Bachmann Shay Locomotives

[beavercreek]

I have collected a few Bachmann shays over the years and a few climaxes (old and new version) and a heisler.
Just love them. They are even more detailed than my Accucraft live steam versions.
Yes they do need careful handling because of the great detail, but generally they are pretty robust.
I have ruined a crown gear when a hard stalk of a leaf got stuck in the outside gear mechanism, but other than that, good lubrication will keep them running for years.

The 3 truck version with the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC sound does not like voltage over 19v. But as that amount of voltage is perfectly fine for running at 'normal' shay speeds and hauling 8 cards and a caboose up my 10% gradient it is okay for me.
It is a good product and to help to avert the 'umbilical' connector to rear truck problem, hot glue around where the cable goes into the plug.
This not only gives it a bit more 'toughness' but also gives you a bit more to help grip onto when pulling the plug out.

 

[tac foley]

Love your trackage - really real-looking. What sound system do you have installed? And any more videos, please?

tac

 

[stevedenver]

Op
I have the "Climax" climax, demonstrator livery with sound.

I love it. Small by comparison. Much closer in length to most lgb locos, very clever electronics. Whistle blasts in accord with direction, voltage sensitive bell, chuff timing, nice headlights, just a joy. But, no volume control, other than via digital control. Happily the factory setting is moderate ok inside and out. Run it too fast and it sounds like a car engine, ie exhaust all run together.

I would highly recommend this little loco. Same caveats apply.

 

[Thomas Lambo]

I cannot recall to whom I sold them (I think a guy in South Australia) but I built around eight or nine skeleton cars based on the Bachmann skeleton car. The stock release car scales out around 18 feet, not totally unusual, however, a company released a polyurethane extension taking the cars to a more acceptable 24 feet in length. The moulded extension replicated the timber grain and bolt/nut pattern of the Bachmann car and was an excellent product. Alas, the individual involved took a well earned break from manufacturing and may or may not have returned.

A string of logging cars represents the true essence of narrow gauge railways. At one time I had several 38 ton (steel cab) Shays, A Climax and four Heislers. I liked the Shay but as previously stated, the loco is heavy, extremely delicate and prone to failure, particularly on narrow radius curves. I decided for my peace of mind that the Shays had to go, so sold them on.

The 55-tonner three truck does have a bit of a spotted past. I would carefully search the internet. The DCC sound version had a "h.o." scale Tsunami sound decoder and would auto shutdown at normal largescale track voltages. The umbilical chord between the trucks was also prone to fail. I never purchased a three truck because simply I did not trust the product.

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the candid feedback, I have read about some issues with the Shays and this is the reason I made the post (to hear the good and the not so good).

I'm also happy to see feedback on how to address many of the issues. With RC battery power I can control the voltage easily and I will also use a Phoenix sound card system along with the AirWire decoders. My minimum turn diameter is 8 feet so that should be a plus as well.

Bottom line, my expectation for these Locos is they are not "Go To" runners I'll throw on the track and run for hours at a time while I relax in the back yard having a beer or two on a beautiful afternoon. They will be run less often and used for filming videos and taking still pictures. My son works in the Film Theater and TV industry so I hope to produce some quality material to help promote this wonderful hobby.

Cheers, Thomas

 

[Thomas Lambo]

Op
I have the "Climax" climax, demonstrator livery with sound.

I love it. Small by comparison. Much closer in length to most lgb locos, very clever electronics. Whistle blasts in accord with direction, voltage sensitive bell, chuff timing, nice headlights, just a joy. But, no volume control, other than via digital control. Happily the factory setting is moderate ok inside and out. Run it too fast and it sounds like a car engine, ie exhaust all run together.

I would highly recommend this little loco. Same caveats apply.

Thanks Steve, good to hear more feedback on the Climax

 

[Thomas Lambo]

I have collected a few Bachmann shays over the years and a few climaxes (old and new version) and a heisler.
Just love them. They are even more detailed than my Accucraft live steam versions.
Yes they do need careful handling because of the great detail, but generally they are pretty robust.
I have ruined a crown gear when a hard stalk of a leaf got stuck in the outside gear mechanism, but other than that, good lubrication will keep them running for years.

The 3 truck version with the Soundtraxx Tsunami DCC sound does not like voltage over 19v. But as that amount of voltage is perfectly fine for running at 'normal' shay speeds and hauling 8 cards and a caboose up my 10% gradient it is okay for me.
It is a good product and to help to avert the 'umbilical' connector to rear truck problem, hot glue around where the cable goes into the plug.
This not only gives it a bit more 'toughness' but also gives you a bit more to help grip onto when pulling the plug out.

Hi Mike,

I really appreciate the specific detail on how to address the issues noted above. And glad to hear you're seeing reliability/robustness in them.

