My Shay was obtained a couple of years after being made, but it also
gave up the ghost or gear. And just like Bill Daiker, Jack Troxell
fixed mine. I don't run it that much but so far so good. At one time
it had a Dynatrol receiver that had been cut in two and installed in the
cab. Right now it just has a decoder positioned in the cab, but if
you're looking for a real tight squeeze try the Heisler. I didn't do
sound but just getting the lights installed was difficult. For those
who might never have seen one apart--the motor itself is the bottom part
of the boiler!
However this brings up something that is important in our hobby--guys
who can handle those pesky problems like gears, or milling this and
that! They are fading. I regret not learning enough to do some of
these things--some I do alright with, but others!!!
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
On 5/31/12 6:53 PM, Ed wrote:
> I have the same Shay that had the same issue before I got it.
> {snip} until the late Bill Daiker fixed and painted it for Howie.
> Now I am not sure what Bill did to fix it.
> Bill Lane
PBL's Shays were just another example of a plastic gear press fitted
onto a metal shaft. With age, the plastic became brittle, outgassed,
shrank and split -- rendering the drive useless. PBL contracted with
NWSL to have replacement gears made which he sold for about $6 each.
The replacement gears also had a plastic gear fitted onto a metal
shaft, but the plastic (nylon?) was stonger, better, etc. or maybe the
press fit was less strenuous.
All of that was back in the 1980s. Today, loco makers are still press
fitting plastic gears, u-joints, etc. onto metal shafts and having the
same old problems with splitting after time. Sure would be nice if a
splined shaft or a flatted shaft were used with little, if any, stress
on the plastic from the press fit.
Maybe the next decade will see some improvements. Ignoring history
means it will be repeated.
Hoping.....Ed L.
www.sscale.org
