r/machinesinaction • u/ObjectiveOk2072 • 6d ago
Steam locomotive with interesting gear drive mechanisms
31
u/Affectionate_Side138 6d ago
That looks like a Shay locomotive
2
29
u/Takesit88 6d ago
Shay Locomotive #4 of the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia. Built in 1922. Uses the "Shay" type geared drive system, popular for logging. That line also has both a Climax geared locomotive and a Heisler geared locomotive.
7
u/mfrazie 5d ago
I have been there several times and taken rides on the trains.
Those trains are designed for steep tracks, and yes, even the tracks that they bring tourists on are pretty steep by train track standards.
3
u/Takesit88 5d ago
Steep grades, poorly maintained rails... Shays were known for handling both exceptionally well. If I'm not mistaken, Cass has some of the steepest non-cog-railway grades east of the Rockies.
2
11
12
u/Roll-Roll-Roll 6d ago edited 6d ago
That is interesting! [What's happening to me right now? Am I turning into one of those train people?!]
4
u/bigmountainbig 5d ago
Just came back from the Geared Steam Locomotive wiki page. I feel it too.
2
13
u/Spaceman333_exe 6d ago
Enough power to pull a mountain, but the speed of a geriatric squirrel, Shay locomotives are cool as hell. (Oh and the unbalanced pistons being all on one side tend to shake them to bits over time)
6
4
2
u/2245223308 6d ago
Been there twice to ride the train up to Bald Knob Summit and stay in one of the Company houses for the weekend. There is a fully furnished Company caboose at the summit that Honeymooners can book for a stay. The large white building behind the Shay is the Company store with a restaurant and souvenir shop. Wonderful way to spend a weekend or longer in the woods.
2
u/Senior-Knowledge-869 5d ago
I Wana blow that horn
1
u/stuntman1108 1d ago
I work in a scrapyard and recently found in the brass scrap a 4 note steam whistle. Now, to talk the boss into selling it to me for a reasonable price...
2
u/Charlie14Golf 4d ago
It's pretty cool, but it looks like a hell of a lot of maintenance!
1
u/stuntman1108 1d ago
Yes, they are. But, they have incredible pulling power for their size, and work extremely well on poorly built or rough track. They were made for the logging industry in the late 1800s. Those rail lines were often made using logs as crossties, and were usually very rough, uneven, and steep. These locomotives excelled at their job. Another version is called the Climax. Yes. It is real, no, I am not joking about the name. It was for the same job, just a different design and drive train layout.
2
2
u/jorgthorn 2d ago
Holy shit its happening. First it was birds, now trains. I'm transitioning into a grey head.
2
1
1
u/Detective2163 5d ago
Meanwhile on the other side of the globe we are drinking from paper straws to save the planet
1
0
52
u/HairballTheory 6d ago
All wheel drive