Gidday there Mathew,
                   I don't suppose you have any Knuckle couplers that you dont want? Can't get them here in NZ unless you have more money than Fort Knox.
                   Cheers
                         Dave Cole

Gidday Dan,
           You should have got a pair of Hook an Loop couplers in the box with the New Loco. If not, give Bachmann a Bell, they will gladly send them to you.
                    Cheers
                        Dave Cole in New Zealand

I am in the process of Kitbashing a 2-4-2T Coal Creek Loco into a sort of Forney Loco. I have replaced the rear Pony Axle with a New Bright Bogie from a Caboose and I am going to extend the Coal Bunker 20 mm to give it a bit more of the Forney look. I know the main drive mechanism wont be articulated but that wont be a problem as Forney Loco's were designed to be run Bunker First so that will overcome the swingout on curves. I also have set up the lighting to be run from a battery mounted in the cab as there is nothing worse than a Loco that loses its lights when it stops at a station or whatever. Some sound would be nice but I am working on that as well. If anyone has some ideas to improve my conversion I would be most gratefull.
               Dave Cole in New Zealand

Gidday Sam,
                Where in Aotearoa do u do your thing? I'm at Waihi [Waikino]. I dont modell any particular era but I do have a bent towards Logging and mining 1930-1950

      Cheers

       Dave Cole

Gidday there Mathew, you seem to have a good monopoly on 45 Tonners. I have nearly finished installing the sound in my U Boat. Now I have to put all back together, any volounteers?
   
     Dave Cole in NZ

Thankyou for your replies gentlemen. Just for the record, besides my Aristocraft Loco, I have two 10 Wheelers,A Climax, a 2-4-2T, a 44 Tonner and a fair stable of rolling stock,All Bachmann of course. Besides my Modelling interests I also drive a small Diesel Loco hauling tourists on the Waihi to Waikino restored Railway here in New Zealand.I think they call it 12inches : 1ft scale.
       
         Many Thanks
             Dave Cole

Good evening Gentlemen and any Ladies that may be present.
   I have just gutted out my Aristocraft U24B with the intention of installing a Sierra Sound System and have discovered a heap of circuit boards relating to DCC and whatever else its designed to operate. Iwant to keep the installation simple so do I need all those bits and pieces or can I remove them without impeding the performance of the Loco.
               Cheers
                 Dave in NZ

Thanks for the reply David,
                       I will take a serious look at the Bachmann ore cars and then try to find an Electric Mine Loco to haul them around.
                                   Dave

Have just moved from Australia back to New Zealand and I am going to include a Gold Mine in my New Garden Railway. Will On3 ore cars scale out ok as Mine cars. Any ideas from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
   
       Cheers
        Dave Cole