Random Trains | The Shay and the Royal Blue

This week we are running two of my most requested trains! One of them is the long-awaited Shay but there is a twist. Did this version (C&O No.1) of the Shay exist??
Which ones??? Watch to find out!
And remember to leave a comment if there are trains you want to see on the channel!
Enjoy!
_About Me_
I have been collecting O Gauge Trains all my life and enjoy sharing the hobby with others. This channel is dedicated to sharing O Gauge Trains and Experiences. I enjoy collecting trains from all eras and learning about the history and influence that model trains have had for generations.
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[@RBPTrains]

Hello Everyone! Thank you for all of the great info you have been sharing on our C&O Shay! I actually updated the name of this video as I found it has been a great way for folks to share info on the Shay that I run in the second half of this video. Appreciate all of you!

[@brennenseibert1614]

Yes this shay does exist

[@lisasteele5757]

Do the daylight

[@Uptownloki47]

The C&O shays were actually ex-Southern Railway locomotives. The locomotives’ were 4000 and 4001 on the Southern and when sold to the C&O were lettered 14 and 15.

[@wofa187]

The Southern Railway had shays?

[@Geardproductions]

I can second this. They ended up getting sold to the Greenbrier Cheat & Elk, which eventually became the Cass Scenic Railroad.

[@angeloavanti2538]

The B&O 4 4 0 and its coaches are artwork for a model railroad. Stunning.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

Living here in West Virginia the C&O actually had a 4 Truck Shay #4. It was Scrapped. Been to Cass many Times. I do think the Lionel Legacy Shays sound more like one's at Cass. Still an awesome Shay. MTH needs to make a New One along with the Climax.

[@MrStevesTrains]

Love it Chris ❤️, I’m absolutely adding a 2023 MTH Shay to my collection. 👍🏻

[@QuintonMurdock]

Shays are glorious and eaisily my favorite class of steam locomotive. The sheer level of we need a thing so we made a thing to do the thing and it does it damn well just captures my heart

[@theprivyline484]

Finally the shay The shay, climax, hisler and others were used on steep grades and quickly formed track in the mountains. I have a g scale one which has a cool feature that shays had which was a water pipe so it could get water from lakes. The shay in pictures shunted. The gearing was exposed for easy maintenance and better traction. It had 2 trucks like the one I have and the 3 truck you have. The c&o did have a shy on the loop creek branch so this was based on a prototype. These locos weren’t meant for speed at a top of 20mph. These were built in the 1880-1930s. Lionel also makes a weastern Maryland shay. I only learned this because I got a g scale shay. I guess thanks for running it and your welcome for a few facts.

[@ralphmiller2265]

That shay is very nice Chris. I too love those older style passenger cars from MTH and now Lionel.

[@Jolly2012]

RBP Trains you NEED to do a video on lineing up all your locomotives and run them on the layout PLEASE!!!!

[@RBPTrains]

Looking into this and might try later this year. Thanks for watching!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Ah, nothing like a fun "Chug-A-Thon" with Mr. Chris! First off to answer your Shay question Chris YES, the C&O DID have four-truck Shays, sixteen of them in fact numbered #1 through #15 and then #20. All built in 1903 by Lima Locomotive Works they were retired in 1923. So the mystery's solved. And MTH got that machine gun-like exhaust beat correct! I was up close and personal to a Shay at the Pine Creek Railroad in Allaire NJ over 50 years ago and as it passed me I could feel the thump-thump-thump of the machinery through the soles of my feet. It felt like it was hammering the ground! Sorry, but I don't remember what the PCRR Shays whistle sounded like. That B&O "Royal Blue" is downright elegant, no other way to describe it! The engine looks like a jackrabbit with those huge drivers (I wonder how fast it'll go? Maybe it's better not to try?) and I just loved the car's interior details, especially the woman in the "Gibson Girl" outfit. The 1890 B&O station announcements? Let's just say the man on the platform has a top-quality megaphone and the station has excellent acoustics! One last thing, the C&O also had one three-truck Shay, #16. Built in 1911, also by Lima, sold off in 1921. Fun video, and thanks for the show!

[@therailfan8947]

I love your passion for the hobby! Really encourages me with my layout, and my own passion. Thanks RBP!

[@SirLANsalot]

Yes those shays did exist, not many were made or ordered but were some of the largest versions made. There were a few 3 trucks that exceeded its tonnage and were literal monster's on 3 ft rail.

