As others have posted, the plastic Shays have their issues, gears on the Bachmann models and noisy operation/hard to assemble with the old MDC/Roundhouse models. About the only plastic geared model I recommend to others is the old AHM/Rivarossi Heisler in both 2 and 3 truck models. After that is brass from PFM/United. Expect to spend from $200 to $300 for a generic 2 or 3 truck PFM Shay. The older runs are usually more affordable that the named ones like the Cherry River 3 truck model. The Heisler and Climaxes from that same importer/builder are also nearly bullet proof, easy to remotor with a can as I did with mine. I used a Canon CN22 in my 2 truck PFM Shay. Pic below, no issues with worm alignment with my set up, smooth and quiet running. If one is able to solder up a rear bearing support between the motor and the worm shaft, that would be better but my set up works fine. For West Virginia/Virgina area logging, look for the book by Wiliam Warden, excellent one that covers that area. Or for the ultimate, pick up Steam and Thunder in the Timber by Michael Koch. Probably the most definitive book on steam era logging from coast to coast. Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
kasskaboose Facebook? I do logging in Southern VA on a diesel layout. Like having uncommon industries that still get traffic and in the state. Have any ideas to share?
Facebook?
I do logging in Southern VA on a diesel layout. Like having uncommon industries that still get traffic and in the state. Have any ideas to share?
Like kasskaboose, I'm in the process of building a new layout which will have a section depicting southern Virginia logging operations of the 40's and 50's Also would like information and ideas.
Gary
emdmike Save your hard earned $$ for one of these, the Bachmann ones are problem prone and lack durablity if you plan to operate it much. With a newer can motor and 8 wheel power pickup(easily added mind you), these older imports are the thing to have if you want to Operate a logging railroad and not just look at it sitting there IMHO. I have 2 PFM/United two truck Shays and a NWSL 3 truck Willamette(Shay clone). All have very durablity drive systems, just a tad noisy due to the older open frame motors. The NWSL has a USA made Pittman motor in it. Which was top of the line in 1969. But lacks the smoothness of a modern skew wound can motor and has the noise typical of an older open frame. Here is one of my 2 truck Shays.
Save your hard earned $$ for one of these, the Bachmann ones are problem prone and lack durablity if you plan to operate it much. With a newer can motor and 8 wheel power pickup(easily added mind you), these older imports are the thing to have if you want to Operate a logging railroad and not just look at it sitting there IMHO. I have 2 PFM/United two truck Shays and a NWSL 3 truck Willamette(Shay clone). All have very durablity drive systems, just a tad noisy due to the older open frame motors. The NWSL has a USA made Pittman motor in it. Which was top of the line in 1969. But lacks the smoothness of a modern skew wound can motor and has the noise typical of an older open frame.
Here is one of my 2 truck Shays.
I was able to replace the side gears that were problematic in the early run. NWSL had direct replacements, but I think the only source is from Bachmann, themselves.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
trainnut1250 Thought you might enjoy some logging action on the layout. Guy
Thought you might enjoy some logging action on the layout.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
emdmikeThis was from someone with insider info on the company.
Check this link:
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/148452-kr-models-tease-us-shay-locomotive/
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I can fully understand your frustration.
I had 3 HOn3 2 truck Shays that would not make a 22" radius curve.
Bought 2 HO Bachmann 3 truck Climax's. First one out of box wouldn't pull itself up a 1% grade. Found out it only had power to half of the front truck, so 2 wheel drive and dragging along 10 more wheels. All the driveshafts turn but wheels don't. Sure looks good but don't trust Bachmann to build anything other than for static display.
Now use HO Mantua 0-4-0T engines they will turn on a 9" radius curve and climb a 5% grade with 2 empty log cars. Some of the same Model Power O-4-0T engines work just as well.
This was from someone with insider info on the company. He said to stay tuned as something would be breaking in the near future. One can only hope. Till then I will stick with my old PFM/United and NWSL geared engines. They have proven their durablity over these many years. Mike the Aspie
emdmikeKR Models
KR Models is a Britain based business aiming at manufacturing (or having manufactured) models that have not been made before. The only model made so far is a British Railways GT3 Gas Turbine engine, for which the order book closes by the end of the month.
