Since your layout is flat, there is no need to worry about strain going up hill.  This USA Trains 4 amp combination power supply and controller should be more than adequate. I t is designed for G scale.

https://www.onlytrains.com/model/trains/RTP4.html

Robby at RLD hobbies may have a better price.  Trainworld is another option.

Have fun with your layout!

Loco Bill

I have pictures of the shays somewhere, but I rely on the item number, lettering, and the number of screws in the trucks.  81198 and 81199 from 1996 would be considered the first version while 81196 and 81197 would be the second version.  The 821xx would all be the third. 

Greg, please clarify your question!

Hi Mickey,

Yes the boxes for the 38 Ton Shay are clearly marked as such and have their own separate product numbers.

36 Ton Shays:

81196   P&CL Co   11   1998   ~ Loco   Shay, 2 truck, Pardee & Curtin   P   1   L   Spectrum   $799.00
81197   None   None   1998   ~ Loco   Shay, 2 truck, unlettered, modern   P   1   L   Spectrum   $799.00
81198   ETL Co   5   1996   ~ Loco   Shay, 2 truck, Ely Thomas   P   1   L   Spectrum   $799.00
81199   None   None   1996   ~ Loco   Shay, 2 truck, unlettered, early   P   1   L   Spectrum   $799.00

81198 was the very first Spectrum large Scale Bachmann Locomotive and was modeled using original drawings for the Lima Shay built for the actual Ely Thomas Lumber CO

38 Ton Shays:

82195   WMRL Co   7   2004   ~ Loco   Shay, 38 ton, W.M.Ritter Lumber Company   P      L   Spectrum   $799.00    coal load
82196   OL Co   106   2004   ~ Loco   Shay, 38 ton, Oregon Lumber Co.   P      L   Spectrum   $799.00    Oil bunker
82197   ETL Co   6   2004   ~ Loco   Shay, 38 ton, Ely-Thomas Lumber Co.   P      L   Spectrum   $799.00    Coal load
82198   None   None   2004   ~ Loco   Shay, 38 ton, unlettered. coal & oil bunker r&w   P      L   Spectrum   $799.00    onion, diamond & straight stack
82199   None   None   2004   ~ Loco   Shay, 38 ton, unlettered. coal & oil bunker black   P      L   Spectrum   $799.00    onion, diamond & straight stack


Here are two on EBAY:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144387322492?itmmeta=01J0GKGJXK73Z2MHD4QG24GNR3&hash=item219e27b27c:g:AssAAOSwXgZh8nZk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwP6B8Weug3EnUIQinKwrhc9inxjVb%2FA9GgtVvXnKdtVk5EmgvIIBWN0unQ4fX3AzNvsWGUh%2BKRSTNpE34vG6XX49TLuAg5BFmrFN5eCQ0BC8VfgJH6pVWQ6esu6ffmjAh4UjwjGND1Z%2B9N8GPVi4YIiOtHALpnxCaMxY%2BecLy9lj3stv0Sq%2F2t9Q9MkvhrMVBPVhI%2BKzGdYZCe4shHgS1gRaktYFWJdNHQ1hi0rbKqv8IOo10zmT4YyK%2FUltcyy%2FNg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-quwpOEZA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186491220520?itmmeta=01J0GKM5AJ6D6C2TBB3X2EQ2P6&hash=item2b6bbe3228:g:ojkAAOSw0XlmaX~C&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4II11G%2BlUbAQdLKd64YbpqO19xvXD1878iENLTQQzD0FLnb46PK4fuLwmFhkCQCg0wDRvYCnGobKrtpfMsWdbwODaUwpLPnXBBg9qeFb%2BDbfdFEpBmL4K7pZpLQCm4hn1%2FMn%2FBvpxelv0BrVImjEu59CAfjjLzlXCdg76NA2G9Ck91yRrG%2BW7drcWwiAnGCU7zTwhGG0JSfCpP%2FgfIdraJTf%2BxmLTl7pnt3zo8Upg4rKbLpYgJPku3hPBTcqk1hN6dXLq%2BoEres16kevA9GGNoGK5RMWsQaxOTggb2Pfy%2Fi4%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6jV0JOEZA

Hope this clarifies things!  Take Care,

Bill

Hi All,

Already have three, Fantastic loco!  Would love to see it come back with metal gears!

Loco Bill

Hi CM099,
Just got back home and saw your post.

My club managed a large around the wall layout in a children's hospital.  We had the following problems.

TRACK
We used brass track and it required monthly cleaning. We used a track cleaning car and also plain old elbow grease.  When we first started we found that the track needed to be absolutely tightly connected in order to make proper electrical continuity which caused problems like you described. We ended up using track clamps. We found that our curved sections wore heavily and had to be replaced every three to six months. The Bachmann steel track you have was designed for small circle of track like that which came with the set, and not for the way you are using it. It can be hard to keep the connections tight, which will cause many problems. 

