The Best Steam Traction Engine in pen and ink.
I’ve always enjoyed old time logging scenes as subjects for pen and ink. The steam traction engine in this picture is the same model as the one in my blog banner.
Horses and oxen were the first source of power for lumberjacks. Then, steam traction engines, steam donkeys and locomotives heralded the age of steam in the woods. The Best Steam Traction Engine came to the woods around 1890. There were many different makes of traction engines during that era but, the Best Steam Traction Engines were the machines that operated in our neck of the woods. They hauled logs from the woods to the mills and lumber from the mills to market. The Best Manufacturing Company was started by Daniel Best, and based in San Leandro, California. They built these tractors until 1908 when the Best Manufacturing Company was acquired by Holt Manufacturing Company. Soon after, C. L. Best, Daniel’s son, then started the rival C. L. Best Gas Traction Company. In, 1925 Holt and Best merged to become Caterpillar Tractor Company.
The first time I saw one of these machines in person, I was amazed by its enormous size. The big drive wheels are over seven feet tall. It was a huge tractor used for hauling huge loads.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
Love your drawings and envious of your talent. I also love vintage equipment!
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Thank you so much Sarah. You need not be envious, I’ve seen your work! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂 I think I may always feel I’m lacking because mine is digital and I revere those who can still get their hands dirty with a physical brush, pen or pencil. Still, needs must when you’re ‘differently abled’, as that awful expression goes!
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Art is big and diverse with room for all media. I still haven’t waded into digital art. I wonder sometimes, if the digital will totally replace traditional art in children’s books. Still, I think there is room for all.
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There is room for all and I sincerely hope digital doesn’t entirely replace traditional in children’s books – that would be awful.
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Really beautiful! Lovely textures.
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Thanks Steven.
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Great pen and ink as always! We go to farm fests all the time and see these old type stream engines. They facinate me. So simple, yet so powerful. Thanks for the info and enjoy your weekend!
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Thank you Ilex. Usually, we get to see all the old steam engines and tractors at the logging conferences. Always fun.
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🙂
>
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Interesting fact on how Caterpillar Tractors was created. Machinery really revolutionized the logging industry didn’t it.
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It really did. Now logging equipment is more like something out of Star Wars.
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Very Nice!
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Tim,
Thanks for sharing this history with us! I love learning about logging history and changes in the industry.
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Thank you Linda!
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Wonderful drawing and history.
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Thank you Mary!
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You are so talented. I love when you post your art work!
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Thanks Megan! I know, I need to do it more often. I’ve been slacking. I figured if I didn’t start posting more, I would have to change my title to “The Forester Guy”, which is still better that Dogman.
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I don’t know…Dogman has a nice ring to it! 🙂
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I think that is a whole lot bigger than what we use in the UK, it is HUGE, well captured in your clever hands.
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Thank you Arlene!
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Beautiful drawing! I love the contrasts light/dark, the sharp shadows of a sunny day.
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Thank you so much Gunilla! I’m glad you like it.
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Great details in your drawing Tim ! Love the whisper of smoke …
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Thank you Poppy! 🙂
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Great drwaing, great details, Tim! 😃
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I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
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Great drawing!
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Thank you DG!
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Beautiful work!
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Reblogged this on Ta hendene til din kjære – se på dem og hold dem hardt Disse hendene skal du følge, leie og lede. Du skal få føle på varmen fra dem og kjenne en inderlig glede. De skal stryke deg og de skal holde rundt deg – de er ikke skapt for å såre i vrede For du skal ikke alene mer vandre. De skal klemme og kose og aldri klandre De skal skjerme deg for det du ikke selv ser. De skal elske og aldri forakte – bare hjelpe når du ber. Disse hendene skal jobbe for at dere skal få det godt De skal gi – og du skal takke for det du har fått. De skal tvinnes sammen i kjærlighet og være ømme og gode og et tegn på inderlighet Hendene du holder er sterke og unge De skal gjennom mye for din skyld når dagene er tunge De skal stryke og klemme og være gode og fromme De skal ruske i ditt hår og takke når dagen er omme Disse hendene skal følge deg gjennom livet. De skal holde fast ved deg og verne om samlivet De skal være hos deg når alle andre har gått De skal aldri slippe men holde fast og tørke tårer når du har grått. Hendene skal bære din ring med rette Den skal skinne og for alle berette Jeg elsker deg! – kan den bekjenne Det er bare en som har maken til denne En dag er hendene blitt ru og grå Hver fure og rynke forteller om livet som bak dere lå Dere kan minnes den dagen i dag – da et livslangt bånd Ble knyttet Og fra denne dag dere gikk Hånd i hånd..
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Thank you for the reblog Lisa!
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That is a Best 185 logging near Shingletown CA (formerly Shingle Camp). That Best 185 served two mills at various times here in Shingletown and stood for many years outside the Big Wheels bar and restaurant until it was sold to the Oakland Museum.
Drop me a note if you could, our firesafe council would like to use your drawing in our logo. Thanks.
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That’s interesting. Which mills did it serve? I don’t remember seeing it at the Big Wheels. That must have been some time ago. I’d be happy to work with you on your logo.
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