Max Gray WM Shay

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any experience with a Max Gray Shay before? How is the quality?

[cacole]

Max Gray was an importer of Japanese brass models (Akane and Tenshodo) in the late 1940's and early '50's, primarily O scale. Sorry, I can't help with the question of quality because I have never purchased any brass; however, the motors in those days were not very good.

Note that the name was spelled Max Gray, not Grey. A Google search indicates that Max Gray died in the mid-1950's, after which he was inducted into the O-scale Hall of Fame, so the products he imported must have had a good reputation at the time.

Repair parts would be extremely difficult to find today.

[twhite]

The chances are that the Max Gray shay was made by Tenshodo, later imported by PFM. Gray did import some HO scale models--I have an early Akane 4-8-8-2 that was a Max Gray import. I do know that the Tenshodo shays were extremely popular back in the '50's and '60's, and they can still be found used on the market today. Detail and running qualities were said to be extremely good for their time (many Tenshodo imports used Pittman motors), but as Cacole noted, finding replacement parts would be very difficult, today.
Tom

[Anonymous]

thanks. Sorry for the incorrect grammer.
In particular I am talking about a HO Max Gray WM 162 ton Shay that was imported in the early 1960's and built by KTM. Anyone know the quality of KTM brass?

[Anonymous]

Most KTM brass was pretty good for running qualities. After Max Gray they were the builder for Balboa and Westside. Some of my best running steam locomotives were by KTM. I would not get one of their diesels however. According to my Brown Book they made this Shay and another of Balboa and I have no information on their running qualities. I have always looked to PFM and the Shays built by United (Atlas Ashai) as the best running shays ever built and they will last a lifetime.

Rick

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jesionowski

I have always looked to PFM and the Shays built by United (Atlas Ashai) as the best running shays ever built and they will last a lifetime.

Yes, I agree! I have a Hillcrest and a Class B Shay. Very nice models! They run great.

[Anonymous]

Yesturday, I bought the Max Gray WM Shay. I paid $600. Given the engine and condition, I thought it was a good deal. What do you guys think?