Shay Locomotive

National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

Felton, California

 

Heisler locomotive, built by Stearns Manufacturing Company, 1899.

Shay locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works, 1912.

Climax locomotive, built by Climax Manufacturing Company, 1928.

 

The Shay locomotive, patented in 1881, and its two variants--the Climax and the Heisler--employed small high-speed steam engines geared down to axles on four-wheel trucks. They were suited to slow and heavy hauling with high tractive effort on the rough and temporary tracks of the lumber and mineral industries. They hauled heavy loads through difficlut terrain from about 1890 to 1960 until replaced by automotive trucks.

 

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers--1988

Submitted by: Eric Goodill