My family and I rode the Shay trains at Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia where logging then was vital for survival. A town was built around the railroad, and its all been restored for us to relive. The original houses of the town are rented out as motel rooms! It was a wonderful afternoon excursion and the Shays are such marvelous machines. I highly recommend Cass as a bucket list item for steam enthusiasts. As for your presentation. I know you're reading. PLEASE SLOW DOWN! I can't listen at light speed, and this is information I value. If this subject means something to you make me hear it in your reading. Take your time and EMOTE! Thank you
@bertspeggly44282 ай бұрын
You could play the video at .75 speed. It still sounds OK, and may fix your issue. The voice over has probably been done with AI, hence the lack of expression. Hope this helps.
@pgmallasch18 сағат бұрын
Agreed WRT to Cass Railroad. My Great Grandfather worked in the shop in Cass and my Grandfather has many stories of the colorful part of town on the opposite side of the river (he said my Great Grandmother never let him wander over the river under threat of the switch... haha!) Unfortunately, like many logging communities back then, very little is left following a catastrophic fire al though you can see parts of the mill to this day if you wander down the tracks. I wish I had my Great Grandfather's toolkit, but it was also lost in the fire.
@hollywood13404 ай бұрын
Willamette #7 Big Blackfoot/Anaconda is also being restored to operating condition in Missoula Montana. The very locomotive seen i this video. She has a very nice shelter now and a good group of volunteers eating the elephant one bite at at time. Also it was the Willamette that used the Walschaerts gear and Shay the Stephenson, reducing the amount of valve gear used. A huge thing was every superheated either from the factory or converted, Willamette had piston valves where Shay was slow to understand the need for lubrication in the slide valve from saturated steam and continued to used slide valves in superheated applications. I hate to "Well actually" but they are sorta rare. Thanks for the video!
@jimihendrix15754 ай бұрын
Super informative video. Being a casual rail fan, I could identify a Shay, but knew almost nothing about them or their history. I know now!
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi jimihendrix1574. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! Thanks for watching!!
@MrWombatty3 ай бұрын
I have a copy of a booklet on the oil-shale mines in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. Using Shay's was the only option for the steep winding railway line that was to be built accessing the Wolgan Valley through a tunnel at its southern end. However, after recently moving house twice within 12mths, almost all my books are still in boxes, so I can't see myself finding the book in a hurry to let you know which model Shays were shipped from the USA, but vaguely remember that they were 3 or 4 Limas. Located on the floor of the valley at the northern end were the Newnes township & mines. There was an oil-pipeline built to carry petroleum-products through a narrow gorge from Glen Davis where another oil-shale mine was located to the north then hauled in tankers by the Shays out of valley to Clarice Junction, where they were transferred to Sydney bound trains. The Newnes mines & works operated from1906 to 1932, while those at Glen Davis operated from 1938 till 1952, with both sites running at losses, never came close to the original estimated production figures!
@joedyhicks94153 ай бұрын
Wonderful video Shays are one of my favorite locomotives. Thank you
@richardspalding36222 ай бұрын
There is a Japanese guy who as built a live stream model of the Shay a work of art and written a book in detail on its construction, they were clever old boys .
@royreynolds1083 ай бұрын
The most distinctive difference between the Willamette and the Shay is the placement of the valve chests; on the Willamette, they are on the outside while on the Shay, they are in line with the crankshaft. The Mower Lumber Co. added to the water tank and a 4th truck to the No. 12 at the Cass shop, making No. 12 the heaviest Shay ever. The Western Maryland RR No. 6 was the last and largest Shay Lima built and is in operation at Cass.
@cdstoc4 ай бұрын
I've ridden behind Shay engine #10 at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, at the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. It's fascinating to watch the powertrain work.
@1TruNub2 ай бұрын
She's the Largest Narrow Gauge Shay
@gazzas1234 ай бұрын
There was a shale mine in New South Wales that used Shays to haul the oil out of the valley to the main line.
@MrWombatty3 ай бұрын
Yes, the Shays were used to haul both the processed & unprocessed oil-shale up out of the Newnes Valley then through a tunnel cut through the cliff at the end of the valley then onto Clarence Junction where the line used to join the main western railway line between Sydney & Bathhurst. As the tunnel ran straight for a relatively short distance before curving, the middle of the tunnel is totally dark except for the glow-worms hanging from the walls & ceiling, hence it being called Glow Worm tunnel! There was also another oil-shale mine at Glen Davis which was accessible only by the extension of the rail line running through the gorge where the Newnes Valley narrowed past the site of the Newnes mine & processing-plant. The town of Newnes & its station were situated a short distance from the mine, etc., on the tunnel side of the line where the valley is at its widest.
@stepheneikenberry66262 ай бұрын
Outstanding! Thank you.
