NDG Could be wrong, in advancing age, but, did not Union Pacific also have a Shay for their Uintah Branch in Colorado?? way back??? It was mentioned, w/ a photo, in a ' Trains ' article decades ago along with a switcher which had an antenna on it's roof to operate the locomotive by radio? If the WM train had to stop for WATER on it's journey, it would require a lot of ' Spotting ' and delay. Thank You.
Could be wrong, in advancing age, but, did not Union Pacific also have a Shay for their Uintah Branch in Colorado?? way back???
It was mentioned, w/ a photo, in a ' Trains ' article decades ago along with a switcher which had an antenna on it's roof to operate the locomotive by radio?
If the WM train had to stop for WATER on it's journey, it would require a lot of ' Spotting ' and delay.
Thank You.
Johnny
I stand corrected.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD I could be mistaken but I believe WM was the only Class 1 to order a Shay locomotive for regular service, others that rostered Shay's were normally logging companies.
New York Central used Shay locomotives for the street running in New York City. The locomotives were covered in sheet metal so as to not scare the horses.
MiningmanYes that's a lot of water and coal ... and of course 7 crews, .. no mu, communication with hand signals and whistles must have been critical. Actually the whole thing is rather stunning.
Actually 7 Engine crews and one Train Crew. WM operated in territory with serious grades. I could be mistaken but I believe WM was the only Class 1 to order a Shay locomotive for regular service, others that rostered Shay's were normally logging companies.
Yes that's a lot of water and coal ... and of course 7 crews, .. no mu, communication with hand signals and whistles must have been critical. Actually the whole thing is rather stunning.
WOW! Shades of the old Colorado Midland in Ute Pass or in the Colorado Rocky Mountain High on Hell Gate....almost anyway. Just imigine what the crew cost must have been?
Quite amazing that 7 WM 2-8-0's are required each time for this coal drag...are those rails still there?
Western Maryland 2-8-0s 840 and 816 swing around one curve and into another as they lead a coal train east through rugged Blackwater Canyon between Elkins and Thomas, W.Va., in May 1952. Three more 2-8-0s at mid-train, and two more on the rear, help the 78-car train upgrade.Ed Theisinger photo
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