Don´t hold your breath - I doubt that a Shay will be available any time soon.
I have heard that a company called KR Models is working on a plastic/diecast Shay that will solve the issues of an affordable, DCC/Sound equipted Shay that has a solid drive system that is free of the issues that have plagued non brass Shays today, ie noisy or broken gear issues. In todays market, a silent running Shay with a durable drive system would sell well.
BroadwayLion No loggin trains on my subway layout : ) ROARING
No loggin trains on my subway layout : )
ROARING
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
As some of you may realize, I'm partway through my fourth build. I have gone, once again, with a folded loop around-the-room. This is because I enjoy standing in the middle and watching trains move around me with a visible backdrop behind everything no matter which way I turn.
Once again, I have a simple switchback industrial track with a double tail...this time. The one tail gives access to the other leg of the switchback while leaving the other tail free for the sawmill with beehive burner (yet to be acquired). I have a Keystone sawmill sitting around somewhere that I will build this winter or the next.
At the end of the other leg will be a small coal mining operation.
I have several locomotives I can use practically, although the most likely candidates will be an umarked Life Like Proto 2000 0-6-0 and a Rivarossi Heisler since they are the strongest for traction. The others are a Proto 2000 SW8 and an Atlas Gold RS-3, both in the grey and purple CP livery from the day.
At ground level, on the yard module, I'll have a large foundry and something else TBD.
I have shown this photo a number of times in the past two years, but this is the Heisler from Comox Logging Co. set upon a diorama I built about eight years ago. The background is of the Comox glacier which I hand-painted in my layout room, but this is the real deal done via photo-stacking in CombineZP.
My layout's theme is a small regional anthracite hauler, but a modest branch extends from the yard lead up to a logging camp. A Shay brings a daily train of cut timber down to the yard, where a road loco takes it to the sawmill, a few towns down the line. The mill also has a barrel shop.
That's the plan anyway.
Jim
railandsail Medina1128 I have a small logging operation with a Bachmann 3-truck Shay. The bummer is that even though the prototype Shay was designed for tight curves, the Atlas model is hard-pressed to go around 18" curves. Confused, is it a Bachmann or Atlas loco??
Medina1128 I have a small logging operation with a Bachmann 3-truck Shay. The bummer is that even though the prototype Shay was designed for tight curves, the Atlas model is hard-pressed to go around 18" curves.
I have a small logging operation with a Bachmann 3-truck Shay. The bummer is that even though the prototype Shay was designed for tight curves, the Atlas model is hard-pressed to go around 18" curves.
Confused, is it a Bachmann or Atlas loco??
Oops! My bad. It's the Bachmann Spectrum. I don't think the model is available from Bachmann, but you may find it at train shows or on Flea Bay.
emdmike Not the ones from Bachmann, way to many gear issues and the job to put the NWSL metal gears on the line shaft is a major pain in the rear. The brass ones are SOOO much better in terms of durablity of the drive system for long term use.
Not the ones from Bachmann, way to many gear issues and the job to put the NWSL metal gears on the line shaft is a major pain in the rear. The brass ones are SOOO much better in terms of durablity of the drive system for long term use.
