just getting started on my On30 logging layout, built on a 24" deep shelf that is "L" shaped, 8' long on one side and 4' long on the other.  Layout will be a double switch back using Peco On30 track, Bachmann Climax and a Shay, both with added 3trd trucks from Backwoods Miniatures.  Just built the Climax truck tonight.  Mike

I can also plug thefavoritespot, but I have all On30 from him.  I ditched HO scale as my eyesite isnt as good as it once was and I like narrow gauge trains.  On30 will run on HO scale track, highly recommend you check out Bachmann's sets.  They match the xmas village buildings very nicely scale wise if your into that kind of stuff.  Or you can go the whole backwoods logging or mining theme.  Good luck on whatever you decide to purchase.   Mike

Thats for the suggestion Royce but I dont need another account to keep up with over on Yahoo.  I will find someone eventualy between the forums I post on.   MIke

Any of my fellow On30's good at weathering locomotives?   I am building the 3rd truck kit from Backwoods Miniatures for my Climax and would like to have it and the locomotive weathered to match the picture on Backwood's website.  Our one guy that is fairly local is backed up for several months with kits to build, paint and weather.  Thanks in advance.  Mike

I agree with Royce, beautifull engine but not the choice if you have rough track work and tight curves.  The 2-6-0 Mogul, 0-4-0/0-4-2 Porter, or one of the geared enignes would have been a better choice.  Even possible the BLI C16 2-8-0 might have been better suited.  I will test that engine on my tight curves soon, I have a second hand #278 flying Rio Grande in layaway at the LHS.  Have to say the forney's details rival brass models that are out there. Cheers   Mike

Guess you need to go over to Southwest Narrow Gauge's website as they have them listed, as well in thier add in Narrow Gauge Gazette.  Not that I am buying any of them, to large for my layout.  If Bachmann can just remove thier greedy hands from the pot and use proper metal or brass gearing/line shafting like the older brass models did, we wouldnt have this ongoing issue with the geared engines.  I am not sure if thier engineers didnt think we all would run them this much, or if the all mighty doller dictated thier decision to cheapen(IMHO) the drive line.  PFM shays are pushing 50 years old or older, no major drive line issues, just open frame motors and lack of 8 wheel pickup.  I have a complete spare set of driveshafts/universals ect for a PFM shay/Climax and will solder them onto the metal shafting in my Climax when the plastic stuff splits.  Bachmann should have known better than to use plastic parts in a geared engines driveline.  Engines that are going to see steep grades as part of a proper logging layout!  With the MSRP that Bachmann lists these at, we need to start demanding better, if we dont get it, then boycott the brand, plain and simple.  I am sure many will be gun shy on the inital release of the Heisler and will let others beta test it.  It was that way with the HO 3 truck climax after the first one had major issues.  I also have a Heisler on order, and hope that the drive system was properly tested before production began. Some reassurance from Bachmann in these forums with specifics on what they did to address the previous geared engines issues would do alot to aleviate the rumors and distrust that has developed with thier product. Mike

Hey Tom, how bout some pics of your c21 and c25 conversions?  I would really like to see how they came out.  Bachmann has several easy new models here, and of engines that still exhist or operate.  Sounds like a no brainer, which is why it wont get done. They will continute to bring out odd prototypes and critters.  But one can dream I guess.   MIke

Well you can do a 3 truck Climax with a Backwoods Minature's 3rd truck kit, granted its not driven but unless Bachmann upgrades the line shafts to all metal, I wouldnt want the extra strain on the shafts or gears.  The tender looks the part, I have one coming for my Climax.  But if someone were to offer up a BLI C16 #268 in the bee colors, I would swap them even up!    Mike  P.S.   BW also does a 3rd truck for the shay and even found a lima sales pic that showed an early T boiler 3 truck shay.   

Thats why I added with MMI doing most of the K classes, we probably wouldnt see that.  But its a hop skip and jump to turn the Connie into a C25 or C21, the basis is there.  Broadway does a nice C16 that only needs a bit of extra detailing. A C19 would be nice.  With the blind center drivers it handles 18" radius ok, looks better on 22 or 24.  A K doesnt look bad on On30 if the rolling stock is of the prototypes they pulled.  They were big engines and did tower over some of the smaller D&RGW rolling stock, they had to be big to climb up thru the passes, otherwise the Rio Grande would have never go much larger than the C class 2-8-0's  I would actualy swap my new Climax and Backwoods 3rd truck kit for another BLI C16 if it was 268 in the bee colors.   Mike

I agree, time for some more well known prototypes.  EBT 2-8-2's are sorely needed!  Bachmann could also easily modify the Connie into a C21 or C25 to make up a D&RGW engine.  I doubt we see a K class since MMI is doing them.  I have seen the HO 3 truck shay turned into a On30 model, but I dont care for the early bracketed style 3 cylinder engine.  Update it to the later crankcase style and you could have a winner.  Make the bevel gears all metal as well.  I know the modeling public would gladly pay the little extra cost per engine to not have to deal with splitting plastic drive line parts.   Mike

After the long awaited Heisler.  I suggest Bachmann produce a 3 cylinder shay.  There is even a real world prototype still in around to measure up.  The Alishan shays in Taiwan.  That is a real world 30" gauge shay.  Would make a nice On30 model and easily modified for any backwoods logging empire.   Mike

If you put the CD Rom that came with the engine in your computer, it will give you the actual decoder manual.  I would suggest doing a reset to factory default.  There is a CV that you set to a certain value, I think it was CV30 to value 2 on my On30 Climax but it could be different on yours.  A reset might get the decoder behaving again.  Kind fo like a computer it needs a reboot.  If not progress, I would contact Bachmann customer service  to see about returning for repair/replacement.   Mike

I am curious here who would sign up and order a D&RGW prototype engine if Bachmann made one.  Say a T-12 using a modified ETWNC chassis with new boiler, or a K class using the pre exhisting 2-8-0 drive system as a basis.  BLI has the C16 covered, along with AMS/Accucraft.  I would rather see a K28 or K36 if it was done.  More of those still running but my bet is on a K27 as Bachmann seems to follow what they have done in other scales.  So a K27 or C19 would seem logical.  Or do we think Bachmann will let BLI, MMI ect handle the Colorado stuff and go with an eastern 2-8-2 EBT engine?  I am sure any of the above would be welcomed with welcome arms.  I do feel if On30 is going to start getting taken more seriously, then some prototype engines need to get produced and less of the obscure and oddball.  The mallets are nice but of odd prototypes.   How about some  known versions like Rayonier, or Weyerhauser, Sierra RR ect.  Bachmann has the lead position in this scale, others are even slower to bring out items and many modelers I have spoke dont take the scale seriously due to the engines produced.  I can get past the 6" narrower gauge differance from On3, but we need some well known engines along the lines of the Tweetsie ten wheeler.   Mike

The Euro connection is probably why I like it.  I had a nice Marklin layout for awhile using thier Marklin Systems and the hand held controler was similar. I know this system isnt liked for its expandablity, but for my small layout, I think it will fit the bill and give me wireless for the same price as a teathered NCE Powercab.   Mike

Bachmann took a couple of the covered bridges and turned them into a saw mill for a display layout.  I would like to see them produce that saw mill as a regular Plasticville building.   A small saw mill is sorely needed in the On30 logging groups.  Espicaly for the modelers that dont care for wood kits or dont need a large saw mill.  MIke