[jlinde]

I've finally taken the leap and joined the ranks of the live steam community! I've had a 2 cylinder Shay for approximately 2 weeks and have loved every minute of running it. The weather is a bit tough up here in Mass, but I did manage to run it outside several times and have pics as proof.

I'd love to install a whistle, but am not quite sure of the difficulty or expense of the whistles discussed on the board. Of course, that just gives me something new to research! Cheers, Jon Linde

And in the warmth of the indoors, as well . . .

 

[Charles]

Always good to have another who has the "burnt finger experience" and is able to type their story on MLS with words of enjoyment. Jon, you have what is takes to be member based on the ability to overcome the weather and find space in the house!!

 

[weaverc]

Welcome to the ranks. Your choice is a good one. My Shay is very reliable and a good runner. I installed a Regner whistle I got from the Train Depot for about $40. I installed the valve in the boiler fitting where the blow down is supposed to go. The whistle came with a fitting that mates the valve directly to the boiler. A brass wire out the front of the cab is used to blow it. I mounted the whistle itself on the right rear fender. Installation took about 30 minutes and no soldering was required. You can see the valve, adapter and pull wire in this photograph.

 

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the world of LS. Now you can enjoy the really fun side and maybe burn a finger or two. Looks like it was fun running in the snow. Should have had a good plum of smoke. Later RJD

 

[placitassteam]

Well I will try again, the first try wandered off into cyberspace. Congratulations on joining the ranks of the steam afflicted. Looks like you had to plow some snow just to find your track. Great pictures.

 

[xo18thfa]

Welcome to the crew Jon. Thanks for posting the pictures. You could not have picked a better engine. That two cylinder Shay is a nice machine. You will have many great runs with it.

Thanks again, Bob

 

[Steve S.]

Hello Jon. Welcome to real steam. Not sound circuit boards, electric brushes, and smoke drops. You picked a great engine, they never seem to have any problems.

 

[livesteam53]

You picked the best Live Steam to start with.

The 2 cyl shay's run very well right out of the box. Enjoy it!

 

[Charles M]

Jon,

Welcome to the Live Steam group . The Accucraft 2 Cylinder Shay was my first engine too ! They are a very nice model and run great right out of the box. Thanks for the pictures .

Charles M SA #74

 

[Larry Green]

I have a Regner whistle in my Accucraft 4-4-0, and another one to install in my Shay. As mentioned, a direct thread match for available bushings on the boiler backhead, but pick the highest one possible if you have any choice. If the boiler has just been topped off and you blow the whistle, hot water chokes it. It works fine once water level drops below whistle valve inlet.
Enjoy the steaming--you may start to forget about the sparkies.

Larry

 

[Alan in Adirondacks]

Jon,

Welcome to the burned finger society! That's a beautiful outdoor layout you are running on.

Best regards,

Alan

 

[jlinde]

Thanks everyone! The Shay has been an exceptionally easy engine to steam up. Maybe I'm a bit daft, but I find the rituals - preparing the engine to be run (filling the displacement lubricator, filling the boiler, playing with the fired) and readying it for slumber (wiping it down, oiling it, etc.) - to be exceptionally relaxing. I've been seriously considering attending Diamondhead this month, but the travel time and expense from the Northeast is pretty darn high. Nevertheless, I look forward to meeting the local live steam folks and participating in as many steam ups as possible. Cheers, Jon

 

[Shay Gear Head]

Gasoline in the South is in the low $1.40's, why not drive. It's cheaper than it's been in many years.

 

[chooch]

Check again Bruce.  This morning it was $1.85 here in central Florida and going up each day.  I was hoping it would stay below $2.00 for my trip to Diamondhead, but doesn't look like it will.  See you in a few days.

 

[flats]

Gas is going up around here too, from 1.34 two weeks ago to 1.68 now,
dose anyone know why?

Ken owner of K&K the road to nowhere

 

[Shay Gear Head]

Fred,

That's one of the advantages of South Carolina.

Our gas prices are at or below what you see on TV as the best prices in the country.

That brings up another advantage of SC - we're off the national radar apparently!

Also, after you turn 65, someday soon, the max sales tax on a new car in SC is $300.

Oh my house taxes were cut by $50,000 valuation this year as I turned 65.

And the list goes on - get the idea why we moved to SC? Please don't tell anyone else as we have enough D**** Yankess here already.
I was talking to a local today and she even guessed that I moved here from Michigan correctly. I didn't know Michiganders had an accent?

 

[steamlogger]

Bruce we don't have accents its everyone else.

 

[rkapuaala]

As one newbie to another, Welcome