Climax 9 Debut at Cass Scenic Railroad 

...how do geared locomotives take so much longer to overhaul than most steamies?

@@theextremeanimator4721 This particular engine was literraly a rusting hulk on a siding for DECADES before its restoration began. They had to dismantle it down to mere pieces and rebuild it from the ground up, part by part. #9 returning to life is probably one of the greatest preservation stories of all time.

I did my internship at Cass around 2006. I remember this thing sitting in the shop, partially put together, awaiting parts. I am so proud of Cass for getting it up and running. Magnificent work guys!

Cass did a great job

@@DynamoProductions-trains and it’s one of those railroads that still does steam operations.

It put on an excellent show

❤😂🎉​@@DynamoProductions-trains

Cass did an excellent job

@Ethan Schmid you are exactly right.

Too bad D&RGW 493 just missed out, it came back in February or something of 2020

@@basictransportenthusiast4386 yeah, 493 returns to steam in February last year.

We didn't know how good we had it

It's a great time to be at Cass

@@DynamoProductions-trains not sure what shays or other rod locomotives will be new to in line for their 1472??

Big 6 is getting the rebuild now, the BC&G 4 and Climax 3 are expected to get rebuilds sometime after.

It's nice with the echoes.

@@DynamoProductions-trains its not bad, but I like to hear the rest of the locomotive operating

Cass really is one of the best places for steam

Glad you enjoyed

I have saw his video.

@@nathancorcoran5347 Awesome!

Thanks.

Glad you enjoyed

@@DynamoProductions-trains thanks.

Glad you enjoyed

Get this: Climax 9 is now the second oldest operating engine at Cass, second only to Shay 5. I guess it's never too late to start a new life, even at 100!

18 years of rebuild, but it finally ran again

Love to see operate with a diamond stack someday like the original Cass Climax 9 did. As is, what an achievement! EIGHTEEN YEARS of work paid off! Congrats to all at Cass!

@@thunderbird1921 And the first time in TWENTY years that a new engine entered service at Cass.

They did a great job rebuilding it

This was basically the engine's first run

Hope they run it on the Whittaker train once it gets settled in to smooth running. I'd love to hear the sound of this thing working hard on the hill. It sounds so different from the shays and Heisler 6.

It was a great show, Cass did well

It's well worth the visit

Thanks

Glad you enjoyed

I remember that from when I used to watched that old Pentrex film of Cass Scenic Railroad from when I was a kid. It's surely been a long road for #9.

Yep, it's finally alive! That engine waited 50 years for her chance and finally got it! Congratulations to all involved at Cass!

@@astromotive6047 I remember I did a shop tour back when I was 6 and only the trucks and a small part of the fame were done. I'm 20 now. This almost brought tears to my eyes.

Rail Racer bro u took me back like 8 years dude

They did a great job

It was a big backburner project, as Cass is regularly operating and rebuilding up to seven locomotives at a given time.

Glad you enjoyed

Glad you enjoyed

Glad you enjoyed the video.

This was basically a test run for the 9. Repairs were made shortly after.

Glad you enjoyed

I thought the shay was completed in 2018?

TVRM’s 610 is not under overhaul, just to note.

@@jacobwoods8738 it actually is

@@evanf1293 610 was partially stripped for an inspection and evaluation to decide whether we would decide to rebuild it. Of late the shop forces have been busy with L&N 2728 (dining car), SOU 832 (coach), 5044 earlier this year (GP38-2), 630 on various occasions, and of course my beloved No 98 (Pullman Office Car). 610 is currently back under the pole barn, and has been for some time, waiting for more attention, but currently nothing has been publicly announced, and nothing has happened since it went under the pole barn and the passenger fleet came into the shops. I do not mean to argue, but as of just the other day it was sitting outside the pole barn where it has been, untouched, since it was in the shop and the smokebox face was removed.

@@jacobwoods8738 I see so it looks like it'll be a few more years til shes operational again

It has reached an apex

@@DynamoProductions-trains Indeed it has.

Glad you enjoyed

CarNutz WDYM by “vibration issue”?

