Most of what has been posted is pretty accurate, except the GCRR had two other Shays not accounted for so far.

The #1, C/N 981, Lima 1904, came from the WV operation of Bemis Lbr. Co. (the original builder/owner of the CGRR). The #1 was built for Hoover Brother & Co., Kelly, WV. Went to J. M. Bemis & Son #1, at Bemis, WV (AKA Fishing Hawk RR #1). Transferred to Robinsville (presumably 1924-25) as the construction engine. She was a small Shay, which in 1904 was classed as a 20-2 by Lima; later these Shays was classed as 24-2. She was scrapped at Robbinsville in 1929.

The #4, or as Ed Collins called her "The Big 4" also came from WV. This Shay was unique in that she was the only four-truck Shay built with 3-14 1/2x15 cylinders. Built as C/N 2700, in 1913, for Hassinger Lbr. #4, (AKA White Top Ry) Konnarock, WV. To Bemis in Robinsville #4 (CGRR #4) in Sept., 1939. She was scrapped in 1947 due to a night watchman (while she was in stationary service for the mill) burned her crown sheet. There is a report she was wrecked 1940, but there no hard data on this, and Ed Collins never mentioned it I knew him.

I when to the GCRR in the spring of 1973 as V.P. Freight, became President in later 1974 and left in July, 1975 when it was decided to close the line after severe flooding in the spring of 1975.

I was the guy that dieselized the GCRR with the SSD #102. If anyone wants more information on the Shays or the operation feel free to email me directly at ranger@cvn.com.

ranger@cvn.com

> Most of what has been posted is pretty
> accurate, except the GCRR had two other
> Shays not accounted for so far.

> The #1, C/N 981, Lima 1904, came from the WV
> operation of Bemis Lbr. Co. (the original
> builder/owner of the CGRR). The #1 was built
> for Hoover Brother & Co., Kelly, WV.
> Went to J. M. Bemis & Son #1, at Bemis,
> WV (AKA Fishing Hawk RR #1). Transferred to
> Robinsville (presumably 1924-25) as the
> construction engine. She was a small Shay,
> which in 1904 was classed as a 20-2 by Lima;
> later these Shays was classed as 24-2. She
> was scrapped at Robbinsville in 1929.

> The #4, or as Ed Collins called her
> "The Big 4" also came from WV.
> This Shay was unique in that she was the
> only four-truck Shay built with 3-14 1/2x15
> cylinders. Built as C/N 2700, in 1913, for
> Hassinger Lbr. #4, (AKA White Top Ry)
> Konnarock, WV. To Bemis in Robinsville #4
> (CGRR #4) in Sept., 1939. She was scrapped
> in 1947 due to a night watchman (while she
> was in stationary service for the mill)
> burned her crown sheet. There is a report
> she was wrecked 1940, but there no hard data
> on this, and Ed Collins never mentioned it I
> knew him.

> I when to the GCRR in the spring of 1973 as
> V.P. Freight, became President in later 1974
> and left in July, 1975 when it was decided
> to close the line after severe flooding in
> the spring of 1975.

> I was the guy that dieselized the GCRR with
> the SSD #102. If anyone wants more
> information on the Shays or the operation
> feel free to email me directly at
> ranger@cvn.com.

Thanks Dan. I knew of these engines but did not have the details you gave. I do have one question. Is Konnarock in WV or VA? I seem to remember Hassinger Lumber being on the N&W's Abingdon Branch and The Big 4 comming to the GC from there.

John

jhbohon@yahoo.com