If one were interested in an HOn3 loco such as a Shay or Climax, would anyone have a first hand opinion on which particular model/manufacturer to search for? I’m specifically looking for opinions on brass; running reliability; and convertibility to DCC.
Thanks
Someday I’ll be in the market for a HOn3 Shay, although I’ve been in HOn3 for 25 years. Here’s the extent of my knowledge…
Either see it operate before purchase or make sure there’s a good return policy.
The recent runs of PSC Shays have a generally good reputation.
Older Shays really vary. A loco with a can motor will be easier to convert to DCC, as these already tend to be insulated from the frame or can easily be made to be insulated.
Here are a couple of venues in which to learn more about HOn3 Shays. The National Narrow Gauge Convention is THE place to window-shop for Shays. This year’s NNGC is just concluded, next year’s is in Seattle. The HOn3 Yahoo group is a marvelous resource for anything HOn3 related. Lots of well-known notables in the NG world, many vendors, and just plain old good advice can be found there.
I guess I have a different perspective. Although I don’t own a brass Shay - I have 2 Keystone HOn3 Shays and a Roundhouse standard gauge - I tend to pick the appropriate size and era model, and then deal with making it run well.
Shays and Climaxes ranged across the board in size, era, and purpose. Western Maryland had a huge 3 truck Shay. “Contractor’s” Shays were often used on temporary dam-building railways. A mining branch would typically use a larger locomotive than a logging line, but there were plenty of exceptions. 3 ft gauge lines tended to use smaller geared locomotives than standard gauge lines, but again there were exceptions like West Side Logging.
Brass models tended to model the later and larger prototypes - at least there are more of them. The PFM B-2 Shays are a little oversize. Roundhouse also made their version to the same oversize dimensions. Both models are actually good representatives of larger prototypes. But NWSL imported models of some early Class A Climaxes, and Balboa imported a not-too-highly regarded (but less costly) model of a 20T Class A Shay. The recent PSC Shays are supposed to be real works of art.
If you are looking for small logging locomotives in HOn3 and HOn30, check out David Hoffman (no e-mail or web site).
There have been numerous articles on improving/remotoring/regearing various Shay models, both on-line and in the magazines. Typical issues encountered with older brass Shays:
I have a shay comming from this gentleman who is in Ca. He remotors and adds dcc+sound to his shays if you like.
http://www.shayfixer.com/Shayfixerforsale.htm
It may take while to get your order because he’s a one man operation. His work isn’t cheap but you do get a good running shay when all is said and done.
My friend Friedhelm has a PFM shay. He has reworked it and installend an decoder. This shay runs very well!
Wolfgang
I’ll second BobH’s recommendation of shayfixer’s work. I’ve had no personal dealings with him, but he is a widely recognized craftsman with Shays. He’s one of the experts who are habitues of the HOn3 list and I’ve seen nothing except good compliments about his work and goods.
If you are interested in one of the Shay models that has a reputation for iffy performance from the factory or over time, shayfixer is the go-to guy, as his specialty is fixing those issues so that you end up with a fine-running loco.
Gentlemen, thank you for your replies. I was sort of looking for some potential models that would run well out of the box, and could be converted relatively easily to DCC. Detailing to the nth degree was not absolutely a requirement. So I thought that the search would take me to the earlier used brass models.
Unfortunately, prices upwards to $1000 are a little beyond my reach. But if that’s what the going rate is these days, then so be it.
You are asking for something nobody can guarantee - an early geared brass model that will run well out of the box. Imported brass models, until the last decade or so, have never consistently had good performance out of the box. In HOn3, most brass has needed tinkering to run well.
That’s why the Blackstone plastic locomotive line has been such a hit - excellent performance out of the box for a new locomotive with Tsunami DCC and sound installed for not much more than the price of used brass.
NWSL does have a kit to convert the Bachmann Shay to HOn3 - but that’s a pretty big model in narrow gauge.
Fred W
It can be a steep learning curve, but the expertise is out there to help you do your own work. But I’m fairly handy and it’s not something I’ve jumped into, either[*-)]
[;)]
However, if you come across a good deal and it runs, then you’re past square one. That may be how I get in the game.
On the other hand, be sure and take Blackstone’s motive power survey. Shays are on it as a potential future model. If anyone can get us a decent DCC (w/sound!) Shay for $500 street price, it’ll be Blackstone.