It is supposed to be.  If you order the pigtail board for wiring your own control, it is the exact same board for all of them.  I did that and verified it.  So that tells me they are all the same. But I'm no expert so would be nice if the Mann confirms it.

Bachmann has done several runs of these, but it may be getting long in the tooth for them.  Who knows, but I've tried to anticipate parts and have bought things available just in case.  I may not ever use them, but if you need them, you need them.  The idea of buying an extra is a good one, but these engines are not cheap now on eBay.   Having an extra C19, K27, Heisler, 2-6-6-2 would get expensive as they are priced at $1,200 to over $2k.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but couldn't you buy a set of the metal trucks?  I know it's expensive, but given the alternative?  When I upgraded my Shay that had the plastic trucks, I kept them just in case I needed parts. Bachmann is (and to the best of my knowledge always has been) not known for having parts long.  When they make a run of locos they apparently order some extra pieces but once gone it's over.  I once read a comment by the head honcho in china that basically said we sell so cheap, just buy another one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373821577355?_nkw=bachmanm+shay+trucks&itmmeta=01J6A4VKJPWAJXT28KS6843GWP&hash=item570980988b:g:h4wAAOSw0plioVNz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk11a5O7mm5iyM7b%2FK4fqGHBW4ESOxklXIPQwydjxOw46qzHB8Txi9mwmt80IeE0oRZSACZywKQCKynh5kX1XtUzKaUnnemAfSSG7sNm99R42UglJGRXRIHjviAp8jJBYGOLFg%2FKyoDZ42%2FlOYMtJmjDmVNsZhk5lwX2upn6D%2FX9NqBtfQHoFu0e3NiQLPnBybbnreT3Vbe%2BE86qhHOe8jGVGYtL1RR%2FAIgEL0NeZ%2BLBuauUPiQS1KU6ksu4Ozn77U%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7y57sSyZA

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/82894.pdf

Boy, my searches are off.  Even when I search Bachmann 82197 or Bachmann 82198, I get no hits.


Edit, changed to world wide and then get them.

Both in UK.  But first I've ever see on eBay, at least in my searches.

Did the boxes actually say 38?  I never see them n eBay.

I've read about Bachmann releasing a 36 AND 38 ton Shay, as well as the 55 ton 3 truck.  I have the 36 and 55, but what exactly was different about the 38.  Even on eBay, I always see 36 but never 38.

Just to let you know that your new interface in the parts section is absolutely horrible. It is very slow and cumbersome.  You cannot see right off if the item is out of stock.  And you can't easily move between engines. It is just bad design. 

I believe there is on the Bachmann site

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/LARGE_SCALE_38-TON_2-TRUCK_SHAY.pdf

It's the 38 but not sure what's different.

Yes the 8 screws was the first batch so expect to buy some metal trucks even though little run time.  The first batch were really bad at just falling apart and as I recall the springs on the pickup would get hot and fail and the plastic inside would also fail. It was not just the bottom cover plate plastic breaking.

Star Hobbies

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373506705062?epid=1224575482&hash=item56f6bc06a6:g:lqgAAOSwgw9gViUL&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8IezHveJaTkY7M0bQtI4iuFRjUeRCR0G8KFgQvnUJHAWviA2A8st%2BHiJ8FRa4J52bIOYrUUMLmHpalxIv%2BXdqwRyzw6YYYIonlKOj79%2BIatRLAEJBWDCXxa1DKmbgRPZInM6S46qYO2rBU0Ycwy1MNRaNm4EfaaFmy%2BKPOfqlOGCCnCdgR6WpYpGhaYMvQoURGHDw5bVWh2tnsC16A%2FoPXqS4KeF%2FQP5yx%2Fqu2HjuX7X6Qq3w7Mg93S9kjt8kBUizUdFMJUAXONphhtU%2BFlGFjAYYXpQD9bYAH50FZCkup0%2FRbF3Niafjpw2gdYEADX4sA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6qJz_r0Yg

Before inflation

Yes the number of screws is the answer. 4 screws means metal. I think they all have the lube plugs.   Bill, thanks for your effort, information and guess.

I agree, they are my favorite of all the Bachmann steams.

Yes I'm aware of the truck issues.  Personally I have my original that I already swapped out for the metal trucks and hav one of the 2 truck ones.  Then I bought a 'for parts' one pre-Covid years ago and bought the replace trucks for it but have not gotten around to it.  It was just an observation.