[@seanstraindepot]

Finally, the American 4-4-0! Love that set, beautiful paint scheme.

[@janemarkham4133]

Love the Shay & her sounds, a little work horse. Royal Blue is great too! Thanks Chris (brotherman). 😄😄👍👍

[@paulmishler402]

Yeah C&O shay 1 existed, it was a class C-9 and was built in december 1907. She worked on the cabin creek sub division for most of her life. And was retired in mid 1923. This is all i can find in a book called C&O power.

[@stevewicker984]

Love your channel! I remember as a child my dad had a Lionel steam locative with some freight cars , I would spend hours setting up the track in the family room on the floor. The smoke was generated by small pills you would drop in the smoke stack. Lots of fond memories! Fast forward to now at age 65 my wife and I live full time in an rv ( love the lifestyle) so no room for trains, so I get my fix watching your channel , thanks!

[@ChazzLyons]

Whoa.... that smoke is Serious on that Shay!!!! Great looking too!

[@MattyCtrains]

4 Truck shays were very uncommon on a lot of logging railroads, This C&O model in this video to my knowledge never owned that prototype, The only known railroad that operated a 4 truck shay was the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company which MTH produced in there very first run of this model back in the 90s. The sound set on that engine is killer, especially the last whistle you showcased, such a bone chilling whistle and echo! great video as always bud!

[@brendanschyve6876]

IDK, this one book I read that was basically a list of the C&O's motive power throughout history claimed they owned a total of 16 4 truck Shays that they used on a branch line, I can't remember the name of the branch line though.

[@electrik_loss]

@@brendanschyve6876 ay. Heck that engine was initially owned by the C&O with the number six. She was built in 1906 as works number 1586, but was sold off to the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company in February of 1924

[@steamingoncoffee6192]

The book is C&O Power by Shuster, Huddleston, and Staufer. It says the first shay was numbered 7 and they were numbered downward to 1 then up from 7. They were designated the C-9 class and 16 of them were acquired

[@brendanschyve6876]

@@steamingoncoffee6192 Yeah, I think that's the one. It also mentioned something about the C&O purchasing a couple of used Shays, and they did have at least one or two 3 truck Shays as well.

[@bobzillarbt8062]

Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia has 6 shays (5 are in service) and a Climax and a Heisler.

[@holdingnamerequired4703]

Great video. I really enjoyed watching. It's really good motivation for me to keep uploading on my channel. Keep the videos coming. I'm really enjoying them

[@eal8645]

The Shay is my favorite!!! Just a work of art! Wish that MTH is still around.

[@ronaldjoyce7374]

Thanks Chris, great video! You cured my curiosity, that 4-4-0 is beautiful and so are the cars. Thanks again, Ron

[@southerneaglelines]

Nice video Chris! I’m looking to get a Shay one day! Love to find a unlettered one some day. I also have a Royal Blue in On30! That was my first ever model train. It’s not exactly the same but it’s pretty close! The coaches look identical and the engine is a 2-6-0 instead but it’s pretty cool to see a Royal Blue in O Scale!

[@ogaugesantafeandbnsf1157]

As always very cool video That B&O is a true beauty . You have a great diversity of trains my friend.

[@thomasking2021]

I took your admonishment to heart. I am relaxing, sitting in my recliner and enjoying a glass of wine. Great video as always.

[@RBPTrains]

Sounds excellent! As soon as I upload, I also kick back and relax for a while, haha!

[@charlesballard5251]

I have never seen a loco like the Shay. Vertical throw instead of horizontal??!?!?! INTERESTING!!!!

[@dantiel4179]

Wow that B/O train is a real beauty The whistle is a real audio Q tip I got to ride the Cass scenic railroad to the top of the mountain what a great day good memories

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

Hola buenas noche excelente video muy buenos los modelos y las comparaciones abrazo grande😃👍

[@johnstup4479]

Great video Chris! Love the B&O Royal Blue engine and cars. I had considered getting those, but just didn't pull the trigger. I do have the MTH Western Maryland shay. I run it with the Elk River log cars and a Western Maryland bobber caboose. And yes, being a Maryland resident, you NEED that Western Maryland shay. 😁

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Very understandable! As a Jersey guy I just HAD to have a Blue Comet set!

