Hi all. I know this is an old post and I apologize for dragging it up instead of making a new post, but I feel this post details my problem in a better fashion than I likely could.
I just acquired a somewhat battle worn Shay in a box of non runners. I am a very competent modeler, much like Darth Santa Fe I've assembled numerous craftsman locomotive kits with my most recent being a Hobbytown RS3 from one of the initial runs, and a Tiger Valley MLW RSC14. I am not averse to cutting, splicing, chopping, what have you.
Well, my Shay was missing a few detail parts (I'm not worried about that),but every bevel gear was either broken or totally missing and some of the universals were broken and missing as well. My first thought was to obtain the NWSL gears but that only gets me so far; with no universals or square shafts the power isnt going to be transferred well.
I've perused Bachmann's site and they list the sideframes with gears and axles as being sold out.
Is there anyone here who, having updated their Shay, kept the old shafts and universals? If do, I could use them.
This is what I have. OK, they are not 3mm, maybe they are 4. The part no is 2800-6
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
David
It wasnt long ago Bachmann were offering complete truck assemblies with metal gears as replacement parts. I grabbed 3 while they were available, unfortunately I don't see them anymore. The only other option is to purchase the truck sideframes and replace them, even though these are still plastic, they were "improved" over the old gears that would split. I have purchased several sets, and I haven't experienced any more problems with the newer plastic gears. Keep in mind I have about 5 of these laying around, one with NWSL gears, one with the Bachmann metal gears, and the rest with these newer plastic gears. No problems (knock on wood)
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_92&products_id=1651
Just some options for you to consider.
edit: a link showing the steps to replace the truck sideframes here.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Have you contacted Bachmann? I got a replacement set from them a couple of years ago. If they don't have them, I think Northwest Short Line has them. The 2260-6 is NWSL's replacement number. Image below is taken from NWSL's online catalog.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
There is a 2260-6 that is not lined out in the catalog I downloaded today, but that's a 6.6 mm gear.
I emailed them 6/16 and they said I needed the 2800-6 for my three truck, which would be in stock soon. That one was and still is lined out. I found a set on ebay, eyeballing them, I'm guessing they are around 3mm.
There web presence leaves a little to be desired, as in the catalog doesn't download, at least for me and Firefox, with a pdf extension. It would be worthwhile to email or call and see if it in stock and confirm the part number you need.
sales@osorail.com
406-375-7555
Keep an eye on ebay, they do pop up from time to time.
I don't know of any third-party vendors with replacement parts though there may be some. But you can still buy the driveline set from Bachmann...
Unfortunately they are still plastic but sometimes Bachmann replacement parts have been (quietly) upgraded and don't exhibit the problems associated with the OEM product. I ended up buying some of these just to have as spares.
My shay, a three truck 80 ton HO model, split a bevel gear. At least one, I stopped looking for split gears after I foundthe first one, and got on the internel looking for replacements. I got as far as NWSL, and found a kit for my shay (P/N 2260-6) but the entry was lined out in the NWSL catalog page. I took this as NWSL has stopped making them. Some search turned up nice U-Tube videos on how to change the gears, and some offers to sell the kit, and some comments about the non availability of the NWSL replacements. A lot of this stuff was undated so I cannot tell if they are current, or old E-bay ads from years ago.
Anyone know where I might get a set of replacement bevel gears?
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com