Questions concerning the Lionel Legacy Shay

marshelangeloOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Gd Morning Members,

I'm in the stage of cleaning out my basement in preparation for a total remodeling, so that the train room can be put in place. For now, I've gotten most of my Lionel Legacy Steam and Diesel Engines, my conventional collection is I believe completed (for the time being)and I'm just collecting rolling stock now. My question is about the Lionel Legacy Shay, I've been reading on the forum about even though listed as running on O-36 curves, it has issues with small curves and other small complaints. I'm slightly concerned because it's probably the last train (for now I think) on my wishlist and should I see one at York, I would like to pick up one with confidence if it is problem free. Has anyone had any problems with their Shae's ??. All of the comments will be extremely beneficial and once again, Thank You - MARSHELANGELO

2/19/1510:36 AM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I'm not sure it'll reliably pull rolling stock through the O36 curves, that seems to be the issue. There was a long thread about using a K-Line adapter to fix the coupler swing issue.

2/19/1510:45 AM

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Pine Creek RailroadOGR Forum Member

marshelangelo,

The Legacy Shay is a great engine, really works very very well. I posted an alteration that can be made to the back stairs of the Legacy Shay, if you have 036 curves on your layout. You actually need to remove part of the back stairs uprights on the left and right side of the engine to allow the Legacy Shay to accommodate pulling standard O gauge rolling stock thru 036 curves. You can professionally remove these metal inside stair pieces with a Roto Zip tool, and circular Cobalt file. After you remove the stair pieces the Legacy Shay will then accommodate all 036 curves and 036 switches while pulling a consist, including a short coupled Burro logging Crane Car. This is not hard work but I do recommend using the correct tools to do a professional type job. IMO without this alteration the Legacy Shay should be rated for 048 curves min. IMO Lionel needs to incorporate this engineering change on all their new Legacy Shays. IMO the old K-Line adapter is no the way to go. This engineering change really need to be made for a permanent fix. My Legacy Shay now runs perfect thru 036 curves with a large consist of all different kinds of rolling stock. It may accommodate 031 curves but I have not tried it yet to actually see.

PCRR/Dave

After you remove the inside up rights of the stairs & a cross member the coupler will be able to swing clear to the outside stair vertical structure, allowing the Legacy Shay to pull thru the 036 curves.