Logging railways through the woods were inexpensive and impermanent by nature. Narrow gauge, light rail, widely spaced ties and more often than not, cobbled equipment was the norm in the latter 1800s and early 1900s. An even more frugal approach was that which was known as a "pole road", made with materials on hand. Motive power could be anything from a team of horses to home-made locomotives. A light steam engine from just about anything, even stationary engines mounted on a cart with a chain down to one of the axles could be used. Later on a used light truck or farm tractor retrofitted with these type of concave steel rims could be found. These particular axle/rim sets and short section of pole road are partnered in a display with an old 0-4-0 steam locomotive at the Algonquin Park Logging Museum to illustrate the different, yet similar approaches to moving timber through the bush. The chocks on the wooden "rails" are simply safety measures to prevent Little Johnny from rolling the axles over Little Janie's toes while they are visiting the display.
