Re: Just a random question about geared locomotives... unofficial Challenge!

During Pennsylvania's logging era, The lumbermen found that in the smaller under 40 ton sizes, the Climax tended to out perform a similar sized Shay. The Climax had trucks with more flexibility, and tended to have better adhesion to the rails. The gear reduction at the cross shaft also helped. Climax was cheaper than a Lima engine. Probably the loggers favorite was the Class A Climax, nicknamed boxcar engines, black satchels, etc. Pretty much designed as a short use engine with wood frames (steel frames later extra cost) the class A's lasted longer than expected, wound up moving from job to job, with the two speed transmission had plenty of power, and the whole crew could ride in the large cab, out of the weather.
Don't recall any comparisons with a Heisler engine. Tionesta Valley had a decent amount of them, and seemed happy with the overall performance. Valve stem breakage was reported, and the larger narrow gauge engines with the outside counterweights and frames were considered top heavy, but they were operated by the TVRy and Central Pa Lumber Co into the thirties and forties.
I think the comparisons are almost like a Chevy vs Ford vs Chrysler, sometimes it was what the company owner preferred. All three were very good designs, and most bad reports came in later days in describing worn out engines.

brian b