I won the bidding on an HO Bachmann Spectrum 80 ton, three truck Shay. It has DCC+sound already and looks like new. I always wanted some kind of Shay, but after visiting Cass WV I really wanted the 3 truck Shay and this HO model looks great in my opinion. I knew in advance that these Bachmanns have problems with their plastic gears, and the seller alluded to gear problems in his description. I already ordered the replacement gears from NWSL and feel like it is an easy fix. While waiting for the gears, I wanted to ask what other things I should check for. Any other tips?
There are a few other things, so here's my list in order of priority:
1. Replace cracked gears2. Front coupler knuckle is broken3. The sound is not loud enough. Not sure if that can be fixed by setting a CV4. The front headlight is not bright enough and looks a bit squared off.
Does anybody know the correct replacement coupler? I'm not sure the difference in the Kadee couplers other than the shaft length.
Another thing: the 2 page instructions that came with the Shay mentioned to keep the engine well lubricated by oiling the axles and bearing and greasing the gears. I'm not sure what kind of oil or grease to use, how to apply it or where to buy it, so I can use some help there.
I'm thrilled to own a nice Shay and eager to get it running, so any help is much appreciated.
Thanks,Andy
I've always wanted a Climax, a Shay, or a Heisler. I got the Heisler, and must say it's a gem for the price. You seem to be up to speed on your new purchase, and congratulations.
For axles and rods, on rodded engines, I use Dexron III Mercon automatic transmission fluid. It has worked well, apparently, for 15 years now. But gears of any kind on our models should probably have something that will adhere just a bit better, so that means white (litium) grease. It's sold in hardware stores and automitive supply stores everywhere, or on line.
You won't get loud sound out of the tiny enclosure unless you're prepared for the horrible racket that is 'factory default'.
I have a MDC two truck Shay I built from a kit in 1984 and the plastic gears are just fine .
the metal gears will last longer, but the plastc ones aren't too bad .... light loads are the best , say no more than ten cars or so .... and back then cars were short ..
Labelle, of course. Number 102, 106 and 108 are vitrtual standards with most model rails
I have a couple brass shays and a few MDC shays (one which I built), also a climax by Bachmann and a heisler by Rivirosii.
BEAUSABRE Labelle, of course. Number 102, 106 and 108 are vitrtual standards with most model rails
For the Bachmann Spectrum HO 3 truck Shay, Kadee shows the #148 wisker coupler or #5 standard but also lists the #28, #58, #118, #119, #158.
Good score, Logging Steam Locomotives are very neat.
As others have mentioned, gear replacement is easy, just keep track of all the parts!
I replaced the front coupler (and rear) on mine with a kaydee 5, works for me.
I bought mine new and it ran like a screaming banshee. There are excellent disassembly instructions online somewhere with detailed photos so you can get to the motor and oil the bearings, it's not as difficult as it looks. This quieted things, as well as a few hours run time.
The headlight and backlight have a tiny illuminated square in them because light from the bulbs below are carried up to the lens by a square plastic prism. (most light is lost, bad design) I complained loudly to the forum about this years ago when I bought my Shay, how utterly unrealistic (looks like a tiny TV set!). I even applied a yellow disc over the lens to diffuse the square light, but all I got was a yellow square--didn't work. I just got used to it.
Hope this all helps! -Rob
Thank you...then Labelle it is! This is why I enjoy this forum: things that are unknown/brand new to me are just common knowledge here. So I just ordered Labelle 106 grease and 108 light machine oil.
Cheers,Andy
selector I've always wanted a Climax, a Shay, or a Heisler. I got the Heisler, and must say it's a gem for the price. You seem to be up to speed on your new purchase, and congratulations. For axles and rods, on rodded engines, I use Dexron III Mercon automatic transmission fluid. It has worked well, apparently, for 15 years now. But gears of any kind on our models should probably have something that will adhere just a bit better, so that means white (litium) grease. It's sold in hardware stores and automitive supply stores everywhere, or on line. You won't get loud sound out of the tiny enclosure unless you're prepared for the horrible racket that is 'factory default'.
Yeah, I also bought the Rivarossi Heisler (2 truck) and it runs like a champ.
As for the sound, I don't need really loud. The Heisler is also fairly quiet, but the Shay is even much quieter than that. I'll start a thread on the DCC forum as I'm hoping that the volume can be adjusted by setting CVs. I have a few other questions about DCC sound.
Thanks for your response.
Mister Mikado I replaced the front coupler (and rear) on mine with a kaydee 5, works for me.
