Re: Geared engine speeds

Having spent a fair amount of time on several models of all three types over the years, I can tell you that your general observations are pretty much correct.
Standard gearing on 80-3 & 90-3 class Shays was 2.05 to 1 (20 to 41). These can be ran at around 12 mph without beating them up. The big Heislers were usually right at 2 to 1 ((12 to 24) and are a faster locomotive. The West Coast Special type is geared just a tad lower and I don't have those specs handy, but it'll still get down the track pretty well. Anybody can run one of these faster, but they will not hold up to continued use when operated in that manner. Pickering Lbr. Corp. usually ran their Shays under 10 mph.
Now, as to the noble Climax...they are a great switch engine, but a poor road engine and the problem lies not just with lower gearing, but with poor counterbalancing. Having spent many hours on Hillcrest 10 over a 40 year period, I can tell you that she should never be let out of the yard! Look at her trucks sometime. They are all welded up from repairs over the years where they have cracked from the continual pounding that she gives them.
The 10 gave me a bad case of labyrinthitis (vertigo) back in 2004 and I thought I might have to have my wife drive me home from WA. This from just one 15 mile trip on her!
Tom