Try as I might, I can’t seem to get my Atlas Shay to run smoothly at the low speed I seek on the logging branch. Others have told me it should run smoothly at these speeds, but it’s still hit-or-miss.
It’s been broken in - both directions, many speeds under varying loads. The track is as clean and as bullet-proof as I know how; other locos seems to have few problems crawling along over the same sections of track.
I admit to being spoiled by these “other locos” - Atlas RS units and even a Life-Like SW. Methinks their flywheels make a big difference. The Shay is still under mfg warranty, so before I decoderize it, I’m letting Atlas have a go at it to make sure all is well.
I’ve heard about cleaning the contact wipers; but I haven’t had it apart to look for them. I use the paper-towel with a bit of alcohol over the track to clean loco wheels.
All this is a very long-winded preamble to my real question. If I can’t get the Shay to perform well at lower speeds, I may opt for a small diesel switcher at times.
Were diesels ever used in logging ops, and if so - what types?
**Randall Gustafson -**I know you specialize in tiny motive power. What could you recommend without my having to scratch-build? I eventually want control via DCC.
I can’t help you with your shay, but I know several members (Lee) have this engine, an are happy with it’s performance.
As far a diesels and logging, I recall an article years ago (1980’s) in RMC about a Canadian company that was using an RS-2 or RS-3, the cab or the hood was modified to allow a better view for the crew. The main reason Shays and the like were used in was mostly because of the extreme grades and poor trackwork, if your grades are moderate, I’m sure you can research it and find a prototype to model after MHO.
GS
EDIT: I did a quick websearch, I found this post in another forum containing some nice links.
The first 2 are GMD SW1200s (built in EMD’s Canadian plant) with dynamic brakes, the box on the hood just ahead of the cab. These locos are 2 of 4 that work on CanFor’s Englewood Division on Vancouver Island. The 4th loco, the #304 is actually an EMD and was bought 2nd hand from the Coos Bay Lumber Co. in Oregon. Even EMD/GMDs get old and CanFor has rebuilt the #302 with a Cat engine (and new paint) while #303 is in the original look. http://www.trainweb.org/rosters/CANFOR302.jpg http://www.trainweb.org/rosters/CANFOR303.jpg
Another Vancouver Island logger, this one an Alco RS-3 of Comox Logging (sorry it’s B/W). It was originally a D&H loco that was bought cheap when they replaced steam. The other diesel Comox had was a Canadian Pacific RS-3M. Prior to the Alcos arriving Comox ran an X US Navy VO1000 http://gelwood.railfan.net/clr/clr4097agh.jpg http://gelwood.railfan.net/clr/clr4097ggh.jpg
Had to include this shot of the water tender. Used to wet the line to prevent fires from brake shoes. Makes a great spot for a speaker in a
In terms of what’s available in N scale, the SW-type engines (Lifelike in N) were used, among others. Logging operations typically added some idiosyncratic equipment such as spark arrestors, but you could forgo that. As someone mentioned, VO-1000s (Atlas in N) were also used once or twice.
In later years, bigger power such as Geeps might have been found in some places.
I have two (N scale of course). Mine run very well. There are two things that make this loco a winner;
A really good power pack. One that has pulse power and momentum features is excellent.
Clean wheels and lubricated gears and bearings.
I do the following things to all of my loco’s now after the first test run:
Clean the wheels
Clean and lube the gears and bearings.
Lube the wipers.
I apply a small drop of WD-40 or CRC 2-26 to the backs of the wheels where the contacts usually are. I find that this improves electrical pick up greatly.
And I clean the test track just to make sure. I also lube the test track by putting a little WD-40 or CRC 2-26 on my finger and wiping the rails. Then I wipe them again with another finger. I have found that dry metal is not the best conductor.
I picked up some N scale stuff AS-IS, the engines I got had problems, some didnt, didnt run, whatever… I worked them over and they run fine. One sante fe F unit crawls like I never thought N scale lokies could crawl like a shay.
I have put together an MDC shay and once all the buggers cleaned out, smooth running.
Up to you if you want to send it off under warranty, be the best idea before you try debugging problems, but check any power pickups for connectivity.
If you got an Atlas Shay from the first shipment, they did have some problems with the external drive train binding. Mine was part of the first run, but was delayed for several months while they worked out the bugs.
I would advise you to take the helpful suggestions from our HO scale brethren with a grain of salt. The Atlas N scale shay is more like a brass locomotive than it is like a typical HO or N scale drive. The external workings are very delicate, and should be handled with extreme care.
Personally, I think you did the right thing in sending it back to Atlas. At the very least you’ll get a new engine as a replacement, and I can assure you they will test run it adequately before they box it up for you…
And for Garsh sakes, don’t put a drop of WD-40 anywhere near that drive! It’s a solvent base, and is likely to damage the plastic insulators in the wheels, and any other plastic parts in the drive train.
I will agree that a quality power supply will help, and once you install DCC, you’ll really have a good running engine… but if there’s a mechanical problem in the drive, all the electronics in the world won’t help. By the way, you’ll need at least a DZ-125 to fit in there…
Here’s my Shay, and yes, it’s N scale, and yes, it’s made by Atlas. It came out about 3 years ago… You guys should get out more!
Frisco, the McCloud River Line comes to mind, they and several other logging railroads used whatever they could afford, from SW-600’s to the early 4 axle road switchers. One thing to set them apart from your mainline equipment, definitely add on spark arrestors! For operations variety add a water car with pump right behind the loco. For a fun ride in the woods don’t forget they often had bumpy temporary up and down trackwork and sharp curves. Enjoy! John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
