LUMBERING IK PINE REGION OF CALIFORNIA. 59 
Many firms build their own logging cars, particularly those using 
narrow-gauge flat cars. The complete cost of building such flats, 
24 feet in length, is commonly about $600. Each car is equipped 
with chains for binding the logs, which cost, per car, from $10 to $20. 
Upon the smaller operations usually about three sets of cars are 
required; one at the pond, one on the road, and the other in the woods. 
Larger operations require at least four sets of cars, a loaded and an 
empty set being in the woods all of the time. In most instances a 
few extra cars are in the repair shop or being used for other purposes. 
With a hauling distance of 10 miles or more, at least two locomo- 
tives are required; one for the main-line haul and the other for 
switching the loads out to the main line. 
Upon a road 16 miles in length, including spurs, one 35-ton main- 
line rod engine, one 42-ton geared engine, and 80 flats 24 feet in 
length are required for a daily output of 160,000. The usual train 
load is 16 flats. A company operating 11 miles of railroad with 
heavy grades has one 32-ton and two 42-ton geared locomotives and 
seventy 24-foot flats. The usual train is 14 cars and the daily output 
is about 250,000. A firm with a daily output of 220,000 has 20 
miles of logging railroad with heavy grades and 10 miles of spurs. 
Two geared locomotives, one 56 and the other 60 tons, are operated 
on the main line. Two 37-ton geared locomotives are required for 
switching on the spurs. The usual train load is 18 cars, and a total 
of one hundred and fifty 24-foot flats are required. 
Operation. — A general idea of the operation of logging railroads 
has already been given in the discussion of equipment. The crew 
required, as well as the amount of equipment, depends upon the 
daily output and the resistance. Upon small operations one loco- 
motive and crew is sufficient. This engine hauls the empties out to 
the woods, switches them to the yarders, picks up the loaded cars, 
and takes the train to the mill. In most instances two trips are 
made daily. Larger operations with longer railroads keep one loco- 
motive in the woods distributing empties and switching out the 
loaded cars to a point where they are picked up by the main fine loco- 
motive. Still larger operations have two main-fine locomotives and 
two or more locomotives switching in the woods. 
Geared locomotives are slower than rod engines and more of them 
are necessary for the same mileage. Enough crews and locomotives 
should be maintained on any operation to keep the loaders supplied 
with empty cars. Delays caused by lack of cars materially increase 
the cost of yarding and loading. 
One train crew is assigned to each locomotive. On most logging 
railroads the customary crew consists of a conductor, brakeman, 
engineer, and fireman. The daily labor cost is from $15 to $16 for 
10 hours work. Overtime at the regular rates is allowed for any 
