I bought a Bachmann  4-8-4 Santa Fe DCC engine  from the great people at The Train Shop in Santa Clara, CA. 
When I tried pulling a load of cars,15-17 40' boxcars. I wasn't  happy with the pulling power , far to much slipping  on a slight grade.
I was disappointed .
I bought a bottle of Bull Frog Snot and applied it to the first  and third set of wheels. I'm sure  I could have put it on all 8  drive wheels because of Bachmann's great electrical pick up on the tender, but just tried the four for a start.
The next day after it fully dried, it was like I had a new engine.
I  now have  38  40" boxcars on so far, and no signs of slippage.
I highly recommend it. It's a lot easier  than stuffing more weight in .

   Dave

Niles Canyon Railway - Sunol Station
Main St. and Kilkare Rd.
6 Kilkare Rd.
Sunol, CA 94586

Tickets here
http://steamtrain.eventbrite.com/
Sorry, I just found out late last night.
AMC ya there,
   Dave

Hiller Aviation Museum
601 Skyway Rd.
San Carlos, Ca 94070
Right off Highway 101

Seventh Annual
Trains and Planes Display
March 27 through April 11, 2010


Come and see both Planes and Trains, in an extensive history and collection of airplanes and helicopters, as well as the operating display of skillfully crafted HO model trains featuring the scenery and villages of Europe.  Watch the operation of diverse and colorful passenger and freight trains of the present and times past from Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and other European countries.  Bring your family and friends to experience and enjoy both Planes and Trains together.

For more information on European Train Enthusiasts or European trains go to the ETE website at www.ete.org, or come to the Museum and talk to ETE members

Trains included with museum admission

   I want to re power an old Balboa Gas Turbine  that has with twin open frame motors with some that are DCC friendly.
I was looking at these http://www.electronicsurplus.com/ItemView.aspx?ItemID=2878. At 3.75 a piece the price is right, but I'm not sure if the torque  would be enough.
I can go  1 and  1/16  wide and 3.5 long  on both motors. I would like to add flywheels also.
I would like some with the rare earth magnets
Any suggestions  ?
  Thanks,
       Dave














Flywheels would be nice

This is too cool.         http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/08/07/propeller-driven-train/

      I have some older Rivarossi steamers that I would like to have the wheels turned to the rp25 standard.
They don't like my Atlas  code 83 track much and seem to ride on the track spikes.
Does anyone know of someone who offers this service? I heard NWSL used to make replacments, but not any longer.

Where can I get a real train  coupler to put on the back of my 15.000 lb  truck ?