I found  a wood pilot and box style headlight for my Shay #94 at www.bowser-trains.com Then click "o" guage, then Selly.

Allegan, Mi.
Michigan, home of the Pere Marquette R.R.
Michigan, home of the Shay Locomotive.
#94 is the c/n of the T- Boiler Shay locomotive that the Dewing & Sons Lumber Co. used on the Allegan & Lake Shore R.R.

Easy build? Just use an Atlas 9" table, put a couple sticks to push, done.

Very interesting. Looking good. Some little R.R. wil appear very comopolitan.

450sel, that is an interesting progect. I had wondered about one, but  with 18"R curves I would need to use a short combine and the porter would have to swivel as the front " truck". Please show us the finnished project.

Is your track fastened down and relative flat (no humps/bumps)?

I returned by USPS and recieved back from Bachmann by USPS.

Runs fine now? I tried several times ,no luck. I gently nudged forward then backward,no luck. With the tip of my Labelle 102 oiler I gently touched the lower ( on crank shaft) gear to check for bind, then the gear you can see through side of firebox, no bind. Lastly I held the Shay upside down and firmly tapped the ashpan ( bottom of firebox) with Bic pen three times, placed back on track and it runs. Whats up with that?

 Just recieved a replacment  Shay from service. Have ran it a little (20 min) runs smooth and quite compared to the first. But today, ran backwards for photo ops (DC). Stopped, attempted to run forward and light comes on but will not move either direction now. How can such a wonderful loco give me such bad luck? Using headlight as testor there is power pickup at both trucks, so my only guess would be wire at motor.  Guess I need to box and mail it.

I believe the "Steam" Gene is talking about is at a museum . The sad part is many steam locos have had there fate sealed by museums. A museum NW of Lake Michigan is a perfect example: they have purchased or recieved about 8 steam engines , about six were operational when recieved. I believe thay currently operate a Diesel for their tours. All the steam is dismantled, waiting for" your" donations. I do have faith that at least one of these found in the woods Consolidations will operate again, and will be happy. It takes alot of ffort to teutn to steam and a lot more to maintain .

Regarding warranty/responce. 3/19/07 8:00 A.M. I emailed customer service about an issue with my On30 Shay. 3/20/07 9:58 A.M. Bridget responded with instructions to return item. 3/23/07 I mailed item to Bachmann and crossed fingers. 4/18/07 1:00 P.M. a U.S. Postal employee handed me my brand new On30 Shay. Now that is service. Thank you Bachmann.

I have historical info. Ownership , Deeds, Name changes, etc . for all R.R.s in Allegan Co. Mi. From begining to end , Rail Road, Railroad, Railway. are used at different times , no ryme or reason, just that was the name at the time.

Shay cn#94 built 1883. Used in Allegan, Mi area ( my home) Owned by Dewing & Sons Lumber Co. Operated on the "Allegan & Lake Shore R.R."Later went to WV. The Bachmann On30 is a very good likeness. A wood cowcatcher, Square headlight, and earlier cab are all the changes needed.

What is the best way to contact service?

" Bach man" I recieved a On30 Shay for Christmas 2005. Have not even run an hour when it became a little jerky then for a split secound it appeared to jamb and a slight wift of smoke appeared. It still runs but jerky at slow / medium speeds. Apon closer inspection the crankshaft has much play in it. The rear bushing" part MT010" is loose " not staying in place".
I did not send in warranty card, I have never in 35 yrs ever had to return an item. If I send the Shay and a $25 ck will service be able to help?