Steam & Excursion > The Shay and the Decapod

Not sure where else you can find a Shay and Decapod but last Saturday 9/23/23 it was possible at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. J. Neils Lumber #5 was pulling a train of three cabooses while Frisco 1630 had the honor of leading a three-car passenger train. I put together this video of both trains. 
Scene 1- the Shay leads its train over Olson Road
Scene 2 - on it next run, entering one of the depot tracks. 
Scene 3 - Frisco 1630 pulling into the depot
Scene 4 - the caboose train one more time
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/23 05:06 by kevink.

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Photos of the vintage cabooses:
1. CGW 601
2. UP 3786
3. MILW 01984



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/23 18:53 by kevink.

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The passenger train cars:
1. Bessemer 25
2. Lackawana 556
3.  DM&IR 84
Sharp looking train!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/23 19:00 by kevink.

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And some photos of J. Neils #5



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/23 19:04 by kevink.

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That 50 mph track was perfect for the Shay.

Out 

In some of those video sequences, that shay was really moving - for a shay.  I don't think I've ever seen a shay go that fast.  Most I've seen were moving at 7 mph or less.

> Scene 2 - on it next run, entering one of the
> depot tracks. 

What are those white circle signals? I don't recall seeing any like that.

The OCD in me has always wondered why the CGW logo looked "out of register" with the inner circle off center.

#5 is an interesting beast.  The piston valve cylinders tell me it is a "Pacific Coast" model, but the cutaway front on the cab belies that.  Was it a special order? Did the owners "hot rod" #5 with aftermarket piston valve cylinders?  Without the pisotn valves #5 appears to be a basic modern 70-tonner.

Inquiring Shay Geeks want to know.....

Earlk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> #5 is an interesting beast.  The piston valve
> cylinders tell me it is a "Pacific Coast" model,
> but the cutaway front on the cab belies that. 
> Was it a special order? Did the owners "hot rod"
> #5 with aftermarket piston valve cylinders? 
> Without the pisotn valves #5 appears to be a basic
> modern 70-tonner.
>
> Inquiring Shay Geeks want to know.....

I visited the Klickatat Lumber operation in 1963. The man that was in charge,a Mr. Norman Elsner, and reportedly owned the two Shay locomotives, #5 and #7. The larger #7 ( a Pacific Coast model) was in service, and he invited me to ride "up the hill" with the empty train. At the top of the long, steep grade, there was the log load-out. After some switching and lunch, we departed back down grade to the mill, and proceeded to dump the logs into the millpond, one car at a time. Great trip, although I never say #5 operate. I'm pretty sure that the late Eliot Donnely purchased the #5 and donated it to the IRM.

IRM’s page for #5: https://www.irm.org/player/jnl5/

Page for #1630: https://www.irm.org/player/frisco1630/

Information for much of IRM’s collection:
https://www.irm.org/collection/

Posted from iPhone

Lighter Wrote:
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> What are those white circle signals? I don't
> recall seeing any like that.

GRS Model 2A dwarf disc type.

Presumably from the C&NW Chicago Passenger Terminal.

Do my 75 year old, tinnitus riddled ears deceive me or does the whistle on  #5 sound like it is  from a CB & Q O5 4-8-4?

> > What are those white circle signals? 
>
> GRS Model 2A dwarf disc type.
>
> Presumably from the C&NW Chicago Passenger
> Terminal.

Thanks.

kevink Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IRM’s page for #5:
> https://www.irm.org/player/jnl5/
>
> Page for #1630:
> https://www.irm.org/player/frisco1630/
>
> Information for much of IRM’s collection:
> https://www.irm.org/collection/
>
> Posted from iPhone

None of which explains why a garden-variety 70 tonner has piston valves.

Earlk Wrote:
--------------------------------------------------
>
> None of which explains why a garden-variety 70
> tonner has piston valves.

I bet Martin Hansen knows.

Not to mention that the piston valve arrangement looks pretty store bought. Rear cab radius looks
kinda Pacific Coast wannabe.

Out