Last week, I got a brand new (“new” meaning unbuilt) 3-Truck Shay kit by MDC/Roundhouse with both NWSL regear kits included.[:D] It’s now almost at the point where it can be painted.[:D] Here are some pictures of the progress I’ve made.
Left side. MDC provided plenty of steel wire, but there wasn’t enough to finish all the piping, so I used brass and copper wire for the rest. I used wire from stranded 24 gauge wire to make the bell and whistle cords, and then I used the wire insulation to make the flexible hose going to the tender.
The right side. Not nearly as many parts here, but the large parts help to keep it from looking empty. There’s a piece of wire that goes on the plastic engine, but I’ll add that later since it pops off whenever I handle it.
The later kits (like this one) include a Sagami 16x30mm can motor. The tender was practically weightless, so I stuffed it with lead and tin. The weight’s helped the tender to run more steadily. The couplings for the motor and third truck were very poor, so I put flexible tube in their place.
The Shay is now painted, detailed, and fully lettered![:D] All that’s left is the dull coat and final assembly.
Left side. I painted and lettered this one to match my Keystone Shay.
Right side. The kit as is leaves a huge opening in the cab around the engine area. I used some thin plastic to fill that area and make it look more realistic (you can see it behind the engine and under the front window).
Front. The kit comes with jewels for the headlight and backup light, but I’m not sure if I’ll put them in.
Back. The angle of this picture kind of lets you see just how thin the Microscale decals are. They should blend in completely with the finishing clear coat. Those individual letters took a long time to place and properly position.
My two Shay kits side by side.[:D] The MDC Shay may be much larger, but I think the Keystone Shay is
Very, very nice. I likee very much. [:)] Actually very timely as well. My next loco project is my 2 truck MDC Shay that I’ve done some preliminary work on already. NWSL parts are itching to be used. [:)]
I’ll have to take some pics next week of the MDC shay that was recently donated to our local club. It’s actually not a Shay anymore, the builder converted it to a Climax!
Because I had the luxury of NWSL gears, and because this was made to be a running model, this Shay was an easier and quicker build than the Keystone Shay. Except for some wobble from the wheels, it’s a smooth and steady runner. It makes both a whining and a rumbling sound as it runs, but that just lets me know that it’s working.[:D] I think it turned out to be a very nice engine.[:D]
Hello Very nice job Darth do you have any work for them yet. What are you going to with the lights? Is there room in the boiler were you can hide a small bulb and run a fiber optic line it the housing ? Keep up the good work Frank
I do have a string of three Kadee skeleton log cars and their logging caboose. If I ever have room for a larger layout, I may build a logging section and get more cars to go in it.
The boiler is almost completely solid, so a long hole would have to be drilled for a light bulb or fiber optic. It’s possible, but it’s more work than I want to do right now. The tender has a plastic body, so the reverse light would be pretty easy to install. I have a drill press in the basement, so I might do it eventually.[:D]
The front light problem is also something I’m wrestling with. As well as my MDC Shays, I have an MDC 0-6-0 that I built many years ago. It’s due for a motor replacement as well. Like you, the only solution I’ve come up with so far is drilling a hole and that can be a very tricky operation. One idea that has come to mind is to run a very fine wire under the locomotive and then drill up through the smokebox. Still giving this one some study and thought. [#dots]
Anyway to run the wires under the bolier? Most of my BLI steamers are done that way. If you where ever make it down to my house Bradon, I have you painting real cars in a week or so. Top notch again!