[WUT] RKProRacer - Class C Climax’s were rumored to have severe vibration issues at medium-high speeds. The only physical proof of this vibration on video, however, was the on Class C Climax up at the Mt Rainier Scenic, Hillcrests’ #10. Between 8-12 MPH (a Class-C Climax’s top speed is about 14-16), Hillcrest #10 has been videoed to vibrate to such a degree that it almost bounces the crew out of their seats. A documentary called “The Rock Trains” has the best footage of the vibration, but any video of #10 blowing its’ whistle when moving between 8-12 MPH will showcase it, as the whistle will audibly warble due to the vibration. So I’m curious if this engine suffers from the same thing. Allegedly it’s the inherent design of the cross-shaft, but there are reports of other Class C’s that have not suffered from this vibration.

Huh, neat. Thanks CarNutz

@@rucarnuts13 I haven't been able to find a video of it.

electrik løss - Not many videos of #10 at speed on RU-vid it seems. Just checked myself. It doesn’t help that she’s been down for her 1472 Inspection since the early 2010’s, so new video of her is non-existent. The best footage there is of the vibration is in a documentary you can find on Amazon (both streamed and disk) or Ebay. It’s called ‘The Rock Trains’ by Golden Rail Video. It’s a good documentary that goes into detail on #10’s vibration, among other issues she has, during a bridge washout on the Mt Rainier Scenic back in the 90’s. It even showcases a cab ride in #10 at the vibration/hopping speed, complete with the crew being bounced nearly out of their seats. But if that’s not an option, then you can hear the vibration when she’s at “hopping speed” and blowing her whistle. All the Pentrex documentaries that showcase her at speed also showcases the warble in her whistle from the intense vibration very clearly.

All three major types, anyway. Many more types of geared engines were invented, none as successful as the 3 represented at Cass.

Okie =3

They've also got 2-3 other Shays in their yard/buildings. It's not clear what they'll end up doing with them though (#3 was on display near the station, but is now in storage and another had some parts removed to be used on the Climax (Shay 36).

@@jimmyhook4852 Don't forget Durbin Rocket Climax 3

Cass has confirmed after Big 6 is rebuilt, the 2-8-0 #4 is next.

@@DynamoProductions-trains When is #4 ready after restoration?

It can’t be ready after restoration because that hasn’t begun yet.

@@DynamoProductions-trains Oh ok, well keep it updated!

It certainly is

Glad you enjoyed

It's been a long restoration, but they pulled it off.

No god please no

@@BigNate5404 Well, at least he’s better than the twins.

It's been under rebuild for that whole time.

Tortoises with enough strength to pull of your roof lol

Probably some steam leaked out of her stack.

That was amazing to see Shay 5 whistle salute Climax 9 as it passed. For all that Climax went through over the last 50 years, this return to operation is the greatest 100th Birthday present it could have been given!

Glad you enjoyed

Well this was its debut

It might be

Not the best but they do have the most horse power output

This is just my opinion

Something like that will likely happen

@@DynamoProductions-trains I mean with the track leading to durbin, WV nearly done then maybe

The log car and load of logs is merely for the photographers. The logging days in Cass are long gone, but the railroad in Cass was built around the logging industry.

It did pretty well

Mount Rainier Scenic RR has the other.

@@tomlebudzinski7716 Oh alright. That's good to know.

csxnstrainman - Mt Rainier Scenic’s is down with boiler issues, so yes; this is the only operational 3-truck Climax.

Yes, it is the only operating 3 truck Climax. Mt Rainier's Climax is out of service, making this the only operating 3 truck Climax, until 10 at Mt Rainier receives an FRA Form 4 rebuild.

Dynamo Productions - Is there any timeline for #10s’ rebuild? Or is it scheduled after they get #11 and #91 rebuilt?

We're glad you enjoyed the video. Sadly there isnt much if any oppurtunity to pace the engines at Cass. However, out of our 7 members we've taken several pacing shots over the years. You can find one in our video "Strasburg Rail Road Extra West Bound 89" and in our Strasburg Rail Road video dedicated in memory of David Boyer. You'll also find pacing shots in future videos, as well as GoPro shots from cameras mounted on engines.

@@DynamoProductions-trains awesome stuff , many Thanks once again.

The Climax still needs a fair amount of work. It likely will start operating to Whittaker and Bald Knob for the 2020 season.

@@DynamoProductions-trains How powerful is Climax #9 compared to some of the Shays there? Not as familiar with this type of engine.

