Simply known as “The Shay”, (although officially
listed as Locomotive No. 2 “Turrella” on the Turrella Tramway
Roster) this locomotive was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio,
USA in 1910 for the Laheys’ Ltd. Canungra and Pine Creek Logging
Tramway of South East Queensland. The heavyweight of that line No. 3
worked the forests of the McPherson Ranges until the Canungra Tramway
closed down in 1935.
Photo:
Laheys’ third locomotive, Shay B/No.2371 of 1910 was a 3
cylinder B class, built new for Laheys’ Canungra Tramway.
(Photo: G.E. Bond Collection)
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(For more information on this tramway
I recommend Robert Morgan's Booklet “Lahey’s Canungra Tramway”
published by the Light Railway Research Society of Australia http://www.lrrsa.org.au/.)
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Photo:
Laheys third locomotive Shay B/No.2371 of 1910 in action on the
Canungra Tramway in South East Queensland.
(Photo: Canungra Information Centre) |
For five years the Shay lay idle awaiting its fate. In
1940 it was purchased by the Turrella Tramway. The Tramway had been
searching for a suitably geared locomotive to work its logging branchline
to Coal Creek. A heavyweight with plenty of grunt was needed to haul
out the logs over the roughly laid line and up some very steep inclines.
After an extensive overhaul the Shay was put to work at Turrella. Besides
its logging work at Coal Creek and on Turrella Bank, the Shay can be
sometimes seen pulling slow-mixed goods trains between Luddenham and
Bigglestown.
Owners: Turrella Tramway Pty Ltd.
(Ex - Laheys’ Canungra Tramway No. 3)
Original Number in class: 1
Cylinders: three 8 in by 8 in
Wheel Arrangement: 2 Trucks
Wheel Diameter: 27 ½ inches |
Fuel Type: Coal
Fuel Capacity: 2 tons
Water Capacity: 1500 gallons
Builder: Lima Locomotives Works USA
Built: 10-20-1910
Introduced to TT: 1940 |
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| Photo: The Turrella Tramway Shay on the Bigglestown
Turntable. |
(Click on your return Ticket)
