Mounting a top-end charge. In the vernacular of the drag racer, the 162-ton Western Maryland Shay #6 makes her move to "drive around" the 90-ton Heisler #6 as the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association's annual "Great Locomotive Race" unfolds in the Cass Yard. On paper, with both throttles wide open, there's no way the behemoth Shay would ever be able to catch the lighter, more nimble Heisler on the high iron. While neither type is anything you'd call fast, the Heisler does have just a few miles per hour speed advantage. In reality however, the trackage on which these engines are running will ultimately determine which one wins this little grudge match. The far track on which the Heisler is running is just a yard spur, which merges with the mainline on which the Shay is operating, less than 50 yards ahead. The engineer on the Heisler is just a couple of seconds from having to slam the throttle closed and get on the brakes in order to prevent this little contest of speed from getting more interesting than the participants bargained for. When all is said and done, the big Shay will "light the win light"....just as she does every year.
For aficianados of geared steam engines, it's "almost heaven." Here are some scenes from the park's annual Railfan Weekends, as well as some private charters.
