Re: NML No. 7 Shay history

It is interesting the #7 was a rail buster when it was a NML. on rail that was evidently heavier than what it ran on down the middle fork of the John Day. I haven't heard any mention of rail related problems. Casey Carlson could adress this better than I as he is in contact with an old hogger that ran it. So far as I know the rail down the middle for was 35#. Does anyone know otherwise? I base this soley on one or more pieces of rail that are discarded along the old middle fork ROW. If this is the case then NML's problem may have had more to do with subgrade and ballast or lack thereof? Also, I have walked grades locally that were used by a std. ga. logging line with a pretty good sized 3 truck shay. Again remants of rail and splice bars remain and they are 35lb. On the other hand most of the remnants are at locations of obvious soft areas and the joint bars are usually broken ones.