Just one word of caution regarding Shays and slopes. They go UP the grades beautifully, but they get a bit herky-jerky on the downslope due to the backlash in the drivetrains. If you keep the speed up, it doesn't look bad. However, if I wanted to highball around a layout I would have bought a diesel....or just a Lionel. 

This jerky motion on the downslopes is one reason I was so keen on the Heisler. It exhibits none of that.

I'll go on record and give the new Heisler two thumbs up based on the example I have received and tested. Here is a link to a video I made of the first trip around a test layout with 4% grades and 15" minimum radius. (Some of you may have already seen this from some links I put on other train sites)

http://youtu.be/Fl-RLSzrhos

If they are here, wouldn't the "Now Arriving" or "Announcements" section be the proper place to broadcast this news? Just sayin'....

"IF" we should ever get them here in the States and I happen to get one at a decent price and happen to experience the same issue, I'll hope to experiment with this..

Seriously and all jealousy aside, congrats on the new loco. Very glad to hear its a good runner.  (OK, now back to being jealous...carry on.)

Dave brings up a very good point about the wheelsets on most all cars that come in sets (and sometimes otherwise). One of the first upgrades I would recommend is upgrading to metal wheels. Bachmann carries two sizes for HO, part numbers 42903 and 42904 that will fit many if not all of the Bachmann cars. Metal wheels will help keep your trains running smoothly as the plastic wheels can contribute to dirty track sooner than metal. (In my opinion)

Hi Guy,

I have 3 of these sets. The power supply is 7.5V, 300ma. Also, the center pin is positive. Hope that helps. 

Well that's pretty cool. Imagine the fun he must have had collecting all that stuff.

HO isn't my current "main" scale so I won't be bidding, but he is gathering quite a number of bids.

Which scale? What road? I can't find it.

I 2nd (or 3rd) the endorsement for The Favorite Spot. I have bought probably 90% of my Bachmann roster from them. I have over 100 items in the roster and probably 30+ transactions with the Spot. Only once did I have a need for a return and they promptly exchanged the item for me even though they have no responsibility to do so. (Defective merchandise is supposed to be returned through Bachmann, regardless of where you buy it new) They are a class outfit in my opinion and experience.

I would highly recommend the Bachmann Digital Commander set. It comes with two locomotives in the set and gets you started in DCC right away and in my opinion will give you the best value for your money. This set is available for well under $200 at certain "Spots" on the web. This set will give you a nice empire in the space you mention and easy to expand when ready. But right from the start you can run two locomotives at the same time without complicated wiring and that is one of the greatest things about DCC. Just plug and play.

Athearn was mentioned and I agree they make some very fine kit, especially the Genesis line. I just would not personally choose their sets as a starter if the plan is to expand. You can always add their fine locos and cars as your time, space, and budget permit.

I would prefer to see a vertical boiler version of a Shay and a Climax. I like the odd, old timey stuff. 

Not really, but I'm sure many of us would appreciate a step-by-step pictorial on your progress. 

If this were Facebook, we would all "LIKE" Mike's post. Totally agree. We need logging buildings in Plasticville O Scale! 

I have a Dynamis for a small layout. I sometimes get 3 or 4 engines running at the same time, but typically only 1 or 2. Has never been a problem with power. I like it quite well and it suits my needs just fine. When I want to fine tune a CV for some reason, I use my Digitrax PR3 and JMRI software. With the deals you can get on a Dynamis, it offers good wireless control at a very reasonable price point. 

By golly, y'all might be right. Not sure now if it was the 2-6-0 or the 4-6-0 I was having an issue with. I think these locos may have originally come in sets, so they were probably the 2-6-0. I'll check further for that screw. Thanks.