Source: "Willamette Locomotive" - photo : Bert Kellogg collection.
Source: "Willamette Locomotive" - photo: Pete Replinger collection
San Francisco & North Pacific #99 - (owner) -
nicknamed "Coffee Grinder"
Built 1887 - 56.5" gauge2
6"x10" (or 6"x12"2)
- a geared gypsy
locomotive
The engine operated in passenger service on the Fulton & Guerneville branch, in connection with the transformation of logged out land into an area of summer homes. This service was most probably started in 1894, late 1893 or 1895 also being possible. I cite: "He [SF&NP president Foster] bought some of the cut-over land, now green and bushy with second growth, and opened the first subdivision, Mirabel Park. The lots were grabbed like rings on a merry-go-round, and he followed it with Camp Vacation, Montesano [sic!], Russian River Heights, Rio Nido and Summer Home Park. He put in "street car" service with an open-air coach hauled up and down the branch by the old "Coffee Grinder" No. 99, both relics of the lumber railroad." "The lumber railroad" refers to either the SF&NP branch when used for log trains only or to some unnamed lumber company of the area.
| Source: | "Redwood Railways" by Gilbert H.
Kneiss / Howell-North Press / Berkeley 1956 Text and photo provided courtesy of Christian Halpaap of Hohenhameln-Bruendeln, Germany Colored text is a direct quote from the book. |
2Builder ID and additional data courtesy of John Taubeneck of Seattle, Washington
Image from "American Railroad Journal" dated 1869