The Shay locomotive was a key engine used in West Virginia’s logging railroads. It was designed to handle steep, rough tracks in the mountains, with a special gear-driven system that made it powerful but slow. Between 1882 and 1927, about 219 Shays were shipped to West Virginia, the second most after Washington state. The West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company had the most, buying large engines for their operations around Cass.

By the 1960s, the last Shays were used at a few mills. Today, eight Shays still operate at the Cass Scenic Railroad, and several are on display. Other geared locomotives such as the Climax and Heisler were also used in the state, with some still in service today at Cass and Durbin.