This Butane fired two truck 3 cylinder Shay is a redesigned and improved version of the earlier "Alisan Shay".  The pilot model has been introduced at the Diamondhead MS Int. Steamup in January 2011.  

Production models now available. Please call for prices.

Short History

The most widely used geared locomotive the "Shay locomotive" was invented by a logger Ephraim Shay who wanted to find a way to facilitate logging operations. Instead of using horse drawn skids or river floats he developed a flat car powered by a vertical two cylinder steam engine, running on rails. In 1884 he consulted with a machinery builder, Lima Machine Works in Ohio which designed the first 3 cylinder B-type Shay locomotive named in his honor. The concept gained tremendous popularity and subsequently 2770 Shay locomotive where produced by the company known as Lima Locomotive Works.

The operation of Shay locomotives was not limited to any region. In fact many Lima Shays were exported for use around the World. In the early 1890's the Alisan Forestry Railway in Taiwan was constructed by the Japanese Colonial Government to facilitate logging of the local forestry resources. The Railway acquired 20 Shay locomotives, eight 18 ton-, and twelve 28 ton versions. Today several of them are preserved in running and static condition. 

Aster Hobby Co. Inc. released the first model of a 28 ton Alisan Shay in 1978. The redesigned 2010 model shown in these pictures features improved detail and machining, butane firing and a axle driven feed water pump. Choose your model Shay locomotive as a standard kit, or factory built.

Locomotive type

Scale 1:22.5

Weight

145.0 mm

Bore 9 mm , Stroke 10 mm

bore 5mm , stroke 3.2 mm

Capacity 150 ccm

Operating pressure 4kg/cm2

Check valve, Water gauge glass, Blow down valve,