Re: the why's of SP 18

When Cass Scenic Ry got their Pacific Coast type Shay, they considered leaving it an oil burner. Dan Ranger contacted me as I was his fireman frequently on the ex-Pickering 11 Shay (same type) when she was used at Rio Vista Junction near Sacramento, CA. He wanted to know if I could get time off work and go along with him to Cass and help with some instruction. This would have been around 1971 or 1972.

I asked my Superintendent where I worked at Standard Oil in Richmond and he actually said that the Company could authorize the venture as cooperative efforts between companies. After fits and starts, Cass decided not to go forward with the idea. Too bad, it would have been a great experience for all.