I purchased this old kit from a guy who dealt in used model RR stuff. Thought it would be fun to put together. I am really interested in geared steam. Then I think I read somewhere that the kit is a problem to put together and have run correctly. I have never assembled a locomotive from a kit before. Did I bite off more than I can chew? All opinions are welcome. Thanks. Bob
Hi Bob
You need to pickup a copy of The MDC Shay Handbook by Oso Publishing, ISBN 0-9647521-1-5. 91 pages of detailed instructions for the MDC Shay.
If done right they are a very good runner, they are not an easy project but I have four of them that run great. If it’s a late version it will have a can motor if not you need to replace the old Pitman open frame motor.
Good Luck
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Its not bad, take your time and purchase the “upgrade” parts from NWSL. Scroll down to Page 18
http://www.nwsl.com/uploads/chap4a_web_09-15.pdf
Model Die Casting (Roundhouse) Shays, HO or HOn3 186-6 187-6 188-6 $49.95 $59.95 $19.95 2-truck machined brass (tow er) and delrin (axle) gears to improve operation. 3-truck, same as above. Parts kit for upgrade project described in Model Railroader , August 1985. (Compliments above kits, not duplication - do not need article to install, but it can help.)
Some replace the open frame motor with a can motor, the late open frame motors were actually pretty good.
Also the drive shafts, crank and cylinders are strictly used for visual, they do not drive the trucks, it can be difficult to sequence each driveline gear and wheel with the next, so many on use 1 gear to drive the animation and file the other gears so they don’t actually mesh with the wheel gear, but are also used to keep the driveline in proper place. Also expect to upgrade the wipers, they are notoriously bad in the stock arraigment.
My try at the MDC Shay posted on youtube, by the way, it will still sound like a can opener when running, with the upgrades.
Since the Bachmann Shays came out the MDC kits have lost value, mainly because at one time, you either had to chose MDC, or Brass.
I just recently completed the 3 truck version from MDC. I recommend putting the Shay kit on a shelf for a bit and put together a couple of conventional locomotive kits. That way you can get familiar with the whole process of fitting parts, finishing the raw castings, and painting the model beforehand. Because in addition to that stuff, on the Shay you will be also be working with gearing, universal joints, telescopic driveshafts, and getting all of those mechanisms to work smoothly together. When you do build the Shay, take your time, and make sure that each individual sub assembly (gearbox, trucks, etc.) works freely and smoothly before combining it with the next sub assembly. Everything should move freely without oil as you are putting it together. Oil is added to joints and gears at final assembly to prevent wear, it should not be needed for freedom of movement as you are fitting and adjusting.
Hey, this is one of the first steam kits I put together, ran great from the get go with the stock stuff, you don’t need the upgrade kit. But it dose take time and you need to cheak every part for flash etc., esppecially the gears and their houseing. Mine ran at a tie a min. when finished.
I could never get mine to run smoothly, and I did have a bit of experience destroying other locomotives trying to get them to run better. Yeah, I was much younger and impatient.
Maybe if I’d had the advice above it would have been different. I’m glad to see here that it could be done!
The best advice is to take every step slowly, test the parts motion for reliability. The power does not run thru the side gears but the center vertical gears similar to their boxcab. The side gears are there only for the ride. But provide all the action. Deburr all plastic parts and lube them up, plastic compatible oil/grease, get yourself oil and grease. I owned one, it ran on the club layout HOn3 loop flawlessly during open house, I sold it, but since bought another to build.