Shay, Climax, and Heisler. A little info please.

[Virginian]

I have never gotten into these, at all, but some of the newer models available are intriguing. I could work in a little logging loop on the "mountain" (gotta justify things). I especially like the looks of the Heisler and the Climax with the cylinders showing. The Shay seems a bit unbalanced to me (I'm sure the offsets work out on the prototypes), but the Bachmann Shay looks really cool with all the pistons and valve gear working.
First, does anyone know if all the 'gear' on the Rivarossi Heisler or Bachmann Climax also works?
Also, can anyone shed some light on the development of these styles and what their relative tractive efforts might have been? Were their regional preferences? Thanks a bunch for any info.

[Anonymous]

All three engines, Shay Climax and Heisler run prototypically accurate.

All three geared engines were fairly competitive with there tractive effort. They were very very powerful for there tonnage. They also come in many diffrent sizes. Here is some info: http://www.gearedsteam.com/
If you have any more questions on this subject I'm fairly knowledgeble. I can also be reached at the Bachmann Message board.

[Anonymous]

Here is some info on Tractive effort.

Shay sizes with tractive effort:

Average sized shay around 80 ton had a Tractive effort of about 30,000 to 40,000 lbs.

the Larger Shays like big WM #6 had a tractive effort greater then some 4-8-4 Northerns
Its Tractive effort is around 60,000 lbs.

This shay weight is 269,960 (162 Tons )