I like it as is.

I like the one that "The guys in the shop" hand built because you could not find one to purchase at the time. Use PSC for future jobs but I would keep #22 as it is. Wow, real screen not a solid cast representation.

With all the effort so far you might want to try the Valve Gear. You have gone all out and the "extra moving parts" could be the crowning glory for this little Dockside. Very nice.

I would say the seller just did not know that along with the Bachmann track (good for indoor use) he also sold you some track that is very good for outdoors.

Could it be just a freak bind up? If you try reverse and then forward does it try to move?

Very nice. I hope it brings you much joy to operate as it does to look at.

The On30 Shay just as it's full scale relatives are geared for pulling not speed.
The voltage is fine.

Vollmer or Kibri or Helgian, etc used to make a plastic arched side truss bridge 18" long. There were flat top trusses also that could go at each end 9" long. You could use the flat top trusses stood on end for the upright. If 36" is too long shorten the approaches to less than 9".  I have built a couple of bridges one with a girder swing section and one with an Atlas deck truss. This saved me countless hours and comes out very satisfactory. I bet you can build a 26"-36" bridge from available parts that will satisfy 100% of the people that you show this to.

Some times all someone is looking for is the answer to their question. That thread would have been no help to me. As far as locking a topic I don't know. Personally I would just ignore it and let the posters carry on their off topic debate.

Sounds like it is time to convert the Forney to a 2-4-0 with tender from Backwoods Miniatures. It will eliminate what is your trouble plus it will look better on tight radius.

Thanks,

I plan to build a trestle 38' x 324' in HO to represent one near Hamilton Michigan.

Has anyone here ever dealt with Black Bear Construction? I am considering a Trestle Kit that includes their Trestle Jig to assist assembly.

Very good work. I did see 765 in person in Michigan this July. It actually has a little bit more shine here and there as the crew wipe it down quite regular. Also that pretty brass bell is painted mustard yellow on the outside but don't ask me why? You do have a good touch some  peoples weathering is just way out there.

Are you operating on less than 18" radius?
If you gently turn the truck by hand does it feel a bind?
Does this happen when you back through the curves?
If the screw through the bolster that holds the truck on is tight maybe loosen 1/8 turn. There should be a little play/ wobble in the truck but don't let the screw be loose and fall out.

The range of prototype tie size, spacing and lenghts makes the choice tuff. Peco On30, Micro Enginering or the variations in brands of HO track can all be wrong or one of them may be good enough. Peco ties seem short. Micro Enginering ties are long and narrow. Some HO track looks just right when extra ballasted and Strangely hand laid with "On30" ties is the farthest thing from right for my use. I found if you just look at the track and not call it Ho it can look very proper. Look at prototype pictures and see what you like then see what track gives the same feel with  Bachman On30 Locos.