num_pages: 488
description: The complete history of the Shay locomotive, built by Lima Machine Works of Ohio. Ephraim Shay reasoned that if a small but powerful locomotive could be built to withstand the punishment of temporary trackage, loggers and lumbermen could tap otherwise inaccessible tracts of timber in any season of the year. The lumber industry was in its hey-day and after several years, Shay developed a unique, gear-driven locomotive with vertical pistons that could pull heavy loads up difficult grades and was simple to repair in the woods. Eventually Shay's locomotives came to be used wherever huge loads had to be moved over rough terrain. They found much use in the mining industry as well. The last Shay locomotive was built in 1945 and many are still in use today. This is a handsome book and the last word on the subject: includes a complete history of the Shay and of the Lima Locomotive Works, a biography of Ephraim Shay, discussion of the Shay's competitors, a list of all the Shays ever constructed, and a list of Willamette locomotives. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos, six full color paintings by Richard Ward, and schematic diagrams. With extensive bibliography, plus lists of catalogues, maps and atlases consulted. 488 pages with index.
language: English
title: The Shay Locomotive: Titan of the Timber
publisher: World Press