Project Completed.

2019, the drive shaft over the coal bin is being replaced.

2018 The next part of the Shay repairs are to upgrade the wheel supports under the engine and drive bearings.

7/18 Dennis Hornberger is pleased to report that the test steaming on 7-17-16 was a success. Everything is working as planned.

5/7  The boiler lift went well.  No problems.  The boiler was lifted into the frame around 3:00 PM and the engine was returned to the house.  Special thanks to crane operator Doug Carlisle, Norman Gay, and Shay committee member Brian Oxee.  The new boiler is expected to be tested the beginning of July.

4/9 Good News! The new Shay Boiler arrived at R&T around 7:00 PM Friday evening!   Special Thanks to Mike Knaub for getting it here and Norm Gay for carefully placing it in the shop.  The boiler will now be plumbed and prepared to mount on the engine.

The Shay Railroad engine will have a new boiler installed for operation again in 2016.  Good progress is being made by the Shay team in preparation for the upgraded boiler installation.   

While there were most likely a few 30" gauge Shays built by Lima (quite possibly for export), R&T's Shay is "homemade" replica 1970 vs. being a "real" Lima-built Shay. It was originally built during the early 1970's by a PRR Conductor and steam machinery fan named Bruce Groninger. He used a circa 1940 Fitzgibbons stationary boiler and a Soule 2-cylinder steam engine (which originally was used to power a sawmill log carriage back and forth). The Shay originally rode on handcar (or motorcar?) wheels and the trucks were assembled using assorted motor vehicle components with the final drive done by chains and sprockets. Air for braking was supplied (while moving) by a compressor belt-driven off the crankshaft. Over the years R&T people have rewoked the engine into something that comes much closer to passing for a actual Lima Shay. The engine now rides on more robust trucks that are far more in line with the design of what would be under a "real" Shay. A one lung steam air pump supplies braking air. Over the years the Shay has also received a turbogenerator and headlight plus some proper "jewelery" such as a number plate and class lights. A variety of whistles, mostly locomotive, have been used on the Shay including a long bell Hancock and the above mentioned RDG 6-chime. Interestingly, this little engine has been worked on over the years by a handfull of people that also could be found working on or around much larger and better known steam locomotives. People like the late DJ Shirey, Steve Gilbert, Warren Avis, and Eric Hessler come to mind. The R&T people can be very proud of what their machine has turned into. They also have done a fine job building two open passenger cars out of industrial flatcars and today their loop of track looks as good as some Class One track!