MDC Shay ... decision time?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a MDC RTR shay. It is two trucks and I bought it at a very good price last year.

The middle axle gear was broken for some time as I looked for alternatives and found a NWSL set that had very tight axle gears that should simply slip on.

The problem was the axle as it came out of the shay offered no obvious way of “disassembly” Out came the big wrench. (something like 50 scale feet) 10 seconds into trying to find a way to get at the axle I managed to destroy the entire wheel and axle combination.

I am ready to decide if I need to contact Roundhouse for a axle/wheel peice for this loco or cut my losses and offer the unit on ebay as it is now.

What do you think? Do I sink more funds into the unit or sell it?

2

From what has been reported, Athearn has about 145 pallets full of MDC parts and stuff that have yet to be sorted out. (Horizon Hobbies bought then both and is incorporating the MDC line into Athearn’s) So it could take you a while to be able to get your parts. Good luck anyway.

Bob Boudreau

3

I bought the NWSL kit for mine and replace it on the axles. After I did it, I still could not get it to run real well so I think I may have done it incorrectly. It will run fine on straight track, but it doesn’t seem to take the turns very well. I am debating taking my decoder out and selling mine on eBay as well.