All steam locos seem to have the drive gear on the axle closest to the middle. I am re-motoring all my steam. 

Often there is no backhead because the old open-frame motor took up to much space.  

It would be easier install a backhead on smaller engines if the motor was further forward, the drive gear on a front driver.  

Long long ago I got a KTM HOn3 class A shay from Precision Scale as a Christmas or a birthday gift from my wife. I ran it off and on for about 2 months until the white durlin ? gear cracked. It has sat in it's box or on a display shelf for close to 30 years now. Other than the gear it seems to be in pretty good shape.

At this point I have no idea if I will sell this or not, but I would really like to know if it can be fixed. Tried a google search on this and came up empty except for one on eBay for $500. Claimed it was a rare loco. Don't know if it is or not.

I'm looking to freelance a narrow gauge diesel, and don't know what range of widths the walkways along the sides of the locomotive would be.  Since I'm looking to build a freelanced main line (Or Maine line) modern road engine in either HOn30 or On30, I need to find that little bit of info.  Loco may be a 4 or 6 axle diesel, or might even be a B+B-B+B, depending on what I find for donor units

Just unboxed this mammoth loco today and immediately a problem.   Looks great and works perfectly in Foward and neutral.

When i put it in REVERSE, it goes haywire.  Does not move.  Starting at speed step one, all engine sounds stop and i hear a distorted sound, sounds like a short, repeats in a loop while engine does not move.  Switching back to forward, it works fine.  Reverse, and just distortion.  Same on DCC as DC.