Darth, even though I'm an N scale modern era diesel nut, I can't help but look at your build threads and marvel at your work. Thank you for posting your progress so far and please continue to do so,a nd excellent work so far!
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
I got the rest of my parts from NWSL today! Both trucks are now powered, and I've got a good motor running it. On just a 9" straight track, the Shay runs smooooth. Low speeds aren't great yet, but they should improve a lot once I get it to the point that I can run it on my layout and break it in. I don't have any pictures yet, but I'll be sure to post some later.
According to NWSL, the 10x25mm can motor has a 3-pole skewed armature, and the armature's diameter is around 15% larger than other motors of the same width, giving it more power (stall torque = 0.3 oz-in, which is a lot for this motor's size).
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New update!
I put in temporary wiring from the rear truck to the motor to test it on the layout. It runs along nice and smooth, but the metal gears will need plenty of time for getting fully broken-in. Realistic speeds are up to about 5.5V (about 10 scale MPH, I'm guessing), and beyond that the engine's crankshaft spins too quickly to look realistic. It's still a nice runner, however. NWSL provides super flexible wire for the trucks, which I'll use for the final assembly and wiring.
Since the Shay's running pretty well now, I've decided to start with the detailing,
It's hard to find any good pictures of this sort of Shay, so I'm using other Shay models and pictures for reference. Some of the detail parts will be left off during painting to simplify masking. I think this is going to look pretty nice when it's all done.
Darth Santa FeIt's hard to find any good pictures of this sort of Shay, so I'm using other Shay models and pictures for reference. Some of the detail parts will be left off during painting to simplify masking. I think this is going to look pretty nice when it's all done.
Very nice indeed, Darth! Can't wait to see her in paint!
Have you seen http://www.shaylocomotives.com/? I found it quite useful when building one of these for a friend of mine in HOn3.
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
It's looking pretty nice already.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Arjay1969Have you seen http://www.shaylocomotives.com/? I found it quite useful when building one of these for a friend of mine in HOn3.
I have seen that website before, but thanks for the link. It's still hard to find photos of a Class A, but from what's there it looks like I've got most all of the basic piping on. Nobody seems to take many photos of the left side of the good ones, do they?
That's really cool! Good luck on the project and here's hoping you'll post more pictures!
John
Darth Santa FeSince the Shay's running pretty well now, I've decided to start with the detailing, It's hard to find any good pictures of this sort of Shay, so I'm using other Shay models and pictures for reference. Some of the detail parts will be left off during painting to simplify masking. I think this is going to look pretty nice when it's all done.
What is the reddish wire that you're using?
jwhittenWhat is the reddish wire that you're using?
It's coated copper wire. I have a whole spool of it on my workbench, and I've found it to be extremely useful for a number of things. I prefer it over brass wire for large curved details, because it's much easier to get a smooth curve out of it. It's also the same thickness as the usual brass detail wire, so it looks exactly the same once it's painted. But brass wire is still better for details that need a sharp bend or more durability, like grab irons.
Darth Santa FejwhittenWhat is the reddish wire that you're using? It's coated copper wire. I have a whole spool of it on my workbench, and I've found it to be extremely useful for a number of things. I prefer it over brass wire for large curved details, because it's much easier to get a smooth curve out of it. It's also the same thickness as the usual brass detail wire, so it looks exactly the same once it's painted. But brass wire is still better for details that need a sharp bend or more durability, like grab irons.
That's cool. I was imagining that after it was painted and thinking that will look pretty good.
I'm starting to get the Shay ready for painting. When I pulled the crankshaft out of the engine, it basically fell apart. I tried putting it together again, but it bent out of shape enough that I can't get it to work smoothly.
I'm going to try and rebuild the crankshaft using the leftover 1.5mm steel shaft provided by NWSL for the universals (I've got about 1.5" left over ). And instead of holding it together with super-glue, I'm going to use epoxy. It should be much stronger than before, so the "engine" will work again, hopefully!
I've now rebuilt the crankshaft.
The only thing that was replaced was the center shaft. I modified the Keystone parts to fit on a 1.5mm NWSL steel shaft, epoxied the whole thing together, and it WORKS!
Now that that's done, I should be able to get to painting soon.
I've decided to hold off on the painting for a little while. I recently got a very good deal on a new MDC 3-truck Shay kit (I say "new" because it comes with a can motor) with both of NWSL's gear kits included. It should be coming today, and I'll focus on building it. Once it's built, I'll paint it and the Keystone Shay together.
BTW, did any major railroads use Class A Shays? Or were they only used by small railroads that no manufacturer in their right mind would make HO scale decals for?
Wow, I'm jealous. 2 Shays? Thats sounds like a small fleet I'd like to own. I've been following your thread because I'm interested in trying this project out someday. Can't wait to see the new addition.. And the final products once they're painted. Good work!
I brought my Shays home from painting today, and have mainly been working on the Keystone. The boiler, cab, frame, and engine are now permanently assembled together, and my 6-diode constant lighting circuit with all the wiring is sealed inside (except for the wire I need to access later, which will be taped off for the dull coat). Almost all of the detail is assembled, and all it needs now before the final clear dull coat is some touch up paint and the decals. It's looking even better than I imagined it would, and I'll post pictures tomorrow.
