Rod vs. Shay Locomotives

In today's class we learned about the different types of trains and the special breed of trains that were needed to trek up the steep grades of West Virginia.

Frisco Lines: Engine 1050 St. Louis, Missouri

Rod Locomotive

1897 Rogers 4-6-0 (Back to the Future Part 3)

This was the typical steam engine that would be found in the flat plains of the United States. You typically wouldn't find this train in WV due to the large wheel base and the terrain that the locomotive had to trek. The larger wheels helped the train travel large distances, but this in turn made the train stiff to turns (had to take gradual long turns). The train also didn't have the power or the gripping force to overcome the grade in the West Virginia hills. 

There needed to be a locomotive that was able to traverse the steep inclines and the winding valleys of West Virginia. The next locomotives are known as gear locomotives which helped to overcome the problems of rod locomotives. Click on the website to learn more.

Shay Locomotive 

Shay #5

Lima. OH

Perhaps the most popular geared locomotive is the shay locomotive. This locomotive was built in Lima, OH where the majority of geared locomotives were designed and built. The train was able to traverse the steep grades of the West Virginia hills and with its small wheel base it could go through the valleys. 

The shay's can still be seen running at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Cass, WV. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park also contains other geared trains like the Heisler and Climax locomotives. The YouTube video is showing one of the largest shay's (shay #6) and the last built.