The McConnell Island Narrow Gauge

The McConnell Island Narrow Gauge

By T.G. Thompson, Jr.

The Miniature Locomotive, July-August 1954

My immediate interest in Live Steam lies in the McConnell Island Narrow Gauge R.R. at Deer Harbor, Washington.

The gauge is 9 inches and accompanying pictures show 3 inch scale gondola and trucks for this railroad. The gondola car is of 1889 type. Trucks are arch bar design with wheels of 6 inch diameter. Babbit journal bearings and hinged box covers are notable features.

The McConnell Island Narrow Gauge uses track made from 1 inch channel drilled and spiked to 2x3s and 2x4s beachcombed ties ballasted with beach gravel.

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The following advertisement appeared in the same issue of The Miniature Locomotive, next to the article above.

FOR SALE--9 inch gauge, 3 inch scale. 1880 Narrow Gauge Gondola Cars with archbar trucks, hand brakes, link and pin couplers. Newly painted, ready to run $178.50. Thomas G Thompson, Jr., McConnell Island, Deer Harbor, Wash.