Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Agency History | Order of Microfilming

Introduction

The cost books for the Shay Patent Geared Locomotives of the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. (MS-798) were loaned to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, with the cooperation of George Kadelak and the Allen County, Ohio Historical Society.

This microfilm copy is released with the understanding that it will NOT be reproduced or used publicly in any form without the expressed written permission of the holder of the original documents contained herein.

The Center for Archival Collections is the publisher of this microfilm edition. The camera negative is the property of the Center for Archival Collection.

The cost books in this collection document locomotive production at the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. from about 1915 through about 1930.

An index accompanies each cost book, and a comprehensive index of all 15 cost books appears at the beginning of each roll of film. The following list of examples explains the information found in the indices:

For restrictions on the use of this collection please see the Note to Researchers and the Notice on the microfilm.

This introduction was prepared in May 2000 by John McWatters.

Agency History

The creation of the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. began when partners John Carnes, George Harper, Frederick Agerter, George W. Disman, and Jesse M. Coe took over the Lima Agricultural Works in early 1869 and converted it to a general machine shop. The business thrived and expanded during the ensuing years, and in 1877 it became incorporated as the Lima Machine Works, featuring steam traction engines among its many products. But the effects of the Panic of 1873 caused a gradual drop in the increase of work orders, and partly to try to compensate for this downturn in business the firm began producing steam locomotives in September 1878. Soon the firm joined forces with Ephraim Shay, who had several years earlier patented a successful geared locomotive design for his logging tram line, and the production of locomotives began in earnest.

The firm grew considerably in the following years, adding new equipment and building larger facilities, eventually becoming the third largest producer of steam locomotives in the United States. But the company never seemed to produce as many locomotives as it predicted, experienced frequent financial difficulties, and went through several reorganizations. In 1892 the company became part of the Lima Locomotive and Machine Company under local industrialist George H. Marsh. It became the Lima Locomotive Corporation in 1912 and, following its acquisition by New York industrialists Joel S. Coffin and Samuel G. Allen, it finally became known as the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. in 1916. In 1947 the company, that had for too long resisted the industry's change to diesel locomotives, merged with diesel engine builder General Machinery Company of Hamilton, Ohio. That firm, in turn, merged with its former competitor Baldwin, but that new firm then ceased locomotive production at the Lima facilities on September 11, 1951.

Though it produced many types of locomotives, Lima Locomotive Works, Inc remains best known for its Shay Patent Geared Locomotives. The Shays, built for power rather than speed, and most often used on narrow gauge tracks by logging and mining companies, dominated the company's output from the mid-1890s through the mid-1920s. The building of better highways and the growing use of trucks eventually led to the demise of these engines, and the firm produced its final Shay in 1945.

This Agency History was prepared by John McWatters in May 2000. The source of the information was William D. Edson and John H. White, "Lima Locomotive Works," The Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Bulletin No. 123, October 1970 (Boston, Massachusetts, 1970).

Note to Researchers

Provenance: The cost books for the Shay Patent Geared Locomotives of the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. (MS 798) were transferred for microfilming to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio with the cooperation of George R. Kadelak and the Allen County, Ohio Historical Society.

The Center for Archival Collections is the publisher of this microfilm edition. The camera negative is the property of the Center for Archival Collections.

Microfilm Access: The cost books for the Shay Patent Geared Locomotives of the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. (MS 798) microfilm edition is available for use at the Center for Archival Collections. Copies may be purchased at the Center for Archival Collections, Fifth Floor, Jerome Library, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403.

Duplication Restriction: No duplication of the microfilm (except paper copies) may be made without written permission from the Center for Archival Collections. In requesting permission to reproduce from the holdings of the Center for Archival Collections as described above, the requester agrees to hold harmless the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University and its Trustees, Officers, and Agents, whether jointly or severally from any action involving infringement of the rights of any person or his/her heirs and descendants in common law or under statutory copyright.

Finding Aid: Preceding each item, target papers have been filmed to show the dates and indicate any existing damage, which may or may not affect the quality of the microfilm image.

Citation: Any publication or other public use of materials reproduced from the holdings of the Center for Archival Collections must credit the Center for Archival Collections.

