I just received the above mentioned kit along with the NWS repower kit with Sagami can motor. Information is scarcer than hen's teeth on building this kit. Has anyone on here ever done it? If so, any tips, things to watch out for, things to be aware of, etc.?
Alex, I discovered a box of railroad stuff in my basement that I had forgotten I had for many, many years. Most of the contents are craftsman level kits, including a Keystone all metal Shay. I think it is a two truck loco. There's what I'd estimate to be around 75 to 100 parts in the kit. There's instructions in the box, and the font is very small. However, my scanner is down. I'll see if I can make a copy of them and post it here ... or ? I don't know what it is worth, but if you are interested I'd be willing to sell it. My eyes are not good enough to put these kits together any more! I don't know how I had set them aside only to forget them for so many years! Getting old I guess.
Bill, thanks so much for the offer. I have the instructions with the kit but as you know they don't always cover everything. I have read that these kits are very delicate due to being made as a static model and not really meant to be powered. If I mess things up I may take you up on your offer to buy it.
I wish you good luck building it, Alex. If you think about it, take some photos while in the process and post them here. I'd like to see it come together. Are you going to use solder or glue?
The white metal is too soft too soft to solder (for my skills at least). I am going to be using JB Weld, mainly for its gap filling capability and strength. It can also be filed, sanded, drilled, tapped and painted. Yes, I fully plan to document this build.
I would like to follow this build as well. I've wanted a Shay for a long time and building one could be fascinating. Bill if you want to let go of your kit please let me know via message. I'll enjoy following this build. Rick H.
This build has been put on hold for awhile. Upon unpacking the contents of the kit, the motor setup that was included was not the one designed to power the kit. I am now trying to find out exactly what it is that I have and trying to locate a power kit.
I completed one of these while back, and still have two more left on the shelf.. This is the power kit that was included with these,
Well that looks something like the motor that was in my kit. What was confusing me was that during all my research on this kit and powering it, everything referred to the repower kit by North West Shortlines. That kit uses a central gearbox much like the MDC Shays. Those were the instructions that were included in the kit also. Do you have the instructions that goes with the repower kit that you have?
there is quite a bit of paperwork in the box, I will see what there is regarding the motor probably tomorrow?
I do not recall seeing a motor in the kit box I have. It may be there, I just can't remember. I'm about 300 miles from home right now, but I'll take a look when I get home. Rick, would you still be interested either way?
I checked the paper work in the kit box, it's actually the NWSL kit with a Sagami motor.. I can scan and attach it if it will help you??
Warren, that would be helpful, then I can compare them to what I have. Thank you very much. This is the power kit that I was expecting and that I have the instructions for. but what I got looked very similar to the picture that you posted. When I get a chance to get to the train room I will take and post a picture of what I have. http://s9.photobucket.com/user/DarthSantaFe/media/KeystoneShay11.jpg.html The documented build of this shay, where the above picture came from, can be found here; http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/165811.aspx
here are the two sides of the NWSL instruction sheet ..enjoy .. I ~think~ mine were the older ones with the Sagami motor, and possibly the better side frames, not sure?
Warren, what we have is the first generation power kit made by NWSL for the Keystone kit. The links I posted above are for the second generation kit they produced. Both kits, according to NWSL, are out of production although they said they are contemplating producing the second kit in the future. their words. "so many plans, so little operating capital."
The one that's finished was quite a bit of work to get really smooth, the second partially done one will probably go on eBay, as well as the non motorized one .. I am running DCC now on my layout, and I don't think there is enough room for a decoder, plus I kind of think that I have 'enough' loco's already .. can 't believe I just said that ..
