I bought a small logging Tsunami decoder to put into my Bachmann HO Climax but the Climax died twice before I got around to it. Yesterday I scored a nice 2-truck PFM Shay on eBay and thought I might be able to put the Tsunami into the Shay. I suspect I will have to replace the open motor with a can type and do a lot more to ever get that done and I hope someone here can tell me what will have to be done. I'm not anywhere near a pro at DCC (I did install a simple decoder in that Climax before it blew its gears); would I be better off sending the old (new to me) Shay to someone who does this type of installation or should I risk trying to do it myself? The Climax is now serving as a guinea pig for Dave at NWSL and I'm in no hurry to see it again. The Shay is in the mail. I also thought it might make sense to scratch build a small water hauler car containing the decoder and speaker which could be 'plugged in' to either of those 2 engines since both are really small for all that DCC stuff. I would really like some help with this and there is no one I know near my home nor LHS to ask- HELP (please)!
Roy
Roy Onward into the fog http://s1014.photobucket.com/albums/af269/looseclu/
Roy ,
It appears that you have two issues. The first is how well the shay runs and possible re-gearing/re-motoring of the loco. Old brass can be very finicky and a steep learning curve for some one just starting out with brass I would suggest that you find a local brass guru to guide you if you are going to attempt to work on it yourself. If that is out of the question, you might call NWSL and see if they can recommend some one to work on the loco. They can also advise you on what parts you will need and they may have a sheet describing the proceedure. You want the shay to run smooth as glass before you even think of installing a decoder.
The second issue of course is the decoder install. I have not done a sound install on this model but I have done several other small brass locos. I'm guessing space will be very tight and you have the usual motor/frame isolation issues. I have had to cut parts etc to get things to fit. Not sure what you will be looking at here. I have a few narrow gauge buddies who have managed to cram sound into HOn3 C-16s, so it probably is possible to fit sound in this shay. The idea of a car to follow behind may work, but it will be a lot of work to set up.
Good luck with this
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Just like Roy Said. Need to get the engine running well before the install! I know this from experience! A poor running engine only runs worse in DCC! My installs in Brass is to get the engine running as smooth as possible in DC with a good NWSL or Canon motor and then to do the DCC install.
The new (circa early to mid 60's PFM/United ) Shay arrived and it was just as advertised- never even broken in as far as I could tell. All lubricants had long since dried up so I didn't try to run it. I called the Shay Fixer www.shayfixer.com and will ship the job out to him for a re-motor, decoder install, and full overhaul with a good cleaning. That little loco deserves better treatment than suffering through my learning curve clumsiness. All of that will more than double the eBay cost but I'll end up with an engine I've wanted in mint condition. It was those early ads for Tenshoodo United Shays in the 50's that first got me hooked on HO trains when I could not afford them. I still can't afford it but I got one! Thanks for the suggestions but after seeing that tiny loco I felt it required an artist's efforts- not my fumbling attempts. Roy