Quote from: ebtbob on August 17, 2007, 06:54:02 AM
Good Morning All,

         Fixed DC is also there to allow one to put a separate throttle in line between the fixed DC terminals on the pack and the track,  thus turning the pack into a dual throttle power pack. 

How does that work?  Are there throttles out there that takes VDC input and then have VDC output (with no AC input)?

Also, I am planning to run two consists of four locos each in a four district layout.  Will the Ultra (VDC20, 2amp) have enough power to do that, or just have enough to handle one consist?

Currently I am using the traditional old Bachmann black power pak (17 VDC), and it works very well with 2 locos towing 40 cars, but 3 is a little bit slow, and 4 grounds to a halt.

Quote from: Craig on August 16, 2007, 11:32:57 PM
Variable DC is for the track feed. It works off the throttle.

But what is the difference between this and the fixed DC?

I just bought a Magnum Ultra power pak, but it does not have any instruction.
Would you be able to scan the instruction paper for me, or anyone can scan or take a photo of it for me?  I need to know how the brake button and the momentum button works, but most importantly, the difference between the variable DC and fixed DC outlet so my trains will not get fried.

You mean 68 to present...not 69 right?

I am curious about the years 83-84.  That is because those were the time when Kader
1. took over 2. expanded internationally 3. changed product lines

What is the exact date (month) when Bachmann started H0 scale?  N is 6/68, but I have no idea about H0.

I am pretty sure the first retooling was done in August of 69.  That is because, if you check model railroader, Bachmann strangely advertised about having a brand new GP40 in the September 69 issue..even though they already have a GP40 back in the 68 catalog.

One thing for sure, the couplers are different.  The original coupler is one single unit.  After that, the coupler can be dismantled, although steel spring was used.  Not until the second retooling did they start using copper springs.  After the third retooling the coupler looked pretty much the same as now.

But that is in N scale..no idea if it holds true for H0.

There was no authorship of the original article. (ie. anonymous).  It seems to be written by someone who is into model trains, but probably not a Bachmann US person.  There were more discussions about Bachmann UK in the discussion area than the discussions about the actual content of Bachmann USA.

Please go ahead and clean the article up and make it readable, thanks.

I have put down all the references as best as I could.  Suggestions please?

Quote from: Woody Elmore on August 16, 2007, 08:44:19 AM
I looked over the Wikipedia article. It contains a lot of paragraphs that have subjective clauses as a lead in. This makes the writing very verbose and hard to follow.

Encyclopedia writing, like technical or journal writing, should contain simple declarative sentences written in active voice with a minimum of clauses.

The name of the state of Louisiana is also misspelled.

Are the facts correct? There is no listing of primary sources or references to back up the claims in the article.

Wikipedia is to encyclopedias as the Yugo was to automobiles.

Good point, I'll list the source later.  But I definitely would need help for someone to polish the writing up for me.

As I said, go ahead and change it if you want.    

It is far from perfect.  All I have are 40 years of catalogs, old magazines, being able to read German English French Italian Chinese and Japanese, (hence can read all reports and catalogs from Liliput, Bachmann, Tomy, Kader, Jouef, Bachmann China, etc.); plus 10+ years of annual reports in Chinese.

My household mostly speak Spanish..and it is the least fluent language that I can speak, strangely.

Let the editors deal with the grammar and stuff, I just put in the facts...without getting too much details.   1500 pages of financial reports from KPMG is quite a lot to read.

The Branchline article actually listed the products..that's something which I will never have the time to list them. 

English is not even my second language...

Anyway, this is way off topic.  The original Bachmann wiki entry had lots of error.  That was why it was almost a total rewrite.

Can anyone track down the agency in Bologna and France?  I *know* the company in Bologna has a Chinese connection for quite awhile.  (nice city!), and I know that Italy was the first agency..just not sure whether it was 82 or 83.  France probably was next be it in Corcieux, or later Nancy.  I think when Palitoy fell, they saw the opportunity and took it, and moved the operation to England, from a distributor/dealership to an actual manufacturer.

I have entered and did a major rewriting of the Bachmann entry in Wikipedia.  I have basically rewrote it entirely from scratch.  When I have time I will work on Bachmann UK, China, and Liliput.  Feel free to do corrections if you see fit.

Which catalogs you yourself is missing?

This is a booklet version right?

Thanks Tony....right now I have everything except 78, 83 and 84.

Atlas has a series of beginners book.

I notice that Bachmann used to have a Diesel fueling and sanding facility kit..

I want to know what sanding is.  I read that Steam loco needs sand to help traction on the rails.  Diesel needs to do the same?

Where does the sand store in a Diesel?  When does the engineer decide to sand?  How does he do it?  Is there a time or circumstances which he has to do it?

PS. Where is the fuel inside a diesel, and also where is the water (cooling)?
Does anyone has a blueprint or diagram to show what a typical diesel design looks like (the inside)?

Members from HKRS has to order a special loco from Australia, that costs over USD$200, and you still have to paint it and make it look like the old Clyde diesel. 

PS.  I grew up next to the train museum (then Taipo station) literally.