This was great! It is interesting that the cab and tender section of the locomotive appear to be painted red, and the smokebox door is painted silver. I love a colorful Shay. I’ve visited Cass periodically since the 1970s and only ever recall their locomotives being all black.
The paint scheme was the product of the late logging era--the company store ran out of black paint and was having trouble getting it ordered in. The locomotives needed paint, so the shop used what was in stock, a bright Chinese Red for the water tank, coal bunker and cab, and dark forest green for the boiler jacket. Shay No. 4 wore a similar scheme for a period of time, but was ultimately returned to black prior to the Governor's acceptance run in 1961. The paint scheme on Shay No. 1 survived the transition from logging era to tourism, with No. 1 pulling only a handful of tourist excursions during that first season while Shay No. 4 was in the shop for repairs. Unfortunately Shay No. 1 needed significant expensive repairs, and was ultimately retired from operation after the first season of Cass Scenic Railroad ended in 1963. The locomotive was later repainted black and lettered "Greenbrier, Cheat & Elk", and today is displayed at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, having been a bargaining chip for a trade deal that brought Western Maryland Shay No. 6 to Cass.
+Briar Paxton Though it would be great if #1 stayed at Cass, but she would just be there for historic purposes. She was a weak shay compared to some shays like #4.
Briar Paxton Cass Scenic Railroad exchanged Shay 1 and St. Elizabeth's Hospital # 4 to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in order to get Western Maryland No. 6
The problem is that Shay 1 was only 65 tons, that's smaller than any engine on Cass' current roster. Even Shay 4 at 70 tons rarely makes a run on the mountain today except for helper duties or the occasional lighter day Whittaker train (in the last 10 years or more she often sat in the yard as a backup until being assigned to the Greenbrier Express on the old C&O line to Durbin). The reason Shay 5 still runs frequently is because she's 80 tons, quite large and powerful for such an old Shay. I honestly don't know what they could do with Shay 1 apart from special occasions. She just isn't strong enough for most of the Cass trains today. It's the reason Shay 7 and later Shay 2 was brought in to replace her.
Matthew Smith Have you ever been to Cass? If not, this train is run like a typical trip is even today. They train pushes from behind most of the way up the mountain, only backing between the switchbacks. On the return trip it is just the opposite, of course. The reasoning behind this was to keep the locomotive on the downhill end of the train for the steepest sections of the line. Cass averages a 5% grade over much of the line, reaching as high as 11% in some areas.
The WV NetworkI was at Cass just after the fire of 1973. I think Shay 4 and 5 pushed us up to Bald Knob. I remember the Climax locomotive sitting on the deadline, and am happy beyond words that she is finally being rebuilt. Looking forward to see her steaming up the mountain. Also looking forward to seeing "old slobberface", Buffalo Creek & Gauley No. 4, steaming too...
I’ve been looking for a video with Shay 1 in it for months 🎉
This was great! It is interesting that the cab and tender section of the locomotive appear to be painted red, and the smokebox door is painted silver. I love a colorful Shay. I’ve visited Cass periodically since the 1970s and only ever recall their locomotives being all black.
The paint scheme was the product of the late logging era--the company store ran out of black paint and was having trouble getting it ordered in. The locomotives needed paint, so the shop used what was in stock, a bright Chinese Red for the water tank, coal bunker and cab, and dark forest green for the boiler jacket. Shay No. 4 wore a similar scheme for a period of time, but was ultimately returned to black prior to the Governor's acceptance run in 1961. The paint scheme on Shay No. 1 survived the transition from logging era to tourism, with No. 1 pulling only a handful of tourist excursions during that first season while Shay No. 4 was in the shop for repairs. Unfortunately Shay No. 1 needed significant expensive repairs, and was ultimately retired from operation after the first season of Cass Scenic Railroad ended in 1963. The locomotive was later repainted black and lettered "Greenbrier, Cheat & Elk", and today is displayed at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, having been a bargaining chip for a trade deal that brought Western Maryland Shay No. 6 to Cass.
Shay #1 is my buddy in Baltimore. Since I am a member there and I live close by I visit there often. She is my "Cass Away From Cass" if you will.
Geared Productions nice
My grandfather was the engineer of shay number 7
It's amazing how much the trees have grown in since then.
I can't believe they got rid of shay #1 for two more shays!
+Briar Paxton Though it would be great if #1 stayed at Cass, but she would just be there for historic purposes. She was a weak shay compared to some shays like #4.
Briar Paxton Cass Scenic Railroad exchanged Shay 1 and St. Elizabeth's Hospital # 4 to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in order to get Western Maryland No. 6
Wow. This footage is amazing!
I read a story somewhere that clyde galford blew a piston out of #1, and it shot about 70 feet in the air and landed in a swamp lol
Very neat old video
Anyone know the name of the first song in the video? Goes great with with the train ride
It’s a shame she only ran infrequently. I hope she gets another chance some day.
The problem is that Shay 1 was only 65 tons, that's smaller than any engine on Cass' current roster. Even Shay 4 at 70 tons rarely makes a run on the mountain today except for helper duties or the occasional lighter day Whittaker train (in the last 10 years or more she often sat in the yard as a backup until being assigned to the Greenbrier Express on the old C&O line to Durbin). The reason Shay 5 still runs frequently is because she's 80 tons, quite large and powerful for such an old Shay. I honestly don't know what they could do with Shay 1 apart from special occasions. She just isn't strong enough for most of the Cass trains today. It's the reason Shay 7 and later Shay 2 was brought in to replace her.
Wasn't it the popular consent that Shay #1 was too small for regular service at Cass after the tourist railroad started up (being a 65-tonner)?
No it's got burn in the roundhouse fire they Restore it that was Transport to the Baltimore Ohio railway museum
It still could have Push trains of the Mountain
Why is she pulling backwards?
Matthew Smith Have you ever been to Cass? If not, this train is run like a typical trip is even today. They train pushes from behind most of the way up the mountain, only backing between the switchbacks. On the return trip it is just the opposite, of course. The reasoning behind this was to keep the locomotive on the downhill end of the train for the steepest sections of the line. Cass averages a 5% grade over much of the line, reaching as high as 11% in some areas.
The WV NetworkI was at Cass just after the fire of 1973. I think Shay 4 and 5 pushed us up to Bald Knob. I remember the Climax locomotive sitting on the deadline, and am happy beyond words that she is finally being rebuilt. Looking forward to see her steaming up the mountain. Also looking forward to seeing "old slobberface", Buffalo Creek & Gauley No. 4, steaming too...
What song is that at the very beginning? Trying to find it online.