How Fast Can a Shay Go?

There are two informative conversations occurring over at the Narrow Gauge Discussion Form.

The first answers this comment posed by El Coke last Saturday:

I enjoy all the great photos here of geared engines, especially the rare Climax. I have heard that Climax engines were the slowest, with a top speed of around 10 mph. Shays generally are estimated to have a top speed of 12 mph, but that depends on how they were geared. I was given a ride on WSL#14 on the Loop and the crew demonstrated a top speed of 15 mph to me, and said it had a higher gear ratio than most other Shays. Heislers were supposedly the fastest with a top speed of 20 mph. Any additions or corrections?

A few hours later, asked a question to clarify a rumor he had heard:

Just heard that Ron Trottier and company are doing a study to build new 40-80 ton Shays. Anyone else heard this? Guess we know what the long range power goals of the Loop are now.

These are interesting questions. I've got to go to work for now. Unfortunately, rebuilding a Shay doesn't pay the bills!