I am planning to convert my Shay to run on battery power and a Revo 2 control system from a trail boxcar. What is the easiest way to wire in a connector to power everything after deleting the track power pickups in both trucks? All suggestions will be appreciated. 
I don’t have any experience with the Revo system as I mounted everything in the Shay itself using a RailBoss 4. I suggest that you review George Schreyer’s Bachmann Shay Tips, assuming that you haven’t already done so.
Joe - For a trail car I would just lift the power pick ups from the rail contacts and then extend that pair of wires out the back of the tender and put on a connector of your choice. The Shay will then perform exactly the same as it did on track power, except maybe a little smoother. Lighting will be directional and firebox flicker will be controlled by the the original switch.
Like Mark, I did on-board Rail Boss and Phoenix in the tender with batteries in the boiler and air tank. I completely re-wired the entire Shay. My re-build log is here somewhere (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Here’s my Shay restoration thread: http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/18097/restoring-a-1st-gen-bachman-shay?page=1
Of course, if you want to control lighting, etc. you will need to extend at least two more wires to the trail car and do some more detailed work in the Shay.
Jon and Mark, Thank you both for responding.
I don’t want to mount everything inside the Shay. This will be my 9th conversion to battery power and they all are Revo’s inside the locos. I’m tired of buying new Revo RX’s so this conversion is to be a trail car that I can use for future locos (steam sound, but diesels can be run too but without sound).
Jon,
I am familiar with your Shay work as I was following as you did it. Very well documented and interesting to follow.
Mark,
I’ve read George’s tips many times. I intend to remove the track power pickups just as he has outlined.
I used to have one engine with a trail car and it was connected using a JST style 5-wire connector. I used silicone wire since it is much more flexible and stands up to more abuse than regular wires but they are a bit thicker than normal insulation for the same gauge. Don’t remember where I got the pre-wired connectors and have since sold the engine; it was a Bachmann Davenport.
Mark,
I converted a Bachmann Davenport to battery/RC with everything on board. It was a harrowing experience, but that little switcher is my main freight yard engine. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Here is the finished conversion on the railroad…
Shay sounds great, Joe. I need to finish up my conversion on the 3T Shay. Thanks for sharing.
Is that Pontiac a 1:18 model? I think I have the exact same one (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
Jon,
It’s a 1950 Chevy in 1:24 scale. It looks larger due to perspective. When I made this video I didn’t realize it was right in front of the lens! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Forced perspective, and the slight degradation of the paint make it look perfect!