Large Scale Central

Bachmann two truck Shay

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Picked up a Bachmann two truck Shay this weekend at the Deland train show. Any helpful advice on the care and feeding of this beast and how difficult is it to install Airwire and Lith-ion battery?

#2

It has very tight quarters, but you can install everything in the back tank if you choose a small pack. I used a 14.8V Li-Ion pack configured:

[img]http://www.cordlessrenovations.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-cart-for-digital-products/lib/timthumb.php?src=(http://cordlessrenovations.com/wp-content/gallery/14-8v-lithium-ion-battery-packs/cr-1600-14-8v-2800mah-lg-lithium-ion-battery-pack.jpg)&h=125&w=125&zc=1&q=100[img]

I barely had room, but my saving grace was I converted it to an oil burner which allowed me a little more room in the tank. I also used a G2 and split it and used the extra cable. I don’t have any of the G3 but I think that one is smaller. Also, you will definitely need a low profile speaker otherwise everything wont fit in the tank.

Couple other things to think about is the plastic gears on the axles. I had to replace mine with NWSL Delrin gears as mine had split. I also gutted the electronics and rewired everything to work better with the Airwire.

If you want a little more challenge, Jon Radder did an R/C-Batt install on a Shay not too long ago. He had a really good write up on it on this website. Although I think it was under Modeling heading.

CORRECTION: It is just down the page in this heading. “Restoring 1st generation Shay”

#3

Louis,

Is that a first or second generation Shay?

If a first generation you may want to look at

changing out the trucks before investing time and money

in RC/battery for it.

Just something to consider.

Rick

#4

How do you tell the difference between the generations?

#5

My Shay has plastic trucks and 6 screws on the bottom plate.

Lou

#6

Lots of discussion of identification in this thread http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/18097/restoring-a-1st-gen-bachman-sha and my log of battery conversion follows.

#7

Thank you Jon.