Possibly just because it's in new condition, it seems to run a bit smoother than my 3-cylinder (which has a LOT of "mileage" on it!). ;) The 3 cylinder IS slightly more powerful (about equivalent to a Bachmann electric 2-Truck Shay), will take 6 or more 8-wheel cars up my 3% grade. The 2-cylinder Shay's pulling capacity seems to be about 1 car less. The 2-cylinder also runs slightly faster downgrade, although not excessively so (unlike my Ruby was WITHOUT RC - it was a "wanna-be Acela"!). ;)
Yes, it is. (Just picked it up early December, had converted it to radio control just before this storm hit). What you see on the smokebox of my older 3 clyinder Shay isn't rust, but a coating of exhausted steam oil (baked on by the heat!). ;)
You could try, but I wouldn't expect much; on this railroad, due to the grades, my 2-4-2 Ruby can barely haul it's 4- wheel tender & either 2 4-wheel or 1 8-wheel car upgrade in DRY weather! (The Aristo wedge plow is heavily weighted). Even a SINGLE Shay can have at tough time clearing this line (check out my "Bucking Snow with Live Steam (2005) video to see what I mean. I've found 2 locos (electric OR Live steam) best for plowing. ;)
Biggest problem I had was that I forgot I had "borrowed" some of the lead fishing weights I normally use to weigh down the Aristo plow to add weight to an Aristo Alco RS-3 (which is why the plow was derailing so much). I finally remembered & stuck a large rock in the gondola section of the plow to add more weight (it stayed on the rails after that!). ;)
Just got it a couple of weeks ago off eBay, Dale; I had just finished up the RC install before this storm hit, but was WAY too cold to run (well below freezing, butane won't vaporize) until Friday (Jan. 2nd); got up to about 39 degrees when I shot this. :)
39 degrees was WARM compared to what we had just a day or so before (7 degrees and wind chills down to -35!). & Yes, I have given thought to scratch-building a rotary snowplow sometime in the future (God knows when!). ;)
Just bought it off eBay a couple of weeks ago; original owner used it only for shelf display, NEVER ran it, so it's mechanically a brand-new loco. :) I converted it to RC the day before Christmas.
Thanks for the nice comments. :) Mainline grade on this railroad is @ 3%; toughest part is from around the yellow switch tower going behind the barrel shed.
what set of track did you use or what modle scale is this?
KilleTheHedgehog8492 2 years ago
Track is regular "G" gauge (45 mm); scale on these 2 locomotives is 1:20.3, representing 3' gauge prototypes.
WA1LBK 2 years ago
I forgot. How much did you say the shay costs?
Weiberts 2 years ago
Current prices are @ $1800 for the 3-cylinder Shay, @1400 ~ 1500 for the 2-cylinder (Mich-Cal #2) Shay.
WA1LBK 2 years ago
how would you compare the 2-cylinder shay to the 3? Does the extra cylinder make a noticeable difference in performance?
Rachmaninov08 2 years ago
Possibly just because it's in new condition, it seems to run a bit smoother than my 3-cylinder (which has a LOT of "mileage" on it!). ;) The 3 cylinder IS slightly more powerful (about equivalent to a Bachmann electric 2-Truck Shay), will take 6 or more 8-wheel cars up my 3% grade. The 2-cylinder Shay's pulling capacity seems to be about 1 car less. The 2-cylinder also runs slightly faster downgrade, although not excessively so (unlike my Ruby was WITHOUT RC - it was a "wanna-be Acela"!). ;)
WA1LBK 2 years ago
Nice!!!!!!!
durangoandsilverton 2 years ago
Five stars. I will subscribe! You need a rotary plow!
Weiberts 2 years ago
Thanks for your compliments! :) & yes, a rotary plow of some sort is under contemplation! ;)
WA1LBK 2 years ago
now thats how u spice up a soggy wet day in winter!
Axbent 2 years ago
im guessing they dont have operaten whistles or bells
wippydobo321 2 years ago
Yes, you're correct; there are "aftermarket" add-on live-steam whistles available for them, but they're NOT cheap! (@ $250).
WA1LBK 2 years ago
o wow
wippydobo321 2 years ago
Thats so cool! :3
manokiller 2 years ago
awesome video!!
trainfart 2 years ago
just like some of the real railroads did back in the day.
Chatzi473 3 years ago 4
Is the 2 cylinder shay new? I don't see any rust on the smoke box of it like I do on the 3 cylinder.
Chris9017 3 years ago
Yes, it is. (Just picked it up early December, had converted it to radio control just before this storm hit). What you see on the smokebox of my older 3 clyinder Shay isn't rust, but a coating of exhausted steam oil (baked on by the heat!). ;)
WA1LBK 3 years ago
thank you for a very interesting video
rancocaskid 3 years ago
can you plow with a ruby?
trainlover1023 3 years ago
You could try, but I wouldn't expect much; on this railroad, due to the grades, my 2-4-2 Ruby can barely haul it's 4- wheel tender & either 2 4-wheel or 1 8-wheel car upgrade in DRY weather! (The Aristo wedge plow is heavily weighted). Even a SINGLE Shay can have at tough time clearing this line (check out my "Bucking Snow with Live Steam (2005) video to see what I mean. I've found 2 locos (electric OR Live steam) best for plowing. ;)
WA1LBK 3 years ago
Looks like your operation went better than mine. That wet snow does not budge easily! LOL
thytrek 3 years ago 2
Biggest problem I had was that I forgot I had "borrowed" some of the lead fishing weights I normally use to weigh down the Aristo plow to add weight to an Aristo Alco RS-3 (which is why the plow was derailing so much). I finally remembered & stuck a large rock in the gondola section of the plow to add more weight (it stayed on the rails after that!). ;)
WA1LBK 3 years ago
That's cute, little trains working like big trains.
LNERMallard 3 years ago
Very Cool!!
wggreen 3 years ago
When did you get the 2nd live steam Shay? I thought you only had one? lol
adfgfds 3 years ago
Just got it a couple of weeks ago off eBay, Dale; I had just finished up the RC install before this storm hit, but was WAY too cold to run (well below freezing, butane won't vaporize) until Friday (Jan. 2nd); got up to about 39 degrees when I shot this. :)
WA1LBK 3 years ago
Yikes, thats cold! Have you thought about making a Rotary Snowplow?
adfgfds 3 years ago
39 degrees was WARM compared to what we had just a day or so before (7 degrees and wind chills down to -35!). & Yes, I have given thought to scratch-building a rotary snowplow sometime in the future (God knows when!). ;)
WA1LBK 3 years ago
How new is your 2-cylinder shay? They look great together!
Rachmaninov08 3 years ago
Just bought it off eBay a couple of weeks ago; original owner used it only for shelf display, NEVER ran it, so it's mechanically a brand-new loco. :) I converted it to RC the day before Christmas.
WA1LBK 3 years ago
Very cool! How steep do the gradients get on your railroad, by the way?
yahyum 3 years ago
Thanks for the nice comments. :) Mainline grade on this railroad is @ 3%; toughest part is from around the yellow switch tower going behind the barrel shed.
WA1LBK 3 years ago