Thought I would give a slightly belated report on "Geared Steam Happenings" from the mountains of WV.

On Friday 5/14 Mr. Turk Russell from Waynesboro, PA ran an enjoyable, low-cost photo freight charter on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR. Climax 3 powered a 5-car train which spotlighted the WV RR Museum's new, freshly painted, ex-Fruit Growers Express wooden reefer. This classic steam era car came from the B&O Museum and although it was sans lettering, it sure looked sharp! The consist also included a tank car, a flat car with sides and benches (making it look more like a gondola), and two ex-B&O wooden cabooses. The small group of fans were treated to eight photo run-bys. Noted WV logging historian George Dieke was on hand and offered up some impromptu local lumber operations history during the trip. Engineer/steam mechanic Al Leyh put on a good show and afterwards we had a chat about the 3. Seems the Climax has been performing well except for a cracked axle that has been replaced. They've added a steam water siphon to the engine and now on each trip, stop on a bridge, hook up the suction hose, and take water the way you're supposed to in WV!! The biggest news for me was the arrival of a genuine, honest-to-goodness, STEAM powered American Hoist & Derrick log loader! This is the same kind of machine that Cass has, but their's was converted long ago (while still in logging use) to diesel power. The loader at Durbin has its steam machinery intact and I was told it could be made to operate! The original VFT boiler was replaced with a slightly smaller one that would need a look-see from the state inspector. They still need to find a log car or flat car with rails (it's the kind that moves from car to car) for it to rest on (for now it's sitting on the RR rails). One neat machine... made my day! I definitely recommend a visit to the D&GV RR for anyone who loves geared steam. John Smith has a fine little operation going on there! Also, Mr. Russell, while not as well known as Franz, Goodheart, Craft, et al, offered up an excellent trip. I definitely can recommend going on one of his Durbin outtings.

Later on Friday 5/14 a shop tour at Cass was offered as part of Carl Franz's weekend photo special. Shop foreman Artie Barkley gave another of his excellent tours. There is only one thing a steam engineer or mechanic (Artie is both) likes better than running or working on a steam engine is TALKING about steam engines. Never miss a chance to talk to someone with pin grease under their finger nails--the conversation will be rewarding! Artie proudly showed off the shop's newest creation, a built-from-scratch hand (pump) car. Yes, Cass will be copying Strasburg by offering pump car rides. No, not UP the mountain(!!), but by the station area. Artie solved some safety issues by covering up the gear train and adding safety railings. A nice looking job. Shay 4 was in the shop undergoing a major overhaul and part 230 boiler work. The "death ray" was kind. Staybolt work was the big thing going on at the time. Artie took the time to explain all of this to the level that EVERYONE in the crowd could understand what they were seeing. Also toured the Mountain State group's shop, which has filled out nicely with many fine machine tools. You couldn't disassemble a steam engine any more then their restoration of the Cass Climax. This is one first-class overhaul, befitting of ANY other steam shop in the country. Newly reworked parts are going back on... progress!! The star of shop however was their spectacular restoration of the ex-Elk River Coal & Lumber 4-wheel wooden bobber caboose, which is normally part of logging camp exhibit at Whittaker. Words can't describe the fine job they did!

On Sat 5/15 and Sun 5/16 Carl Franz operated his 99th and 100th Steam Photo Specials. He has been doing the ones at Cass since 1975. Carl gave special recognition to his many long time patrons. The Cass shop has been working hard the past few years and now they have "working steam engines a-plenty". Ex-Western Maryland Shay 6 has returned to service for the first time in several years. Ex-Meadow River Lumber Co. 3-truck Heisler 6 is back in regular service for the first time in about a decade. She sports a brand new Sisterville Tank Works boiler that seemed to steam well. Shays 2 and 11 were also running. Shay 5 needs some minor prep work and for all intents is operational. With work prgressing, Shay 4 is planned to join the bunch again (hopefully) by the end of the year. I believe the "new" Shay, the ex-Agnew Lumber machine from out in Washington state, is up next for rebuilding.

Saturday's trip went up the Cass line to Spruce and on up the West Virginia Central Ry. (ex-WM Webster Springs Branch, nee-Greenbrier Elk & Cheat RR) about 8 miles and return. WM Shay 6 hauled the tourist cars and Heisler 6 hauled a 5-car log train. As with the past few years, 2 log cars actually had logs on them. At Spruce the before-mentioned diesel log loader was added to the consist. Artie cranked up the loader and demonstrated unloading and reloading a couple of logs from one of the log cars.

Sunday's trip went to the top of the mountain (Bald Knob). WM Shay 6 again hauled the tourist cars. Shays 2 and 11 doubleheaded on the log train. Before leaving Cass, trippleheaded run-bys of the log train with Heisler 6 and Shays 2 and 11 were done on the old C&O tracks. Also these 3 engines performed Carl's famous "Three Train Race" with all 3 engines running past, side by side, on 3 separate tracks. Since we had the Heisler and its crew on call for 4 hours Sunday morning, the log train was run as far as Whittaker with 2 Shays pulling up front and the Heisler shoving on the rear--quite a sight (and a suggestion from yours truly!). In typical Carl Franz photo special fashion, a good number of run-bys were made during both days. Carl and his staff (Bill, Owen, Butch, Peggy, and Peggy) did another fine job. Special thanks to all of the Cass engine and train crews for all hard work they put into these kind of trips.

This HAS to be my longest-ever message! Hopefully I haven't bored too many folks to death!

Regards,
Jim Robinson

Jim,

Nah,not too long. Thanks for the report!

-Alan Levy

alanl759@aol.com