Ian Holmes Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I've recently returned from Yosemite National Park in Cailfornia. A stunning place that everyone should go to if they can. On the edge of the park in the Sierra National Forest is the 3' gauge Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. A real gem of a tourist railroad. It's a stunning ride through the national forest up and down steep grades and around sharp curves. A proper logging line atmosphere. What is the best part of the line? The trains are under the power of a pair of Shays. While I was there operations were conducted by No. 10, one of the last Shays ever built and reputedly the largest one built. Here's a few pictures of the line Here's a close up of the cylinders They also have this diesel running in case of emergencies. The Y.M.S.P.RR is only an hour trip of some 4, perhaps 5 miles but it really is worth it. I loved it. I'd rate it as good as, if not better than, many N.G Railways in the U.K. Β I can share a few more pictures if you're interested Β Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalmaintainer Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Thanks for posting! No. 10 is the largest narrow-gauge Shay which Lima constructed. Came to the Westside Lumber Company via Pickering Lumber Co.. The balloon stack was not original, IIRC. Β Shays in the deep woods -- stirs my blood. Β I can share a few more pictures if you're interested Β Ian Β I'm definitely interested! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Holmes Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 More pictures? OK then Here's a few more. Here my wife shows just how much legroom there is in one of the log disconnect cars converted to passenger car by the addition of tree trunks shaped to make bench seats. An overall view of the delightful location of the station Peering into the loco shed we can glimpse Shay No. 15 A close up of the gearing And one more last view of No.10 Hope you enjoyed the pics. I would have taken more except I was shooting video that I hope to get edited into a showable form soon. Β Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium chris-shay Posted September 10, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2011 Fantastic! Nothing beats the frantic sound of a Shay thundering past at a brisk walking pace! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointstaken Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Ian, Thanks for those photos, they are well worth looking at in their own right. I'm considering building a Shay, a project some years down the line, but the close up of the cylinders and drive gears is very enlightening. Β Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh wizard Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Great Photo,s went there back in 1999 ,did you have a ride on the model t speeder? as you say superb atmosphere never having encountered a shay before it was a bit of an eye opener being brought up on 47s etc it sounded like it was doing a hundred miles an hour when we were only doing 5mph !! good stuff well worth a visit...Merv from a sunny south Wales coast.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Holmes Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Great Photo,s went there back in 1999 ,did you have a ride on the model t speeder? Merv: The Model T speeders were tucked away in the shed when I got there, I couldn't even get a decent picture. They run on the first train of the day and other off peak services. Next time we go to Yosemite I will make sure I get a trip on them. Β Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalmaintainer Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 You've sold me! A vacation destination to be certain. Β Thanks for posting more photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Holmes Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Here's a link to the video I shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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