Problem with sound in a two truck shay.

Garden Railroading
1

I have a 38 ton, two truck shay. (1:20.3) Added new style trucks after two years running, goes better than ever. (Love the shay and the climax!)
I used a simple ‘chuffer’ sound circuit for years which reacted to track voltage. I have tried upgrading to a unit which is activated by the Shay piston activated switches, but no luck. I get a permanent closed circuit on the board. I loosened the two screws beside the cylinders and it works intermittently, but I cannot get it to work properly. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Are there quality sound boards which work off track voltage, or do I go back to the ‘chuffer’?

2

Hi Mt Beenak I have a Bachmann consolidation had the same sort of prob. I now use a reed switch and 2 magnets on an axcil as the wheels turn it gives me a nice sound far better than the pickup via the loco system. If you show where abouts you are maybe someone local may be able to help Hope tis helps[:)]

3

Thanks for the try, but where would I put an axle mounted magnet on a shay? All four axles are powered and inside gearboxes. No spare place for it!

By the way, I am in Victoria, Australia.

Mick

4

Mick, If you are in Melbourne bring it down to me and I will fix it for free while you wait.

5

I also posted on Bachmann forums and someone suggested a website with shay problems and solutions…

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/shay_tips.html#valve_gear

I took the plunge and fully dismantled the ashpan and cylinder gear. I found at least three obvious but simple problems, fixed them all and re-assembled. IT WORKS! Smiley

Mick of Mt Beenak, Down Under.

6

Thanks for the site I printed the 25 page’s to take to Reno where my Shay resides so now I can get rid of that annoying tic tic. I thougth it was just mine. once agin thank’s

Dave