Day 4: Timber Train

All aboard said the train conductor, we loaded up on Shay number 11 to head up the mountain to Bald Knob. Located in Cass, WV one can take the Cass Scenic Railroad to view a stunning site and have ride like no other. The technology and mechanics of the train are engineered for torque and tractive force to climb the mountain.

Shay 11

Shay engines are popular trains that were used in the logging industry. The fireman tries to keep the pressure around 200 lbs., one needs to anticipate when to stock the boiler with coal. The train is different in that it's an all wheel drive train that has multiple pistons to supply the torque needed. If the track is slick they are able to place sand on the rails ahead of them to get traction. For more information on the train that changed the timbering industry click here.

We also performed a water quality test at the Greenbrier River. We tested for pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Click here for the following results gathered from the Greenbrier. looking over the dissolved oxygen data, the level is extremely low for organisms to live in. It would be interesting to see if any benthic macroinvertebrates may be living in the water.

Questions:
Why is torque needed when trying to go up a 8% percent grade?
What would happen if the boiler pressure went above or below 200lbs.
Why must the fireman must anticipate to place coal in the boiler?

 

Shay - firebox

Shay #6 (largest shay built)

Shay - three pistons that rotate the drive shaft, this is the reason for an increase in torque

Shay - here we notice the drive shaft that supplies energy to all the wheels, similar to four wheel drive

Bald Knob