J.B.Bane Wrote:
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> I had to end my previous post due to someone
> waiting for me. Mechanically the Heisler had some
> cutting edge features. The trucks have what is
> called a swivel bar. The end of which can be seen
> between the wheels on each side. It allows for a
> particularly flexible truck design that maintains
> wheel contact on extremely rough track. I don't
> know much about Climax nor Shay design, but
> imagine this added flexibility would not work on a
> Climax because the second axle is also gear
> driven. The gears would likely be more particular
> about misalignment than side rods and maybe the
> same would be true for a Shay. Just a guess. The
> center drive allows for a tighter turning radius
> than a Shay. By the mid 20's Heisler's had a
> mech. lubricator to take care of all major lube
> points on the "motor unit". The fact that Heisler
> place the bevel gears inside a case that could be
> filled with oil or light grease was quite an
> advantage to Heislers working in wet swampy areas.
> Sadly we lack the covers for our #3. On the
> other hand, I have no doubt that Shay's have
> Heisler and Climax beat on ease of lubrication and
> service to all of the engine and drive train parts
> due to the outside location.
JB, your comments are well taken. If I may add a few...
I have spent a bit of time in, on and around the 70-3 class Climax
now at MRSR in Mineral, WA and that included while she was in regular service on Vancouver Island.
They indeed are hard to get to when both oiling and greasing.
I also feel that pound for pound, they just may do the best job at
putting all of their power to the rail. I have seen her take 8
loaded passenger cars plus caboose from the Murray switch up into
the yard next to the shop at Mineral. It's a good pull all the
way into the shop. I also rode her in 1968 out of Mesachie Lake
with 27 loads and 1 empty. Incredible performance for a small 3 truck
locomotive. Harry Wright actually backed up and then took slack to get us moving. Best we could manage to town was 2 notches (out of 4) out of
the corner, but she held the rail all the way in Lake Cowichan.
The machine that should be real amazing when MRSR rebuilds her is
Heisler 91, a 90 ton West Coast Special. She has more cylinder volume
from her 2 cylinders than a 90-3 Shay does from 3 and they are big
Shays. Heisler used to rate tractive effort at 75% and finally
went along with most everyone else and used 85% of bp. T.E. at 75%
was something like 43,600 lbs, but at 85%, they claimed 49,000 lbs.!
If you could start a train, that beast would pull most everything in
the yard.
Thanks again for your comments, especially on the #3.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2014 03:11PM by Tom Moungovan.
