Type of bulb depends on which version of the Shay you have.  Could be either an incandescent or LED.  The headlight is held to its base by two tabs that "snap" into the headlight base.  Depress the tabs just slightly and the headlight will be free of the base.  From that point you can proceed with changing the bulb.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

The Pardee & Curtin Lbr. Co. Item#81196 Shay is the second variation of the original Bachmann locomotive.  It was first introduced/cataloged in 1998.

It may have the improved trucks.  Turn the locomotive over and look at the motor block covers.  If they have eight screws showing then that would be the very first version power truck.  If it has six screws showing that would be the improved version.  The improved version will have silver colored washers behind the screws that attach the wheels.

If you have the six screw version with the silver colored metal washers chances are the motor blocks will give good service.

Follow the Bach Man's recommendation and lubricate the Shay as outlined in the supplied documentation.

No matter the motor block version, should they fail you can always change them for the metal cased versions. These are available from Bachmann as replacements.  Very easy to change out the motor blocks.

Use the sound system chuff trigger wires you will find under the bunker.  A Phoenix sound system would be an easy installation.  There are a number of other systems available.  I've had good service with all the version of Phoenix sound systems.

Enjoy your new Shay.  They are great runners with plenty of power.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"


JD

I've had a Connie since they were first introduced.  It tracks just fine.   It handles not only my layout but also any number of other club members layouts.  Never a problem that could be traced to the springs.

What problems are you having that makes you think stronger springs will help?

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOSPSHfuoqI

This is a link to a short video of a Dallee sound system in a Connie.

Listen to it and then decide if you'd want this "Quality" of sound in a K-27.

Dallee might make a K-27 sound card, but I doubt it will sound any better than the one installed in the Connie.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

You have some of the early metal wheel Bachmann coaches.  Have no idea why they were produced with the holes in the back side of the wheel.  Those are some old coaches.

You have a few choices to solve the problem.

Easy solution it to purchase the newer version of Bachmann metal wheels. These wheels do not have the small holes.  The wheels that fit your coaches are Bachmann item #92421.  They are sold four axles to a card.  These would be a direct swap with the wheels you now have.  Bachmann has been installing these wheels on both coaches and revenue cars for a number of years.

Second choice would be to fill the holes with a product called JB Weld.  It is a two part material that when mixed together hardens and is ready for use in about 24 hours.  JB Weld is sold at most auto parts stores.  Fill the holes with the JB Weld so it is flat with the top of the hole.  Make sure it's flat because this is some tough material and could cause a problem trying to sand it flat. 

Third choice is to convert the coaches to 5mm bright white LEDS.  With the LEDs you would continue to use the 9 volt batteries.  Three LEDs in a coach will give plenty of light.  Battery life will be in the 30-40 hour range.  This conversion requires taking the coaches apart to install the LEDs in place of the existing bulbs.

Quickest solution is to switch out your wheels for the newer Bachmann wheel sets.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Loco Bill,
It's a little tough to near impossible to "teach" how to solder on this or any other forum.

Your suggestions are as close as it's possible to come to help this fellow. As you mention, take the unit to a local hobby shop that does repairs.  Soldering a two wires would only take a couple of minutes.

I have two sockets, with bulbs, that fit the drum head.  But if this fellow can't solder then sending these sockets with their wires won't do him any good.

I'd like to help, but in this case don't know how.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Let's try this.  Hope I can explain so you can follow along.

First, there are 10 Philips head screws to remove in order to release the chassis.  There are four screws along the extreme edge of chasis that attach the car body. Remove these screws.

There are six screws, three on each side, set in slightly from the edge of the chassis.  These screws attach the seat platform to the chassis.  These must be removed in order to get the body off the chassis.

At the end of the chassis are two tabs on the car body ends.  These must be drepressed to free the car body.

Once all the above has been removed, note there are small wires that attach with very small screws through a brass strip to the seat platform.  Remove these screws and note that the brass strips must be bent up to release the seat platform from the car body.  Unless these small brass strips are not bent up then the seat platform can not be removed.