@@thunderbird1921 While we're not sure of an exact horsepower or tractive effort rating on 9, we do know that with a Climax and Shay of equal size, the Climax is more powerful in most cases. However, 9 is small, smaller than the Cass shays.

Dynamo Productions it seems like she runs fine to me. I can’t wait to see this thing power trains up the mountain to bald knob!

@@mattdotsonrailfanproductio266 I think it needs some adjustments, and the paint scheme is only on one side right now. It's looking mighty good though. I think primarily they'll use it on the Whittaker train though. From what I've read, its tonnage size is around that of Shay 5.

Climax 3 is not operational.

@@DynamoProductions-trains Well, until it returns to steam, it would be awesome.

Big 6 is the current project, BC&G 4 will be next. Even if they do work on climax 3, it will not be for a while. I’m not even sure why you’re obsessed with doubleheading when they’ve already used the 9 to lead quintupleheaders

razgrizaceblaze259 i believe that is a lunkenheimer 3 chime

This is the greatest 100th Birthday present they could have given Climax 9. She FINALLY got her turn after 50 years of waiting!

Yeah, it’s fine. Just credit us and it’s no big deal

@@DynamoProductions-trains sure thing guys, I always count on you.

What two operating Climax locomotives are you referring to? There are only two in the US, 9 at Cass, and 6 at White Mtn. Central in New Hampshire. No. 3 at Durbin is out of service indefinitely for a 15 year inspection. And Hillcrest #10 at Mt. Rainier in Washington state is also out of service indefinitely for her 15 year.

@@DynamoProductions-trains 5 at Roaring Camp is being tested for restoration.

Shay No. 5, seen in this video, is a former WVP&P engine.

@@DynamoProductions-trains thank you very much, my dad put 42 years in the woodyard at westvaco, i was hoping that they would not just let it rust.

@@andrewbeckman351 Worth noting, Shay 5 is actually the West Virginia state locomotive. The only original Cass locomotive left. The oldest operating shay in the world. And unless we're mistaken, the engine to have remained on it's home rails the longest, since she was new in 1905.

@@DynamoProductions-trains so the westvaco engine was always up there then, that story on wqed was not very specific, and dad never knew exactly where it was located either just that one of them was stored up there. Again thanks for the information sir.

No, the Cass Scenic Railroad is standard gauge.

Glad you enjoyed

Cass did a great job

Balancing will fix that.

It's a Climax type engine, the pistons move a geared drive shaft.

That is correct.

More than a decade under rebuild

Yes - however that footage is being used in a larger project, one that won't be out for a while.

@@DynamoProductions-trains ok I was just wondering that's all.

The Climax type is generally cited as a 12-15mph top speed. The class of locomotive is designed for extremely steep grades, sharp curves and poor track conditions, so being slow is hardly a bad thing given the locomotive's purpose.

@@DynamoProductions-trains Sure thing that this engine do not need to be fast because, as you stated, it is designed for such curved railroads in mountins. But man, in this video, it looks like you can walk beside her and cope with her speed.

@@chadthompson7139 Depending on the gear ratio, no doubt. Not all Climax locomotives were built with the same gear ratio, and some did have the ability to switch between high and low gear.

Nathan 6 chime I think maybe.

Or maybe it is a replica southern railway 3 chime.

Cass is working on 2-8-0 #4 and Climax 3 down the road, not to mention the Shays still needing rebuild

Ferdinand: *tH@t'5 R!gHT!*

It was No. 6, not 8. As far as I know it was never painted as 8, the Middle Fork left her painted as Moore Keppel & Co. 6 even after it "became 8". It was renumbered to 9 because Cass already has CSRR 6, the Heisler, and WMRY 6, the Big 6 shay. And the original Climax at Cass was number 6 until the railroad aquired shay 6 in 1914, at that time the original Climax 6 at Cass was renumbered to 9. So, to avoid having yet another engine numbered 6, and to honor the first Climax at Cass, this no. 6 became no. 9, just as the first Climax at Cass did in 1914.

@@DynamoProductions-trains O.o

Yep that' what I was thinking. she needs a little work on the timing to square her up.

Corey Daspit Another possibility is they have the L&R slide valves swapped or in backwards. It’s a common mistake experienced with a new restoration spanning multiple decades.

This was basically a glorified test run.

Shut up.