Layout #4, Video #39, The new Broadway Limited Class D four truck Shay

This is our 118th video documenting our exploration of the model railroading hobby. It is the 39th video for our fourth (HO Scale) layout. In this video, we show our new Broadway Limited Imports Class D four-truck Shay steam locomotive. This is a model of a very unique locomotive that I had not heard of until recently. The Shay type of locomotives are steam driven but use three vertical pistons on the right side of the loco, combined with metal jack shafts (drive shafts) that connect the three pistons to all both axles on each of the four trucks. This style of locomotive was invented by Ephraim Shay in the 1870's/80's while he worked as a logger. He wanted a better way to get logs down from the mountains without using a winter sled. The design produces a lot of power for hauling and is short enough for tight radius curves, but does not produce a high top end speed. This made these locos perfect for hauling logs or ore down from mountains and they became very popular there. The first Shays were built by the Lima Locomotive Works based on Shay's designs and patents. The earliest Shay's used only two cylinders and two trucks, then grew in stages to three cylinders and four trucks. After Shay's patents expired, the design was built by Willamette Iron and Steel Works in Portland, Oregon. Technically these are properly called Willamettes because the name Shay was trademarked by Lima. Michigan Iron Works in Cadillac, MI also built a few Shays, licensing the patents from Lima. There were around 2,770 Shays built between 1878 and 1945. There are still 116 known surviving Shays, with some on static display and some in running condition. The Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia has 5 Shays and uses them in excursion service pulling trains to Bald Knob, the second highest point in West Virginia. This is a five hour round trip but I want to go.