Old topic I know but I would like to add one dimension to the figures above. On the On30 18" boxcars, it seems they are using the
29901 Arch Bar Freight Truck, but with 18" diameter wheels that equates close to 33" HO Scale wheelset.

Purchase a Bachmann HO scale 2-6-2 and the kit from https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCumberlandShops?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1211318039&from_page=listing and go to town.

There literally hundreds of products out there ready to build for On30, 3d printed or resin. Plenty of kits to convert HO scale locos into a On30 loco, all my favorites are already out there, Bachmann is pretty much done in On30 apparently, except that 2-6-0 you see a million of. Bachmann just needs to keep producing trucks for me to use on these kits 

Huge disappointment, they just packaged the same old 2-6-0 with some passenger cars, nothing new to see, (Johns photo below)

https://shop.osorail.com/product.sc?productId=3423&categoryId=-1

For those that have the gear and need assistance in replacing it, feel free to view my instruction at the link below. Its not professionally produced as I was doing it while repairing my own.
(this is a non-monetary blog by me to help the modeling community)

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2017/12/bachmann-ho-scale-climax-disassembly.html

Quote from: Rebskipper on May 14, 2018, 07:09:30 PM
I have two 2-10-0 Spectrum Steam Locos that have no pulling power up a slight grade;  wheels slip and I cannot pull a decent load of cars.  I have looked to see if i can add weight to the engine but there does not appear to be any space available other than a bit in the tenders.

Are traction tires or Snot an option?  If so, what tires should I be looking at and where would I get them.  Do you put them on all the drive wheels or just a few?   Fairly new at this so I appreciate any help.

Frog Snot works wonders, easy to apply, ready in 30 minutes. A 2-10-0 with tender pickup isn't going to have an issue with power pickup, you only need to snot one axle, one only.
If it wears out you simply apply another coat, I have yet to see them wear out over several years. I have snotted the Bachmann 4-6-0, now it out pulls an Athearn/Roundhouse 2-8-0, which are known to be great pullers thanks to traction tires, mine are apparently wearing down, and I will replace them with Frog Snot instead. Follow the Youtube instructions exactly, very easy.

Quote from: WoundedBear on March 22, 2017, 11:47:37 PM

Quote from: Geared Steam on March 22, 2017, 11:17:43 PM

The side frames are an easy swap, also the truck assemblies now come with metal gears.

Just curious as to where you are seeing Shay trucks with metal gears? You sure you're not getting the Climax model confused in there?

Sid

I'm positive, I've spent a little time dabbling with these things.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_92&products_id=208

Truck Assembly - Rear (HO 80 Ton 3 Truck Shay)
$32.00
With Metal Gears


Sold Out
Model: H81907
Shipping Weight: 0.031lbs

Quote from: Warflight on March 22, 2017, 06:32:51 PM

Quote from: Rod in PA on March 22, 2017, 06:28:55 PM
Check out this site, http://voltscooter.com/.  They make an excellent LED circuit board lighting kit that can be cut down as small as 4".  They use super caps for keep alive and the brightness is adjustable.  I've used them to light up 4 old time Roundhouse coaches and at least 8 different cabooses so far.  They are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Ooh... I like it! Though, the capacitors might get in the way of the windows on one end, but I might be able to use them for the combines. I wonder if there is a way to have them battery powered, however? I'll have to shoot them a message and find out!

Wire them to a 9 volt battery, lay it on the car floor. The LEDs only want about 3v, the built in resistors on that board will lower the voltage appropriately

Black stone (Soundtraxx) sells a decoder equipped a lightboard for its HOn3 long caboose, 3 LEDs with capacitors. Requires soldering and a tad expensive, but they are great.

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2016/08/adding-blackstone-lighting-to.html

http://www.soundtraxx.com/accessorydecoders/accessorydecoders.php

Learn to solder and put your own LEDs in for pennies.

Quote from: gearedsteam52 on March 16, 2017, 02:40:51 AM
The code on the inside of the box lid is 020812.

It does have the warning labels on the outside of the box that it is DCC only. I did not try to run it on dc, only with an NCE powercab.

Do you happen to know if I send it back to Bachmann and pay the $45.00 out of warranty charge if they would replace the decoder?

Also found out this evening that one of the bevel drive gears is already split in half so the rest will probably soon follow.



Do the replacement side frames from Bachmann have better gears? I have a set of the NWSL gears that I bought about 3 months ago for the first one of these shays that I bought about 4 months ago.

Thanks for the reply.

The side frames are an easy swap, also the truck assemblies now come with metal gears. I would replace the decoder with a Tsunami 2 and the large sugar cube speaker from Soundtraxx. The speaker will fit into the cab of the loco and the two wires snaked beside the factory harness.

The instructions for replacing the side frames are at this link

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/2012/06/repairing-bachmann-shay-line-shaft.html

Quote from: mkepler954 on July 29, 2016, 11:57:17 PM
How do you remove the shell from an 80 ton 3-truck shay?  I want to install a DCC decoder in the tender

Remove the tender truck and the rear tuck on the main frame. This will expose the 2 mini plug connections, a slotted head screw that holds the draw bar from the loco, and finally a Phillips head screw beside the draw bar screw. Remove the phillips head screw and the tender cover pivots off from the front to the rear, the rear is hinged. Be careful in regards to the ladder and sanders on the back of the tender. There is an 8 pin plug for connecting the decoder to. While your in in there, remove the yellow capacitor to improve running abilities.

Quote from: gmhtrains on December 18, 2015, 02:09:59 AM
I recently purchased a Union Pacific 2-8-0 to convert to a National Railways of Mexico locomotive. Changes to the loco will be simple with repositioning the bell ahead of the smokestack the main visual difference. The tender will be a bit more involved, as the coal-burner will need to become an oil-burner. I've already popped out the coal load, but am wondering if Bachmann or a third party has ever offered a drop-in oil bunker? If not, it will not be difficult to scratchbuild an oil bunker, and it would even give an excuse to try Archer's rivet decals for the first time. But with so many resin castings on the market for Bachmann's On30 steamers, I thought that I'd inquire first if a replacement oil tank is already produced.

Gil Hulin
Modelling the NdeM, FCP, S-BC. Ch-P and FUS in 1980.

Give Shapeways a try, I purchased this one (different model) and works great, search the site, maybe you can find one.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/JCAX7DSJZ/ho-oil-bunker-for-bachmann-steam

Tiger
All you need are the HO scale trucks, your best chances are on EBay, set up a search so it will notify you of all MDC/Roundhouse kits./ assembled locos. I picked up a 3 truck for $30.00 recently, already assembled but didn't have any of the "fixes" installed (NWSL parts)
I needed some parts as well, stay patient and keep your eyes open.

I would purchase a Little Joe, boxcabs and a BiPolar if available.

I missed both the MTH offerings unfortunately, at the time they were out of my reach.

Reader Railroads "Herbie"