I can second that from what I’ve heard. I know a fellow with a logging layout and a Bachman Shay as main power, who complained about how much work he had to put into that model to make it a good runner!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
It should be a Bachmann, Atlas has only done a Shay in N scale and it was a 2 truck model. I only recommend PFM/United brass geared models or the AHM/Rivarossi Heisler to folks wanting a geared engine. Not the ones from Bachmann, way to many gear issues and the job to put the NWSL metal gears on the line shaft is a major pain in the rear. The brass ones are SOOO much better in terms of durablity of the drive system for long term use. Mike the Aspie
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
I don't have a logging scene on the layout, but I do have trains of loaded pulpwood cars.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
The shuttered local club had a nice logging scene that I developed and was home to about 6 PFM Shays when I was active years ago. When I moved away, I sold the engines and log cars. Once we got our own house, I was deep into G scale and live steam. Now that my elevated loop is mostly done in the back yard, I am turning my attention to my small train room with its cramped 4x8 that is narrowed in the middle for access to wall shelves for that G scale. I have shelf extensions on both sides as the room is just a hair over 8 foot wide, so the layout fills on end of the room. I started with a brass 2-6-6-2t, it just barely did the tight curves, but the 3 truck NWSL Willamette does great. I traded the mallet for 2 PFM two truck Shays. I will get some pics in the morning. Mike the Aspie
emdmikeWho are our logging modelers, steam or diesel era?
Hi Mike,
I am working on a logging scene at the club as we speak. Unfortunately it won't include the steep twisty trackage that is typical of a logging operation. We are modelling it to represent a bit more modern era so we will be using trucks to haul the logs to the rail spur.
The logs will be going to a nicely detailed pulp operation and lumber mill that is being built by another member of the club. The mill operation will be almost 10' long with several large buildings and a couple of huge log piles. IIRC there are 10 turnouts in the mill complex so there will be lots of switching possible.
Given that we need logging trucks, does anyone have any suggestions about what models to use? I have several Classic Metals 1950s trucks which could be converted to cabs only. What log trailers are out there?
Thanks,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Mike,
I have some logging on my layout. I have a few logging articulateds, shays, a climax, and log bunks in several styles. Regular ops sessions have two log trains come down the hill and return with empties each session.
I have some Westside Lumber Buildings on the layout as well as other logging related structures. I built some YV log bunks and a few skeleton cars. My scenery is West Coast California Mountains on the top deck with two spurs that go to staged logging camps off layout. Many of my train friends model the Westside Lumber Company.
Here is a video of my layout. About halfway through there are a couple of logging trains shown in the mountains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhdoKYCAadY&list=PLnxQpj82XbtoGG46eQx2UC56B0sVjs73g
No logging happens on my layout, but most of the traffic is paper related. A large paper mill is on the layout.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
I have a small logging operation with a Bachmann 3-truck Shay. The bummer is that even though the prototype Shay was designed for tight curves, the Bachmann model is hard-pressed to go around 18" curves.
I am privileged to be part of the operating crew for Dr. Marty Bradley's Oakhurst Railroad (July 2016 Model Railroader). This HO scale layout has always been one of the most entertaining layouts to operate for both novice and experienced operators. This layout also conveys a true sense of purpose for the railroad's existence.
Marty recently added a whole new facet to the layout operations by building a G scale garden railroad in his back yard. Rather than design the garden railroad to be a stand-alone layout, Marty designed it to be an extension of the HO scale layout inside the adjacent garage. Once a logging train reaches Camp 3 on the HO scale layout, the operator takes the train's car cards outside to find a matching G scale train waiting to continue on to Camps 4, 5 and 6. The garden railroad has added significant entertainment value to an already enjoyable operating experience. Check out Marty's web site at http://www.oakhurstrailroad.com/.
Hornblower
I'm still building my logging layout, but I have locos... And our club has a sawmill scene...
Simon
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If you're on Facebook, check out the Scale MOW & Logging group. Lots of material there. I admin this group.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
I’m not exactly a logging modeler, but periodically the I toy with the logging concept in my head. I once went so far as to purchase a KD logging caboose kit, but I never really started to build it. I also have a GE 70 tonner, which I though would be good power for an earlier diesel era logging short line. However then I switched to N scale and began to collect NP stuff...
I still model the Northwest, were logging was one of local railroads biggest traffic generators, so I may do some logging stuff someday... I was very tempted by the modern (as in 60s/70s era) logging flat cars Atlas released earlier this year, but I didn’t end up getting any, my railroad instead filled with cars that were gifted to me and my money went to other stuff...
Still I do know a few people who have build some nice logging related layouts and scenes, and I definatell understand the attraction of such a theme!