I'm having trouble with a factory sound-equipped Spectrum Heavy Mountain (SP with Hicken) that I recently picked up second hand. The sound is fantastic -- beautiful, deep, throaty chuffs, which continue even after the loco comes to an abrupt halt without cutting off the throttle (I use a Digitrax Zephyr). A shove gets the engine moving again, but not for long. Since the sound stays on, I can be sure it's not an electrical problem. I'm guessing there's a bind in the side rods or the gears. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who may have experienced a similar problem and can recommend a solution. Thanks ...

Someone on eBay is selling 30 defective Athearn Genesis Mikes in lots of two. So if you hurry, you can be the proud owner of two Mikes with broken gears for a palty 35 bucks plus shipping ... just thought this was interesting ...

Has anyone installed a sound decoder in the Bachmann medium Vanderbilt tender? I bought a vandy to switch out on one loco for some variety in my mini-fleet of three Spectrum 2-8-0's. In one of them, I've installed the old Soundtraxx PnP made for this engine's square tender (wish they still made these decoders), but I'm thinking ahead to how I might put sound in the vandy. I'm eager to hear some input.

Thanks,
Jim Dudlicek
Hoffman Estates, IL

Ad in the October MR says the new IHC Pacifics and Mikados will have RP-25 flanges and a DCC plug. Has me rethinking my plan to get the deep flanges on mine turned down ...

Jim Dudlicek
Hoffman Estates, IL