Hi Norman, I converted a 2-4-2T into a 2-4-4T with moderate ease. I extended the Coal Bunker approx 1/2" and used a "New Bright" Freight Truck under the cab. I fitted constant lighting and used a small Trail Car to house the Batteries, Revolution Rx and sound card, it chuffs only. I use it to haul my Maintenance Train around, which consists of a Ballast/ Track cleaning car and a Track repair car. It goes ok, not brilliant, but very functional and adds to a variety of operational equipment.

             Dave
              New Zealand

There is a door on the rear of the U Boats. It   has switches for Lights. Smoke, and a Track/ Battery mode. It is probably switched to Battery. As Bill said, these Locos are a bit hungary for the amps, but they are good runners

Gidday Carl, Dave from Waikino here. If you arn't able to repair your Heisler send it to me,or bring it over. Most G gauge Trains can be repaired. I had to repair one a few years ago when a cat knocked my 2-4-2T off the workbench.

                 Cheers

Mike, I have some 6ft Diameter curves on my Logging loop and the Shay has no problem with the Drive shafts. I even got it to sneak thru a 4ft Turnout but it may have been more good luck, than good management.

        Dave
          New Zealand

Got onto " West Trains" website but they have no online access for product viewing or overseas purchases. Thanks for the help anyway.

             Dave
             New Zealand

I have a Climax and a Shay and would love to have a Heisler to complete the Trio.
    Any offers out there?

      Dave
      Waikino
      New Zealand

Well said Bob, ya gotta read the instructions!

Hi all, I recieved my Batteries and Holders a few days ago and today Tested them out in my "Annie". Pulled three J/S coaches with some passengers up an down my 3% grades and one is also on a 8ft diameter curve.
           Batteries were Ultrafire 4000mah PCB and pack was reading 16.8 volts at the start of my test run of 2 hours continuous running at 65% Throttle. The battery pack was reading 15.6 volts when I stopped running. A good result I thought.

                  Dave
                   Waikino

You can make them using 1/16th Braising rod [ Brass Rod] available from most Hardware stores ,for about $2 per length.

                Dave in NZ

Just ordered 4 Batteries and 4 Holders from the Website in Hong Kong that you posted Bill.
Free delivery and a great price. I think my "Annie" will run much better and longer on 14.1 volts, can't wait!

                      Cheers

                           Dave

Had a peruse on the Web site Bill, but they wont ship to New Zealand. They must be classed as Dangerous Goods .

               Dave

Your dead right there Bill, I was out in the shed working on it and suddenly realised I had made a major boo boo on the wheel arrangement. Must be cos we are upside down on the planet. Anyway, I just fixed the Back to Back problem. The Nylon gears that form part of the axle had a bit of Flashing on them. A quick bit of surgery with the file and now its all good.
                                Cheers

                                     Dave

Hi Bill,
       Bachmann made a 2-6-2T Loco under the Spectrum Label approx 10years ago.
   Its No is 81598 and had the " Coal Creek" Lettering on the side Tanks. It is Modeled after the Baldwin Loco supplied to the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in UK.
     It never has been a good runner as the gearbox is a bit on the high ratio scale and the back to backs on the drivers are way over gauge and as for as I can see, after dismantling the drive unit, it cannot be remedied without some major surgery. I will send you a photo ,as I have no idea how to post one on the Forum.
     On a similar note, The 11.1v Li-po, 2200mah is a bit of a fizzer. It only ran my Annie for 1hr yesterday and then gave up. Time to re-evaluate that situation as well.

                       Cheers
                           Dave

Tony, Kevin, Bill,
                    Many thanks for your feedback about Batteries and their capacities. I think I will go with the onboard Batteries and probably Ni-mh as Li-ion batteries cost a fortune here in NZ. The biggest Ni-mh batteries I can get here are 2500mah and they are $7.50 each. I will be using a Revo RX and sound card from "My Loco" so that will fairly much fill up the available space in the Loco. I can get all the Batteries in the Side Tanks and the Elect boards in the cab with the charging jacks and switches.
                   
              Cheers from sunny Waikino
                       Dave

I have an Original 2-6-2T that was never a good runner on Track power so I have decided to convert it to R/C . My big dilema is, do I fit onboard Batteries ,or use a Trail car that has the added advantage of being able to carry a pair of SLA 12v 2.2ah batteries. Of course I then have to haul them around all the time. If anyone has done this conversion or has ideas about it I would be real pleased to know.

                       Cheers
                            Dave