88 BULLETIN 440, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGBICTLTrRE. 
The construction materials used are the same as for logging roads, 
except that the steel is usually 56 or 60 pounds. 
The locomo tires engaged on lumber hauls vary from 35 to 90 
tons in weight. The smaller engines are employed on short, easy 
hauls. An engine of from 70 to 75 tons in weight is commonly the 
most satisfactory for the longer lumber hauls. Where the cars are 
owned by the lumber operator light flat cars are employed. Foreign 
cars are always used whenever possible. 
One 75-ton locomotive and crew will handle the output of a double- 
band mill for distances up to 30 miles on roads with moderate grades. 
Two trips are made daily on a 15-mile run and one trip daily on a 
30-mile run. A crew consists of a conductor, engineer, fireman, and 
one or two brakemen. Definite cost figures on the operation of 
private lumber railroads are not at hand, but it is estimated that 
diy lumber can be transported for from 50 to 75 cents per 1,000 
for hauls of from 10 to 15 miles. 
Whenever it is necessary for the railroad to be a common carrier, 
a separate company owned by the lumber company stockholders is 
usually formed to operate it. The rates of common carrier railroads 
are subject to revision and approval by the State Kailroad Commis- 
sion. They are theoretically equal to the proportionate cost of opera- 
tion plus a reasonable profit on the investment. The local pates 
upon a number of primarily lumber-carrying railroads follow: 
Name of road. 
Point, j »f 
Rate 
per 2.000 
pounds. 
S2.25 
1.35 
1.50 
1.60 
Lyons Dam to Sonora __ 23 
Sterling Citv to Barber 30 1-65 
White Pine"to El Prado 45 
2.25 
These local rates are used in combination with trunk-line rates 
for most California shipments. Points on some of these lines take 
coast group rates in transcontinental shipments. Air-dried pine 
lumber has a shipping weight of from 2,500 to 2,700 pounds per 
1,000 feet board measure. 
LUMBER INCLINES. 
Where the sawmill is located within a short distance of a trunk- 
line railroad but at a considerably higher elevation, an incline is 
frequently the best and most economical method of delivering the 
lumber at the loading spur. There are several such inclines in 
operation, as well as one or two where the lumber is hauled up instead 
of lowered. An incline located in the central Sierras, and in general 
typical of them all, is described below- 
