Which Shay Should I Get

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what the minimum radius is for the Bachmann Spectrum 3 truck shay? Which is a better buy the Bachmann or the Roundhouse 2 truck shay? Any help would be great.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

I SUGGEST YOU GO TO YOUR LOCAL HOBBY OR TRAIN STORES,DO YOU KNOW OF LOCAL HO CLUB NEAR>>>HUB

[thirdrail1]

The first question is, do you want a two truck Shay or a three truck Shay? Depends on what you are modeling. The Roundhouse Shay is made in the USA, comes as a kit or built-up, and can be modified or detailed to suit an individual prototype. The Bachmann is made in China, and even the reviewer in "Model Railroader" had difficulty dissambling it. So, the two aren't really comparable.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Greg,
I am modeling both coal industries and lumber industries. I was going to primarily use the shay for the lumber. It sounds like the Roundhouse is a better model allaround.

[Anonymous]

You may wi***o review the March 2000 edition of MR for the Bachmann review. Should you not be able to get a back edition(perhaps your library) I can
mail you a copy.Chuck. [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

CORRECTION-MR's review was March 2001

[Anonymous]

Hello,

The min radius for the Bach 3 Truck Shay is somewhat LESS than 15". Someone tried 14" and got it to squeak around.

As far as which way to go- Round House or Bach...I own both. So I hope you don't mind if I give my opinion.....go with the Bachmann.

The Round House comes either as a kit or as a Ready to Run. Yes, it is a tad more detailable..but not much. It takes much more to get it to run well than the Bachmann as it comes out of the box ready to rumble....just oil it and break it in as usual. My Round House- it was a R to Run- took quite a bit of tweaking, and its still rather loud.

The Bachmann's drive train actually goes through the shaft and gears. The Roundhouse is geared to the wheels, so the Bachmann is more prototypical. This also helps it to run a tad smoother and pull more loads in my estimation. Not to mention...it runs smooth and slow. At full speed your plastic cow will out pace it.

The Bachmann also has the domes and stack that can be removed and replaced for detailing purposes. And it also comes with several add on details like a water hose, tool boxes, and a nice load of coal if its a coal burner. If not, details for an empty tender are also added. Its smoke stack on the coal burner also has a neat mesh screen over its top so as to prevent forest fires...just a neat add on I think.

Overall the Bachmann costs more, but runs better and is detailed from the get go. The Round House can be detailed a bit more, but doesn't run as well or as prototypically. Just my opinion.

Hope this helps.

K

[Anonymous]

Thanx Charles and Jeremy,
No need to send a copy Chuck I have that issue. Thanks anyways.

Thanks for taking the time Jeremy to post a reply.
It will help me alot in making the right decision.
I think i will probably go with the Bachmann but am going to have to change the track plan on my layout it has a 6" radius!!!!!!!! I know I know it is very small. (I didn't design the track plan that way)
Thanks to the both of ya