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Can you help identify this train?

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  • Member since
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Can you help identify this train?
Posted by JoeFriday on Monday, May 11, 2015 7:23 PM
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Posted by cacole on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 9:28 AM

It's a 2-truck Shay.  But your question is too vague to know what more identity you need.  Manufacturer?  Whether brass or plastic?  Do you actually own it, or just looking?

 

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Posted by DSchmitt on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 10:40 AM

Looks like HO scale Bachmann - 80 ton 3-truck Shay

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by DSchmitt on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 10:48 AM

duplicate post

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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    May 2004
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Posted by 7j43k on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 11:25 AM

Well, it's a three truck Shay.  It's not the Bachmann.  It looks to be brass.  It's very close to the old PFM/United one, but it just doesn't seem an EXACT match.  It appears the through-passageway at the cab is blocked by a piece of sheet metal.  I presume the motor is behind it.

It also looks like someone decided to strip some parts off it to modify it.  In particular, I don't see the exhaust steam line from the cylinders to the smokebox.

Bigger better photos would help.

Also, you might look on the underside.  Brass locomotives frequently have little nameplates on the bottom--that might help.

If you're thinking this will sponsor your retirement, it won't.  But it could be fun to play with.

 

 

 

Ed

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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 11:49 AM

7j43k

Well, it's a three truck Shay.  It's not the Bachmann.  It looks to be brass.  It's very close to the old PFM/United one, but it just doesn't seem an EXACT match.  It appears the through-passageway at the cab is blocked by a piece of sheet metal.  I presume the motor is behind it.

It also looks like someone decided to strip some parts off it to modify it.  In particular, I don't see the exhaust steam line from the cylinders to the smokebox.

Bigger better photos would help.

Also, you might look on the underside.  Brass locomotives frequently have little nameplates on the bottom--that might help.

If you're thinking this will sponsor your retirement, it won't.  But it could be fun to play with.

 

 

 

Ed

 

 

Yep!

 

Shay

 

Mel

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Posted by 7j43k on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 2:59 PM

AHA!

There's a reason it's not an exact match to a United Shay.  'Cause it's NOT.  I enlarged the side shot and noticed a central drive shaft.  Definitely not brass.  And then there's little things like the location of the check valve and the layout of the engine-frame. 

 

Anyway, it's an MDC-Roundhouse 3-truck Shay.  Here's the two truck:

 

 

 

Ed

 

 

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Posted by ACY Tom on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 4:52 PM

It's definitely Model Die Casting.  I don't remember the vintage.  I think an aftermarket regear set was available for it at one time.  Maybe still?

Tom

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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 5:07 PM

7j43k

AHA!

There's a reason it's not an exact match to a United Shay.  'Cause it's NOT.  I enlarged the side shot and noticed a central drive shaft.  Definitely not brass.  And then there's little things like the location of the check valve and the layout of the engine-frame. 

 

Anyway, it's an MDC-Roundhouse 3-truck Shay. 

 

Ed

 

 

 

 

Ed
 
You are correct, I was wrong.  I overlaid a picture of one of my three truck MDC Shays with the second picture of Joe’s and they are an exact match.  The cab roof line is slightly different with the earlier (late 60s) pot metal cab, it’s a match for a late 80s plastic cab.
 
 
Mel
  • Member since
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  • From: Allen, TX
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Posted by cefinkjr on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 5:35 PM

RR_Mel
 
7j43k

AHA!

There's a reason it's not an exact match to a United Shay.  'Cause it's NOT.  I enlarged the side shot and noticed a central drive shaft.  Definitely not brass.  And then there's little things like the location of the check valve and the layout of the engine-frame. 

 

Anyway, it's an MDC-Roundhouse 3-truck Shay.

Ed 

Ed
 
You are correct, I was wrong.  I overlaid a picture of one of my three truck MDC Shays with the second picture of Joe’s and they are an exact match.  The cab roof line is slightly different with the earlier (late 60s) pot metal cab, it’s a match for a late 80s plastic cab.
 
Mel

Really?  You're telling me that someone started with an MDC plastic and

Shay

pot metal Shay to create this?  Great job of painting plastic to look like brass.  They even thought to add little bits of excess solder around some joints.  And the old United/PFM box it's resting on is a nice touch, too.

Chuck
Allen, TX

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Posted by NP2626 on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 5:54 PM

Looks like the MDC Roundhouse Shay to me, also.  NWSL was the supplier of the re-gear kit which may still be available.

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 5:57 PM

cefinkjr
 
RR_Mel
 
7j43k

AHA!

There's a reason it's not an exact match to a United Shay.  'Cause it's NOT.  I enlarged the side shot and noticed a central drive shaft.  Definitely not brass.  And then there's little things like the location of the check valve and the layout of the engine-frame. 

 

Anyway, it's an MDC-Roundhouse 3-truck Shay.

Ed 

Ed
 
You are correct, I was wrong.  I overlaid a picture of one of my three truck MDC Shays with the second picture of Joe’s and they are an exact match.  The cab roof line is slightly different with the earlier (late 60s) pot metal cab, it’s a match for a late 80s plastic cab.
 
Mel
 

 

Really?  You're telling me that someone started with an MDC plastic and

Shay

pot metal Shay to create this?  Great job of painting plastic to look like brass.  They even thought to add little bits of excess solder around some joints.  And the old United/PFM box it's resting on is a nice touch, too.

 

They are talking about the Original Poster, not your picture.  Yours is clearly brass.

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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 6:03 PM

cefinkjr

 

 
RR_Mel
 
7j43k

AHA!

There's a reason it's not an exact match to a United Shay.  'Cause it's NOT.  I enlarged the side shot and noticed a central drive shaft.  Definitely not brass.  And then there's little things like the location of the check valve and the layout of the engine-frame. 

 

Anyway, it's an MDC-Roundhouse 3-truck Shay.

Ed 

Ed
 
You are correct, I was wrong.  I overlaid a picture of one of my three truck MDC Shays with the second picture of Joe’s and they are an exact match.  The cab roof line is slightly different with the earlier (late 60s) pot metal cab, it’s a match for a late 80s plastic cab.
 
Mel
 

 

Really?  You're telling me that someone started with an MDC plastic and

Shay

pot metal Shay to create this?  Great job of painting plastic to look like brass.  They even thought to add little bits of excess solder around some joints.  And the old United/PFM box it's resting on is a nice touch, too.

 

 

Chuck
 
The picture of the PFM is a Google Image Search.  I have 6 MDC Shays, two dating back to the 60s, a 70s and a pair of late 80s.  There appears to be two different pot metal castings, I have both two and three truck MDC shays.  The later model came with a can motor the rest came with Pitmann motors.  I removed the Pitman motors and installed Canon EN-22 can motors in two of the three truck frames.  A Digitrax DH123P fits slick under the logs on the tender.
 
Mel   

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