Forest railway

File:Forest RailwayNasswald1.jpg

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 areas with extensive forest cover and are designed to navigate the challenging terrain of forests, including steep gradients and tight curves.

History

The development of forest railways began in the late 19th century, coinciding with the industrial revolution and the increased demand for timber. Early forest railways were often temporary and constructed using wooden rails. Over time, these evolved into more permanent structures with steel rails and more sophisticated locomotives.

Construction

Forest railways are usually narrow-gauge due to the need for tight turning radii and the lower cost of construction. The gauge can vary, but common gauges include 600 mm, 750 mm, and 1,000 mm. The construction of forest railways involves clearing paths through dense forest, laying tracks, and building bridges and tunnels as necessary.

Operation

The primary purpose of forest railways is to transport logs from the forest to sawmills or other processing facilities. This is typically done using specialized rolling stock such as log cars and flatcars. In some cases, forest railways also transport workers and equipment to and from logging sites.

Decline and Preservation

With the advent of modern logging trucks and improved road networks, many forest railways have fallen into disuse. However, some have been preserved as heritage railways and are operated by enthusiasts for tourism and educational purposes.

Examples

• The Weyerhaeuser Timber Company operated an extensive network of forest railways in the United States.
• The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways in Germany, while primarily a passenger railway, also served the timber industry.

See also

• Logging railway
• Narrow-gauge railway
• Heritage railway
• Timber industry