3-truck shay

[Udo]

Hello together !
I have some general questions about the prototypes of 3-truck shays.
What is the purpose of the pipe cranking over from the first to the second tender?
Has that something to do with the equipment for taking water on the way?
As far as I can see, the Bachmann locos are "oil fired".
Firts tender = oil bunker, second = water. Correct?
Did they also use 3-truck shays coal fired ?

Thanks for the help and information in advance!

Udo

[Nathan]

A lot of Shay's were used where they would pull up next to a lake or stream, drop a hose in the water and pump water in to the tender.  The locomotives at the Cass Scenic Railway still do this on the climb up to Bald Knob.

Shay's could burn Coal, Oil or Wood.  Some started out burning one and were converted to another.  The Bachmann Shay comes with the conversion unit to make it a coal burner.

One of the Shay's at Cass started it's life as a wood burner.  The railroad then converted it to oil.  When it was brought to Cass they converted it to coal to match their other locomotives.  From what is known it is the only Shay to have burned all three.

[the Bach-man]

Dear Udo,
The rear tank is for water, and as Nathan says, it was often picked up at a handy stream.
Since the water pump was on the loco, it required the transfer pipe to fill the rear tank.
Have fun!
the Bach-man

[Udo]

Thanks for the clarifications !
Udo

[Chris9017]

The closest prototype locomotive for the Bachmann 3-truck-shay is Former Westside Lumber Company number 7 which now resides as the primary motive power for the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad in the California Redwoods.  She too has the same mechanism for the water pump syphon hose.  Even though she doesn't use it anymore, the pipes for the hose, and the water pump still remain on her.