Once all of this is accomplished the car body can be removed from the chassis and access is gained to the inside of the car body in order to change out the bulbs.

Note that the trucks, since they are wired from the electrical pickups on the wheels do not need to be removed.

Hope this will help you get your coaches apart in order the change the light bulbs.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

I have three Spectrum 4-4-0 locomotives.

They will operate on 4 ft radius (8 ft. diameter) curves.  They will also handle LGB 4 ft. radius switches.

I have no curves that tight on the layout.  However, at our club displays the 4-4-0 operates with ease on 4 ft. radius.  Other members also run their Spectrum Americans on the 4 ft. radius without derailments.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

James

The Anniversary Big Hauler 4-6-0 has a weight of 8 lbs. 8 oz.  That's total weight of engine and tender. 

Thomas has a weight of 2 lbs. 15 oz.

Depending on the type of shelf brackets used and how they are attached to the wall, a shelf should be more than able to support a 10-Wheeler and the Thomas locomotive.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

I don't have the Durango & Silverton set but do have a number of sets that contain the same Version 5 locomotive and like type cars.  All of the sets give good service with very few, if any, problems.

I think you will be pleased with this set.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2007/11/08/bachmann-10-wheelers?blog=4

Here is a link that provides some basic information on the Version 5 Big Hauler 4-6-0 locomotives.  You may find the article of some interest.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Bill,
I believe you are correct that only the three-truck Shay was available with factory sound.

I went back and checked and can not confirm for sure that the 38 ton was ever offered with factory sound.

I deleted reference to factory sound in the 38 ton Shay.

JD

This is a WAG!

The 1998 Bachmann catalog shows the Pardee & Curtin Lbr. Co. 36 ton Shay with the notation "New 1998."

The 1998 catalog also shows the Ely-Thomas 36 ton Shay.

Since the Pardee & Curtin came with a six screw motor block cover and LED head and backup lights, it may be that an Ely-Thomas with these features would be considered a second generation model.  Initial version 35 ton Ely-Thomas Shays had an eight screw motor case cover.

The question remains, did Bachmann apply the six screw motor cover and LED lights to the Ely-Thomas at the time the Pardee & Curtin was introduced.  Or did the changes to the Ely-Thomas happen at an ever later date?

The 38 ton Shay has the four screw motor cover.  Its motor block cases are metal.  

Who knows?  They are what they are!

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

This may be of some help.

I guess you could say there were two versions of the 36 ton Shay produced.

First was introduced sometime during 1997. Ely-Thomas Item #81198 and the undecorated Item #81199.

These were followed, during 1998 by Pardee & Curtin Lbr. Co. Item #81196 and the undecorated Item #81197. Externally this second version of the 36 ton Shay can be identified by a tool box on each side running board and a cab roof mounted back-up light.

I have the Ely-Thomas version. The Pardee Curtin version had a somewhat improved power block with metal drive wheel washers and inproved electrical pickup. Both versions had plastic case motor blocks.

Not sure what changes may have been made to the main circuit board in the second version. Neither version was advertised as DCC ready.

Best bet to determine any difference in the electronics of the 36 ton versions is to consult the owner's manuals for these locomotives. Any differences in electronics should show up in the wiring diagrams supplied with the locomotive.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Don't know how you want to define success.

I've had a K-27 since they were first introduced.  Not withstanding all the "dust up" from some folks my K-27 has been flawless.  Once the counter weight issue was resolved the K-27 has delivered the "goods" as expected.  Great locomotive.

One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Large Scale on Line just posted a video review of the new Murphy roof 1:20.3 box car.

I've had one on order since they were first announced.  My dealer's supplie has them on order but has heard nothing from Bachmann as to when they will ship.

Mr. Bach Man any idea when we might see this new box car?

Maybe they are already out there and the dealer's supplier has dropped the ball.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD