Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I don’t remember how long ride is, but it is short as in not all or most of the day. With locomotive #9 (a Shay locomotive), they used a diesel to help leaving Georgetown as it is an uphill climb to the other end at Silver Plume. The locomotive does not turn around. It is always pointing in the same direction. When departing Georgetown, the locomotive is in the front. On the return trip, it is at the rear. When returning to Georgetown, the locomotive is backing up. Silver Plume is where the shop is along with other items on display. The trestle is tall and the train loops under as it leave Georgetown. There is also, a mine tour along the route if you choose to add it to your trip. I didn’t do that this time around. Next time I’m in the area, I will do it.

#1-Returning to Georgetown and crossing the trestle.

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#2


#3

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#4-While waiting to board in Georgetown, I was able to get the following images.

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#5

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#6-Here is the driveline on the right side of the locomotive. You can see one of the ring gears. The pinion gear is behind the red cover. The cover blocks flying grease.

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#7-Three vertical cylinders that attach to the driveline at the bottom.

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#8-About to hook up to the diesel locomotive.

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#9-To get the locomotive to show up, I kinda blew out other parts......

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Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

This Shay locomotive is a three truck Shay. If you look at image #9, you can the three sets by looking at the red covers that are at/next to the axle ends. Two axles in the front. Two axles under the cab. Two axles under the tender. Each two wheel assembly is a “truck”. I almost positive both trucks under the locomotive can pivot left and right. I guessing the one under the tender pivots as well. This will affect the length of the driveline. In image #6, look to the right of the red covers. There is a square slip joint. The end closest to the red cover slides into the larger piece on the right. I looks to me like the slip joint has moved several inches in, recently. This allows the driveline to adjust the overall length as the locomotive goes around curves.

PatriciaV Loc: West Windsor, New Jersey, USA

Very nice shots. My grandson would sure love to take a ride on that train!

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thank you!!!
Check in your area as there may be a working steam locomotive. I hope there is.
That grandson needs to check it out!!
Pat

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

This is not your ordinary locomotive. Very interesting. Thanks for those photos.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

PatriciaV Loc: West Windsor, New Jersey, USA

Thanks for your suggestion, Pat! It seems like all kids (big and small, boys or girls)are fascinated by locomotives, especially steam locomotives. I hope we have one nearby.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thanks for looking!!!
You have three different steam locomotives at Roaring Camp and Big Trees RR in Felton, CA, just north of Santa Cruz.
One is a shay.
Pat

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Thank you, Warrior!!!
Pat

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

This big kid sure does!
Pat

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

You go to some pretty cool places, you know that?

Tom

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

One of the fun characteristics of the Georgetown Loop is the actual railroad loop. The valley incline is too steep for conventional rail grade, so a spiral loop was built to increase elevation over a smaller area.

Georgetown loop in 1899, showing valley clearcut of trees, harvested for lumber

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Devil's Gate High Bridge looping over lower end of the railway, 75-feet below

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Yes, it's also called the Devil's Gate Viaduct. The B&W photo is from the Colorado Historical Society. My late ex-mother-in-law, one of the loveliest people in the world, gave me a beautifully matted 24" by 20" print of that photo in a silver frame. It hang in my bedroom to this day.

There was quite a bit of controversy some years back when the Colorado Historical Society took over the loop operation from the Georgetown Historical Society. It resulted in different locos. Somewhere I have photos from the early 1990s and if I can find them, I'll post them.

Always fun to see train on the Hog.

tbell7D Loc: Houston

Outstanding set of images Pat. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these. I also rode the Georgetown Loop in 2000, but that was in the film days for me. And just fyi, if you are ever up in WA state, I suggest you check out the Mount Rainier Scenic RR. It is located in the village of Elbe and includes a Shay, a Heisler, and even a Climax locomotive, as well as a couple of conventional rod engines.