About power supplies: Aristo-Craft 55460 power supply. 1 train, Spectrum 2 truck 36 ton Shay, 8 cars, flat loop track. OK?

I was not aware of the existence of the Aristo Craft 2 8 8 2, thank you so much, I should have investigated first. I got my facts wrong. The Locomotive that I refer to built in 1921 not 1935  is mentioned towards the end of the Bachmann  video: A brief history of the  Baldwin 2-6-6-2 Articulat...: http://youtu.be/JmAiOQaqygc  . It is mentioned as being the inspiration for Proposal 8043 that was never Built . The 2 8 8 2 is a different later locomotive also bought for the Colombain Railroad at a later date, 1935. I  feel I should find more about these two and other locomotives in order to know which models exist that match the ones bought by the forgotten Colombian Railroad.

This is a crazy but I think wonderful idea inspired by Kevin Srong's unbelievable work, which I have recently had the pleasure of discovering by following the link to his blog. Transform the already gorgeous Bachmann"SPECTRUM"2-6-6-2 Saddle Tank Articulated into the amazing Baldwin  2 8 8 2t built in 1935 for Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Colombia. This perhaps by somehow segmenting it, elongating it  and adding the necessary 4 wheels ? My great grandfather was from 1910 to 1915 in charge of Colombian Railways , an absolutely fantastic Railway system that during the last 50 years disintegrated into nothingness out of shameful neglect . If someone. .Kevin can.

Bill, what power unit would be appropriate for 60 to 70 feet of track?

I forgot to mention. Stay away from "sold as is items" If you don't want to do some repair work .  On the other hand if you like to fix things  some extremely good bargains have the "sold as is" coment. 

I don't know if this helps but I'm also just starting on G and what I've done is to buy track locomotives and cars separately on ebay, Dash Market and if I want new on Bachman store or Wholesaletrains, this way I get exactly what I want and at good prices. Lots of good solid brass track at good prices new and used is available this way.

I've been looking into sounds and run across  Shay *73415 LOKSOUND SELECT 21 PIN DCC, 21MTC interface ,  priced similarly to mylocosound  and apparently high quality. What is your opinion on this product?

I have just been on the phone with Bachman parts, they sell only the whole Cylinder Assembly for $100,  I do not want to change the entire assembly to replace that tiny part, so either I find someone who has one from a "for parts" Shay or I build something to hold the rod in place. All comments most welcome.

My Shay has one G811X-0ZU02 broken , about half of it is gone, which is why one drive shaft falls out.  Is it possible to buy this tiny part?

I've finally received the Shay from DashMarket , Trainz, It looks like new, better than it was described, 10 points to Trainz. I feel like a 10 year old on Christmas day, ( I'm actually over 6× that)  I'm tired, it's late, I also feel privileged to have two so eminent advisers. Will write very soon after I test the Shay on the track.

Thank you again, will listen to the chuffs.

For me a simple Chuff will suffice, is the sound of an expensive sound system really worth it?  Which chuff do you think  would do justice to my Shay and where  should I buy it?

Sound was not mentioned in the DashMarket description, so I suppose there is none?

I have been considering whether perhaps lack of lubrication might have been the  reason or a strong contributing factor for the toothed wheels on my locomotive to get so hot that the teeth disintegrated and melted . I had not considered that plastic locomotives needed lubrication until yesterday when I saw the Bachmann video on youtube about caring for the Spectrum 36 ton Shay. Since I am buying mainly used trains any words of advice on the care of G scale trains is more than welcome.

Thank you all.

I have just ordered and paid for a No 90098.