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Question About MTH Premier Shay - ANSWERED!

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

I've been interested in acquiring an MTH Premier Shay, either PS2 or PS3. However, I need some information regarding exactly what diameter Gargraves/Ross track it requires.


My layout is Gargraves track with Ross and Gargraves turnouts. Two of the loops are O54 and the third is O42. The MTH Shays are rated as follows:

  • 3-Truck Shays with PS2 are listed as O42
  • 4-Truck Shay's with PS2 are listed as O72
  • Both 3-Truck Shays and 4-Truck Shays with PS3 are listed as O72, which seems to contradict the above, since the PS2 and PS3 3-Truck Shays appear to be exactly the same physical model.

I know for a fact that MTH O42 RealTrax, which is used for MTH's O42 rating, is actually about 1 or 2 inches tighter than Gargraves O42 curves. In the past, I purchased an MTH Swiss Crocodile that was rated for O54 which has no problem at all on my O42 Gragraves curves.

 

While I have no idea if this holds true for RealTrax O54 curves vs. Gargraves O54 curves, as well, I tend to think that it does not, since I also have an MTH L-5 which is rated for O54 and will not tolerate anything less than an O54 Gargraves curve.

 

This brings me to my question. What diameter Gargraves curve does an MTH Premier Shay, 3-Truck or 4-Truck, really require?

 

I'd speciate any information in this regard that anyone can state with authority.

 

Thanks!

Last edited by Barry Broskowitz
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PB P BenOGR Forum Member

Barry, I have never run my Shay on O-42 curves so I don't know if it will work or not.

 

Externally the body shells of the PS1 and PS2 four-truck MTH Shays seem identical, but I don't know if there are differences in the drive mechanisms or other details.

 

When I first ran my Shay around the O-54 curves the tether between the loco and tender would pull out and the engine would stop working (the tether runs straight between the loco & tender, it is not a "loop" like on most PS2 steam engines. The tether had very little slack in it from the factory. I was able to pull a little more slack out of the tender and after doing that I've never experienced any more problems.

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

I am pleased to say that I was at MTH last week and they were good enough to provide me with a production sample PS3 4-truck Shay that I could operate on their O54 test track.

 

I was pleased to find that it easily negotiated the loop in both directions, in forward and reverse. I purchased the WM model that day and it runs great on my O54 Gargraves mainline and sidings. I have yet to test it on the O42 loop. however, that's not mandatory for operating on my layout.

 

Many thanks to all who replied!  

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