Gene,
Looks like Sheldon did a great job. How can I get him to help me with my layout?
MC

Gene,
What a great layout. Must have taken quite a bit of time to design. Makes my 5x9 look like kids stuff.
You may want to check the date on your camera..or maybe these are future pictures.
MC

Jim,
Thanks for the response. I would love to use the programming track since it worked well for all my other engines. From what I am told it doesn't provide enough voltage to program the Tsunamu decoders. It goes through the steps fine and gives me a good feedback but when I read the address back it shows address 255. The engine still runs at address 03 after several attempts to program.

My LOHS told me to use the main track since it would provide the necessary voltage. I have tried that process on both engines and it doesn't work. I am entering the 'ops'mode by pressing the programming key 4 times. Is this the correct process or should I also change the switch on the front of the DCS-100 to the op setting. I am afraid to mess with changing other CV's since I don't want to lose control of the engine if I hit a wrong key.

I am using a two digit address, could that be some of my problems? It is much simpler thats why I chose that direction. Are there any advantages to using 4 digits? I don't expect to ever have 9999 engines so I thought I would just use the last two digits of the engine number. Would appreciate you opinion on using 4-digits.

The LOHS also told me I could purchase the SoungTraxx PTB-100 to connect to the programming track which would provide the voltage needed. I really don't want to spend $60 for something I am not sure will help. They have lead me down the wrong track before and I am afraid they just want to sell me something.

Let me know what you think.

MC



 

I am still looking to resolve my problem of programming my Bachmann engines using a Digitrax Super Chief. Can any one help me.
MC

Mr. Bach-man,
What is the work-around to programming, your decoders if I am using the Digitrax Super Chief? I sent an email to the service department and have not heard back from them. I would appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks,
MC

What is the purpose of the Protective Sheaths? Do they just keep the wire together or is there something else they do?
MC

I recently purchased a couple Bachmann engines with sound and am having problems programming the addresses. I looked at the Digitrax web site and they recommend using a 1k ohm resistor between Prog A & B. Has anyone had the same problems with Bachmann decoders and if so did this resolve the problem?
Thanks
MC

The Hiss may be Cylinder Blowdown. Try the fuction 4 button, that should turn it off.
MC

Rob, Thanks for the update. Sound like a lot of work to me. I may put it off for a while and run mine without sound.
MC

ok so lets try this again.. It told me I couldn't post this on the last try....

I am not as unhappy as my last post. I finally had some time to play with it... (my engine) and  discovered that my main problem with all the hiss was the Cylinder Blowdown was on full blast. I finally figured how to turn it off and was able to get the feel of the real sound. Any engineers out there who can tell me what the cylinder blowdown is used for?

Gene, yes the K-4 is the Kanawha. I would like to stay with C & O if possible. Thanks for the info on Gold vs yellow. Looked like yellow to me. By the numbers on my Berk's #2786 white lettering & #2760 Gold lettering both were produced by Alco in 1946. I am not sure why the change. The older one has a lot more detail but doesn't run very well.

Ok, now I am really confused. You said that (Bachmann doesn't make an H-6)! The one I purchased was a Spectrum series 2-6-6-2. From my information I considered this  to be an H-6. After more review I discovered the 2-6-6-2 was also considered to be an H-1,H-2,H-3,H-4,H-4A, H-5 & H-6. I am not sure why it was a H-5 in 1919, a H-6 in 1920 and a H-4A in 1927.

Sheldon, would you please send me the digram on bending the drawbar. My email is mrichmond@alltel.net. Thanks

Now about switches.

Gene, Sheldon & Rich:

You guys seem to be running the big rigs so I would like some advice on switches. I am using mostly Atlas Custom #6 code 100 on the main line. Since I had a couple #4 left over I decided to use them as a cross over on one side of my layout.The problem is my K-4 & (H-1,2,3,4,4A,4 or 6) 2-6-6-2 doesn't appreciate the change. Would you recommend any other switch types other than Atlas. 

Thanks, guys for all the help. Sorry to ask so many dumb questions.

MC
Lets keep steam in the picture...

Since this is my first Steam Engine with sound maybe I was expecting to much.
Can some one tell me if the Bachmann Spectrum series are good engines or should I be looking at another brand.

Sorry Mr. Bachmann..but with the spot light broken off, the steam sound on all the time, the tender keeps coming loose from the engine, and it has a lot of trouble with going through switches. My new K-4 runs circles around the  H-6. Any help would be appreciated.

I have yet to do some research on the tenders but didn't expect such a small tender on the H-6. My K-4 tender it twice the size. Is this the correct tender for this engines?

Does anyone know when C & O went from white lettering to yellow. My old K-4 has white lettering so I was just wondering.

MC
Hoping to stay with Steam!

Gene,
Are the GP-7 still available? Any idea where I should start to look for them.
Mc

I can only dream about having all those engines. With my 5x9 layout I wouldn't even have enough track to park all of them.

Sheldon I understand about the retirement home. This is the  3rd layout I have started and am now wondering why I didn't consider making it in more than two sections.

Gene, What brand GP-7 do you have. I believe that was one of the first Diesel that C & O purchased at the end of the steam era.

MC

Rob,
I would also be interested in what is necessary to install sound in the K4. Do you have part numbers for the decoder and light.
Thanks
MC.

Thanks guys,
My new K4 has been driving me nuts with the tender derailing. I have been trying to find out what is wrong with my track and now maybe I can look for the real problem. I went back to Gene's info on adding weight to find out what he had done so I will try that first.
MC