[@RBPTrains]

Haha! One of these days I will add the WM Shay. :)

[@robertbirath6728]

Great video Chris. I enjoyed it very very much. I'm not really a steam guy but the Shay is an exception. It was great fun watching it run around the track today and what fascinates me are all of the moving parts. I believe they were used in the logging profession to go up and down the hills or mountains. If I do get a steamer I will be on the lookout for a Shay. Please keep your videos coming. They are both informative and fun to watch. I love the history that you speak about on your videos about the trains and time period they operated in and where you can see them in real life. Great job Chris.

[@Dfendr96]

Great video Chris. I have to say that the Shay holds a special place in my heart ❤️ it's just super unique among the iron horses. Thanks for sharing your layout with us again.

[@RBPTrains]

I got the Shay for my Birthday a few years back (whole family pitched in) so I agree that it is special to me as well. Take care Jason!

[@averagegeoff]

Darn, was hoping to see the Blue Goose in action. But that Shay is so mesmerizing to watch too!

[@RBPTrains]

Blue Goose will get runtime soon, I promise! :)

[@robbykoopman5559]

Random question but if you could quesstimate a percentage how much of your train running days are putting trains on and off the track?

[@RBPTrains]

Great question! I spend 75% of my time putting trains on the track. 20% of my time is moving the camera around. 5% is actually running the trains, haha!

[@jbatman5092]

Thank you for another terrific episode, Chris 👍

[@PainesvilleRailfans]

Chris, as for the 4 truck shays, there were many 2 and 3 trucks shays were built, but not many of the 4 truck shays. This includes the West virginia paper and pulp (original mth run) mower lumber, and a couple others. I believe they wernt technically built as a 4 truck but converted from 3 trucks. When western maryland railroad took over a logging branch, rumor was that they extended the tenders capacity- ordered a kit from lima to extend the tenders. So they can remove all the water towers along the logging line. So there is such a thing as a western maryland 4 truck i believe. Glad to see you run the mth shay! Not too many videos of the newer run of shays out there.

[@matthewcarlson2683]

Just started watching and you’re gettin me back into modeling again 😁

[@RBPTrains]

Welcome aboard Matthew! Thanks for watching!

[@JohnJohnson-wt8zc]

Love the B&O with the 64 ft wood passenger cars!

[@louruntz9754]

Hi Chris, The Royal Blue is a totally beautiful engine, almost as awesome as the European locomotives. Enjoyed this video and look forward to your next production. Thanks 👍🙂

[@rogerstrate5727]

Hi Chris, I loved your locomotives in this video. I actually have a UP 0-4-0 yard switcher that has the same "hooter" whistle as your 4-4-0 Baldwin - very cool.

[@tomscameras]

Funny how both these engines have steam whistles like European engines. Not those typical American large howling ones that I always love when watching 1940's Hollywood movies! That Shay engine looks massive!! Was the original of that one really made for standard gauge track?

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent video Chris, super COOL engines.

[@davidfortney2970]

Nice video Chris, love the engines you ran.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks David!

[@doyourememberme2904]

There's a Standard Gauge Shay like this at Strasburg Railroad in the Pennsylvania Museum not sure what number but she's there with a Climax completely restored and on display

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

I love the Shay. All that motion is so cool!

[@randyjacobs9489]

I love Shays! I drove from Jacksonvile, Fl. just to see them at Cass and they were awesome! I have a Climax but still looking to get a Shay.

[@My_life592]

Three truck Shay is my favorite because how fastening the gears are😅😅😊😊

[@LMR78]

Blue goose? Maybe run a lash up of all Santa Fe steam you have. Also I’ve got to agree with you, royal blue suits that engine very well!

[@davvonmckenzie3911]

Awesome locomotive! Great job on the video.

[@sambrown6426]

When you said that the shays were run at low speed, that was because the gearing built into their motion limited top speed. If fact, the fastest a shay has ever been recorded going was 18 mph. And that was during "The Great Shay Race" at Railfair '99.

[@hmsjr0154]

The B&O 4-4-0 is a good locomotive. I was able to pick up the mth prototype out of their auction a while back. Looks and runs great. It for the most part it sits in a display case!

[@exarkun42]

THat Shay is remarkable. There is one of those coming to HO that is driven prototypically. Looking forward to grabbing one. I would like to see you run either the Niagara or the C&O L1

[@zachwheeler9846]

Love the whistle on the Shay.

