A point of clarification, the basic left or right turnouts are not your #4 turnouts, many people have assumed they are. The basic switch unless numbered is quite a tight turn and should be avoided if possible, they are very problematic.

Using proper numbered switches is the way to go. A lot less headaches...

I had so hoped that you would have brought back the Spectrum 4-6-0's. These little workhorses were the mainstay for so many years on the backroad routes.

Great for small passenger or freight, such versatile small engines, Hate to see them phased out, well maybe they willl be back next year.

Hi, e-mail me if you are interested.

I have a Spectrum Heavy Mountain 82502 Southern Pacific, hardley used.

I will send you a picture of it to see if it is the one you are looking for.

Picture is too large to send as an attachment.

Quote from: Pacific Northern on September 21, 2014, 02:29:53 PM
Was there an announcement made that Bachmann was going to release a new HO steam engine?

And it was a 2-8-2 configuration?

Looks like another add to my roster, will now order some enclosed cabs and a few other parts so they are on hand when these hit the street.

Any idea as to the release date?

Was there an announcement made that Bachmann was going to release a new HO steam engine?

And it was a 2-8-2 configuration?

While most of the class 1 railroads did not acquire many of the 2-6-2 engines there were still 1,500 of the 2-6-2 Prairie engines produced. They were popular with logging and small short line railroads.

However, the two American railroads I model on my layout did have a number of the 2-6-2 engines. The GN had 150 of these engines and the Milwaukee had 267 2-6-2's.

The 2-6-2 engines were quite popular on the British and European railroads.

Yes it does seem the Spectrum demise rumour was only sent to a few select members

Quote from: WriterGal on January 07, 2014, 07:49:58 PM
Pacific Northern, thank you for your helpful information. In your opinion, is a pancake motor not as good as a can motor? If a train is very old, can I still get parts? Thank you.

It has been my experience that the old pancake motors do not run as smooth as the newer motors. Also, the lifespan of one of the old pancake motors is really a hit or miss. As far as parts, no forget it, other than obtaining other old engines for use as parts you will not find the pancake parts available through Bachmann.

While I do not think it necessary to go to the Spectrum steam engines as the newer standard engines have been upgraded over the years and the new engines are considered to be well running engines.

The picture on the e-bay ad shows very old stock.

Quite frankly I am not sure if that engine is one of the locomotives with the old pancake motor or not.

The newer Bachmann engines come in a Blue Box with the cellophane window.

You need to see the parts sheet that comes with each locomotive to determine just how old the item is if it is not in a blue box.

There are 4 of the Spectrum 4-6-0's on E-bay right now.

If I find any of the Spectrum 4-6-0's at a decent price I will buy them. I certainly will bid on a couple.

They are the most versatile engine you can find. They can do freight, passenger or mixed. A couple of these on a layout would be all you would need, with the possible exception of a small switcher if the layout had a good sized yard.

As there is no HO 4-6-0's being produced in plastic right now, which ever manufacture gets one into production will do well with sales. I would assume Bachmann still has the molds, I really wonder why they have not produced a run in the last year or so.

I would advise that you forget about the booster. It is just too expensive.

For the same amount you could buy another starter DCC system with 2 to 3 times the amperage of the Bachmann Commander DCC  system. Any of the other DCC systems will allow you to access more DCC functions than the Bachmann Commander system.

On my Bachmann Commander unit I could only run two BLI sound engines at once, any more and the system could not cope. You could run more engines if they did not have sound and only DCC

Quote from: Br 98.75 on December 13, 2013, 01:33:18 AM
Its a climax not a heisler

From the number you provided you are inquiring about a Rivarossi Heisler. The number sequence you gave is for the two truck Heislers.  I assume you did not get a copy of the engine schematics. You will need one in order to take the engine apart.

The sequence of the Rivarossi numbers you gave are for DCC ready engines, the DCC socket is above the second truck. You have to take the superstructure off first.

Go to the http://hoseeker.net sit, they have information on Rivarossi engines.

http://hoseeker.net/AHMRivarossiassembly/rivarossi7168heisler1977pg3.jpg

I assume you are talking about an HO scale engine which runs on N qauge track.

As nice as the Blackstone engines are if you are not that into sound then I would suggest going for a brass model.

You will find them on E-bay, a K-28 would also be a nice running narrow gauge locomotive.

I just checked E-Bay and I see prices are now set for Christmas, I would wait as you can usually find an unused brass for just over $200.00

I bought a couple of these and plan to have a narrow gauge line running to a mining operation. I plan on using double gauge track on part of the layout and N gauge for the line up to the mine and then from the double tracked mainline to the smelter. At the smelter there will be both HO and HOn trackage.

I would suggest that you take the superstructure off of the locomotive and inspect the gears. In the process you will end up separating the engine from the tender. Just remember the sequence as you take apart the locomotive.

I have seen couple of Bachmann engines that had so much excessive lube and that had dried while in storage.  When first placed on a test track the engines just stalled out. Also check the valve gear, can easily cause stalls if bent, easily fixed but needs checking as well.

These engines that had been in storage for a number of years. If they had not been stripped and cleaned they would not have run.

The SY engines are I think the best running engines I have ever seen in the Bachmann Spectrum line.

Quote from: curbur on December 07, 2013, 10:26:37 PM
Thanks for the helpful information.

Curt

I agree, stay away from a 18" curve, just too sharp. It is usable, but looks terrible.

If you alternate 18" and 22" radius sections you will end up with a 20" radius curve. Use 4 pieces of 22" and then 3 piece of 18", you end up with a transition track. Add a 4" straight section and the ends will line up parallel to each other.

Better than an 18" curve but not as good as a 22" curve, but a compromise worth considering.