Ah, I see Robert. Thanks for clearing that up. I never knew the diesel engine had so much responsibility. I though they put it on there just for "in case" reasons (i.e. "in case" the steamer were to break down, things like that).
Funny story Jeff. I guess that proves how much better older things are than newer ones (in some cases) like automobiles. Older, metal made cars are much better than today's crappy fiberglass and plastic ones. 

Great video. Just one thing that bothers me, and that's that they pretty much always put a modern diesel engine with the steamer. They pulled 50+ cars on their own back in their day. Do they really think that it can't pull a boxcar and 7 coaches on it's own? Just one thing that always bothers me about steam specials. But great video nonetheless.

Thanks for clearing that up Mr. Bachmann. Are you guys at Bachmann releasing/re-introducing any Amtrak products for the anniversary? And have you ever thought about making any Phase 5 P42's? It would be a good profit considering you would be the only company to continuously make them, since Walthers releases them every now and then (and even still they're limited runs).

My bad  Since Bachmann doesn't make any of these products, I figured it wouldn't matter. So, Mr. Bachmann ( or who else moderates the forum) go ahead and delete this if it disobeys the code of conduct.

I just finished reading my Walthers Flyer I got in the mail today, and I was surprised to see that Walthers is producing more Amtrak Phase V P42's in 2 numbers (1 & 67). They are a limited run, so make sure you reserve your's. It says they're expected to be delivered in October 2011. List price is $109.98 each.

#1: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/140-99448
#67: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/140-99449
The flyer is available for free and is full of great products from all manufacturers. You can sign up here: http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/mailing
But, it's also available online:  http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/flyer (the P42's are on pg. 9 of the may 2011 catalog).
Just thought I'd let everyone know if they wanted one of these 

Just looked in my history textbook. Turns out the first American steam locomotive was designed and built by Peter Cooper in 1830, called the "Tom Thumb."

And back on topic, you might want to try modeltrainstuff.com. They have the lowest prices I've seen online.

If you want a train bigger than a pencil get a different scale  But then of course prices go up too. I mean, a pencil is a piece of wood with graphite (right?) in it. A train is a piece of plastic with paint and a motor. Then there's all the wires and eye mechanism etc.  And don't forget, the more detail, the higher the price 

I'm about half an hour south of Detroit, MI. Only had 1 snow day this year.... Were getting ripped off with snow lol. Haven't even had one snow day since I got my xbox. Would just play that all day lol......

Maybe this could clear this up for some people:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,8593.0.html

Kris is right. All you have to do is connect the forked ends into the AC side of the power pack. Then, to activate the switch, move the button on the center of the black thing, then press down on it and release. It will then switch.

I haven't really found the point in the opening doors. They never close all the way for me anyway......

Athearn makes CSX Bethgon Coalporters in 5 packs:
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=Coalporter+RTR&CatID=THRF&RN=CSX
They are pretty nice, with metal wheels and knuckle couplers. Good detail too. You can find them for cheaper at many other online stores.

Quote from: Hunt on December 20, 2010, 09:59:44 PM
In HO gauge, that is easy to find -- 15" radius.

What does your question about curve radius have to do with a turntable?

I may have an idea how they relate......
Fullmax, are you planning on building your own turntable? I see it workin as you making a circle of 15" radius curves, and using let's say trucks from a frieght car for the ends of the deck. Am I right? Seems like it could work.

I followed a link that was on Rich's last post, and it had a link to the actual crossing that was in the film on google earth. I may have found the ravine that was used. Click on the link that is at the bottom of the page that says google street view, and put this in the search bar:
2901-2999 N Ventura Rd
Oxnard‎ California‎ 93036
United States

It is a large wooden bridge that goes across a large ravine. It's down the line that the crossing is on. It's very far from the crossing, but it's still on the same line.

*The bridge is just down on the screen from the building it takes you to on the address. Follow the ravine down the page and you will see it. 

And something else not related to BTTF, a very good place on Google earth to see many switcher units, such as SW's and MP's, and hot metal bottle cars, coke cars, and many other industrial trains, type this into the search bar in google earth:
42° 17' 5" N  83° 6' 41" W

Aj,

You don't neccessarily have to put the track down on plywood. Since the track is on an artificial roadbed i.e raised up from the ground, and the fact that you have no pets greatly reduces the chance of fibers and hair etc. from getting in the locomotives. My trains have run on carpet except at my friends house, and they still run fine