I recently purchased a Bachmann 3 truck shay loco with the tsunami DCC decoder. This is my first experience with a shay. When it runs at low speeds the synchronized chuffs sound like they are running at a high RPM. Is this normal for a Shay? I realize that the RPM's would naturally be faster than a normal engine due to the mechanics of the Engine and the smaller diameter of the wheel. I just did not think that it would be that much faster. Does anyone here have one of these Shays? and if so, is this normal.
The top speed for geared logging locomotives like Shays, Climaxs and Hieslers was around 15 mph and at top speed they sound like a sewing machine about to explode. The Bachmann Shay runs at prototypical speeds.
Dave
Here are some Yout Tube links. Quite often you can find some prototype locomtives on You Tube. Just search You Tube for what interest you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDHpNX125U&NR=1
Rich
As Dave said, the Bachmann Shays (both the 2 & 3 truck versions) run at appropriate scale speeds. :)
As it came from Bachmann the Tsunami chuff rate was actually too slow :o for a Shay; if you're running DCC, it's easy to correct by changing the chuff rate CV to it's maximum value. ;)
Here's mine in operation after the chuff rate adjustment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz9m0LUCJ0g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz9m0LUCJ0g)
- & here it is double heading ;D ;D with an Accucraft live-steam Shay! 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpbBhsy0ZCQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpbBhsy0ZCQ)
;) Tom
Thanks for all the replys. I figured that was the case!!!!!!
Geared locomotives sound like they are doing at least 60 as they waddle down the road. :D
Gene
How do you change the chuff rate CV to it's maximum value please ? Thanks.