I happened to have a Kaydee 119 and put it in the existing draft gear box, but it is too snug to freely move. I'll order some #5's instead. Did you also replace the draft gear box or were you able to put the coupler in the existing box?
Mister Mikado The headlight and backlight have a tiny illuminated square in them because light from the bulbs below are carried up to the lens by a square plastic prism. (most light is lost, bad design) I complained loudly to the forum about this years ago when I bought my Shay, how utterly unrealistic (looks like a tiny TV set!). I even applied a yellow disc over the lens to diffuse the square light, but all I got was a yellow square--didn't work. I just got used to it.
"looks like a tiny TV set!" Yup, that sums it up well! I remember reading a while back of someone replacing the "light pipe" with something brighter (and round). I don't think it was for this particular train, but I can't find the posting now and don't remember where I read it. Maybe I'll have to live with it but I'll keep searching for an upgrade.
I want a Johnston
andy i put kd5s into the existing boxes. this was for a non dcc 3 truck shay, dont know if yours is different but mine came in the black spectrum box with the black foam.
Thanks everybody, this has been very helpful for me.
Ha, I love that Johnston. Since I don't see a tender car then I assume they run along and scoop up dead fall along the way to throw into the firebox(?)
Stay chill everyone.Andy
Andy, When the time comes, pay it back by helping the new model rails behind your generation. I look back at the people who guided me when I was a teenager - Paul Mallery, Gus Tjaden and others whose names I no longer remember but whose faces are vivid and whose patient teaching and confidence in my budding abilities still bears fruit.
A Kadee whisker couple may work better since they don't need the bronze centering spring.
I fixed the headlights by putting a 402 LED directly in the headlight housing.
The NWSL gears can be tricky to get positioned properly when pressing them onto the shafts.
andy or anyone wanting to disassemble the 3t shay, i found those excellent directions:
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2012/06/bachmann-spectrum-shay-disassembly.html
just found the directions for replacing the headlight "tv set" with an led. looks terrific!
https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/283915/3268470.aspx
Mister Mikado just found the directions for replacing the headlight "tv set" with an led. looks terrific! https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/283915/3268470.aspx
Hey Rob, thanks for those links! That last one about replacing the "tv set" is one I had seen but was unable to remember where and my searches were not successful.
I'm definitely going to replace the headlight. And if things go well, the rear light as well.
1. Replace cracked gears
See this video - https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=mspLRpXIlYI
2. Front coupler knuckle is broken
A number 5 is a drop in - I use 58 or the whisker scale head couplers
3. The sound is not loud enough. Not sure if that can be fixed by setting a CV
agree with other posters about the volume being OK at a low level. I installed the soundtraxx LC in mine - it was never very loud.
4. The front headlight is not bright enough and looks a bit squared off.
Yeah the headlight is pretty dumb looking. I leave mine off. Replacing it with an LED is good idea just never got to it...
I like this model a lot. Good looking and runs great (once the gears are fixed) congratulations on your purchase.
Have fun,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Time to buy a Climax and a Heisler
Here's a "how to" video from Labelle on how to use the their lubricants Labelle How To - YouTube
Congrat's on the Shay, you're going to love it. Everyone has already given you good solid advice so I'll just say that the lights on the Bachmann Spectrum model leave a lot to be desired, a lot. But, it's a great little model and you're going to have fun with it. Here's mine that I've had for many years now. No, no smoke units installed just a little Photoshop!
I wanted to post my results here for a while, but things got really busy. Anyway, here's a summary of my attempt to replace the gears:
I got all the axles off pretty easily, however the very last (6th) axle cover had both pins snap off when removing it. When examining the gears I could see that all 6 of them were cracked.
Anyway, I first tried pushing the gears onto the axle, backed by a block mounted in a bench vice. This only managed to bend the axle; I straightened it as much as I could, but it still is not 100% straight.
For plan B I used the same hardwood block, but chucked the axle in the drill press. This worked perfectly. Reassembly and lubing was straightforward except the rear axle cover now has no pins, so I just used a tiny bit of CA glue to hold it in place.
As for end result, the train does run again, hurray! But, not very well. I can see the front gears slipping as that axle slightly wobbles. And the rear axle cover (that I had super glued) didn't seat properly before the glue hardened, so the rear gears are also not making good contact, leaving the middle axle doing most of the work. As I said, it does run, but trying to climb any incline, the wheels just spin. Not sure if there is a fix other than getting a new axle (or a whole new truck) and of course these are no longer made.
On the other hand, the Rivarossi 2-truck Heisler I bought has no trouble pushing 3 logging cars and caboose up a 4% grade. So it's the logging workhorse now.
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