Large Scale Central

Finding a small replacement part for a Bachmann Shay

General Discussion
#1

Shay steam locomotives are interesting beasts with a lot of moving parts. The models of Shays are no exception. And like their big brothers, parts fatigue and break from all that movement

My Bachmann 55 ton three three trucker recently fractured one of the thin copper electrical contacrts in the chuff mechanism at the top of the engine cyclinders resulting in loss of “chuff” and steam engine sounds. Through this site, and other internet resources, I was able to diagnose the problem and did my first dissaembly of the innards of the Shay steam engine. I did a “microscopic” soldering job on this very thin metal and got it all back together. The Shay is now “chuffing” away merrily again.

Knowing that this repair and the other very thin electrical contacts would likely fatigue and fracture in the future I called Bachmann to order some replacement “sound breaks for a Shay.” I was told that you cannot purchase this part separately but rather had to buy the entire three cylinder engine assembly which costs over $100. THe little copper strips that make up the “sound breaks” probably cost less than $1.

I did not want to send the whole locomotive back for this type of minor injury. THe nice Bachmann man said that individual parts are not warrantied for over one year if I was to send back the fractured copper strip with my nifty repair. The locomotive is about two years old now.

What do you guys do when you need small parts to repair your Bachmann locomotives??? Is there a Bachmann “scrap yard” that sells small used parts like this or an after market part supplier for parts that commonly break or wear out???

I figured if anyone would know it would be you guys.

I am pleased with B.mann’s very good warranty program and had no problem sending back HO Shays and Climaxes in the past for warranty repairs. This big beast with batteries and R/C control and a Phoenix P8 sound system is another story. I would like to work on it at home if I can get small parts.

Thanks for all your ideas!!!

Doc Tom

#2

Tom
First congrats on having the courage to tear into it and fix it. If I need to I buy the parts from Bachmann
or in a case like yours, I do what you did. If I cannot get the part and the original is not fixable, I make
something that will work. Now if the contacts break again in the place that is soldered, try to install a
new piece of phosphorous bronze contact.

Rodney

#3

You can try Barry Olsen at http://www.barrysbigtrains.com/

or you can do what most of us do, make the part yourself out of a scrap piece of brass or other thin metal.

After awhile, if your into R/C’ing your stuff, you’ll end up with a container full of bits and pieces of scrap metal, from track sliders and wheel wipers to all kinds of stuff. …:wink:

#4

Thanks, Ken. But the expert on geared locos is Dave Goodson. 425-623-3507

Barry - BBT

#5

Ah, well, didn’t know what all you might have layin around…:wink:

#6

My personal experience of Bachmann Europe has been, not to put too fine a point on it, dire. Their so-called customer service is fully equal to that of any roadside breakdown service in Rwanda or Somalia.

If you live in Yoorup, and your Bachmann product goes tits up - buddy, you are on your own.

tac

#7

Well stated tac, even though I have no personal experience with them.

#8

Isn’t it fortunate that Tom lives in Tennessee. :stuck_out_tongue:

#9

Thanks for all the advice good people. Looks like you all are doing the same thing in situations like this. I did make a lot of phosphor bronze wipers etc for the HO scale pike in years past and looks like that is a skill I can put to use on these big models.

I agree that having seen “the inside anatomy” of the Shay for the first time was a bit daunting. The original battery/ RC install was done by Don Sweet so I had NO previous experience with the electronics on the locomotive. But with the good advice here on this site it was possible to get in and get out without really breaking anything. You all have been there before and even taken pictures!!!

                                                                   Thanks for the help.
                                                                                  Doc Tom