[new3801]

Have Bachmann (Spectrum) 3 truck Shay that is causing some concern.

My layout is DC.
Have other loco's that are DCC/Sound fitted and no issues with them
The loco is fitted with DCC & Sound.
Loco is imaculate abet 2nd hand.
When it runs all the drive shafts rotate etc.

Problem:
It runs very slowly as it should, but only under full power.
Put a very light flat car behind it and it wont pull it and sits there wheel spinning.
Will not go up any grades at all, again gets to the grade and sits there
wheel spinning.

Question:
Do these loco's have to have "traction tyers" fitted.
Checked the wheels and there is no lip on any of them like other loco's I have that have traction tyres fitted.

Any idea's please, OH wise and knowlegable members of this hallowed forum.

 

[norgale]

Oldfarticus-- are you running the engine on the wrong side of the track? Like driving a car in Oz? Pete

 

[shaygetz]

They didn't come with any and should pull a 5 car train easily up a 1.75% grade like mine...

...there may be some oil on the treads--or--they've had drive shaft problems i the past, enough that NWSL made a shaft kit. They could be slipping in the sockets under load.

 

[norgale]

Would adding some weight help? What do you use to clean the track? Pete

 

[new3801]

Oldfarticus-- are you running the engine on the wrong side of the track? Like driving a car in Oz? Pete

Bugga, another comedian.
Spose every forum has to have at least a dozen or so.

And no I wont be drawn into this one (TIC)

Tar Mate.
BTW: Its Gerriatricus Oldfarticus to you.

Best regards

Alan........
:thumbsup:

 

[new3801]

Would adding some weight help? What do you use to clean the track? Pete

Adding some weight, Will look at that.

Use Meytholated Spirits and a rag to clean the track.


Alan

 

[new3801]

They didn't come with any and should pull a 5 car train easily up a 1.75% grade like mine...
...there may be some oil on the treads--or--they've had drive shaft problems i the past, enough that NWSL made a shaft kit. They could be slipping in the sockets under load.

Yes have seen video's etc of them pulling loaded etc, but my"n nar.

Will check out what you have advised and get back to you.

BTW:
THANK YOU everyone who has replied thus far.
Very much appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

[UPBigBoy]

These don't by chance have traction tire on the drivers? Are they present or missing? Just a thought.

 

[new3801]

These don't by chance have traction tire on the drivers? Are they present or missing? Just a thought.

Thats one of the original questions I asked in my original posts,

"shaygetz" already replied earlier.
no they dont mate...

Thanks for your reply anyway......

Alan

 

[NIMT]

Option 1: Very carefully check all the gears they are notorious for breaking the side gears and one bad gear will slow them way down.

Option 2: In some rare occasions the decoder is been programed to limit the running top speed or other settings on a DC layout. DO all the sounds sound right, you say that it take full throttle for it to move...what is the track voltage a full throttle? Some DC transformers only put out 12volts but the DCC settings for the shay might be looking for 18volts as a full throttle voltage.

 

[UPBigBoy]

Another thing to possibly check - put a section of track on a perfectly flay surface, set the engine on it and make sure all the drivers are touching the rail.

 

[oldSmokey]

Just last week I had the very same problem, it took me awhile to figure out what was going on, I found that the small gears on the trucks split and come off the spline, I sent an Email to Bachmann and they told me that they did not have any trucks in stock and do not know when they would ever get them in again, so I thought that I would scrap the loco, then I got an idea to go on the net and see if I could get a couple of trucks. What I did find was that this is a very common problem with the Shay, all over the net I see people having the same problem, and by chance I came across NorthWest Short Line who make Metal gears to replace the plastic ones, so I got on to Walthers and ordered a set. Walthers number 53-28006 so now I'm waiting for them to arrive.

Bachmann parts (Front Truck)
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_92&products_id=206

 

[norgale]

Bugga, another comedian.
Spose every forum has to have at least a dozen or so.

