I'm a long time Pennsy modeler, but need some help with my upcoming N scale layout. I decided that I would like to model an area that supports either an indpendent logging or mining line that had a commerce interaction with the PRR. Like maybe a small mining industry that leased PRR hoppers to gather product and then supply to a PRR branch for delivery to customers. In particular I need to identify a situation in which that small line would have been using a leased Lima Shay. I bought one of the Atlas jobs and need an accurate way to use it. I'm not a super-prototype kind of guy, but getting a reasonable story for the Shay will help me settle on an location for the layout and maybe help identify which branch or subdivision I can tune into. Hopefully the area would support other types of PRR-driven freight (and supporting industries) and occasional passenger service.
Many logging lines and some other industries owned Shays and other geared engines. IIRC, the PRR itself had one short section of about 6% grade (a line down to a dock, wasn't it?) that was worked by Shays until dieselization with geared-down, heavily ballasted SD9s.
Hmm, that would have been the old #1, wouldn't it. I think I saw that at Strasburg. But IIRC that was a PRR owned loco, wasn't it? Edit: Leetonia Railway #1. It was a 3-truck job. I'm going to have to find an outfit that used a 2-truck Shay to make the Atlas work. Thank goodness for the Internet http://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/dataframe.htm Although I'd be happy to get more help from the good people here. Going through the Big Shay Database is time consuming!
There were a number of short line railroads in the Oil City-Warren, PA, areas that used Shays and other geared locomotives and connected with the PRR. Believe one was named the Sheffield & Tionesta. Suggest you go to the PRRT&HS website and join the discussion group there. Asking questions on that list should get you lots of specific information.
