Shay Patent and Direct Locomotive Catalog

In 1877, Ephraim Shay designed a steam locomotive that featured a side-mounted set of cylinders. These in turn drove longitudinal shafts, which powered the wheels of both the locomotive and tender. This “geared locomotive” developed terrific tractive effort. The Lima Locomotive Works of Ohio, produced the first Shay locomotive in 1880. A little more than two decades later, when this catalog was produced, the company was producing three different classes of Shays. The last engine was built in 1945 and still operates at the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia. This reproduction catalog is a wonderful resource for the model railroader, train spotter, and rail enthusiast.