Sumpter Valley Sunrise. The fireman on Eccles Lumber Company Heisler #3 stands atop the tank on his locomotive as the first rays of the October sun come bursting over the hills to the east of tiny McEwen, where #3 has stopped for water. Although she doesn't look much like the line's regular power, #3 is in fact indigenous to the Sumpter Valley Railway. The original Sumpter Valley was established in 1890 by a man named David Eccles for the primary purpose of hauling timber. A number of logging operations sprang up along the line, including a lumber company owned by W.H. Eccles, a relative of the Sumpter Valley's owner. Although #3 was technically owned by the logging operation, the Sumpter Valley and Eccles operations obviously had a close relationship, and this engine was sometimes involved in operations associated with maintenance of way on the main line. There are historic photographs of her being involved in such things as winter plow operations, alongside the SVRy's regular power. Unlike some other geared types that operated on the many logging operations that interchanged with the Sumpter Valley, this little Heisler could make 10-15 mph, and was a pretty useful engine. Doubtless, her utility and simplicity contributed rather heavily to her survival and eventual preservation on today's Sumpter Valley Railroad.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
