The Shay I have was second hand, but didn't seem to have done much work but the trucks had done the usual dis-integration around the screws and the sprung ball pickups plus of course all the final drive gears had split. As to my source of supply, I received mine from Hobbylinc based in Georgia. On hunting around there may be cheaper suppliers, but they may not be in stock.

I  have now done just that and imported from the US at a good price and quick delivery. They are now installed, but I have a bit of a problem. When in the carrying box upside down or up the right way supported under the ashpan - wheels not on the rails, the lights work and it all works fine. When put on track, I can't get it to move. Now, I am not using a normal controller, but one of two different electronics lab power supplies. One should give 15V at up to 4 amps, the other up to 30 Volts at up to 2 amps. Putting a meer across the wheels in any position shows some resistance but not much. Is it possible lab. supplies are not man enough? Just as an aside this thing must weigh about 12 lbs with the die cast bogies and the weight in the bunker.
I am leaving the above in place to assist others as I have now sorted the problem. I re-checked my installation and had one truck running in the opposite direction to the other !!! Doh!!

Here is one for the Bachmann! I have an old 36 ton Shay with all the problems associated with the original trucks. I have asked Bachmann UK for the die cast trucks as well as two stockists. All say the die cast trucks are not obtainable. I have been offered the plastic ones. Are these now any better? How is it that I see Shays advertised with the die cast trucks but no-one seems to have them as spares - even Bachmann UK?  I think they to be fair said they may get some in but not sure when.
 

I expect some-where in the past messages this has been answered already!
The Jackson Sharp coaches come fitted with a truck mounted coupler. It looks as though it would not be too hard to fit the straight Bachmann versions directly to the body. I am still in the planning stage of my garden railroad (replacing English SM32 - narrow gauge stock on O gauge track) with American G scale. Will coaches fitted as suggested work OK on 4 foot radius curves?

Further to my previous enquiry, are instruction manuals available? Second question - there is a switch in the smokebox for DC or something else. What is this something else it does not say DCC? Third question -  Where is the smoke unit switch?
Incidentally thanks for the info' re' decoders and DCC.

I have recently purchased an unused Spectrum 2-6-0 G scale. I have no instructions and do not know power requirements, or if a Lenz DCC set will be suitable, or where the switches are to select DC or DCC etc.
  Help with this would be appreciated as nothing seems to exist on line.
Thanks,