And no I wont be drawn into this one (TIC)

Tar Mate.
BTW: Its Gerriatricus Oldfarticus to you.

Best regards

Alan........
:thumbsup:

OK! Gerriatricus Oldfarticus SIR!
Sorry Allen I just couldn't resist the temptation. Besides I wanted you to get initiated into the forum asap so you can handle it. We have way more than a dozen comedians here.
So did you find a split gear on the Shay? I've never had a Shay but from what the others are saying the gear problem seems pretty common.
The reason I asked about what you clean the track with is that some alcohols have a light oil base to them. On the tracks it can make things slip. Denatured alcohol will eliminate that problem if it is a problem.
Cheers! Pete

 

[Lee_R]

Methylated spirits "is" denatured alcohol. It's another one of those “England & America are two countries divided by a common language.” things (sorry Mr. Oldfarticus, Sir. I know you're Aussie, but the saying applies!) Kind of like his "tyres" in the original post.

 

[new3801]

Another thing to possibly check - put a section of track on a perfectly flay surface, set the engine on it and make sure all the drivers are touching the rail.

Did this but used a mirror that way easier to see both sides of the truck at the same time and perfectly flat..

An old "Hecowie" Indian trick I was taught many years ago.

 

[new3801]

Methylated spirits "is" denatured alcohol. It's another one of those “England & America are two countries divided by a common language.” things (sorry Mr. Oldfarticus, Sir. I know you're Aussie, but the saying applies!) Kind of like his "tyres" in the original post.

Well said Sir,

I have to remind myself, now am I on an UK Forum or a USA Forum and adjust my "speak" accordingly.

After 40 odd years in the ADF (Auzzie Defence force), I have worked with serving members from both countries and have been educated in "there & your ways.

But at the end of the day there is only "real" language......

Tar cobber...

 

[new3801]

Just last week I had the very same problem, it took me awhile to figure out what was going on, I found that the small gears on the trucks split and come off the spline, I sent an Email to Bachmann and they told me that they did not have any trucks in stock and do not know when they would ever get them in again, so I thought that I would scrap the loco, then I got an idea to go on the net and see if I could get a couple of trucks. What I did find was that this is a very common problem with the Shay, all over the net I see people having the same problem, and by chance I came across NorthWest Short Line who make Metal gears to replace the plastic ones, so I got on to Walthers and ordered a set. Walthers number 53-28006 so now I'm waiting for them to arrive.

Bachmann parts (Front Truck)
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_92&products_id=206

Ah Bugga
Off to grovel and crawl to the Minister for Finance for procurement approval.

But at $ 15.00 US (ea), shouldnt be an issue.

 

[New Berlin RR]

Comedians eh? well....I hope you all arn't about to turn my train into a circus train.....oh wait it already is a circus around here....never mind that...now to figure out why I keep finding hobos in my trains.....and use some hobo-away hobo spray....

OK! Gerriatricus Oldfarticus SIR!
Sorry Allen I just couldn't resist the temptation. Besides I wanted you to get initiated into the forum asap so you can handle it. We have way more than a dozen comedians here.
So did you find a split gear on the Shay? I've never had a Shay but from what the others are saying the gear problem seems pretty common.
The reason I asked about what you clean the track with is that some alcohols have a light oil base to them. On the tracks it can make things slip. Denatured alcohol will eliminate that problem if it is a problem.
Cheers! Pete

 

[new3801]

Oldfarticus-- are you running the engine on the wrong side of the track? Like driving a car in Oz? Pete

Hey steady on there cobba, we do drive on the "right" side of the road.

http://youtu.be/zt0a3qU43T8. and a brand spanking new video to prove it..

Good to see the comedians of this forum coming out of the closet.

And it's good to see.

Take care my all.......

 

[oldSmokey]

HI new3801,

Ah Bugga
Off to grovel and crawl to the Minister for Finance for procurement approval.

But at $ 15.00 US (ea), shouldnt be an issue.

It is when they don't have them in stock and don't know when they will have them in again, so no need to see the Minister for Finance.