Order of Microfilming

Roll 1: Specification Pages: Loco 50 - 593

Roll 2: Specification Pages: Loco 594 - 1576

Roll 3: Specification Pages: Loco 1577 - 2092

Roll 4: Specification Pages: Loco 2093 - 2500

Roll 5: Specification Pages: Loco 2300 - 2860

Roll 6: Specification Pages: Loco 2861 - 511

Roll 7: Numerical Record 1 - 9600

Roll 8: Repair Orders: Loco 328 - 2799 and Spec. Pages, Loco 2044 - 2045

Roll 9: Boiler Records: C. O. 189 - 479; Odd pages 55000 - 65020 and 88 and 135

Roll 10: (number unassigned)

Roll 11: Western Sales Office Index Books
c. 1886 (Loco. 159)
c. 1930 (Loco. 3348)
Pages are not in sequential order

Roll 12: Western States Office Index Books, 1812 - 3349

Roll 13: Specification Sets, by Class and C. N. 10-2 to 150-4, C.N. 1551-3354

Roll 14: Construction Orders, 1st page specifications

Roll 15: (includes roll 15A) General Technical Data; Standard Practice of Engineering

Roll 16: Catalogs, Bulletins, and Instruction Sheets, 1883-1946

Roll 17: (number unassigned)

Roll 18: Engineering and Order Files for C. N.

Roll 19: (number unassigned)

Roll 20: (number unassigned)

Roll 21: (number unassigned)

Roll 22: Estimating Department Files Pricing Information 2934 - 3354

Roll 23: (number unassigned)

Roll 24: (number unassigned)

Roll 25: (includes roll 15B and 16A) General Technical Data, Engineering Reports, Corporate Records

Roll 26: Service Department Files, 1 - 1667

Roll 27: Service Department Files by C. N., 1668 - 3136

Roll 28: Service Department Files by C. N., 3137 - 3354

Roll 29: Service Department Files, Visitor Cards: Singletary Lumber Co. through Galloway and Stair

Roll 30: Service Department Files, Owner Cards: Gennett Stoney Fork through Dead File by Terminal: Orvisburg, Miss. Champion Lumber Co.

Roll 31: Service Department Files, Dead Files:
Dead File by Terminal: Churchill Milton Lumber Co. Greenwood, Miss. through Dead File by Town: Henderson, N. C.

Roll 32: Service Department Files, Dead File by Town: Henderson, Mont. through Dead File by State: Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Roll 33: Service Department Files, Dead Files and Road Repairs by State: Williamsport, Penn. C. W. Sons-pres. through Road Repairs, Southern Iron Equipment Co.

Roll 34: Drawing Cross Reference Cards, 100 - 13000

Roll 35: Drawing Cross Reference Cards, 11711 - 10300

Roll 36: Drawing Cross Reference Cards, A10300 - A16805

Roll 37: Drawing Cross Reference Cards, 15458-15150

Roll 38: Cost Books

1. Cost Book 1, 28-Ton (#134-#470)
2. Cost Book 2, 32-Ton (#206-#474)
3. Cost Book 3, 36-Ton (#380-#497)

Roll 39: Cost Books

1. Cost Book 4, 42-Ton (#137-#177)
2. Cost Book 5, 42-Ton (#181-1 - #236)
3. Cost Book 6, 42-Ton (#237-#302)

Roll 40: Cost Books

1. Cost Book 7, 42-Ton (#388-#482)
2. Cost Book 8, 50-Ton (#229-#310)
3. Cost Book 9, 50-Ton (#376-#424)

Roll 41: Cost Books

1. Cost Book 10, 50-Ton (#420-#468)
2. Cost Book 11, 60-Ton (#163-#308)
3. Cost Book 12, 60-Ton (#309-#436)

Roll 42: Cost Books

1. Cost Book 13, 69-Ton #168
2. Cost Book 14, 70-Ton (#139-#196)
3. Cost Book 15, 70-Ton (#472-#490)

Index

Index for the Cost Books for the Shay Patent Geared Locomotives of the Lima Locomotive Works, Inc.

Index to Cost Book 1
28-2
3-8 x 10

Index to Cost Book 2
32-2
3-8 x 12

Index to Cost Book 3
36-2
3-10 x 10

Index to Cost Book 4
42-2
3-10 x 12

Index to Cost Book 5
42-2
3-10 x 12

Index to Cost Book 6
42-2
3-10 x 12

Index to Cost Book 7
42-2
3-10 x 12

Index to Cost Book 8
50-2
3-11 x 12

Index to Cost Book 9
50-2
3-11 x 12

Index to Cost Book 10
50-2
3-11 x 12

Index to Cost Book 11
60-3
3-11 x 12

Index to Cost Book 12
60-3
3-11 x 12

Index to Cost Book 13
69-3
3-12 x 12

Index to Cost Book 14
70-3
3-12 x 15

Index to Cost Book 15
70-3
3-13 x 15
3-P.C.-13

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