Mine will pull 2 cars and a caboose up a 2% grade. BUT, is has the weight removed and battery R/C installed. Even adding weight in the void spaces I could only get half of it's original weight back.

On one of the other large scale forums someone put a K27 plow on a connie. Nice job too. I apologize though because I can't remember which one.

If you put the Banta Model works cab on the indy thats pretty much what it loks like.

It's neat, but pretty much like the Accucraft Ruby. Some day, when I have more time,  I'll get into live steam.

They were at the big train show in Cleveland oHIo on March 14 and 15th.

I figured mine wouldn't last and I'd have to replace the plug or socket sooner or later, so I just grab the wires and pull. Looking back I've been doing that for three years now and they still haven't broken. I'm not saying to do this, only that they are fairly durable.

There was one at the ECLSTS last year, new in the box for $200. I still beat myself up for not buying it.

Read your DCC controller instructions, it should say. I run digitrax and I know some of the equipment has a selector switch for N-HO-O but some does not not like the digitrax zephyr  system which I have run both N & HO with (but not at the same time)

I found this site some time ago. Has a lot of useful info on it.

http://www.urbaneagle.com/data/RRstddims.html

yeah Scot, I don't think they'd cover those....

I'm a hardcore train buff. I only model in 1:20.3 (F) scale. BUT, when Christmas rolls around I enjoy the Christmas themed train under the tree. I usually only buy parts on ebay because I don't need a small army of Christmas locos. But when something new comes out I always pick it up. I have lots of people that come over who could care less about my true to scale prototypical railroad in my backyard that I have worked for years on. But the same people love to look at the Christmas train going round and round under the tree that took me 30 minutes to set up. Go figure.

John, I sent a shay back I converted to battery power. I was told on the phone that they would cover it as long as i didn't do damage by doing the conversion. (it had truck problems not caused by me) But, I was also told to remove my electronics. I would assume so they would not be damaged or in the event of replacement.

There is no problem with that.

Bachmannn makes a heavy gear lube that I believe is like a white paste, if you look in the bottom there is usually some in there from the factory. They say to oil the side rods with a light oil.

I use Hob-I-Lube because it was what was available at the time. I use plastic compatable grease on the gears and light oil on the side rods. I use medium oil on the valve rods. Personally I don't see a difference between the two and have had good service from all my locos. Bachmann also had no problems doing warranty work on one either.

I'll buy a k-27. My railroad is an eastern based freelance.

The Lakeville Amboy & Conneaut is not a wealthy line, but it's getting there. Supply and demand has dictated they purchase a loco to run the long route to Conneaut. Old #4 a 2-8-0 has made the run for years, but the freight demand is getting so high it has to make double runs working it nearly 20 hours a day. Obviously this isn't good for the ole goat because down time for maintenance is at a premium. Luckily they have found a used K-27 in good repair. This loco should be able to pull both Conneaut trains in one shot.  They are hoping to have it in service by the first of the year.

That's how my eastern based RR is gonna have a Kay.

I had one that did the same thing, it was a bad board. I sent the tender back to bachmann and it came back good as new.