I have been looking at Shays and I went into sticker shock. Quite a lot of money for an engine that will live in a $7 ft loop. Then I noticed an MDC kit that runs around $75, (and ready to run at $160). I thought this might be a good bargain and I could get comfortable with the innerds of locomotives. I could also pre insulate it, and build it for DCC sound.
What do you think of the MDC kits. I like their models rolling stock kits (except the couplers).
MDC steam kits are OK. The shay is a real pain to build however. If you decide to get one, I’d strongly suggest getting the “MDC Shay Book”, as well as the NWSL remotor, regear and power pickup kit. Without these four additional items, it’s really hard to get the kit to perform exceptionally well.
The rest of the kits aren’t nearly as hard to build, and are more reliable. If you’ve never built a steam kit before, I’d suggest starting with one of them and working your way up to the shay.
By the time you purchase all of the additional “improvements” to make the MDC shay kit run, such as new wheels, gears, motor, etc. etc., you will have spent more than the cost of their pre-built Shay.
The MDC assembled Shay is made in China and runs well, althought it makes a high-pitched whining noise because of the gearing.
I have two of their Shay kits and neither one was any good. There is an entire book on how to rebuild the MDC Shay kit so it will run, so that should be some indication of the problems you would have with it.
The Bachmann Spectrum Shay is a much better choice. It runs smoothly, is quiet, and will cost less in the long run than the MDC model.
Thanks guys.
Does anyone Know of a retailer that sells the a Bachman 2-truck shay in HO. I can find plenty of 3 trucks and 2 trcuks in On30 but nothing in 2-truck except MDC. Oh, I can get a two-truck straight from Bachman for $275.
Chip,
Are you looking for an unlettered version or does is matter? You’re right. There does seem to be a scarity of Bachmann 2-truck Shays in HO out there.
Tom
I have a RTR MDC Shay, Some time ago I ordred NWSL wheels for this engine as the orginal had gears on the axles breaking free from it’s glue. Eventually they will come in and I will see if it works better or not.
MDC Shay Kits are very difficult to get running smoothly. A friend of mine had gotten rid of his Kit Built shays because sinking money and rebuilding to the Nth degree did not satisfy the issues with them.
If it does not then I will probably get rid of the unit myself and use my Riverossi Heisler instead.
I have heard nothing but good things about Spectrum Shays. Perhaps this may be a choice for you to consider.
Bachmann does not make a two truck shay in HO, only 3 truck. I have three and they are great. Check ebay for deals. Currently they are about $130.00 through mailorder in MR ads. You can beat this through careful bidding on Ebay.
Two-trucks are listed on the Bachman site and you can order direct for $275. (No way!)
Were 3 trucks used in the 1890’s? How about the 2 Truck Climax? 2 truck Heisler?
See the common theme? 1890’s Lumber.
These would be the On30 Shays; I got mine for $150.00. The prices on their website are the list prices; most dealers have more realistic prices. I think Trainworld has the 3 truck HO one for around $130.00 or so. Light years ahead of the Roundhouse one, kit or assembled.
Bob Boudreau
From the Bachman Site:
82805 50-Ton Two Truck Class B Climax $275.00
Roadname: W. M. Ritter Lumber Co.
Inspired by one of only four remaining operational Climaxes, this Spectrum® model also represents one of the last Climaxes to be used in revenue service, eventually ending its illustrious industrial career in the late 1960s. The standard gauge prototype still operates in tourist service on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad in Durbin, West Virginia. In the tradition of our award-winning Spectrum® HO Scale 80 Ton, Three-Truck Shay, we‘re pleased to offer HO modelers this exciting geared locomotive.
Features include:
• DCC ready
• die-cast construction
• 5-pole skew wound motor
• all-wheel electrical pickup
• three-gearbox power train for realistic operation
• scale-speed gearing
• detailed cab interior
• amber LED headlight and backup light
• separately applied stack, domes, and cab
• separate detail parts, including bell, whistle, pop valves, and handrails
It’s a CLIMAX - not a SHAY we’re talking about. There is a difference. I have both,
Bob Boudreau
Spacemouse, you can get a Bachmann shay from Trainworld for $120 plus shipping. Its a great model, much better than the MDC even assuming a top-flight assembly job. I’ve used Trainworld a number of times for mass-produced items and highly recommend them.
Feeling pretty dumb about now. I put Shay HO into their search engine and after a bunch of 3-trucks got to this. Didn’t occur to me that they would stick in a Climax in a Shay search.
And of course I can’t tell a Climax from a 4-8-8-4 by sight.
Would a 3-truck Shay have been around int the 1890’s?
On the Shay Website I found that three 3-Truck Shays were built in 1890 with more built in 1891 etc.
At The Caboose you can purchase a brass B-Class Two Truck Shay for $395.00 and you can sometimes find them cheaper on E-Bay. The United Shays built by Atlas-Ashahi will outlive your childred if taken care of. These were the best build locomotives to come out of Japan. If you want a smaller version look for the Benson Shay by PFM, but not as many were imported as the B-2.
Rick
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/ will provide lots of helpful information about Shays…
Three-truck Shays were very new in the 1890’s, but they were around. An 1890’s era logging line would be more likely to have rod engines–4-4-0’s, 2-6-0’s, or tiny 0-4-0 tank engines. Look for ones with small drivers (for slower max speed but better traction.) Geared engines would have been around–say SpaceMouse, have you looked into Heisler or Climax geared engines as well as Shays? The Roundhouse Climax is generally available and is pretty inexpensive.
I was thinking of the Climaxes, but thought the Heisler looked too modern. Trainworld has the Rivarossi you mentioned for $89.00 right now.
It’s hit and miss with the Rivarossi. Maybe someone who has one can chime in. I’d be VERY cautious about getting one…
Tom
I agree with the statements made by all about the MDC Shay. It’s a tough build-
not for beginners-and ya can never seem to get performance out of them that
justifies the time and expense. I do have a Rivarossi Heisler, and though it
runs pretty well, it is prone to dirty it’s commutator far to often. I have changed
brushes in it and that helps (the wrapped copper brush in the Rivarossi motor
is a problem so I changed it to a regular carbon one). It’s also noisier than
the Bachmann geared engines. I have both the Bachmann Shay and the Climax.
Both are beautiful-looks, running and noise level. I recommend either-or both!
I’ve had my Climax for only a few weeks but it really is my favorite. It’s small size
and, well, how to put this? it’s rightness in appearance makes it a winner.
And it will doublehead with the Shay. Oh, one other thing about the Heisler,
I have to apply commutator cleaner-(electrical contact cleaner) far too often.
That’s my [2c] of input.