chergar,
The following may be of some help.

Item #82494 is the more common electrical configuration of the 3-truck Shay.  It is DCC (Digital Command Control) ready.  This configuration is the most popular with operators.  This Shay can be run on DC track power, converted to battery power, or DCC.  A sound system is easy to add.

Item #82697 is set up with DCC and contains a proprietary digital sound system.  And it's not the best DCC sound system.  First, this model was not a big seller and in many cases those sold have had the installed sound system removed.

http://www.girr.org/girr/index.html

You might want to take a look at George Schreyer's site, listed above, for more information on DCC.

Not familiar with DCC so any meaningful information on this subject will have to come from someone with direct experience.

For my money I'd go with the #82494.  It is usually sold for less money and if at some time you decide to go DCC it is set up to add DCC.  Paying extra for the Shay with the proprietary DCC sound system would seem to be a waste of money, given its less than stellar performance.

I've had a #82499 since the 3-truck was first introduced. It is set up for RC (radio control) and battery power.  The Shay is a great runner and has been trouble free.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Since the subject of car length came up might as well comment.

Bachmann Big Hauler box and reefers are longer than those of USAT.



The Bachmann reefer is on the bottom with the USAT on top. Clearly the Bachmann car is longer.

Now, that small difference in length is not that great, so mixed in with USAT and the also shorter Aristo Classic cars when running in a consist it's not that noticable.

So, this information, along with a dollar will probably get you a cup of coffee.    Just wanted to set the record straight.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

It's interesting that those of us that have had the Mogul since it first became available during Decmeber of 2000 forget to mention the guide pins.  Guess we just think that everyone knows to remove the guide pins.

At the time the Mogul was introduced this site and others were filled with comments on the need to remove the guide pins.  Since that was nine years ago most have forgotten all those postings.

Mark and others that may acquire a new Mogul or American it would be a good idea to use Loctite 222 on the Phillips head screws that attach the drivers to the axles.



As shown in the picture, there's a small center cap that covers the Phillips head screw.  Pop the cap off, I use a hobby knife, remove the mounting screw and place a small drop of Loctite 222 on the threads.  Don't over tighten the Phillips head screw; just make sure it is snug against the driver.

Do not use any Loctite formula stronger than 222 if you ever want to remove the drivers. 


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

Mark,
Forget about frogs, flangeways, guide rails and any other comments that deal with the switches.

Remove the guide pins and be done with it. It's the guide pins that cause the problem.

I've had this Spectrum Mogul since they were first introduced.  On trip around the layout when the locomotive was new and it became obvious that the guide pins had to go.  The Mogul will run just fine without the guide pins.  They are not needed.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

David,
The White Pass set usually comes with knuckle couplers in addition to the hook and loop versions.

Knuckle couplers are also available from Bachmann.  Item #92420 contains six couplers in a pack.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

I think the Bachmann Brothers Big Top set #90049 is still available.  A dealer at a recent train show had several of the sets for sale.

There is also a selection of rolling stock available.  So you could build a circus set.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

Scale?  Who knows?

Using the fireman and station agent as examples they are as follows.

In 1:24 they are 6' !"

In 1:22.5 they are 5' 9"

In 1.20.3 they are 5' 2"

So they can be whatever scale you want them to be.

Now in the case of that little grey clad engineer figure it looks like a rather small ten year old with a very old looking face.  Kid must have had a hard life

Since Bachmann started out with almost all its Big Hauler line in the 1:22.5 range the figures were probably intended to be of that scale.

The Bach Man may be able to give you a more educated answer.

At a scale 5' 2" they sure look too small for the 1:20.3 equipment.  Or in this case the railroad hired a lot of short people.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

They're probably not very old.  North Pole & Southern is the name that Bachmann has used in recent years for their Christmas sets.

Loco Bill should be able to possibly help you identify their vintage.

