You might also like the overview of the "books" published three times a year by Westlake Publishing and Uncle Russ that are available at www.westlakepublishing.net. If the photos in these overviews do not make you rush to place your order for the books nothing will - old fashioned or not!

Just heard that Ribbonrail will introduce 10 inch long, 38/40/42 inch radius alignment gauges. First are expected to become available next week. The 10 inch versions make it much easier to establish smooth curves with flex track than the original 5 inch models. The 5 inch units work well in combination with the 10 inch units in forming easements. I know not everyone uses broad curves but many of the newer Bachmann On30 engines look much better on them. I wish Ribbonrail success in expanding their line to suit our needs.

It is harder than necessary to separate the electrical harness between engine and tender with the current arrangement. The very tempting side/saddle tank modifications to the 2-8-0 being sold by Backwoods Miniatures (which require moving the board/decoder from the tender to the engine got me to thinking how much simpler it would be if the engine and tender were both fitted with a 9 pin JST or 8 pin NMRA socket and a wire harness with a male pin plug on each end used to join the two. With a 9 pin JST the female plugs could be horizontal and thus keep the wire close to the drawbar. Just a thought.

Instant gratification continues to be available from Wiseman!

Thanks. That seemed the best way but I was not sure if that would lead to too much 'crusting' and weakness and the photos suggested the wet method. Will give it a whirl. Loved the appearance of the Stoney Point layout.

Has anyone tried the sanded grout method used by the Bach Man for producing roadbed and ground cover on the Stoney Point Wharf layout? In the article in the 2010 On30 Annual it looks like the grout was applied wet. Was this with a spatula or a brush? Could the grout be applied dry and brushed to profile then sprayed withg wet-water to fix?

Would appreciate any commens from the Bach Man or anyone else who has tried this method. Thanks to who respond.

Thanks for the suggestion, it is a great idea of wonderfull prototypes, some of which are still in operation.

The scale differences can be a theoretical problem but On30 seems to have become so well established globally that if Bachmann were to stick to their current format regarding scaling and compromise it should turn out to everyone's satisfaction.

...and then there was that drawing on page 59 of the Mar/Apr Gazette, seems to me that some of the earlier On30 releases have followed drawing/photos in the Gazette...

I had the same problem with the front gear on the rear truck on one of the original shays - that is after running it for about six months. Bachmann very happily replaced the engine; have not had a problem with the shay since.

Got a climax and very shortly encountered a split gear with it. Since  it is easy to get to I very cautiously applied a small amount of J-B Weld epoxy on the end of a small screw driver.
You have to be careful where it goes and not leave an excess. But two years later the engine is still running good as new with nary a hint of further problem.

I am sure this is not a solution for everyone but it can work very quickly and effectively.

Mine was the AMS board. Tried several decoders which were all OK in other locos. The #50 also ran fine on DC, but nothing on DCC. Suggest that you contact Ada Ho at AMS. She was very helpfull to me.

I had the same problem with my AMS #50. It was in their circuit board. Had to return the engine to AMS and now runs fine - except they need additional pickups installed, the usual problem with 4 wheel locos.

Problem could also be as simple as the starting voltage. If it is the OEM decoder the engine will probably not begin to move before step 5 or 6 (of28). If this is the case raising the value of CV2 to somewhere in the order of 25 to 30 may cure the problem and have the engine start to move at speed step 1 or 2.

We already have alternate trucks, frame, and pilots plus all the goodies that now come with most new releases. May I take the suggestion one step further and suggest a basic engine with modifiers offered as separate items i.e. an add-on saddle tank, side tanks,
slope-back tender body, Vanderbuilt tender body etc, maybe alternate cabs. This way we could have economical production and a whole range of unique engine for us modellers.

Allen Brewster had  photos and drawings of the prototype and the Mantua alternate in the November 1983 MR on pages 126 and 127. The original is reported to have been exactly 27 ft from leading axle to trailing axle; with 33 inch drivers on 36 inch centres.
The boiler is 36 inches in diameter and cylinders are 10" x 16" and 15" x 16". Railhead to top of the cab is 9' 8" The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is stated to be slightly smaller in all dimensions - but not to significant amounts that a modification would not make a reasonable model.
Would be interesting to compare the Bachmann model to a Backwood Miniatures modified model tank engine; they could make a very interesting pair for anyone with logging aspirations.

I had the same misadventure. I seem to recall having to take off the tank and then the circuit board inside to get to the kingpin. If you then put pressure on the kingpin from inside and press the truck back it will snap-back together. Also be careful with the amount of solder used to reattach the wires to the connectors - too much can also restrict free movement. Good luck.

No argument, just trying to nudge you to answer Glen,K28 question : WHY.
Why adjust the scale to the guage, when there is a well establish and much easier correction of adjusting the guage to the scale? People have been widening Bachmann's ON30 stock to ON3 for almost as long as it has been on the market. Most is well suited to doing this, rather than the inside frame 4-4-0 being the only locomotive well suited to going the other way. If this is something other than an advertisement for your new web site please explain.