1921 Shay Geared Locomotives Catalog

In 1877, Civil War veteran Ephraim Shay came up with an innovative design for a logging locomotive. It featured a normal boiler which operated a side-mounted set of cylinders. These in turn drove longitudinal drive shafts, which powered the wheels of both the locomotive and tender. This “geared locomotive” offered a distinct advantage, in that the entire weight of the engine developed tractive effort. The Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio, produced the first Shay locomotive in 1880. Less than a decade later, the company was producing five different types of Shays, and shipping them throughout the world. The last Shay was built in 1945 and still operates at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia. Lima produced its last steam engine in 1949, and merged with Baldwin in 1951. This catalog shows the Lima Locomotive Works’ line of Shays circa 1921. Featuring descriptive text and photos, it’s a wonderful resource for the model railroader, train spotter, and rail enthusiast.