[@joegabuzda976]

NICE, always enjoy your vids. You were made for video

[@jonas2431]

That's a mountain train whistle on the shay I love it

[@jonas2431]

What i did with my trains at christmas time the ones that smoked anyways. I added a couple drops of peppermint essential oil. Smelled amazing

[@kanawha3636]

The C&O Historical Society published an article on the C&O shays in their magazine back in 2008. The MTH model is closest to C&O class C-9 road numbers 1-6 and 8-15. These operated from 1903 to 1923 on the Seng Creek, Laurel Creek, Keeney's Creek, and Rend Subdivisions in WVa. They were used to haul coal from the mines over steep grades and apparently never were used for logging. The Keeney's Creek line alone had a 4.16% grade. Track realignments to lessen the grades eventually eliminated the need for the shays and they were retired or sold off in the 1920's. Because they operated in an era which few people model they are relatively unknown. The MTH model is fairly close to the C&O engines with the biggest visual difference being the stack. The C&O engines had straight stacks rather than the balloon type MTH used. Also from actual photos it looks like 1-6 had wooden cabs and 8-15 had steel cabs. Thanks for posting the video. Beautiful model. I have been looking for one of these for a while so if you ever want to sell it, let me know. : )

[@kevinwalsh9788]

Bravo! Loved both.

[@americansaxon2101]

As an Ohioan. ALL Ohio is awesome! Thanks RBP!

[@robcioffi4955]

Hey Chris. Your video inspired me to add the Royal Blue to my collection and it arrived yesterday !

[@RBPTrains]

Excellent! Enjoy that one

[@cassscenicproductions8888]

There may have been a Shay 1 on the C&O. But it's most likely that it was not a 4 truck Shay. There are barely ant photos online of an C&O Shay.

[@jebbthetrainkid1281]

I did run across a 4 Truck Shay for the C&O and it was numbered number 4. Of course it was Scrapped.

[@Avrenac]

Yay 4-4-0! Thanks Chris!!!! 😁😁😁😁👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Amazing locomotives and cars!

[@hudsonrailroad4668]

Hey Chris those engines that you ran were good ideas, for the next one you should do the Lionel C&O Berkshire because we have not seen a lot of that engine yet and that one is of my favorites

[@JohnHuntt]

I would have to vote for the Shaw. The smoke unit is very convincing. Do like the Royal Blue. The Passenger cars are great! JH

[@fairestofthemalllocomotive4802]

that B&O set is the most gorgeous set i think u own man!

[@davevan8864]

My Great Grandfather worked for the B&O from age 14 until he retired. Many years were spent as engineer on 2-8- 0 #1212. I'd love to havd that B&O 4-4-0 on my layout to honor my great Grandfather. Good stuff. Also....I live minutes from CASS WV and WM Shay #6 works there almost every day......I do have that loco on my O scale layout!!!! thx

[@RBPTrains]

Cool story about your Grandfather. Must also be great living so close to Cass and being able to see those engines. Have a great weekend Dave!

[@davevan8864]

@@RBPTrains Thanks SIR!!!!!

[@PghTrainFanatic]

Oh no you didn’t! 😆😂

[@hmsjr0154]

C&O shays where primarily coal haulers. Along with the western Maryland number 6. Number 6 was mainly used on the vindex branch in Garrett county and in West Virginia

[@F40M07]

Run 3949 with just its auxiliary tender! (If you have the GEVO, run that behind it)

[@Drearymando]

I’m a Shay expert, but not the train😂 it’s my fiancées name. She told me to put this here. Very weird and cool train! Love all the moving parts it has!!!

[@gabrielcalangi1316]

You should do the 2 legends double header the UP bigboy and UP 844 with passenger cars.

[@georgetrains6168]

What a beautiful steam engine and passenger cars

[@charlesmcclure5994]

Those are both for some very interesting engines Chris I do like that being no set that was a great buy on your part plus also love to Shay or should we call it little smokey 👍👍

[@RBPTrains]

Little Smokey sounds about right!

[@andypants97]

Awesome video as always

[@srgntsylveon2919]

Honestly, seeing that 4-4-0 reminded me of one of the LNER Atlantics with a whole rake of Teak coaches, British train thing

[@ChrissTrainsandThings]

two great engines!

