She was identical in many ways to other Baldwin logging locomotives of the time. She was a rod engine built for mainline log haul rather than the steep grades of the spurs traversed by the geared Shays, Climaxes and Heislers. In those days, Baldwin offered standard engines with common wheel arrangements, running gear, boilers and tenders. The logging operator would chose from a list of components to make up the desired locomotive. By using a series of standard parts Baldwin provided flexibility and kept the cost within reason. If you check out Comox Logging #11 at Ladysmith and ex-MB #1055 at Port Alberni you will notice that they all have the same running gear and wheel arrangement as our #16 and the same boilers. From there on each is different, representing the individual needs of the purchaser.

The Chas.R.McCormick Lumber Co. owned extensive logging and sawmilling operations in Oregon and Washington states from 1925 until 1938. It is not known where #101 went to work but a review of available information would seem to point to the operation at Castle Rock or at the extensive operations along the Hood Canal at Port Gamble and Port Ludlow. McCormick went out of business in 1938 and the Pope & Talbot interests took over the operation. Contract loggers were brought in to remove the remaining timber and the railroad was phased out. In the time between 1938 and her 1944 sale to Comox Logging, our locomotive worked for the US Army as #101.

Comox Logging & Railway Co. purchased the locomotive in 1944 and had her shipped to their operation at Headquarters in the Comox Valley. Comox Logging & Railway Co. was the logging and rail division of Canadian Western Lumber Co. of Fraser Mills B.C. The show in the Comox Valley ran from a log dump at Royston on Comox Harbour northwards to the Oyster River. Upon arrival at Headquarters, #101 was give a new number – 16. This was accomplished by grinding the old 101 off of the round Baldwin number plate on the smokebox door and screwing in a 1 and 6. At this time she was also given a tender off Comox #3, a 2-8-2 that had been scrapped in 1944. #16 retained her saddle tanks for additional water capacity.

Headquarters closed in 1953 and all of the equipment was barged to Ladysmith to work the line to Nanaimo Lakes. This was mainly a line haul operation with trucks bringing logs to a reload and the railway transporting them to tide water.

At Ladysmith #16 worked alongside of #11(another 2-8-2), #2,(a 2-6-2T) and #7(our own ex- PGE #2). Also present at Ladysmith was #12,a Shay that formerly worked for Merrill & Ring out of Squamish. It is worth noting here that all of the steam locomotives that worked a Ladysmith have been preserved. While at Ladysmith, #16 had her saddle tanks cut down to about the last 18 inches of their height. These were then filled with concrete and scrap metal to provide extra weight over the drivers for better traction. For more information on Comox Logging as well as photos of #16 in action see Logging by Rail by BOB TURNER.

In 1960 Comox Logging acquired an ex-US Army Baldwin model VO-1000 diesel locomotive to handle the work on the line to Nanaimo Lakes. All steam was retired and only 2-8-2 #11 was kept on standby. All of the steamers were preserved and in 1964,thanks to the efforts of the late Bob Swanson, #16 was sold to the WCRA. Needless to say we were overjoyed – our own steam engine!

In August of 1964 the WCRA ran its first steam excursion. Locomotive # 16 hauled a passenger train from North Vancouver to Squamish, laid over at the PGE shop while the train was hauled to Mons and back by a PGE diesel, and then deftly handled the train back to North Vancouver. A photo of this excursion is on our cover this month, note the engine and tender is lettered West Coast Railway #16 and also Open Observation car #598 is in the consist behind the baggage car. Thereafter there were several attempts to operate another steam trip, however the railways were not interested. The locomotive was placed on display along with the British Columbia, at the old Great Northern Station in Vancouver.

In 1967.the WCRA was approached by the Alaska Railroad seeking a steam locomotive for use in a centennial celebration. A lease agreement was drawn up and #16 traveled to Alaska by barge. While in Alaska the legend Moose Gooser was painted on the side. Returning from Alaska, the locomotive again went into storage.

In 1971,a former WCRA member approached the club with an offer to lease the locomotive for a period of 10 years for use on a proposed tourist train operation on the former CN line out of Victoria. The club agreed and a lease was drawn up. The locomotive was re-tubed and put into service out of a makeshift station near Mechosin. (see photo below at Millstream Junction station) To make a long story short, the operation failed and #16 was again put into storage. The equipment was ordered removed from CN property and was moved to Ladysmith for a short term. While on the island, the concrete filled side tanks were removed and tipped over a bank along the right of way. In 1979 the WCRA learned that #16 was about to be scrapped by Crown Zellerbach in order to get it off the property at Ladysmith where it had been stored well beyond its welcome. WCRA unfortunately had to initiate legal action to have the locomotive returned. After difficult lengthy proceedings and a long court trail, the WCRA regained ownership of the engine with awarded damages.

The locomotive was again put into storage at the old Dominion Bridge plant at Boundary Road while plans for the West Coast Railway Heritage Park were being formulated. In 1994, locomotive #16 moved to Squamish, thanks to the generosity of BC Rail, the hard work of DEVON GENEROUS and other members and help from AL BROADFOOT.

What of the future of this well traveled steam locomotive? Well the future looks bright indeed. While she has suffered a lot of wear and tear over the years, she is rebuildable. With a lot of hard work and no small amount of cash, she will live on to thrill future generations with her melodious whistle and her deep throated chugging around the site. Truly one of the most magical of all machines invented by man!