Quote:
Originally Posted by BAVBMW
Isn't a Shay something to see? Linkages and shafts and gears all working along in harmony...
There's one living in the woods near here. CA law won't allow the ex-logging locomotive, built to run on forest waste (as opposed to good wood the company could sell), burn wood. So it's been converted to oil. Now a diesel truck has to drive up the mountain to bring it fuel, while forest service (and a healthy number of prisoners) have to work constantly to clean and manage the forest to keep fire risks down. Instead of letting the railroad do it to fuel the train. And we won't even bring the pollution and "carbon footprint" of the tanker truck into the mix...
Crazy. But I love to see steam trains run. Lucky for me Sacramento and it's famous railroad museum are close enough to visit.
Enjoy the new camera!
MV
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OK, I am now officially jealous.
I am a big trains fan. I run large scale trains in my backyard (hence the LGB part of my screen name).
I agree with you, the Shay is one of the most interesting steam engines to watch and hear. At speed, it almost sounds like a diesel engine.
I own a hand-made, all-brass Shay manufactured by Aster-LGB. It is one of only 500 made. A present from my wife, since I am too cheap to spend that kind of money on myself).
If you ever get the chance, go to Colorado and ride the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge train. It is one of the most amazing pieces of railroad engineering you will ever see.
This is a thread that, for a change, is fun.
