One question not answered was how the water in the back gets up to the boiler?

And by looking at the cans, there is a small something hanging down under each can.  It looks like its aligned to let the sand out on the rail.  So I'm assuming a release lever of some sort.  But since in the back of engine, I guess they would let's some dirt out and back over it?

I'm not a physicist but I believe for a siphon mechanism to work, the liquid end and the want to have liquid end have to be fairly close to the same level.  Going against gravity is a bit of a problem. At least that has been my experience when trying to siphon gas out of my car for lawn mower (back before I invented the automatic mowing fertilizer machine more commonly referred to a COW) or getting rainwater out of a backyard pond.  But I'm no expert.

Learned more.  Thanks.

I read somewhere that the gas can looking things on the back of these engines were for sand.  What was the use of the sand?

While I'm at it, I understand the hose is for sucking water out of rivers, lakes, whatever.  But on the 3 truck Shay, it looks like a water dump up top to move water from front bunker to back, but how does the water get from that back truck up to the engine to be used?

Thanks Bill.  Very interesting reading.

It's not a rush so whenever you get back.

I guess y'all do things different there than here in the "colonies".  Here we milk the cows not the chickens....maybe that has something to do with the tender....;-)

Actually, I have not had that problem with my Connie tender, but then I have not used that much.  How old is it?  The trucks are available as a part though.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_142&products_id=532

Hope this helps.

Mickey

As a matter of curiosity, has anyone ever done a list of the Spectrum releases and approx. time frame?

For example, as I understand it the 2 truck Shay was their first in 199???

Personally, I have this Shay, original Climax (being sold for the later Climax), the 440 and the 280 Connie.  Would love to see the list and time frames?  Personally, I just love these for their detail and performance.  For me it all started with my son's original Big Hauler back in the mid 90's.  He grew up and lost interest, but I stayed attached.  I will have to admit that when running outside from a 20 foot distance, lots of the detail of the Spectrum is lost to me, but when they roll by close it comes back.

When sending in a first generation Climax for repair, I was told that it may not be repairable (no parts now) and if it isn't, it would be replaced with something comparable.  Does this mean another Climax or something totally different?  I would definitely want another Climax.  Also, before sending it in, should I remove my Phoenix sound card and RC board, just in case it is replaced, or will the service person do that and return the cards with the replacement engine?

Is there a way to tell which generation Climax you're looking at or when getting off eBay?

In the process of re-wiring these trucks for RC, sound, etc. I've already read the GIRR stuff, but one thing I'm not clear on is wire gauge.  The factory motor, at least on the Climax, and pickup wires seem awful small. Not a wire expert but based on some 22ga I've got around here, it looks much smaller, like maybe 26.  What do you recommend for this and do y'all change out the wire all the way from the trucks and to the motor, or just tie into factory wire. 

Mine track is on raised gravel beds. Since I'm putting the control boards and transformer inside in a closet to keep them out of the elements, I ran multiconductor sprinkler wire in electrical PVC (which is 18 guage solid wire) to a central location junction box.  I then ran 2 conductor 20 ga stranded to each switch thru some left over gas pex (flexible plastic) for protection from the gravel.  It is under all the gravel but pops up at the switch. That way if I have to replace it for some reason, I can just re-pull it with very little disturbing of the road bed. My run of the sprinkler wire was about 70 ', then the switches are anywhere from 15 ' to 60 ' more. The wires were joined together in a water tight electrical box using 3M silicone filled connector you see the telephone types using.  In testing it all works fine, but it has only been a month or so.  No years of experience yet.  My method for what it's worth.

I guess this never happened?

Mine is in a closet inside the house.  I then ran the wires thru conduit to the track. Had no idea 21 years ago when the cement was poured that I would do an outdoor layout, but I had several "just in case conduits" put in.  One just happened to work out perfect.

I used clamps on the most vulnerable section (curves, switches, in tunnels, rerailers, certain transitions, etc) but just the standard aristo joiner that came with it for the rest.  However, I also soldered ALL joints with jumper wires. I was going to do clamps on all, but after doing the soldering, I noticed how it keeps the track in place and the aristo joiners does a good job at alignment. The switches I did jumper around for future maintenance. I left a slight bend in the wire for the expansion. Time will tell.