2 truck shay - plasatic gears vs brass gears

[ketchamb@bellsouth.net]

I would like to ebay bid on a Bachmann 2 truck shay but understand one version came out with plastic gears and a later release came out with brass (metal) gears .
This is a Pardee & Curtin 36 ton 2 truck shay item #81196
Does the item # tell anyone if it has plastic or brass gears ? The seller does not know.
Thanks for any help.
Ketch

[charon]

81xxx numbered shays are all the first issue.  82xxx numbered are second issue with improved trucks.  Incidentally Bachmann called the first gen shays 36 ton and second gen 38 ton.
Chuck

[Mike M]

None of the shay motor blocks have brass gears The new ones which came in the 3 truck shay have metal frames and motor housing. No brass gears
Mike