Forest railway

Comandau train cff

File:Forest RailwayNasswald1.jpg

Forest RailwayNasswald1

Early-Shay

Mine lokomotiv El-9 in Kemence

"Perdido", a pole road locomotive

Ticket vending at Nagybörzsöny narrow gauge railway station

Forest railway refers to a type of narrow-gauge railway that is primarily used for the transportation of timber and other forest products. These railways are typically found in forested areas and are designed to navigate the challenging terrain of forests, including steep gradients and tight curves.

History

Forest railways have been in use since the 19th century, particularly in regions with extensive forest resources. They played a crucial role in the logging industry by providing an efficient means of transporting logs from remote forest areas to sawmills and other processing facilities. The development of forest railways was often driven by the need to access timber resources that were otherwise difficult to reach.

Design and Construction

Forest railways are usually narrow-gauge railways, which means the distance between the rails is less than the standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). The narrow gauge allows for tighter curves and steeper gradients, making it suitable for the rugged terrain of forests. The construction of forest railways often involves minimal infrastructure, with tracks laid directly on the forest floor or on simple wooden or metal supports.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock

The locomotives used on forest railways are typically small and lightweight, designed to navigate the narrow and often uneven tracks. Steam locomotives were commonly used in the early days, but they have largely been replaced by diesel and electric locomotives. The rolling stock includes various types of wagons and flatcars designed to carry logs and other forest products.

Operations

Forest railways are usually operated by logging companies or forest management agencies. The operations involve the transportation of felled trees from the logging sites to processing facilities. In some cases, forest railways also provide transportation for workers and equipment. The railways are often seasonal, operating primarily during the logging season.

Decline and Preservation

With the advent of modern transportation methods, such as trucks and all-terrain vehicles, the use of forest railways has declined significantly. However, some forest railways have been preserved as heritage railways and are operated for tourism and educational purposes. These preserved railways offer a glimpse into the history of the logging industry and the role of railways in forest management.

Related Pages

• Narrow-gauge railway
• Logging
• Heritage railway
• Steam locomotive
• Diesel locomotive
• Electric locomotive