Bachmann Shay conversion?

[Anubis]

Hello all,

I read with interest the ongoing discussions regarding On30 Bachmann geared locomotives, and the problems that seem to be associated with the premature failure of the gear trains.  This is enough to dissuade me from buying one.

However, I do have a Bachmann HO Shay (81901) which has had very little use, as I have since moved to On30.  Recently I have  acquired a Boulder Valley Models (#255)  kit to convert it into a Gilpin style 16-tonner in On30.

My question then: do the HO Shays suffer from the same premature gear failures as their On30 bigger brothers? 

If they do, there is not much point attempting the conversion...and wasting valuable time and effort, when I could be turning my hand at some other more worthwhile task. 

Do any HOers out there have any ideas?

Many thanks.

[ABC]

I believe that NWSL is going to make the gears eventually.

[Pacific Northern]

NWSL has developed a replacement gearing set for the Bachmann Shay

http://shop.osorail.com/product.sc?productId=874&categoryId=14

Several Shay owners have indicated that the replacment gearing works well.

[richg]

HO Bachmann Shay's sometimes develop cracked gears as do the ON30 Shays.
NWSL has the steel gears for the HO and the last I heard form NWSL, he is working on a ON30 fix and the Bachmann Climax gear fix.
Go to the NWSL site and contact the owner. Also, sign up for his email list. He dose answer email.
That way you get an answer right from the source.

Rich

[Anubis]

Thanks, blokes...