The Shay Engine #5 will celebrate its centennial birthday in 2005, according to Dave Caplinger, superintendent of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.
Once built for hauling timber through mountainous areas, the Shay #5 now carries visitors to a bygone era.
Ephraim Shay is commonly credited with the conception and creation of the Shay locomotives, the first geared locomotive. Before the use of the Shay engines, rod engines were used, but they weren't able to navigate steep areas with frail tracks. Shay created a locomotive using reduced gears, which could move through rough, hilly and sharp curved tracks. The ease of repair, even and smooth distribution of power and flexibility made it widely used for logging operations in mountainous terrain.
The Shay #5 was built by Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company to run on Greenbrier, Cheat, and Elk Railroad. It arrived at Cass in November 1905. This turn of the century C-80 Shay has been toiling up Cheat Mountain for nearly 100 years, making it the second oldest engine in service on its original line. 2005 has been designated by West Virginia State Parks as "The Year of the Shay".
Past to Present:
Until 1980 Shay #5 was accompanied by Shay #1, another turn-of-the-century machine
The second oldest Shay in existence
Shay #5 has been designated by West Virginia legislature and former Governor Bob Wise as the state locomotive
Technically Speaking:
Building No.: 1503
Date in Service: November 1, 1905
Class: C-80
Trucks: 3
Bore: 13 - 1/2 inches
Stroke: 15 inches
Driver: 36 inches
Weight: 90 tons
For more information about the Shay #5 or about Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, please visit www.cassrailroad.com or call (304)456-4300.
Shay created a locomotive using reduced gears, which could move through rough, hilly and sharp curved tracks. The ease of repair, even and smooth distribution of power and flexibility made it widely used for logging operations in mountainous terrain.