@ryandavis75934 ай бұрын
Please forgive this intrusion but… The Shay locomotives use Stevenson valve gear and wet built with d valves or piston valves depending on whether they were super heated. The Willamette used Walsharts valve gear with piston valves exclusively. The advantage of Walsharts is less sliding friction and thus less wear on the components. Not to mention fewer components. Not to sound like a know it all but I have actually worked on two Shay locomotives out of five total steam locomotives in my career. Looper 2004.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi Ryandavis7593. Thanks for the comment. None of my sources made the distinction between Walshearts and Stephenson valve gear on Shays depending on whether they were superheated or not. Thanks for watching!!
@ryandavis75934 ай бұрын
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr Shays have only Stevensons but could have either D valves or piston valves. Willamettes have only Walsharts and only piston valves. The Willamette also had engines that were modular rather than a single unit. If you desire more information on these engines I would recommend contacting Little Phil Reader of the Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Big Trees and Roaring Camp Railroad. Phil is a great guy and certainly the foremost expert on all things Geared Steam locomotives.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
@@ryandavis7593 Thanks for the information and contacts. Obviously there is a lot more to be said about the Shay and Williamette that what was covered in the video. The info you provided will be a great help in the future!! Thanks Again!!!
@ryandavis75934 ай бұрын
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr I hope that you get the chance to run some of these incredible machines as I have. I have been blessed to have had some great opportunities but especially some really awesome people to work with who are life long friends. Again, this is my hope for you.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Thank you, Ryan. You've been very helpful and very kind. It's deeply appreciated!!! Thanks Again!!
@jamesmoore95114 ай бұрын
Been pulled by an oil fired Shay several times on the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad. Being of an engineering bend I found it to be a really interesting loco.
@patrickshaw85954 ай бұрын
Engineering "bent". It comes from the sheetbend knot used to secure sails. "I bent on all available sail" antedates "wide open throttle". I know of a hundred commercial airliner incident reports that include the phrase "I bent on all available thrust". But you do you Mister Engineer - with your engineering bent.
@Iain19573 ай бұрын
There were Shays in use at the Yawata Steel works in Japan c1910. They are visible in earlier photos. There were a few shays used in Australia. The four mentioned in the comments below were used on the private line from Newnes Junction into the Wolgan Valley and used to serve shale oil mines. There were also two shays (B/Nos. 2575 & 2576) supplied to the Lloyd Copper Co. for use at their Burraga works near Oberon, NSW. These hauled firewood to serve the mine and its smelters.
@radiosnail3 ай бұрын
I'd heard of these from other You Tubers, but always happy for more. A brilliant concept.
@franksprecisionguesswork5013 ай бұрын
I haven’t been there in years, but unless it’s been moved there is a Shay on display in the Williams AZ station. This is where the Grand Canyon railway meets the mainline .. it’s a mechanical marvel.
@DouglasJenkins4 ай бұрын
The Cass Scenic RR in Cass WV runs several Shay locomotives for their mountaintop runs.
@jeffharper75793 ай бұрын
Back in 2007 my wife at the time and I went to Cass and I loved it some day I would like to go back there.
@mikeportjogger13 ай бұрын
Thanks for a really interesting and informative video. Here in the UK I have one of the Accucraft live steam models of an A-Class Shay. It always gets plenty of attention when I run it at exhibitions.
@berkshireerielocomotive33223 ай бұрын
Excellent presentation. It's kind of how Peterbilt got started. You have a man needing a more effective means of getting his log to the mill and ending up turning a whole industry.
@frasermitchell91833 ай бұрын
ONe of my favourite steam locomotive types ! Unfortunately, the concept was never used here in the UK, so I only ever seen photos and, of course, models.
@walsakaluk15843 ай бұрын
Thanks for this. I've learnt a little more about a really interesting steam locomotive.
@theronwolf32964 ай бұрын
Good video. I first encountered Shays down in Cass WV just because I was wandering through. Fascinating technology.
@drcovell3 ай бұрын
The are 2 geared, narrow-gauge locos, aka “Sidewinders,” running of the Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton, CA.
@baxtermullins18423 ай бұрын
There are running Shay’s in West Virginia at Cass. I have ridden them a number of times to the top of mountain where you can see from the platform the 100 m radio telescope. Be aware’ cell phones do not work in the area as it is a radio quite zone! Great machines.
@iitywybmad293 ай бұрын
I have a short video of their Heisler on my channel. I caught it at the Durbin West Virginia RR station while riding my Moto Guzzi motorcycle through there. Both have V splayed cylinders and gear (shaft driven).
@weylinwest95054 ай бұрын
Ooo! This IS a surprise, and a very welcome one at that!
@muddynmonte4 ай бұрын
Willamette used Walschaerts valve gear, while shays used Stephenson. Willamette developed their locomotive with direct input from logger's in an attempt to improve upon the shay design. It was successful enough that Lima felt the need to offer an improved "Pacific Coast" model. Oh, and its pronounced wuh·la·muht
@cdjhyoung4 ай бұрын
Another great subject and video. You teased a possible more extensive video on Shay himself. Can't wait to see it.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi cdjhyoung. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. At some point I will make a video about the life and times of Mr. Shay!! Thanks for watching!!!
