I replaced the two drive shafts on my Shay yesterday, and replaced the four clips with the new ones that Bachman sent.  One clip on each truck would not seat all the way down, even with a fair amount of pressure applied. Because of this, the drive shaft can move excessively side to side in the bearing, causing the gears not to mesh.  So, I only have one set of wheels being driven on each truck. 
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem?  I'm about ready to take off the two clips, shorten the two small plastic legs that go into the bearing, and glue the clips to the bearing, being careful not to get glue down onto the shaft.
Any insight would be appreciated.

Joe

Let me rephrase my question -- is there supposed to be more interior lighting in the rail bus and trailer than just by the driver, and if so, then a portion of mine must not be working?  I only have lighting by the driver.

Thanks, Joe

Has anyone tried to add more interior lighting to the rail bus or the trailer? I realize that there is lighting by the driver, but I have not taken off either roof to check on wiring.

Thanks, Joe

I know this question has been asked before, but I cannot find the reponses. What is the minimum radius track that the trolley will operate on without derailing.

Thanks,  Joe

Chuck,

Is the tender drawbar free to pivot?  When my tender starting derailing occasionally, I loosened the drawbar screw slightly so the bar was free to pivot.  Derailing stopped and never happened again.

Joe

I was looking to buy the Roaring Ridge (D&RGW) passenger train with the bumble bee 2-6-0 loco and the yellow (?) cars.  Some advertisements say the color is  "Rio Grande Gold".  Can someone tell me if the color is really "gold" or just a "bright yellow", and does the lighting in the cars actually show through the walls especially when operating in the dark.
I was also looking at the C&S passenger train.

Thnaks, Joe

I just bought an On 3 Porter Tender for my 0-4-0 On 30 Bachman Porter, to run on my EZ track.   How difficult is it to regauge the wheel sets from On3 to On30 to make sure you move each wheel in the same distance to keep the tender centered on the tracks?
Any help would be appreciated, or is there a site that shows how to do it.  I have never regauged a wheel set.

Thanks,  Joe

Unless they have changed, the On30 observation car does not have large windows on the back end.  There is a narrow window on each side of the back door, and the side windows are the same size as all the passenger cars windows. My observation car is in my 10 year old Wonderland Express set.  One of the side windows is clear,  rather than the decorated one where the toliet is on the passenger cars.

Joe

Guys,

The split gears on your rail trucks --- did you first notice a loud clicking sound and a lurching motion at low speeds?  Then the clicking was much lower at higher speeds?  This just started with my rail truck, and I haven't had the chance to take it apart yet.

Thanks,  Joe

I have used CA adhesives to assemble laser cut wooden buildings etc., and also to glue items on my trains, and scenery for years.  I have apparently developed an allergic reaction (irritation) to the adhesive in that my sinuses become plugged tight as if I have a cold.  It takes about 4 or 5  days to get over it. I have tested this many times, with the same results and all I can figure out is that it's the CA in the "super glues" that causes this. It affects me even with very good ventilation. Does anyone know of similar glues that cure rather quickly that do not contain CA?  I realize that the CA is probably what produces the fast cure time.  I'm willing to settle for a longer cure time as long as I can breathe.  Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Joe

Eric and Joe,

Thanks for the information, I appreciate all the help.  Eric -- first, I tried various combinations of my main train last night, and it was OK if I only run the loco and tender by itself, and the transformer got normally warm.  I then added one lighted car, and it started to get hot after about 20 - 30 minutes, but the power went up and down, but not as often.  So, I am going to get a new transformer, and yes, I will keep the old one for lighting the buildings.
Joe -- I cleaned and lubed the 2-6-0 and all my engines around Christmas, and have done this many times in the past, not using too much grease and light oil as recommended.  I did get my grease and oils from the hobby shop. The cars wheels are free wheeling and I clean them often. You fellows cover all the angles, and it is much appreciated.

Thanks,  Joe

Bill,
Thanks for the information, I see your point.  I tried my train with just the loco and lighted cars and had the same problem.  I have run this same consist for years, with no problem, it just showed up at Christmas.  My 2-6-0 has the headlight and a cab light (GOW) that I installed about 9 years ago.  My current Bachman transformer is rated at 15 VDC, and 10 VA.  I was thinking of replacing it with a 15 V DC  transformer made by MRC, with either a 17 VA or 18 VA rating.  I assume that this would give me the extra reserve power for the train.  Then if I have 12 V at the track, I have about 1.5 amps available.  Am I figuring this correctly? Does this sound like a reasonable approach? Just want another opinion, and I won't hold you to it.  (They also have some that are rated at 20 VA, but they are at 23 V DC, and this may be overkill).  I also plan on getting a cheaper transformer just to run the building lights, or a walwart.
Thanks, Joe

Thanks Barry, that gives me some options for running lighted buildings only.
To all the fellows who helped me, I tested the transformer last night. With no load and at 0, 50 and 100 on the dial, it barely got lukewarm after about 2 hours.  I then ran my train only (no depot lights) with three lighted cars, and after 20 minutes, the transformer was real hot, and the train would slow up then speed up, then stop, then start.  So, the transofrmer is shot.  I did find a new replacement one on line. However, one of you fellows suggested an upgrade to a more powerful one, especially with future expansions.  But, the VA rating of some is confusing.  The Bachman transformewr puts out about 1 amp. So, any suggestions for a better more powerful one would be appreciated.
Thanks,  Joe

Renniks,

Sorry,  but what is a "wallwart", and who would sell them?  I am not familiar with the term.  Your suggestion does make sense.
Thanks, Joe

Guys,

I appreciate all the input.  To clarify, the 2 bulbs I am using for the depot are the same type of bulbs as in the passenger cars (grain of wheat). So, I connected the depot lights to the DC terminals, and they run off DC like the car lights. The wires to the bulbs are about 12 inches long. (maybe this is a resistance problem, since the wires are so fine).  I like the yellow glow from the lights in the depot, as it reminds me of old kerosene lanterns.  I do not use higher voltage AC bulbs.  Can the grain of wheat bulbs run off AC also?  In addition to the lights in the depot, I run 3 lighted passenger cars (2 bulbs per car) with my 2-6-0. Tonight I'll try the transformer without any load, then with the train only, and see what happens.  Thanks.