Exploring the Unique Legacy of Shay Locomotives on Mountain Railroads
I share the fascinating history of the Shay locomotive, a specialized geared engine designed for steep grades and rough terrain. These robust machines revolutionized logging and mining operations in the rugged mountains of North America. The site offers a deep dive into their engineering, operational history, and the dedicated preservation efforts keeping these historic steam engines running today.
The Shay locomotive was not just a machine; it was the key that unlocked the remote forests and mines of the American West.
- whartung
Funny thing about Shays.
When you see a photo of them, you almost always see the right side of the locomotive, as that's where the pistons and the drive train are. You almost never see the left side of it. The left side is much more uninteresting.
However, having seen them and been somewhat fascinated in them for years and years, when I finally saw one live, it never occurred to me that the cylinders were only on the right side. I simply projected that the other side has a similar set, just like every other locomotive.
Not only that, but the boilers tend to be a bit off center on the chassis also.
Just funny when all you have is one perspective, how someone can incorrectly fill in the rest from other knowledge that seems coherent, but it completely wrong.
- jorgen123
The railroad going up Mt. Tamalpais employed Shay locomotives as well as Heisler. I used to think they were all Shay but learned that the No. 9 that is being restored is a Heisler.
"The most significant design difference between Shays and Heislers was the arrangement of the driving cylinders. The Shays had either two or three driving cylinders mounted on the right hand side of the locomotive. Since the weight of the driving cylinders sat only on one side, the boiler was mounted offset to the left to provide a counterbalance. In the Heislers, the driving cylinders were located in the middle of the locomotive."[1][2]
[1] https://www.friendsofno9.org/post/mechanic-s-corner-geared-l...
- jsrcout
You can still ride a Shay-powered train at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Scenic_Railroad_State_Par.... It's an old-time logging railroad that goes up into the mountains from a former https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_town founded in 1901.