Customer Review of Shays in the Redwoods by Warren B. Enos

Shays in the Redwoods

On any given day in Felton, California, a delightful spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 1912 42–ton Class B Shay steam locomotive No. 1, the "Dixiana", can be seen and heard working its way up an 8 1/2 percent grade, over a high trestle, into a towering redwood forest, and eventually to the summit of Bear Mountain.

A second steam locomotive, the 1911 60–ton Class B Shay No. 7, the "Sonora", and built by Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio can be viewed on the same 6 mile round trip.

These locomotives are owned and operated by Roaring Camp Railroads, specifically the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad. In operation since 1963 and founded by F. Norman Clark, passengers are able to ride the train for an hour, view the magnificent scenery, and enjoy a live steam experience.

The ride to Bear Mountain has been photographed in beautiful color, with full narration, in an 87–minute DVD produced by TSG Multimedia of San Jose, California. Viewers can enjoy the rail experience and more – a look at the engine house and other facilities, views from the engine cab and passenger cars, and action scenes of the locomotive and cars at key points along the way.

Here is the story of a historic railroad and its restored locomotives and rolling stock, going back as far as the late 1880s, with views and explanations of rail operations not seen or heard by the typical tourist passenger, filmed and recorded during late summer of 2006.

When her husband and founder passed away some years ago, Georgiana Clark was named CEO, and she has continued to pursue the vision of authentically preserving and operating early narrow–gauge steam engines and other equipment. Georgiana and her staff provided full general and direct support for the production of "Shays in the Redwoods."

The filming begins at the engine house with switchers No. 40, a diesel, and No. 50, a 25–ton 4–axle General Electric diesel, moving steam locomotives No. 1 and No. 7 outside and into position to fire up the boilers. Roaring Camp has a total of four operable steam locomotives and one more in the process of being rebuilt and eventually placed into service. The startup process is described in detail.

The engine house is fully equipped with all the machinery and tools necessary to maintain the locomotives and passenger cars. One passenger car with minor repairs completed was moved out of the structure along with one of the steam engines. The film shows the inside of the engine house with all its equipment, something not seen by the paying passengers.

The Shay locomotive was the most popular and best–known type of geared steam locomotive. They were built to the patents of Ephraim Shay, who can be fairly credited with the invention of the concept of a geared steam locomotive. Although Ephraim Shay's early locomotives didn't follow the exact pattern of the earlier ones, they followed a continual line of development. The Shay was the ideal locomotive for steep grades and the logging railroads of earlier years.

Soon steam locomotive No. 1 is ready to go. The video shows switching operations and the engine backing into the depot with the passenger cars soon coupled, air brake connections completed, and the electrical lines powering the on–board public address system activated. A large crowd waits to board the train.

The photos of the Depot and surrounding area show a large complex including a water tower where the locomotive crew tops off the water supply, a couple of old cabooses, the general store, and Bret Harte Hall, an events center under development. The main area is just a short walk from Henry Cowell State Park and a beautiful grove of redwoods, and the Roaring Camp parking lot to the north. The video provides a panoramic view not soon forgotten.

With the sound of the whistle, the train pulls out from the depot, giving a view forward from the locomotive cab. The film was made over a period of days and therefore both locomotives No. 1 and No. 7 were used to provide an exceptional outcome. With the train moving slowly through an open expanse and the lower loop to the mountain grade and across a service road crossing, it was clear the locomotive would work hard pulling a very heavy load.

The train enters a very dense redwood forest with the locomotive at times blasting out heavy smoke from the stack and releasing steam from any number of outlets. The conductor provides a running commentary on the train, the flora and fauna, and of course the spectacular scenery.

The camera records scenes of the train from different angles, and at a major trestle gives an extraordinary view of the locomotive from below, the steam train framed against a blue sky. The steel wheels squeal as the train negotiates the curves and moves up an 8% grade approaching a service road crossing. Climbing the mountain is a steep ride, with the locomotive often two full stories higher than the rest of the train.

The train continues its journey to Bear Mountain through areas with colorful names like Spring Canyon and Hallelujah Junction. At times the locomotive will be positioned to move forward and at others the locomotive will push the cars uphill. There is steam everywhere and, again, the locomotive pours out clouds of smoke. The camera records the train from trackside and on several occasions gets a wonderful effect with the engine headlight piercing smoke and steam.

Upon arrival at Bear Mountain the passengers detrain for a close look at the surrounding area, the scenery, and perhaps even to picnic until the next train comes to make the return trip. In summer up to three round trip trains are scheduled on weekends and four on holidays. At different times of the year the area can be full of activity, particularly in and around Cathedral Grove, where there might be an Easter egg hunt, or a Civil War battle re–enactment, as well as specialty entertainment.

The trip down the mountain begins with the usual whistle alert. At times the locomotive will lead and at times will be in a push mode, and the camera records beautiful panoramic views of trackside, places like Westside Junction, and even remnants of the fire ravaged corkscrew trestle on the way back to Hallelujah Junction, all the time highlighting the throwing of switches and other rail operations.

The locomotive engineer skillfully and safely guides the train down an 8 1/2 percent grade with 20 degrees of maximum curvature, moving to the end of the 6 mile ride. With the switches properly positioned, whistle signals loud and clear, and the blowing of the boiler, the train returns to the depot with its bell ringing in triumph.

Once the passengers have detrained, the locomotive crew moves the passenger cars onto the Sawmill Siding for storage and moves slowly back to the engine house, demonstrating that Georgiana Clark has been wildly successful providing authentically preserved narrow–gauge steam engines for train buffs and tourists alike.

The DVD is a wonderful photographic record of a mountain–railroading trip for the whole family, providing sights not seen before, during or after the ride. It's a great ride and the video will provide just the right souvenir to make wonderful memories come alive later.

Warren B. Enos

Shays in the Redwoods