Geared Steam Locomotives

Shay, Climax and Heisler for steep, tightly curved branch lines.

Commonwealth Oil Corporation Shay-geared locomotive on Wolgan Valley railway probably at Newnes Junction NSW Australia [c.1930s]. Image from the ARHS Collection courtesy of the University of Newcastle Library’s Special Collections.

Received gift in
early teens
nearly fifty years ago,
Geared locomotive book,
Loved Shay locomotives
working local oil
shale mines,
Discovered Climax and
Heisler from
historical archives.

Limited room,
Built HO scale
logging layout,
Steep inclines
tight curves and
trestle bridges,
Never finished
any one piece,
Ran models at
scale speeds so
plenty of
viewing time,
Fun fussing
adjusting and
watching locos,
Especially on
trestle bridges.

Had two brass
Class C shays
painted one,
Class B Climax and
lonely Heisler
both painted,
Kit bashed
logging trucks,
Happy fussing.