Sierra RR Shay #2 was originally built by Lima in February, 1922 for Hutchinson Lumber Co. at Feather Falls, Calif. Later transferred to Feather River Pine Mills, and still later, to Feather River Railway. Lima construction number 3177 is a BIG engine, with 14.5X15 cylinders, 36 inch wheels, 200 psi boiler pressure, 40,400 T.E., 205,600lb. total weight. Engine was retired, August, 1966, and stored at Oroville, Calif.

The engine was moved to Jamestown, Calif. in 1975, and leased to Sierra Railroad for $1 per year. Alan Shelton began the task of re-building #2 in mid-1979 at the Jamestown roundhouse with much advise from former West Side Lumber Co. engineer Leland "Shorty" Maddox, who was at the roundhouse almost daily. Sierra Railroad #2 backed onto the Jamestown turntable for the first time on August 29, 1979, with Al Shelton at the throttle, and David Sell firing, and Shorty Maddox, smiling wildly, in the cab!