All,
Just my personal expierience, I purchased a two truck shay, when they first came out some years ago, and had a Phoenix sound system installed. Although I have quite a few Bachmann locos, this particular unit is run all the time (my "prime mover") over my 24" radius curves and ridiculous steep grades. It has never skipped a beat and runs perfectly as it did right out of the box. Every once in a while I still run my battery operated Tweetsie Big Hauler (lettered Sante Fe), which was also bought when first on sale and it too, runs like new (still get a kick out of the "chuff-chuff" sound). So far, Have not had to return ANY Bachmann product.
Happy Bachmanning,
Chuck
When the Shays first came out, I had to have one. I love my Bachmann engines, I think they are the finest engine out. Think what they would cost if some of the other companies made them. I sold a lot of my engines and just about got out of the hobby. I'm rebuilding my layout and I will replace my Shays'
Tom