One of my Bachmann 80T Shays finally split a lineshaft gear. I have NWSL replacement gear sets on hand for all my Shays, so I decided to go ahead and install the gears on this Shay. Everything went well except for the center truck, where I somehow managed to break the bolster. Bachmann is out of stock on all the trucks at this time. Does anybody have a damaged truck with a good bolster that they would be willing to sell? I’m sure the bolster is the same on the front, center and rear trucks, so any one of them should work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It seems like there are no trucks available anywhere, so I decided I would have to repair my broken one. I used styrene and ACC and carefully replaced the broken ends. I re-assembled the truck and it seems to be working fine for now. If Bachmann ever offers the trucks again, I will order one, but for now, H.H.R.R. has another Shay back!
Good for you!!! You have now passed Locomotive Repair #101, the next class is titled “Why won’t this pesky thing stay on the track”?
Hope your repair holds because it sounds as though you had a good idea for the repair.
Mark
I have heard of some that has made the middle truck non-turning, as it is mostly that one that derails.
I will try it myself when I have fixed the intermittent glitch it has evolved! It just stops moving while the sound continues… I have checked the contacts and the only thing that is left is the wiring to the motor that goes via the firebox-light.
Shay locomotives in model is ALWAYS delicate and maintenance-demanding, I think there is something about them that makes us forget about those small quirks…