Bucking Snow with Live Steam 2009

Battling "cab-high" snow "drifts" ;), frequent wedge plow derailments, & low temps, my 2 Accucraft live-steam Shays work to clear the "Watuppa Railway" mainlne after a recent snowfall! :)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Bucking
• Snow
• with
• Live
• Steam
• 2009

[KilleTheHedgehog8492]

what set of track did you use or what modle scale is this?

[WA1LBK]

Track is regular "G" gauge (45 mm); scale on these 2 locomotives is 1:20.3, representing 3' gauge prototypes.

[Weiberts]

I forgot. How much did you say the shay costs?

[WA1LBK]

Current prices are @ $1800 for the 3-cylinder Shay, @1400 ~ 1500 for the 2-cylinder (Mich-Cal #2) Shay.

[Rachmaninov08]

how would you compare the 2-cylinder shay to the 3? Does the extra cylinder make a noticeable difference in performance?

[WA1LBK]

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"!). ;)

[Chatzi473]

just like some of the real railroads did back in the day.

[thytrek]

Looks like your operation went better than mine. That wet snow does not budge easily! LOL

[durangoandsilverton]

Nice!!!!!!!

[wippydobo321]

o wow

[WA1LBK]

Thanks for your compliments! :) & yes, a rotary plow of some sort is under contemplation! ;)

[WA1LBK]

Yes, you're correct; there are "aftermarket" add-on live-steam whistles available for them, but they're NOT cheap! (@ $250).