[@myleswinchester8884]

There is this one train I’ve had for a long time is the 737 Lionel lines. My dad got it for me for my sixth birthday and I love it, I haven’t seen anyone talk about it or review it but if you can it’ll be an honor

[@rogerlollar4325]

The royal blue is gorgeous

[@swifty6385]

You know having the bloopers in was kind of interesting would love to see you feature a blooper every video and maybe even a complication

[@RBPTrains]

Something always goes wrong during the making of these videos so I will try to include more of these, haha. Thanks for watching!

[@co_fan5945]

I believe that the Cass Scenic Railroad had a C&O Railway shay, but scrapped it in the 1970's I believe.

[@WesternMichiganRailway]

Didnt know you were from Maryland. I was born and raised in the Bel Air area. That explains that Maryland Midland engine I saw in another one of your videos!

[@gregsmith1719]

Keep it up, Chris!!!

[@josephwhitley7079]

I'm glad I suggested the 2nd engine

[@RBPTrains]

I am glad too! Great suggestion :)

[@nicholechapman1046]

Big boy the first one and the other one

[@timsolomon688]

Great run session of both trains

[@theflintlockhunter5423]

Okay, Time to make good! MTH just announced a run and WM #6 3 truck Shay is in the lineup this time!! One of the Cass 3 trucks is as well! RBP logging railroad by winter! 😁

[@DaylightFan4449]

not sure about the number, but a 4 trucked Shay for sure existed and it was probably as much of a beast as you'd think

[@1DwtEaUn]

Shay #1 looks like it was Leetonia Railway, and it is not far away from me at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

[@KidYo]

I love the 1st train

[@davidjenkins1484]

That was a treat! What a wonderful presentation! Thank you Chris. If there is another video showing laying the track, setting up the power blocks and wiring the layout I sure would watch it. How did you design your layout? Did you use a computer program?

[@LITOWB]

4014 Restoration Big Boy, 4449 Daylight, C&O Allegheny, and a newer model N&W #611 are some trains I’d like to see

[@danielhemple8649]

I own same model shay it used to be so quiet I could barely hear it run talk to my local train store to get it checked out I don't know what he did but now it will blow you out of the train room one of my favorite models

[@katherinemorey6517]

Hi rbp, I would just like to say that my least favorite locomotives are called shay locomotives and I don't think they are very nice to look at because of the off centered boiler and firebox. I would recommend getting the royal blue streamlined steam locomotive and the set of coaches. I think your channel is the funniest channel and I am a huge fan of the channel.

[@terrymillard9255]

Another shay running is here in Colorado on the Geogetown loop West of Denver.

[@jimmelchin1531]

Your shows are always a pleasure to view. And I also learn something new when watched. Thanks Chris p.s. where's your partner from Detroit been ? He must be planning something surprising ! 👍

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Jim! Jason has been on business travel for a while but is back and working on the layout. Lots of cool stuff coming up from his neck of the woods. Thanks for watching!

[@user-jg7fg8tl5c]

Dear RBPTrains,please run the Daylight Exspress and the 611 type.Keep the O GAUGE trains comming.

[@crownandbrim9261]

There are several excellent examples still in operation in Cass , WV

[@donaldfaris4798]

Hey Chris C&O had 3 shays all 4 truck but are numbered 2-4 bought in 1906 from Shay Locomotive 2 went to Thurmond WVa and #3 went to Cane Fork WVa

[@nobill8332]

the shay you have was not a lumber railroads. its a model of a western Maryland loco used on a coal branch. it was built late and if I remember right it was a one of a kind.

[@Zombiehunter2_0]

I would like to see you run a double header with the PRR S1 and a GG1, and if you don't have a GG1 that's okay, and put some Strasburg or Pennsylvania Railroad coaches behind them.

[@angryrailfan5711]

There were at least 3 four truck shays. All 3 were owned by the Greenbrier Cheat & Elk which were numbered 12, 13, and 14. The 12 was originally a 150 ton three truck shay but had 40 tons added and a fourth truck (Western Maryland #6 is based on the 12). The 12 was wrecked at Spruce in 1942, which caused frame damage, and was scrapped in 1956-57. The 13 was a 150 ton four truck shay and was bought by the GC&E from the C&O in the 1920’s and was scrapped in 1956-57. The 14 came with the 13 to the GC&E, but was sold to the WM in the 30’s and was replaced by WM #6.