I have all of the Large Scale Thomas and Friends engines and cars. All are still in their original boxes.  Only Thomas and Percy have been run and then only for less than an hour at a time. I strongly doubt that there would be more than 3-4 hours total run time on either engine. Just noticed that the finish on Percy is peeling in where I think the motor is located. Just small areas. Plastic shell seems to be okay, just the finish is 'blistering'. Any suggestions. Would this be a warranty issue?
Thanks,
Bob   

Is the Bachmann 1 amp decoder 44913 a dual mode unit capable of running DC or DCC? I plan of using in the G-scale Thomas locos.

On the bottom of the Thomas engines there is a 2 position switch. I've always set to NMRA. I'm converting to DCC. Do I simply bypass the switch when installing the 8-wire decoder (Bachmann #44913)?
Thanks.

I'm in the process of converting 2 or more of the G scale Thomas and Friends engines. Hobby shop contacted Bachmann and they recommended installing E-Z Command 1 Amp Decoder #44913. Couple of questions....

   1. Do I splice the red/black pickup and orange/grey motor terminal inline or bypass the switch on the bottom of the engines? I want to keep dc availability.

   2. Would the E-Z Command Controller 36505 be my best choice?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

I trying to find the output plug size that goes to the track on the small, grey controller that is supplied with many of the train sets. I want to make up some power connectors to use on brass track. The steel track connectors don't work very well. 

Are the power clips still available from Bachmann?

Just a curiosity question. Why are there 3 different sizes of plastic clips for steel track (1 7/8", 1 15/16" and 2")? They all look alike. Are some newer than others? Thanks.

Just curious as to why Bachmann changed the 'male' fitting on its newer steel track (black cover on the female connector). It has a flat base which will not mate up with the turnouts. Flat base must be filed or ground off.

I  currently have Aristo-Craft brass track which is hard to find. I have found out that Bachmann track is readily available through a store in Denton, Tx. I assume the rail code is the same. What about the comparision of ties (color, spacing, texture, etc).

Anybody out there ever add DCC to the Thomas engines? Would like to eliminate 'blocks' and 'block switches' on my (grandson's) layout.

Purchased a Thomas series 'Emily' locomotive for a grandson back in Jan 2014. Due to a remodeling project to provide additional space for his G scale railroad empire, it wasn't removed from it's box until the other day. When placed on the track it started up, ran a couple of laps on the layout then stopped. All other Thomas engines (we have them all) run great. Any suggestions? This is an indoor layout using Bachmann steel track.

Emily's Brake Coach and Emily's Coach have two different numbers. Is the only difference between them the windows that appear to be 'white'? That's the only thing I see in the pictures.

Does Bachmann sell individual power clips/wire connecter for G scale steel track? I don't see it in their parts catalog.

I'm just getting into G using Bachmann metal track. I come up with a layout that will have 2 or 3 track levels, running at least 2 trains. What is the proper distance between levels? I will be running Big Hauler type of equipment to start. Also, what is the max rise percentage and gradient degree? ie: 4" rise in 72" of track. My calc indicates 5.66% rise which equates to a little over 3 degrees gradient. Am I even close??   

Where can I find tracks plans (if available) that uses Bachmann G Scale steel track???

I haven't looked at the engines yet so I thought I'd ask while on the board. The DCC Spectrum 2-8-0 has a fake knuckle coupler on the front. Can this be easily replaced with a working coupler?

I am converting to DCC from DC. I recently purchased 4 DCC Equipped Spectrum
2-8-0. I also have 1 remaining DC engine. I test ran the new Spectrums and they seemed to run sluggish compared to the DC. They were running on a regular DC (not DCC) test track oval 150" in length for 5 laps. The DCC engines averaged 17.46 secs to 18.89 secs per lap. The DC engine did the same oval in 8.84 secs average per lap. All engines are brand new and were 'broken in' as advised by Bachmann. Is this normal under these conditions?