I have been running both the original 35ton shays and the later 38ton shays on 5' diameter track for years with no problems.  They also run fine on the 4' diameter as long as you run them with the gears on the outside of the radius.
Chuck

Loco Bill;
Regarding state of the large scale market; here in Tampa we used to have 6 model railroading stores that all had some large scale products.  We now are down to 3 stores and NONE of them stock large scale.  I believe there is one store in St. Petersburg that has large scale and that may be it.
Chuck

Bill,
I removed one of the second version from the box.
Right now I have all three types of trucks sitting in front of me.
1. First version shay 8 screws
2. Replacement trucks 6 screws
3. Second version shay 4 screws
Be wary when purchasing two truck shays, the end of the box for the first version will say 36 ton with a 81xxx model number, the second version will say 38 ton with a 82xxx model number.
I hope this will help you, Bill, and thanks for the myriad of info and help you graciously share on this site.
Chuck

Bill,
As far as I know, the truck problems were only with the first run (36 ton, 81000series) not with second run (38 ton, 82000 series). 
Chuck

Bill and Udo;
I have a first edition (81000 series) 36 ton shay with the replacement trucks added and they have 6 screws.  I also have two of the second edition (82000 series) 38 ton shays, but they are still in their original sealed brown shipping boxes.  If you can't determine the number of screws in the second edition, lemme' know and I will open one of the boxes.
Chuck

 Dave is absolutely correct.  Bachmann has produced WP&Y locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars.
As far as WP&Y popularity, I have a like new, in the original box, LGB 2055 WP&Y Alco diesel locomotive on Ebay right now and cant even get a starting bid for $199!!!
Chuck

Stan,
Is that your layout?  It looks great!  Thanks for posting.
Chuck

Not only that, but the 8 wheel 20' boxcars take different size wheels than the regular 8 wheel boxcars.
Chuck

Mickb,
I, too, tried to upload a small photo and got the same message "the upload folder is full".  Does anyone know what this is or what it means?
Thanks,
Chuck

I, too, am a bit confused by the ads I have seen.  Will the sound equipped unit work audibly on a DC powered layout?  Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck

Fellow Bachmannians;
FYI
I am currently running a Bachmann 3 truck shay pulling three of the new 1/20.3 Murphy roof finescale boxcars on my indoor layout with 2 1/2' radius (5' diameter) curves with no problems.  Granted, the overhang on the curves may not be realistic, but it's better than not being able to run them at all.  Just make sure to run the shay counter clockwise so the gearing is on the outside of the curve.  Would that be clockwise in Australia and New Zealand? (just kidding)
Happy Bachmanning;
Chuck

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin,
for shame

There is a full page ad on the back cover of the latest RMC.
Any info on the sound working alright on just DC?
Thanks,
Chuck

Fellow Bachmannians,
Regarding the new 1:20.3 Climax locomotives,  the undecorated sound equipped #86097 description calls for white running board edges, but the photo shows the loco as all black,  Anyone know which is correct?
Also, the ad doesn't state whether the sound works alright on DC power as well as DCC.  Will plain ol' DC be ok?
Any info appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck

Bruce, the master,
Another great job.
Thanks for the pix.
Chuck