I love both,but cant decide which to buy this month(I intend to get both eventually)
should I wait for the new 3 truck shay,Or scoop one up now?
I love the a black unlettered 2-6-0 and I can get it for 229.00,is this a loco that will be in production for a while,or shold I grab it now before their not made anymore?
I dont have the extra 100 bucks for the shay metal trucks,are they pretty much a “must have” if you buy a shay?
anyways…I cant make up my mind…so I thought some of you guys could steer me one way or the other.
-Mike
If the shay doesn’t have the metal trucks, I’d stay away. There are fixes, but the metal trucks will fix everything. I’d opt for the mogul and wait for the 3-truck shay to come out. I’ve got the mogul, and it’s a very reliable, derailment free loco. The three-truck shay–when it comes out–should be an equally solid performer.
Tony’s brief answer is correct, there are no problems that I am aware of with the new 38 ton Shay. I have one and it is brialliant, a great performer, even better since fitting Sierra Sound to it.
Does anyone have an informed idea as to when a 3 truck Shay will be released by Bachmann? This is the first time I’ve heard any mention of it. Also, when in 2006 will Bachmann release their true 1:20 scale cars? The cars were mentioned on this forum about a month ago.
I have both and have been very pleased with them. I operate both from battery power and have put AirWire900 receivers and DSX sound decoders into them. They are outstanding products, as is the Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation.
I have both the two truck Shay and the Centennial 2-6-0. Both are RCS+battery, totally self contained in the locomotive and tender. My 2-6-0 has Sierra sound that is real time controlled via the RCS radio control.
I have two of the MyLargeScale MasterClass 1:20.3 Carter passenger cars on order and the 2-6-0 will be assigned to passenger service. The Shay is currently in construction train service.
BTW, all the 38 ton Shays come with the new diecast trucks. There are no reported problems with any of these. Replacing the trucks on the 36 ton Shay is really no problem and makes it as new.
Both engines are great performers. I expect they will both be available for some time. Try to get a look at the 2006 B’mann catalog to see if they are in there. That’s a pretty good hint that they will continue to be available at least through this year.
Walt:
The Bach Man says fourth quarter '06 for both the three truck Shay and the F&CC 1:20.3 freight cars. For those who want to be first on the block, Caboose Hobbies is taking pre-release orders for $499.
I have the first version (36 ton) and had it converted to r/c battery by TOC at NWRCS. At the same time I had him retro-fit the new diecast power blocks and the Shay is absolutely perefect! The Sierra sound system makes the package complete! It’s my best runner, my best puller and my most interesting engine to watch! In short, it’s the total package!![:D]
My shay is one of my most favourite loco’s. If any of you think that bachmann are delicate, mine fell over onto the mud today (as the track was not level[:I]) rolled a bit and NO damage[:)], spectrum 4-4-0 did the same a few weeks ago and also NO damage.