Shay locomotive
Locomotora Shay
- Date
- c. 1881 · confidence low
- Place
- Cadillac, Michigan, United States
- Credited to
- Ephraim Shay
- Field
- Movement
What it is
A geared steam locomotive, patented by Ephraim Shay and designed to operate effectively on poor-quality track and steep grades typical of logging and mining operations.
What it led to
- became the standard locomotive for North American logging operations
- enabled rail access to previously inaccessible rugged terrain
- inspired other geared locomotive designs such as the Climax and the Heisler