Shay Geared Locomotive Profile and Models
Shay No.12 at the Georgetown Loop Railroad in June 2004. ©Mark Byzewski
The Shay locomotive is a geared steam locomotive that originated and was primarily used in North America. The locomotives were built to the patents of Ephraim Shay, who has been credited with the popularization of the concept of a geared steam locomotive. Although the design of Ephraim Shay's early locomotives differed from later ones, there is a clear line of development that joins all Shays. Shay locomotives were especially suited to logging, mining and industrial operations and could operate successfully on steep or poor quality track. |
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Type of Locomotive |
Geared Steam |
Builder |
Lima Locomotive Works |
Build Dates |
1878 to 1945 |
Total Built |
2,770 |
Tractive Effort |
Varied by design |
Wheel Configuration |
2 to 4 trucks - geared |
Operated By |
100s of mainline and private industry railroads |
Main Duties |
Industrial Quarries Logging Mining Passenger |
In Service Until |
1970s |
Surviving Examples |
115 |