ElK River Mill & Lumber Co. 1 "Falk" (Steam Expo 1986)

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ElK River Mill & Lumber Co. 1
ElK River Mill & Lumber Co. 1 "Falk" (Steam Expo 1986)

The Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. locomotive No. 1, better known as the “Falk.” This 9 ton 0-4-0 gypsy locomotive was built in 1884, by Marshutz & Cantrell (also has been known as National Ironworks) of San Francisco. Globe Iron Works was also incorporated in 1882 and built locomotives similar to the Falk, and could have been involved in its construction.

The Falk, and its sister engine the “Bear” were designed for use in Northern California’s logging railroads, and marked the changing of an era as steam power replaced the horse, mule and oxen teams which previously had wrestled with the redwoods. Noah Falk, a local timberman of the Humboldt Bay area purchased the the Gypsy No. 1 to use on his short logging railroad he had built in Arcata, CA to service his Dolly Varden Mill. Two years later the Falk was barged down the bay and set on a new track with led to another of Falk’s enterprises – the Elk River Mill and Lumber Co. The Falk operated there for 40 years, first as a log hauler and then as a mill yard switch engine. The Falk also served the small town of Falk, which had sprung up around the successful lumber venture.

The Falk is not a true gypsy engine in the traditional sense, but is a close variation which includes a capstan steam winch for hoisting and dragging in the logging operation. The throttle is a ball valve that the engineer turns, much like turning on a water faucet.

The Falk was given to the city of Eureka, California, for use in a 1937 Fourth of July parade operating on street car tracks on Second Street in Eureka. It was then displayed at Fort Humboldt and given to the State of California when the military fort became a state park. Restored by Association volunteer labor and State Parks funding in 1986, it operates monthly during the summer at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park Logging Exhibit. Owned by the City of Eureka, loaned to California State Parks. There are only 12 locomotives anywhere in the U.S. or Canada that are older than the Falk that still operate.

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Taken on: May 28, 1986
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Sets appears in:   • Steam Expo 1986   
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