Garden Railway Forum

Hello,

wondered if anyone has converted one of these Shays to radio control and if so whether you would be happy to share some images.

I'm thinking servo and Fosworks receiver under the cab floor behind the dummy firebox with a waterproof 4 x AAA Lithium battery pack in the space beside the water pump.

May fit a servo to the reverser as I have done to my Decauville and Falk by replacing the Johnson bar but probably not necessary with a Shay.

Any info would be appreciated.

NB: I note in Graeme's posts back in 2017 that he felt RC was not necessary but as I run on tracks shared with other trains being able to stop for a derailment ahead or the like without a frantic sprint is always good...........

Regards,

dp

David P wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2026 1:53 am
I note in Graeme's posts back in 2017 that he felt RC was not necessary but as I run on tracks shared with other trains being able to stop for a derailment ahead or the like without a frantic sprint is always good...........

There'd be no frantic sprints, even at full throttle these shays would lose a race with an arthritic tortoise........

To be honest, RC or no RC, running one of these shays on a track in amongst normal live steamers would be like trying to drive a grey Fergie tractor down the Nepean Hwy, during the evening rush.

It's years since I dismantled the beast for painting and memory has faded. The RC battery pack might fit in the ashpan, but I can't remember if that is removable.

Graeme