The 50 ton Shay geared locomotive Robert Dollar 2978, long displayed at the Western Railway Museum ihas been sold to the Roots of Motive Power at Willits, California. The group preserves the timber heritage of steam and later power operations of California.

Roots will now join a small number of organizations that are preserving each of the three types of geared power. They now have a Heisler a Climax abd now a Shay geared engine.

The last time the engine operated was by the Robert Dollar Lumber Company at Glendale, Oregon in the 1960s. Typical of such equipment this engine was operated by several lumber companies during its long life.

Yhere will be covered storage for the 2978 for the engine at its new home.

Ted Miles

Was unaware of a Heisler at Roots...would this be the old Blake Brothers #6, owned by private individual in the area?