I just picked one of these up and was hoping for observations and comments from anyone else that has one.
Is that a Shay? I love those. In either case, that is a beautiful loco!
No, That is a Heisler, which has the cylinders arranged in a V-2 configuration, with a centered driveline.
A Shay has the cylinders mounted vertically, on the Engineer’s side(Right side) with the drivelines running down the right side of the locomotive.
The third of the three most common types of geared steam locomotives were the Climax, which had the cylinders near the front in an almost conventional arrangement, but then through jackshafts turned a centered driveline similiar to the Heislers.
This is what the Lionel 3 Truck Shay looks like.
This is a comparison of the Lionel Shay, and the Bachmann Spectrum HO model of the same (kind of[swg]) locomotive.
Doug
Ah ok. I had not seen a Heisler before so I’m looking at the picture thinking “That looks like a Shay but…”
Thanx for that.
You’re Welcome,
You may be interested in googleing “Climax Locomotive” they are interesting as well. The Shay was the most Common of the three, but the Heislers were better balanced and known to be a bit “Quicker” than the Shays, but none of the geared steam locomotives were FAST by any stretch of the imagination, but that was not their forte. The geared engines were great at hauling heavy loads up and down steep grades on track rough enough to make a side rod locomotive “Take a dirt road” out of fear.
Doug
All I know is I LOVE it!
[:D]
Check out he Cass Scenic Railroad in WV to see real Shays in action…when I went on their tour, I couldn’t believe the grade I was going up in a train. Amazing.
How long is that O gauge three truck shay?
The logger engines are fun to watch but,they need to be in that type of setting to look at home. Main line is not the place to watch them work… I think Charlie’s shay is apx. 10 inches.
As has already been mentioned Charlie has a HEISLER, not a Shay. According to Lionel’s website, the Heisler is 15 3/4" long, and my 3 truck O-Gauge Shay is 16 3/4" long.
Doug
Charlie has both … a SHAY and a Heisler … [swg]
You are correct Sir !
Mich, well, after reading your review of the Heisler, I just ordered one myself – the Meadow River version. So we’ll see how it works out on my RR. It sure looks like a great engine, and I love logging railroad stuff.
Good for you… Enjoy! Please post some pics for us.