I’m thinking of getting one. Anyone have experience with this locomotive? How does it run over frogs? Does it run smooth at very low speed steps without jerking?
I dont know about the two truck version, but I have the DC version of the three truck. The beveled gears on the axels popped off the first time I ran it. NWSL likely makes replacements. DCC install is way down the project list as a result.
Major issue with split gears. The Bachmann On30 Spectrum T-Boiler, Two-Truck Shay is discontinued so replacement parts from Bachmann limited.
Generally a jerky runner some improvement by tuning motor using the motor control CVs and replacing the bevel gears.
Metal gears available (???) from Northwest Short Line (NWSL) Item# 2801-6.
Read article “Re-gearing the Bachmann On30 Shay” in On30 Annual 2014 issue. This Shay maybe more work and added expense than you want.
RR Baron
Get the DC one if you do and install a better decoder. Also removing the capacitors on the motor will improve the running quality with a decoder.
–Randy
I bought mine (HO) direct from Bachmann, I had to return it twice and after the second time it still wouldn’t move, the motor was turning but the gears did not mesh. I finally fixed it my self. Very poor motor mount engineering, a single motor mount screw was out of adjustment (not available to adjust with out disassembly). During reassembly the motor flexed and the gears wouldn’t mesh correctly (either too tight or too loose). I used some 527 glue on the motor to keep it in place and its run great ever since.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Bachmann 2 truck Shay? Did not know that they made one.
The Three truck in HO has a DCC with sound version. Or you can get the DCC version and convert to Sound.
A 2 truck Shay is advailable in N scale from Atlas. DCC only on this guy, has it is very small. I have done some DCC only installs on it. Very tight install. Maybe one of the decoders from Gemerny would have sound?
Yes, Bachmann does or did make a two-truck HO Shay; I bought mine several years ago. I didn’t address how smooth mine runs in my earlier post. It does run smooth as well as very quiet mechanically. I bought mine without DCC and added a Soundtraxx decoder.
I have several MDC two & three truck Shays and decided to try the Bachmann. I wasn’t a happy camper early on because of it not working out of the box but after I took care of the lousy Bachmann motor mount engineering it has performed very nicely.
Its not as heavy as the MDC Shays so it doesn’t pull as many cars as the MDC Shays on my 3½% grades.
As most of the Bachmann locomotives it is nicely detailed, much better than the MDC Shays.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Mo
Mel,
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What is all the info on the box end label of the Bachmann Shay you bought?
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What is the code stamped inside of the box top?
RR Baron
You caused me a bit of excitement. When I went looking for the box I couldn’t find it . . . . and the Shay was in the box. I did finally find it, I forgot the box was black. And gentlemen I eroded, my Bachmann HO Shay is a three-truck. My Bachmann G Gauge Shay is a two-truck.
The box end info is Item #81909 HO 80 Ton Three Truck Shay Locomotive.
The number on the box top is 020812.
I haven’t run my Shays in a couple of years so I did it to it and it still runs great.
Chalk it up to a feeble 80 year old brain for getting things mixed up.