Thanks Guys for the tips so far.  It's good to know that the real thing did this, it must have provided some 'fun' and perhaps trips to the dry-cleaners!
I'll try the suggestions too, or at least look into them.

Whitty

I am building an 0n30 layout incorporating a reasonably steep incline which my two Shays both climb comfortably with no slipping. However, when descending, each loco displays some jerkiness.  They are both DCC controlled using the NCE system.
Has anyone else experienced this and are there any solutions?
Rebuilding the incline is not an option I want to explore as it would result in a major redesign of my layout.

Hi Lindsay,

Good to know that the idea of using brass sleeve has already been put into practice and works. Now I need to obtain some and try it for myself.  Good to hear too that Bachmann recognise these problems and seem keen to assist.  So far as I can tell only my drive shafts have been affected and not the gears on the trucks, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.  I'll try contacting Bachmann to see if I can get replacements.
NZ is not the ends of the Earth - just one of the nicer parts farthest away, in my opinion, having spent three weeks there last year touring round North & South Islands.  It was seeing the rail-lines alongside many of the roads and across the single carriageway bridges(!) on North Island that rekindled by interest in modelling!

Thanks Jim Banner (your name seems to crop up in lots of places) for the detailed explanation concerning the manufacture and design of the problem parts.  I'm just disappointed that such fine models are let down by weaknesses in their construction, judging from the number of instances I have found on various forums, and not just currently. It seems to be an ongoing problem for modellers across the world.
I wonder if we modellers are expecting too much from the Climax and Shay models having read of the exploits of their prototypes, but I for one do't want them to end up as showcase models!

George

Thanks rayport. That is exactly the problem. I have discovered on close inspection under a magnifying glass that in fact both drive shaft collars are split where they join the gearbox. Obviously they are not up to the task and Bachmann should be ensuring that a stronger material is used for these parts. I am considering trying to find some fine brass tube to match the collar size (about 2mm. I think) and fitting that over the collar.   Otherwise I'll try your suggestion.
I wonder if Bachmann would supply replacements as the parts are clearly "not fit for purpose".

I have what seems to be a similar problem with my Climax. I've been testing it on a short length of track for radii and grades but today on getting it out there's no drive to the trucks. The pistons and cranks go around but the loco stands still. I think the problem is where the drive shafts fit the gearbox but being in the UK I cannot pop mine into Bachmann US for repair.  Any suggestions anybody?

George

Thanks for both sets of helpful info.   Seems a lot simpler than I though it might be and your responses have proved to me the worth of this Message Board already.     

As a returnee to the Model Rail hobby in the UK I've just bought a DCC Ready 0n30 Shay at a very good,almost silly, price on e-bay from the Favourite Spot. It's a loco I've always admired for it's unique appearance and am pleased now to own such a model. However Bachmann apparently expect buyers to know everything about their purchase as they do not include any detailed instructions. I assume it is 12 volt but there's nothing to confirm this. In the box was an exploded diagram detailing all the bits but which ignores  the chip/circuit board visible in the bunker. Neither does it show where the plug point might be for adding a DCC decoder. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from the Makers but can anybody provide me with this info please or tell me where I might get it?