrowed from Johm Allen, is discussed in the treads on our systems C&S and DG CC & W RR Logging in east Tn.
Also note the tiny skidder, made from a farm tactor and the treads from a logging arch all woodland's scenics parts I think. This is the kind of thing that happens when you dump a lot of castings in a box. I think thre is enough stuff in there to make a steam powered tracked machine like a phonex or a lombard- Stay tuned)
The second photo is an IHC Barnhardt working the dry storage spot on the log dump track. If your switching the mill, and you had a yellow tab with the #7 on it, you would deliver the car here, or as close as you can get (they are suposed to have a car puller). The cars are modified MDC shorty flats, with rails for the Barnhardts the booms stick up pretty high on the IHC Barnharts, which prevent them from going through tunnels or under brigdes, so those tend to get lowered. this one hasn't had its guy ires replaced sine it's boom was lowered.
and the 3rd photo is a log truck, only a few of these around, the roads are pretty bad down here in Gorre County Tn
Bill Nelson