(Note to painters: Scalecoat II seems to have a little trouble with soft white metal, and I had to touch up a lot of thin spots (yes, I know it's meant more for plastic). It does do fine on the more typical cast metal used in most kits, and on brass)
Can't wait to see it, Darth!
About the paint...did you use some sort of primer?
I've now finished the detail and added decals. I meant to put the pictures up yesterday, but there was some sort of problem with logging in. But anyway, here they are.
All that's left now is the dull coat and final assembly. I think this is going to be one nice Shay when it's all finished.
Arjay1969About the paint...did you use some sort of primer?
No, I didn't use primer this time, and that may have been my problem. I figured that with the bold dark colors, I wouldn't need it. I think I will use it for my upcoming painting projects (Tenshodo GP20, Bowser L-1 2-8-2, Cary E6A, and MDC Harriman 2-8-0).
The Keystone Shay sitting by the much larger MDC/Roundhouse Shay. I'm hoping to have them both done this weekend.
I also posted this in my topic for the other Shay. That Keystone Shay really is small next to another larger one!
Very nice, Darth! Now we need video of these beasties running!
Arjay1969 Very nice, Darth! Now we need video of these beasties running!
I'll try getting a video up.
Once these are all done, I think I'll put up a Shay comparison for everyone. All three of my Shays (Spectrum, MDC, Keystone) are very nice, but wouldn't it be interesting to see how they are side-by-side?
After 2 months of work, the Shay is finally finished!!From this...to this!!Those pictures are kind of blurry, but I wanted to show the directional constant lighting.The most important side of a Shay. Some people won't bother with making the crankshaft and rods operational, but I wanted mine to have the full effect. My rebuilt crankshaft with a steel shaft and epoxy works great!NWSL's drive. My wiring arrangment isn't spectacular, but it works.A cheap HO scale man standing on the little Shay. I didn't notice there was some gray left on the domes until I took this picture. It's been fixed.Sitting with the 4x larger Spectrum Shay (80-ton vs. 20-ton).Pulling 10 full size cars like it's no big deal.
Getting this thing built has taken a lot of time and work, but it was all worth it! After a little more fine-tuning, it runs smoothly, steadily, and pretty quietly for an engine with a spur gear transfer. It needs more run time before the low speed control is excellent, but it can still run pretty slowly. Some parts are fragile enough that I want to avoid taking it apart again, because believe me! This is not a fun engine to disassemble after it's been put together!!
I am overall very happy with my new Shay. If anyone else is looking for a real challenge to be proud of, the Keystone Shay is it, and I would highly recommend it (to experts; beginners beware!!).
Beautiful job Darth! I enjoyed following your progress. What's your next project? I hope you decide to share it with us.
Joe
Darth, If you have a few parts left over, try this next: http://www.shorpy.com/node/7786
Excellent job and tutorial! That crankshaft looks like a nightmare. The three straight sections between the eccentrics cranks that you replaced -- what was the original material? Brass? Did you have to drill out the cranks to accept the 1.5mm shaft?
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
Now that would be a fun build. This has been a great project to follow. You have done such an excellent job. Congratulations.
As near as I can tell the Spectrum Shay is a reasonable representation of a West Coast Shay which were made specifically for the challenging conditions and massicw logs along the west coast. They were the most advanced Shays and the largest. Some of the early ones look almost toy like when placed beside them. Such a variety.
Thanks everyone for your compliments.
JoeinPA, I think my next project will be to finish painting my Samhongsa 4-4-0, but I have some others that need finishing too. I'll be sure to put up pictures of them.
SteamFreak, that's a very interesting Shay there, but I think I'll leave that project up to someone else. The crankshaft was originally a single piece casting of soft white metal. When that fell apart, I cut off the cast shaft and drilled the cranks out for the steel shaft.
Grampy1, it has been a fun project. The Spectrum Shay definitely has more extra details, but as far as I can tell, the Keystone Shay has most of the detail the real Class A Shays did. So I guess the early ones do look a little "toy-like" compared to the modern ones.
Darth, I continue to be awed by your skill at building steam locomotives. Well done, sir!
You are so right, Darth. Personally I'm impressed with the detail on all of the Shays currently being offered or recently offered. The variety of models is quite varied. Everything from the small to the large and in scale.
A number of years ago there was quite a discussion going on, and maybe still is, about the scale of the Heislers being offered by Rivarossi. I think they are very close if not accurate. I've seen a Heiseler and have seen pictures of a West Coast Heisler beside a West Coast Shay. They are both massive machines, so Rivarossi is bang on the money in my books and so is Spectrum. Dang, I like geared locomotives.
Great work!
Years ago I've bought a PFM shay - and it's fun! If your engine is a good runner you will have hours of pleasure. Enjoy it.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Darth Santa FeThe crankshaft was originally a single piece casting of soft white metal. When that fell apart, I cut off the cast shaft and drilled the cranks out for the steel shaft.
Wow, a white metal crankshaft... no wonder they don't last. Nice job putting it all back together.