@jz4223 ай бұрын
There is a Willamette geared locomotive on display in Port Angeles, Washington. They're trying to restore the Rayonier #4.
@putim98014 ай бұрын
Great information and history! How about covering Climax and Heisler geared engines?
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi putim9801. The Heisler and Climax locomotives are coming up next. Thanks for watching!!
@putim98014 ай бұрын
@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr I look forward to more of your excellent coverage of geared locomotives! I worked behind Shays and a Heisler for years and I was always impressed by how powerful these engines are on steep grades. Keep up your good work.
@mrsaturngamingandstories4 ай бұрын
Very informative And also I have a suggestion for a future video: 4-6-4 locomotives
@nathanielmeade57314 ай бұрын
I like this idea 'Tis a good idea
@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE4 ай бұрын
Hudson's?
@mrsaturngamingandstories4 ай бұрын
@@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE Yes I meant Hudson Type locomotives
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi mrsaturngamingandstories. I have several hudsons I plan on covering in the near future. Thanks for the suggestion and thank you for watching!!
@terrymillard92553 ай бұрын
The George town loop has a Shay here in Colorado
@TomRedlion3 ай бұрын
For future reference, Willamette = wuhl AM Et I've ridden on Rayonier #2. The last Willamette built.
@scratchdog22164 ай бұрын
It's said a Shay will follow two tracks scratched in the dirt with a stick.
@chuckdeyo2913 ай бұрын
Nice video. I have seen the one in Cadillac Mi.
@georgepayne32314 ай бұрын
Kelley island Lime and Transport bought 65 new locomotived from Lima for quarry service.
@daviddunn8603 ай бұрын
I just saw one of these at Grand Canyon Hotel train station.
@justtim97674 ай бұрын
Very nice.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi justtim9767. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!!
@pvtimberfaller4 ай бұрын
Realistically what Shay built was closer to a DeWinton than what we Know as Shays. By rights they should be known as Karnes since he designed the locomotive type.
@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr4 ай бұрын
Hi pvtimberfaller. That's a great observation on both accounts. The Shays could have very well been named after Carnes or Henderson. Thanks for watching!!
@sambrown64263 ай бұрын
How on earth did you not mention the Cass Scenic Railroad? In addition to a Heisler and 2 Climaxes, they operate 9 Shays to this day, including "Big 6", the 2nd-largest shay ever built, which is also the largest Shay still in existence, a class C weighing a whopping 162 tons. Like, they're THE Shay operator these days, and I feel like they deserved to be mentioned in some way.
@curtiscroulet87153 ай бұрын
Isn't it pronounced "will-AM-ett"?
@johnmunns59644 ай бұрын
Enjoyed that👍👍
@clayz14 ай бұрын
Did you make that intro all by yourself?
@89turbo13 ай бұрын
BC Forest Discovery Centre !!
@89turbo13 ай бұрын
kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXbEl5itjJakkJo
@derrickfoster6443 ай бұрын
That's what made me click on this video
@paulbrogger6553 ай бұрын
FWIW: Willamette is pronounced "will LAM et".
@tccarr71622 ай бұрын
Wil- la-mette, all short vowels and the final e is silent.
@stanleyromanowski98164 ай бұрын
Ridden behind Shays at Cass in West Virginia
@malcolmmarzo24613 ай бұрын
Good video work. Except for the amped up intro, using a rock music that is inappropriate to the topic. Why start with such an annoyance?
@bryansmith19203 ай бұрын
Hi I'm a City & Guilds Qualified Motor Vehicle Engineer, I don't think your American Education system works the same as ours, Do you have apprenticeships, Anyway I think this vehicle, is one to prove the European, saying a Euro Engineer spends time designing a safe system and then makes it work, The Americans just build a machine, if two out of three operators survive, it' a winner,
@ewingtaylor54873 ай бұрын
No video of the locomotives in motion?! Disappointing
@MrWombatty3 ай бұрын
The truth about Thomas Edison was that his success was due more to him employing inventors who couldn't afford patent their inventions, then Edison patented them in his name! Steve Jobs effectively copied this model with Apple!
@OzzMazz4 ай бұрын
Really bad and too loud music. What do you think you're doing?
@ShadowVFX3 ай бұрын
Is this a joke? If so, I don't get it.
@OzzMazz3 ай бұрын
@@ShadowVFX No joke, it's annoying.
@krzysztofwaleska3 ай бұрын
@@OzzMazzYes. It is very unpleasant. Too loud.
@krzysztofwaleska3 ай бұрын
I hardly can hear anything what he is saying about.
@devriesfabmachine87213 ай бұрын
There’s like 30 seconds of music in the intro, not while he’s talking.. what’re you talking about?