Observations and Musings: Identifying a Mystery Shay

 Observations and Musings

A Mystery Shay is Revealed


After a short absence, I once again awakened this Blog from its blissful slumber, authoring new posts. There was some urgency in completing the updated engine roster, as the old list was outdated. I am thankful for all of the research by prior scholars who immeasurably helped in documenting this information. Combined with my recent research, I hope to have given them due credit for their prior work. 

I am also thankful for a significant milestone in the number of hits on this Blog. It is now becoming a reference point for research and information on the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company of Williams, Arizona. This is not to be confused with other logging railroads that used the same name in different formats, and in separate regions of the country. Thanks to all who have browsed these pages, and making this Blog what it is today. Hopefully, I will get a book published someday...



  Courtesy National Archives, neg. 48-RST-4C-2


  This is a well-known image of Saginaw Southern engines at work, south of Williams. The second engine is often listed as "Unidentified." I can now confidently state that the two engines are two-truck Shay #556, and Shay #212. Both working the line in Barney Flats area, circa 1900. In addition, two-truck Climax #327 was at work in those woods. Like the two Shays, it appears to have the same number as its builder's number.
This may seem to be a minor point; however, it took several years of sleuthing to uncover the second engine's identity. 

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