Bachmann Shay conversion?

[Anubis]

Hello all,

I read with interest the ongoing discussions regarding Bachmann geared locomotives, and the problems that seem to be associated with the premature failure of the gear trains.  This is enough to dissuade me from buying one.

However, I do have a Bachmann HO Shay (81901) which has had very little use, as I have since moved to On30.  Recently I have  acquired a Boulder Valley Models (#255)  kit to convert it into a Gilpin style 16-tonner in On30.

My question then: do the HO Shays suffer from the same premature gear failures as their On30 bigger brothers? 

If they do, there is not much point attempting the conversion...and wasting valuable time and effort, when I could be turning my hand at some other more worthwhile task. 

[Frisco]

Yes they do, however Northwest Shortline has a gear replacement kit out for the HO shay (about $25) so when it fails you can fix it.

[Anubis]

Thanks, mate.