Loco Bill has an extensive data base of Bachmann Big Hauler sets.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Bob C.

Did you ever get the Shay so that both motors would run?

Just wondering.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Andy,
The coupler bracket is attached to the motor block with a Phillips head screw.  That screw is hidden behind what could be described as a small door. That "door" slides down from the top in two slots.  The "door" has to be slid up to expose the Phillips head screw.  Look close at the coupler bracket where it is attached to the motor block.  That little door is on the face of the bracket at the motor block.  Usually a small flat blade screw driver can be used to pry that little "door" up from the bottom exposing the Phillips head screw.

Takes less than a minute to remove the "door" and take out the Phillips head screw.

Not sure what you would gain by looking at page 23. On page 23 "Frame and Superstructure."  Only item relating to a Kadee coupler that's illustrated is the link and pin draw head.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

Great picture.  El Gato sure looks comfy.  Good fit too.

Our  pit cat Gracie likes to hang out in the shipping container too.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

Tac,
The information in reference to the orientation of the marker lights is right here on the Bachmann site.

QuoteAs delivered it appears that the marker light lanterns are not properly installed on most if not all units.  The markers have the green lense to the rear. Wrong.

Red should show to the rear and sides.  Green should show to the front. Have read, but don't know for sure, that at some point in time the markers were changed to amber lenses to the sides and rear.

On another site there's a posting where a new owner managed to damage the marker light wiring when trying to get the red lenses facing to the rear.  It is not necessary to pull the marker light assembly from the body.  The lantern will slide off the marker light base.





Here's the lantern removed from its base.  All that is necessary to get the proper lense orientation is to move the left lantern to the right side and right lantern to the left.  Also refer to page G887X-IS001 of supplied documentation.  Takes about a minute or so to make the correction.  Wonder why folks won't take the time to review supplied documentation before attempting any work on a model.   :

Wonder if Danny has figured this out yet?

Boards installed through the turn buckles was not necessarily common on truss rod cars.  Might be a nice touch, but checking old photos will show that most truss rod cars did not use any type board through the turn buckles.  Of course you always have the option of adding them.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Whoa!  I sure missed that one.  Didn't even note those parts when I had the truck apart.

Thanks Bach Man for giving the correc answer.

On sheet G887X-IS001 that's the part listed as G830X #MT03.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Martin,
Sure sounds like they could be leaf springs out of one of the trucks.

It would seem to be rather obvious, by looking at the trucks, that one ore more are missing the leaf springs.



Here's a picture of a truck.  If the brass is painted same color as the trucks and looks like the leaf springs in the picture then you've found where they belong.

Since I've had the caboose apart for a detailed review not sure what else these pieces could be.  A picture of what you've found would be helpful.

Also, take a look at sheet G887X-IS001 of the supplied documentation.  There you will find exploded views of the truck among other parts.  Note the leaf spring is in three parts plus there is a coil spring that provides the suspension.  Do the parts you found look anything like those depicted?


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Jim,
The three truck Shay is, as stated, DCC ready.  It's not exactly plug and play as the K-27 or 2-6-6-2T with their socket.

Documentation supplied with the Shay has a page that addresses DCC wiring connections.

Two of our club members have installed the Revolution system in their locomotives.  Both had been running Airwire.  They both prefer the Revolution.  Both members indicated that installation of the Revolution was not complicated and took minimal time to instal.  At the last several club functions both of these Shays operated flawlessly with the Revolution.

One additional club member has purchased a Revolution system for his Shay based on the experience of the first two members.

Not sure about comments regarding the wiring schematic.  I've installed an Aristo-Craft 27Mhz mini on-board receiver in my Shay.  The on-board is powered by battery.  Also installed a RCS Basic 3 in a Shay for a fellow club member.  Did not find any problem with the supplied wire diagrams.

I've had my three truck in operation since December 2006.  I've found it to be a good runner and have yet to experience any operational problems with the locomotive. 

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD