A 75 t trolley wire locomotive specially developed for Solvay Chemicals GmbH is suitable for use on gauges of 900 mm and in low, narrow tunnels.
Gee, this thing looks like it was built by a committee!
The image shows an Aveling & Porter compound locomotive, a type of steam engine built in 1895. It is essentially a road traction engine fitted with flanged wheels for rail use.
Key features include:
- Compound Design: It uses both high and low-pressure cylinders for efficiency.
- Geared Drive: A large central gear drives both axles.
- Water Tank: Water is stored in a rear-mounted tank.
- Usage: Originally used for shunting.
Bill;
Since steam traction engines were notoriously slow, it stands to reason that the locomotive shown would only be used for shunting (switching). The class 1 railroads even had a brief flirtation with four-truck Shays for switchers.
Best, David Meashey
Very bizarre! I can see the engine on top, transferring its output via chains behind the covers I suppose, to both axles.
The link bar between drivers seems a bit cosmetic (being connected at the center), so at first I suspected it was a movie prop of some sort. Especially since the drivers look like they came from the Ben Hur chariot race!
Dave we’re the shays being used by the class 1 during or after their logging use?
Deja vu Cliff! But my first thought was of this scene👇Ramming speed… BOOM BOOM BOOM
Bill;
The Shays were bought new by the class 1 railroads in an attempt to find more powerful switchers. They did not work out as hoped (possibly they could not accelerate as fast as small-drivered rod engines). Some of them may have gone lumber companies and quarries after their brief service on the class 1s.
Regards, David Meashey
It’s my understanding from some research I was doing on other things that the Shay’s were enclosed in NY to prevent scaring the horses on the streets. Part of the horse mounted flagman’s job was to alert the on coming horses as well if that makes sense? However I’m listening to Barbara Streisand with the Gibb boys currently so what do I know.
Shocked and surprised here.
I was getting more of the vibe of Katy Perry’s Roar and Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger from reading your posts. 
who?
who are you guys talking about?
(i must confess, i just like two types of musik: Country and Western )
[quote=“Korm, post:110, topic:84513, full:true”]
Dang Korm, I must be out of touch. I was getting Marlene Dietrich‘s Lili Marleen and Bobby Vinton’s Beer Barrel Polka vibes. 
you should finetune your vibes.
Beer Barrel Polka is best if from the Andrew sisters.
and i’m not old enough for Lili or Marlene. that was my father’s generation.
Roger that. Except Toto rules.
But with respect to the brothers and maybe veer back toward railroady…
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When one of the narrowest and slowest railroad in the world, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad decided they needed a chic streamline locomotive. I have a Lil Big Hauler set aside for a Bash.
A belated, “Yeah, I’ve liked that one too,” David. Here’s an investigation into how it worked.
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I don’t know anything about this. Marilyn was digging through boxes from her Mom’s estate and found this. I thought it looked pretty cool…
Jon, I think that one is in Rooster’s future plan book for when he starts building his second favorite rail line the W&WV 
Jon;
That locomotive comes from a time when the thought was that greater speed could be realized if one could get a large driver to turn smaller wheels even faster. The locomotives with large single drivers (seven and eight foot diameter) were part of that effort. Great idea but it proved impractical.
Best, David Meashey