Texas Zepher Did the C&O connect to any railroads that had geared locomotives? Did that railroad have a Shay?
Well, it connected to lumber companies that had them. Mower Lumber (and it's predicessors) in Cass, West Virginia would be the best known example.
C & O SteamI am starting a new layout and would like to add a Logging operation. I have been looking at buying a Shay for some time now but with all the negetave things that I have read I am afraid to make the investment. I looked at one in the LHS a couple weeks and it seemed to run very jerkey. Is this normal or is this one of the many problems.
I am starting a new layout and would like to add a Logging operation. I have been looking at buying a Shay for some time now but with all the negetave things that I have read I am afraid to make the investment. I looked at one in the LHS a couple weeks and it seemed to run very jerkey. Is this normal or is this one of the many problems.
repeat in a monotonic tone...
I don't need a shay...I don't need a shay....they run too slow...they are old and rusty...never on time..
they sound like they are going 100 miles and hour but I can out run one...I dont need a shay...I don't need a shay...they can only pull logs...I mean dogs...I don't need a shay...it has a drive train but can't drive a train... I don't need a shay...when you reach your destination you need a shayve..I don't need a shay...full throttle it's still parked..I don't need a shay...
C & O Steam I am starting a new layout and would like to add a Logging operation. I have been looking at buying a Shay for some time now but with all the negetave things that I have read I am afraid to make the investment. I looked at one in the LHS a couple weeks and it seemed to run very jerkey. Is this normal or is this one of the many problems.
A good friend of mine has several Spectrum Shays, he has not had any trouble. They see lots of action as our round robin group operates his layout at least once a month. His are all DC and he uses Aristo Craft Train Engineer throttles on his layout. I am aware of the reported gear problems.
As for jerky operation, that sounds like a dud, pass on that one. Bachmann does have a reputation for letting a few duds get to customers, but they have a great replacement warranty policy. I would say, based on my what I have seen, and my own experiance with lots of other Spectrum steam locos, if you get a good one, you will be fine.
They are slow, just the the real thing but they do run smooth as a rule.
Sheldon
PA&ERRIf I couldn't talk myself out of buying a Shay (twice!), how on Earth am I supposed to talk you out of it? As the Preacher told Bart in Blazing Saddles, "You're on your own, son!" -George
If I couldn't talk myself out of buying a Shay (twice!), how on Earth am I supposed to talk you out of it?
As the Preacher told Bart in Blazing Saddles, "You're on your own, son!"
-George
Why not go for a "tenderized" Heisler?
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I too have a shay I don't use. I run modern diesel but a year ago tried a few different options. The shay is about a year old with 2 hours on it. It's a spectrum 80 ton, 3 truck unit. I think it's tsunami sound. They're fun to watch with lots of gear action. Runs nice with original trucks but doesn't fit in with my layout so it's been in the box. PM me if interested in it.
Springfield PA
selectorI just use my trusty P2K Heritage USRA 0-6-0. A rusty ol' beast, it likes shoving logging cars around on rickety tracks and tight curves.
I just use my trusty P2K Heritage USRA 0-6-0. A rusty ol' beast, it likes shoving logging cars around on rickety tracks and tight curves.
Crandell you crack me up
I didn't realize you were such a prankster !!
The Rivarossi Heisler goes for $169.00 at Bulldog Trains store on Ebay. They run like a swiss watch and are DCC ready .
The Bachmann Climax, if you can find one, will be overpriced, and they split gears too, the downside is there are NO parts to repair them. Bad idea on the Climax, send one in for warranty repair and they will send you a Shay as a replacement.
Micro-Mark is selling the Bachmann Shays for $74.00, buy some NWSL gears for 25.00 and you have a great shay for $100.00. The gears are not that bad to install, take your time and read the excellent instructions from NWSL.
That brass shay you were offered sounds like a good deal.
Your choices......
and Crandell, turn in your saw, you are not a logger.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Talk you out of it, you say? Not a chance. Who wouldn't want one of these unique little buggers?
Mine is a Spectrum and it does have a little too much play in the drive train that shows up on a 4 to 5 percent grade, but it's no big deal.
Jarrell
Yeah, like he said. Nothing says a logging operation HAS to have a geared locomotive.
Do you want the geared locomotive and are just using the logging operation as an excuse? If so that is a different story.
Did the C&O connect to any railroads that had geared locomotives? Did that railroad have a Shay?
No! Get a Heisler!
Somehow I think we are not helping.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
DON'T! Buy a Climax instead.
I have a small two truck PFM shay that is painted, lighted and tuned that needs a new home, pm me off site if your interested. The NWSL gears are the way to go on the Bachmann shay, but I have heard they are tedious to install. Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
That can be a tough call. Some Shay's have had a jerky motion because of a cracked plastic gear for a truck. NWSL has replacement steel gears. Yes, I know what you are going to say.
Bachmann does have a replacement policy. Again, I know what you are going to say.
A couple people have found there is slop in the drive train which shows up going down an incline.
Some have had no issues.
Good luck. It is your call.
Rich
You can check with the Bachmann forums but I have seen much the same discussion there.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
C & O Steamseemed to run very jerkey.
Don't buy that one.
C & O Steam Talk me out of buying a Shay!
Talk me out of buying a Shay!
Now, why would we want to do that?
I'm assuming you're looking at a Spectrum. I love mine, and would encourage others to buy too.
-Morgan