I bought a Bachmann Spectrum 36 ton 2 truck Shay off eBay. I don’t think it has ever been run. Got it in the mail and all four gears on the drive axels are split, in researching I found it is common. After some searching I found replacement gears made from Delrin. It is Maries favorite engine after she found some videos on FB.
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Mark,
Check the motor block casings for cracks and fatigue as well also the internal bushings and spacers. A lot of them, especially the early ones, had a bad plastic that fell apart over time. If you really love the engine you may want to consider a set of replacement ( all metal) trucks. Expensive now days but may be worth the investment to you.
If you haven’t already check out Greg’s site Here.
https://www.elmassian.com/index.php/large-scale-train-main-page/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/bachmann-motive-power/shay
Also George Scheyers site, slightly dated now but the information is still sound.
https://www.trainweb.us/girr/index.html
Good luck with your Shay they are a beautiful engine…
I have 4 of them.
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Thanks for the links I had not seen them in my search. I did see that the plastic trucks break down and do plan on replacing them with the metal trucks, the plastic ones are good for now, no cracks yet. I just have to wait for the purchasing agent to get over how much I spent on the engine and new gears. 
The Shay’s are really cool. Unfortunately they are by Bachmann and split gears are a fact of life as is the crumbling trucks on the early run 36 ton Shays. I think at one point Bachmann was actually sending out replacements.
I have a 38 ton and a 3 truck 55 ton Shay and they are awesome machines. I do baby them, fearing damage to the gears and the details so they only get to pull short trains.
I think when you get this Shay up and running you will enjoy it so much that you will want to collect the other geared locos. You can buy a Climax but the Heislers are pricey and rare.
I had to buy the up fitter metal trucks and gears from Bachmann for mine as well.
I got them from what was San Val, now run by his daughter.
Yea, when Bachmann first acknowledged the problem they introduced the metal trucks and you could get a set for $99. I changed out my three 36 tonners and built a 3 trucker using them. I also changed out several for other club members, pretty simple process, wish I remembered how I did it 
But very cool. Once hooked, you’ll have to have all of them.
I have one or even 2 of each but for the Heisler. I only have one, an outside frame version. It is one of my favorite locos. I have been watching for years for another one to come along but they are always crazy money and people still buy them. Someday.
I’m sure that Mark is going to be hooked when he sees his Shay running round.
Mark;
If you ever get the chance, grab the Hartland Locomotive Works Big John (Dunkirk). These locomotives, though smallish looking, will pull stumps, and their mechanisms are pretty bullit-proof. HLW is no longer in business, but their products still show up occasionally.
My Big John could actually pull my Bachmann Heisler backwards, kicking and screaming the whole time!
Best, David Meashey
We looked up the Climax and Heislers they are cool but the boss like the Shay the best, I don’t think we will be getting any.
Thanks that’s the best price I have seen, I will book mark them.
Never say never Mark, they grow on ya. 
I honestly would like to (and will) own an On30 shay someday. Just one and only one for a shelf queen but it’s on my bucket list of model trains.
http://d_cathell.tripod.com/sp.html
LGB is making another Shay in G scale. M&M RR will not be getting one as the purchasing agent will not approve the $3999.99 price tag. The detail is amazing and it’s DCC. I do like the log car they are making too, maybe I can get that approved.
That IS amazing detail.
The price I’m seeing is $5k +S&H, so I’ll probably wait until some rich dude drops one on the floor and his housekeeper ebay’s it.