Re: Baldwin, Alco or Lima- who made the best?

I have to agree with Tom and John. Roaring Camp's Heisler, although a very powerful locomotive, is extremely hard to work on. This locomotive is so old that its design features are actually design flaws. If ever was a locomotive that that is pure evil, this is it. Of the geared engines, I like the Shays. There is an old loggers' addage, "Give me a Shay any day." Shays are like CadIllacs of the geaerd engines, good riding and free steamers, but they do have several bad drawbacks.
One is It is a real chore to change out staybolts behind the engine set on a shay. Also another drawback is, without a pit, adjusting the brakes on a Shay is hard to do. Some day, I would like the chance to work on a Willamette and compare it with the Lima Shay. They are the improved Shay-type locomotive. As for rod locomotives, I have worked with Baldwins, Alcos, Porters and a Vulcan. I am fond of the Baldwins the most.
Phil Reader.