Go for it mate, looks great and I'm looking forward to future pics.I have also just started an 8'X4' layout and as time permits I'll drop a pic down to show you what I'm doing on this side of the world. Chers KiwiRob.

  Hi there one and all. I didn't get any replies to my reqest so I suppose that no one has had to pull a 2-6-6-2 apart yet. Well I have, and what an interesting find. The cause for the lack of traction from the front drive set was not the plastic universal on the motor output shaft, but instead was the small metal driven knuckle on the shaft which has the worm drive on it.
  I also found that the plastic snap cover over the front worm drive was not seated properly and was cracked, poor assembly, but I was able to fix it up and now it runs great. I have noticed a few other owners of this loco say that it hasn't the pulling power you expect, well mine has now so maybe a stall test to make sure that all twelve wheels are driving may show up the same problem that mine had. Cheers from Kiwiland. Rob. 

 Hi there one and all. I recently purchased a 2-6-6-2 Bachman artic (new)through a web site here in NZ and it has developed a drive problem. When under load, if slippage (wheelspin) occurs, only the rear driver set slips while the front set just stops. I assume that the universal to the front drive set from the motor must be slipping on the output shaft.
I did pull the loco down as far as loosening the weight above the motor but wasn't too sure if this was the best way to access the drive shafts  inside.Has anyone pulled one of these apart and what is the best way to go ahead. I am generally capable of doing all my own maintanence but I don't want to screw this up. Any help would be really appreciated as Bachman service centres in NZ don't exist to my knowledge. Cheers for reading,happy modelling and stay on track. Cheers Rob.

Hi there from my side of the Pacific. I've been reading the discussion regarding the two artics anfd all I can add is that they are both great. I noticed that you wanted the lengths of the two locos in question so I shot down to my layout and here they are. The Mantua 2-6-6-2 and tender is  12 1/2" and the Bachman 2-6-6-2 and tender is 14 1/2" over the couplers. I propose to swing these two locos on a 16" T/T. I hope this is of some help. Cheers from Kiwiland, Rob.
P.S.  It looks like a small mproblem is rearing its ugly head with my Bachman 2-6-6-2. If I can't get to the bottom of it I'll post the the problem and pick your brains.

Hi there. You were asking where we are all from? Auckland, New Zealand. I model American H O transition era with the emphasis on articulated steam. Cheers from this side of the pacific. Rob.

 Hi guys and girls. Can some of you please help me with a question or two? I have on my layout a couple of Bachman locos, a 4-8-4 Niagra, factory dcc equiped and a 2-6-6-2 artic which is dcc ready, but I want more. After watching and hearing a layout with sound thats gotta be the only way to go. Has anyone added sound to these two locos,which sound system, any problems I should look out for. Thanks in advance from my side of the world, New Zealand, and I look forward to your replies. Cheers Rob.

Hi. I hope I'm in the right place to add my two cents worth about Bachmanns 2-6-6-2's and the Mantua artic logger. This is my first time onto this site as I have only just found it. Although I live on the other side of the world I do operate both of these locos and find them both excellent although someone mentioned that the Bachmann was a little light on pulling power and it is, but it's still ok.The only thing I had to do to get the tender to ride correctly, was adjust the drawbar height, which I had to do on my 4-8-4 Niagra as well. Thats it from me.

Quote from: lanny on May 06, 2007, 09:25:42 PM
Just wanted to add that I sure agree with Sheldon about making sure your rolling stock is 'free rolling'!

That was one of the first great lessons I learned on this forum ... what a 'reamer' was and the benefits of using one.

My personal favorite combination is reaming all delrin trucks (not metal ones ) with a Micro Mark 'Truck Tuner' or a Reboxx 'Reamer'. Then I use Intermountain 'semi-scale' metal wheel/axles. As Sheldon has pointed out, this probably is the best way to increase 'pulling potential' for most HO locomotives.

I might add that in my personal tests of 'before' and 'after' distances freight cars roll, using the 'reamer' and the adding the Intermountain metal wheel/axles in general increases the rolling distance of my cars 3 1/2 times the distance they originally free rolled.

lanny nicolet

Quote from: jsmvmd on May 06, 2007, 09:49:20 PM
Rich,

Not to hijack this thread, but how do you like your Mantua?  Especially compared to the Bachmann?  Micro-Mark has one of those babies for sale, too, although it is a 2-6-6-2T.  Both can negotiate 18" radius curves.

Too, that birdshot in a balloon is a neat trick!

Why could you not cast a TBSP of lead, or similar size, then trim it to fit a sand dome, etc? Sheldon mentioned moldable lead. I presume this is similar to Al foil, and "scrunchable?"

Best, Jack