Freight to Cheat Bridge. The former Meadow River Heisler #6 hauls a well-used freight consist across the Shaver's Fork of the Cheat River, en route from Spruce, WV to Cheat Bridge, as part of the MSRLHA Cass Railfan Weekend in May of 2015. Of the 3 major types of geared locomotives, the Heisler was not only the most efficient from a mechanical standpoint, but it was also the most versatile. These engines were just a bit faster than their Shay and Climax brethren, and because of this, they could occasionally venture away from their mountain homes and out onto the main lines with the rod engines. Able to make about 10 mph on level track, they were still more or less in the way, but at least the Conductors on these trains could measure their trip times with a watch (vs. a calendar for a Shay...LOL.)
For aficianados of geared steam engines, it's "almost heaven." Here are some scenes from the park's annual Railfan Weekends, as well as some private charters.