POWER
We used a 10AMP power supply and set it up so that the train could be started up by a button at floor level which when pressed allowed the train to run for 10 minutes and then stop.  We ran track connectors every 20 feet which helped immensely keeping things running well. The Bachmann Power supply which came with your set is only 1 AMP and was not designed for 60 feet,so a larger power supply is in order. Shop around for a power supply that is 5 to 10 Amps, You do not need a high end power supply.

LOCOMOTIVES

We started out using LGB and Bachmann Steam locomotives, but they required lots of maintenance. Wear on running gear(siderods) and wheels on them led us to switch to using diesel locomotives.  The diesels we used were LGB F Units and USA Trains F units and GP-7's.  Maintenance on the diesels was very simple.  We did find that that the rubber traction tires wore out very quickly and so replaced those axles with the solid metal wheels. We found USA Trains was great with parts and quickly filled orders. The diesel (both LGB and USAT)wheels did wear out and about every four months  or so and had to be replaced.  We kept USA trains geared axles in stock ready for any emergency. LGB parts were difficult to obtain back the so we shifted locomotives primarily to the USA Trains locomotives. Replacement of wheels on locomotives was simple remove the truck covers pop out the old ones and pop  in the new.  We used the lithium hobby grease and applied it liberally to the gears. With the Bachmann 4-6-0 I always recommended using replacement chassis when required by extensive use, but Bachmann is now running out of them.  Since a Christmas theme is important to you, USAT made a Christmas theme diesel as did other makers.

ROLLING STOCK
We used Bachmann, LGB, AristoCraft, and USA Trains rolling stock and all preformed well. We used metal wheels on rolling stock and the horn hook couplers. The couplers worked flawlessly.  Wheels did wear out and all rolling stock wheels were inspected monthly, and replaced as needed. We did keep metal wheelsets in stock for this purpose.  We used Bachmann and USA Trains wheel sets because both companies were quick to fill orders. During inspection each wheel set was cleaned using Qtips dipped in mineral spirits. Each car was also dusted off using a commercial product sprayed on the cloth. Q tips were used to get at the tight spots on the cars.

Well I have droned on for far to long, and will close now wishing you the best of luck with your layout!

Loco Bill

Hi All,

If you did not see it Bachmann is offering 25% of on parts right now.  Looks like free shipping on orders over $25 as well.  Great time to order parts.  I am going to get my order in ASAP. 

Cheer & Beers!

Loco Bill

Hi James,

No guarantee but a simple way I have used is to use the smallest open end wrench you have and place it on the wheel-set with the insulation and place the axle end on a metal block and then tap the wrench lightly with a small hobby hammer til it comes loose.  I have successfully added new axle gears using the same method. In the case of the trolley you will need to remove the little axle cover.

This way is a bit crude but I do not have a gear puller or other purpose made tools. You do need to be very careful when re installing to get a perfect fit. 

Hope this helps!

Loco Bill

Dan,

Terrible news.  I would suggest you advertise on My Large Scale, they have a wanted section and there are some 3D printer discussions there as well.

Good Luck,

Bill

Bachmann Inc,

I will try to check some more posts and see what I can find. Having said that I now understand what happens when a part goes inactive. 

So can I now assume that a listed part which is shown as "Out of Stock" will likely be made available again in the future?

Thanks, Bill

Yes Len, you are 100% correct.  All users who used links to parts in posts in the past have the same problem.  One of my objectives in posting the subject was to get the word out!

Bill

Hi Forum Members, 

I love the new parts interface, but there is a "but" you should know about.   

As many of you know when I make responses to those needing help I like to put in links to the parts mentioned in as part of the response. 

With the implementation of the new interface all of my previous part recommendations links in those posts are no longer valid.  There is no way I have the time to go back and update those responses.

If you are looking at my old posts and run into this issue and feel it is a critical or important that I update one or more just ask in the forum and I will do my best to update that particular post.   

Please be aware this is in no way critical of the new interface.  It really needed the upgrade and I already love using it.  I will continue to use links in my posts when appropriate and they will be to the new parts interface.

Thanks for your understanding.

Keep having fun with your trains.

Loco Bill

HI, Bachmann Industries,

Thanks for the fast reply!  Looking at it a little closer, I see that I missed that point you make about hovering. 

All I can say is it works perfectly and I love the large format.  Definitely like the way prices clearly display now, under the old system sometimes I found it confusing. Very easy to use this new one. Old guys like me sometimes hate change, but this one is a welcome improvement.

Thanks for the tip!!

Loco Bill

All and admisistrators,

I had no trouble at all with the speed and I liked how the individual parts displayed immediately in a large size with the price clearly shown.  Unfortunately you do have to take the next step to find out if it is available or not.

Recommend that if at all possible to reprogram to see if the availability could show up on the first screen showing the part and the price.

Cheers,

Loco Bill

HI,

I was at a Tractor Supply Store yesterday looking for some stainless steel washers and I noticed that the smallest they had might work for you.

Loco Bill