Rich Hunn Wrote:
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> Beyond that the Vancouver Wharves were switched by
> a Shay at a relatively late date, in fact two
> as I remember.

Right on Rich...these were a pair of Pacific Coast Shays operated by Bob Swanson under
the name Railway Appliance Research. The late Jack Holst had told me that because of
the constant back & forth movements, that they had put power reverse on at least one of the
Shays and he was right. One of these locomotives has been @ Cass since the mid 70's. I
think it was sold right after they quit the use of steam, but they did operate into the
70's. I had a shot of one in my 2008 Winterail show on the 70's..
For the type of work that they did, these machines were a good match. PC's are not the best
choice for a road engine, even when compared to 80 and 90 ton Shays, account the
lower gearing. PC has 17/41 ratio and standard gearing for an 80-3 and 90-3 is 20/41.
It does make a difference that you can feel.