Amazing to hear about the Shays climbing a 10% grade....thanks for the max voltage tip, it's something I've been wondering about.

I think the AirWire decoders are fairly robust with voltage but I'll keep a close eye on things while I'm completing my testing. I'm no stranger to voltage limitations on electric motors (brushed and brushless) as I've been dealing with this for years on my Fast Electric SAW Catamarans and my Airplanes

FYI - I think I mentioned before I'm a big fan of your GR and always look forward to seeing your updates, pictures and videos.

 

[stevedenver]

oh hell,
it's not easy being a bear of little brain......



all this chez porn,
beavercreek's and other positive reports,
the stupidly low price (anakramer on ebay-$289 shipped) .....I bought one.

good thing this wasn't about new car, ..........

now, I probably need a sound card too, huh?

 

[chris m01]

I used the cheap mylocosound card which is OK, well very good for the money but not as good as one costing three times as much. I also experimented with recording various whistles of YouTube and playing them through a big speaker in the first wagon connected via Bluetooth to my phone; it was good fun and annoyed the rest of the family. Sometimes my family find me embarrassing - can't see why.

 

[PhilP]

The newer 'blue' (circuit board colour) MLS card is a lot better, and even the whistles sound good!

 

[stevedenver]

best whistle talk I have ever heard in g scale, sounds like the real deal, all of em.

embarrassing, you are, you say?

imagine this, not only does her husband play with trains, but he bought a banjo......and plays it in public!

its GOOD to be annoying. otherwise they forget you're around , unless, of course, there's a chore or errand....


you have nothing on me sir........LOL

 

[stockers]

Love the echoy 'hooter' at about 45 seconds in.

 

[maxi-model]

I also experimented with recording various whistles of YouTube and playing them through a big speaker in the first wagon connected via Bluetooth to my phone

Very clever. Pray tell me how this is done. I get the bluetooth speaker, it's the downloading and editing clips from You Tube and replaying from a smart phone. Tablet do instead ? I'm a total numpty at these things. Love the echoey whistle too. Max.

 

[tac foley]

I used the cheap mylocosound card which is OK, well very good for the money but not as good as one costing three times as much. I also experimented with recording various whistles of YouTube and playing them through a big speaker in the first wagon connected via Bluetooth to my phone; it was good fun and annoyed the rest of the family. Sometimes my family find me embarrassing - can't see why.

That sounds GREAT!!!!!! How did you get the MLS chuffs to go so fast matching the three-cylinder thrash!

tac

 

[chris m01]

Very clever. Pray tell me how this is done. I get the bluetooth speaker, it's the downloading and editing clips from You Tube and replaying from a smart phone. Tablet do instead ? I'm a total numpty at these things. Love the echoey whistle too. Max.

I used rocket MP3 to down load MP3 files from various YouTube videos that I found with some good whistles. I then used audacity to edit the MP3 files to just the whistles. I then transferred the sound files to my phone and use the music player to play them. Another nice thing about this set up is you can have your train playing your favourite music as it goes round the garden.

 

[tac foley]

The newer 'blue' (circuit board colour) MLS card is a lot better, and even the whistles sound good!

Do tell.

tac

 

[Thomas Lambo]

Chris,

Amazing stuff, love the sounds and technology used....thanks much for the post..

I think this idea/subject warrants a thread on it's own.....

 

[Thomas Lambo]

best whistle talk I have ever heard in g scale, sounds like the real deal, all of em.

embarrassing, you are, you say?

imagine this, not only does her husband play with trains, but he bought a banjo......and plays it in public!

its GOOD to be annoying. otherwise they forget you're around , unless, of course, there's a chore or errand....


you have nothing on me sir........LOL

Steve.....you nailed it, spot on target my friend....after 35 years of marriage I'm

 

[tac foley]

There are three instruments that cannot be called musical.

1. The kazoo.

2. The triangle.

3. The banjo.

My own opinion, but one born out by the fact that Albinoni wrote absolutely nothing for any of these items.

I hope that the musically-astute among you will appreciate my small pun there.

tac

 

[Eaglecliff]

Slightly off topic, perhaps, but that nice Mr Bachmann e-mailed me the other day to tell me about his latest products. I looked at his G-scale locos and am left wondering just what he has done to them to justify the $1500 sort of price tags when the Annie, 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 I have cost me no more than £300 each, most recently, last year?

 

[Eaglecliff]

There are three instruments that cannot be called musical.

1. The kazoo.

2. The triangle.

3. The banjo.

My own opinion, but one born out by the fact that Albinoni wrote absolutely nothing for any of these items.

I hope that the musically-astute among you will appreciate my small pun there.

tac

I am reminded of the mythical Irish dance trio - conductor, bass drum and triangle. Very non-p.c. Sorry.