Punkin, great choice of LGB track and power supply! These are very robust products. You do not need joiners, as they are included with every piece of track, unless you have some specific use in mind. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi
PS Annie is short for Anniversary edition of the 4-6-0, they modified the loco chassis n-th time and added some detail, but the tender is still the original unimpressive moulding. The particular colour scheme you chose is not prototypical for this locomotive (which is one of the ET&NWC "Tweetsie" engines"). The bumble bee colour scheme was used on D&RGW C-16 #268 for 1949 Chicago Railroad Fair and later to mimic this scheme on C-18 #319, K-28 #473 and K-36 #483 for use in films. This was all for fun, not as a regular paint scheme, although #268 retained the yellow paint scheme later in service.

Punkin, The engines will leave some residue if you run them a lot. But you do not need to worry if you just make an occasional test run... None of these locomotives you list is very robust. Personally, I would choose the 4-4-0, it is more detailed and more prototypical - which you may start to appreciate some time. Get a simple circle of track, the largest diameter possible and a simple DC power pack and have fun. This is how I got started, some 100 engines ago;-)... Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

I am looking for a bolster from Bachmann Spectrum boxcar frame - perhaps someone has one spare? Many thanks, Zubi

Justin, do you mean disconnects? LGB sold them in sets of six or in sets of four with logs, they were actually reasonably priced, perhaps now since they are out of print;-), the price went up... AMS makes such disconnects too. Another style of such logging disconnects would always be welcome. But what is still really missing is a cute logging caboose with some kind of Carter trucks. For example WSL #5. The trucks could then be used on disconnects and other logging stuff. Speaking of cabooses, how about an EBT caboose in a range of versions and colours? The hoppers are already there... Best wishes, Zubi

Quote from: Barry BBT on April 11, 2010, 07:14:58 PM
Gauge 3 has been dead for a few years, but seemingly replaced by 20.3 Std Ga.  2.75" ga.

Also 7/8N2, much alive and very interesting (on 45mm ga.).

!/24 scale on 45mm is 42" gauge, currently alive and well in Oz (Aust.).

Barry - BBT

Mr Barry-BBT, Gauge 3 is alive and well in civilized places such as UK and Germany. It is not and will never be replaced by absurd gauge concepts. Best wishes, Zubi

Palallin, Why don't you just measure the loco? Terry provided you with some measurements. This loco was made when large scale was still 1:22.5 so it may have been made to this scale. But, being a model of a 1' 11 and 1/2" prototype, it would also be appropriately modelled in 16mm scale, just like the Accucraft LYN. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Dear Mr/Ms Bach-man, Let me cite myself: Now that Bachmann proved that they can build a decent car, even with some interior, I would suggest to consider one of these fine examples for the future products:
http://4largescale.com/fletch/d60c.htm
http://4largescale.com/fletch/d60.htm
I believe many modellers who bought your early Moguls and Americans would be happy to buy some of these if you produce them to the same (or better) accuracy as the D&RGW caboose.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Terry, the info about marker lights went to you per email. TD&RGW cabooses generally did not have boards in the turnbuckles, I just looked at some photos and saw a couple of exceptions, but #505 did not have them, and it is likely that #503 didn't have them either. Best wishes, Zubi

Quote from: Bucksco on August 18, 2009, 04:42:50 PM
>>"To be honest, the first impression is not as great as all that anticipating would deserve"

Perhaps some photos might change your mind?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery.php?set_albumName=Large-Scale-Long-Caboose&include=view_album.php//

Dear Mr Bucksco,
Many thanks for the photos. I have actually acquired one of these cabooses before seeing these photos. As Tam-Tam shop in Akihabara started discounting these cabooses at the end of August, I took the risk and bought one flying Rio-Grande version. It is quite good. My first impression must have been influenced by the box - I guess I developed some kind of immunity against them. But also the exaggerated wood grain I saw inside, plus the oversized and unpainted grab irons on the wall above the platform did not exactly encourage me. Anyway, the hardware can be painted, and thase particular grab irons may have been larger on one or two prototypes. The wood grain, well, it is a matter of taste I suppose, I would prefer it finer and more gentle, but some may like it the way it is. Also, the wall or table lamps inside, although nice, look somewhat oversize and artificial to me, but perhaps it was not technically possible to make them more realistic size. Finally, nicer wheels with raised lettering and ribs would be welcome on a highly detailed model.
Overall, it is a very good product, and many things are nice and well done such as lettering which has never been done correctly to date on any RTR long cabooses of D&RGW.   
Of course, plastic has its limitations and the poor RGS version is incorrect, in particular its length. I am not sure whether I am going to overcome this. But hopefully this will not deter many others. The D&RGW versions look pretty sweet and I feel I may be getting the toilet seat version some day.
I only hope the plastic will survive longer than that on my previous Bachmann purchase, the very first Shay engine from 1998 with which I happily parted a long time ago.
Now that Bachmann proved that they can build a decent car, even with some interior, I would suggest to consider one of these fine examples for the future products:
http://4largescale.com/fletch/d60c.htm
http://4largescale.com/fletch/d60.htm
I believe many modellers who bought your early Moguls and Americans would be happy to buy some of these if you produce them to the same (or better) accuracy as the D&RGW caboose.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Perhaps Mudhen, you are not missing that much... Tokyo seems to be flooded with these cabooses, but no queues of customers - which I sometimes see when a new release of say KATO is delivered! I went to Tam-Tam today and there it is in full 'glory':
but is it worth the risk? To be honest, the first impression is not as great as all that anticipating would deserve, Zubi

Mudhen, You cannot really run a picture, can you?? Unless you mount it on a flatcar, perhaps. You know, there is a simple solution. Post order you caboose from Japan!! You will sure have it by September. Otherwise, anticipate..., as Bachmann suggests;-) Best wishes from the land of the rising cabooses, Zubi

While the sunken boat theory sounds quite plausible, the other more simple explanation is that there is simply not enough of these cabooses for the US market, as Japan probably took the entire production run;-) After all we deserve them here, as the original is also very nicely preserved in Tokyo:
 
OK, the number on the Bachmann's version is incorrect, but this could be rectified to the original 0409 of RGS which we have here, with some paint or decals... Best wishes from Tokyo, where the cabooses dwell...;-), Zubi

I forgot to say "best wishes from Tokyo;-)))))" Zubi

Probably the boat sunk. They do that from time to time... But some cargo may wash ashore by September;-))) Best wishes,  Zubi

Quote from: FordcvP71 on June 04, 2009, 02:17:04 PM
A K28 would be very nice but only if its in 1:22 not 1:20!   

Ive already invested way to much time and money into 1:22 equipment, I own a Bachmann 1:20 K27 and it is and will be the only piece of 1:20 equipment I own... Oh and it will get sold if I can get my hands on a 1:22 LGB K28

More than enough 1:20 2-8-2's already out there Bachmann should come out with somthing in 1:22 before LGB does (fingers crossed they will!)

Dear FordcvP71, As much as I like the K-28 class, there is really no need for another model of it in 1:22.5 as the LGB/Aster version exists in 500 copies and it is also about the most wonderful large scale locomotive ever released. But I agree with you that 1:22.5 is a perfect scale for US 3ft prototypes and it is a pity that the chances are rather slim that anything of US origin will be produced in this scale. Personally, I am not complaining, at over 15 pieces of heavy metal motive power, I am still far from completing my collection of what has already been produced. And I can hardly keep up with the amazing new models released in 1:22.5. Perhaps you should look outside the US theme, it may prove rewarding! There is so much more to narrow gauge than EBT and D&RGW;-)))... Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi