Atlas Shay- I am all aquiver

I returned to my office from an appointment and, lo and behold, there was a package on my chair. Under twelve pounds of peanuts, there was a brand new Atlas shay. I can not wait to get on the LIRR and get home.

 

Cool! Post pics when you can!

 

Great news! I'm eagerly awaiting mine. (Just got back from the LHS to check on it, no luck yet) Looking forward to other's thoughts and experiences on this one too.

 

I'm waiting for one with a factory decoder, but I can't wait for a review. Mark, the TB world is waiting on you!

 

Now Peter, don't shoot the messenger (me), but the first batch (at least) won't have DCC installed. They were listed as such originally. Here's the explanation off the Atlas board:

If you all out there have preorders for same, I suggest checking on the status of your order.

 

Out of the box it will only pull five free wheeling cars without slipping on the inclined lead in (11" radius) to my upper level. It is running now on level track. I will do about four hours of break in tonight and post before bed. It looks good, but makes a bit of a whine when running.

 

Thanks, steamghost!

Wig-wag has kept me well informed about the status of the DCC-Shay. I'd rather wait a while and see what happens rather than install a decoder myself. Besides, I'll have to build a logging line for it, and I'm kinda built-out for a while. But that logging line is just calling to me . . .

 

Fotheringill, what % grade is that approximately? 5 cars up anything over 1% should be pretty acceptable, I would think.

Pulling power for this little flea should probably be measured in log bunk cars, MT or otherwise. Somebody kindly report if you've done this.

Alan

 

Here it goes-

Whine abated after an hour or so of running.

It draws considerably less voltage to maintain the same speed (moderate) as a well broken in Bachmann Consolidation pulling the same load on level track.

Running at the same voltage over the same track as the Bachmann Consolidation at a moderate speed, it beats the Consolidation by about 14 seconds - track is about, and I mean about, 16-17 running feet.

Now, the problem- I was in error. It slipped pulling 4 cars. After three hours of running level, it still slips, but a bit further up the incline pulling the same 4 cars. I am embarrassed to say that I do not know the grade, but I followed the last plan in the second Atlas plan book, the N-18 layout. All I can tell you is that the right angle is 8" high and one leg is 50" long. I could attempt to figure out the hypotenuse, but I don't know if that will be helpful. I think the angle could be calculated from what I have, but I sure as heck can't do it. I know that Nolan can as well as anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of mathematics. I was absent during mathematics during my schooling.

Pictures start at the last shot on the first page of my album linked below and continue for four shots on the second page.

 

Yumpin' Yehosaphat! Eight inches in 50 inches is a sixteen percent grade!! I'd be surprised if it could haul itself up such a grade. Better recheck your figures.

 

I think less than 16 degrees? I don't have any tables, but maybe 12 to 14 degrees. In any case, I would say very, very steep. Like a logging railroad.
-----------
Found it!
Trig tables:
http://www.math2.org/math/trig/tables.htm

Looks like about 9 degrees. Very, very steep.

[ 05. January 2005, 03:05: Message edited by: sapacif ]

 

8"s in 50 is 16"s in 100 = 16 percent

 

8" over 50"!!!
that WOULD be a 16% grade
hmm...
looking at your pics, it does seem steep.
but not that steep.
then again, its hard to judge from the camera angle.
keep us posted on updates

 

So if it climbed 50 inches in a fifty inch run, that would be a 100 percent grade or 45 degrees?

 

Oh my! Would somebody with some experience in civil engineering please step in, and save us lawyers, writers, and airline pilots a night of head-scratching?

Percent grade is not equivalent to the angle of the acute side of a right triangle. So, yes, 50 inches rise in 50 inches run is a 100 percent grade, whereas the acute angle is 45 degrees.

Now I'm balder than I was a few minutes ago, and my head aches. What do you think? Hendricks gin or a good bourbon?

 

Let's see, 8" = .668, 50" = 4.167.
.668 divided by 4.167 = .1603. or 16% grade. Works for me

 

8" in 50" = 16% in a logging line 8% was considered big.Most shays on 8% would pull maybe 2 -3 cars.But remember most logging lines were set up to haul emptys up and loaded down.Use gravity and luck to move the logs.So if the new shay will pull itself up 16% that is very impressive,but to pull 4 cars up WOW.

Regards
Mike

 

You should see it pull Four cars Down!!!