I tried to open the Bachmann Vanderbilt tender last night and despite removing several screws it defied all attempts to be disassembled.  Usually with these things it is a matter of pushing a couple tabs at the same time and some tab or part is just stiff.   But before I break something, I thought I would check to see if there is any special trick to this.  The instructions that come with the tender are not terribly helpful.  Thanks -  Nevin

Can anyone give me information about the approximate gross weight, driver diameter, and approximate builders date for the prototype of th Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0.  I understand it is an IC prototype.  Thanks -  Nevin

A couple of my firends bought the new Bachmann Spectrum modernized 4-4-0 at the Timonium show last weekend.  We were discussing the idea of back dating one to something older and more westernized.  The mechanism has to work much better than any brass 4-4-0 without heavy modification. 

Has anyone looked into or performed modifications on this engine to back date it with older domes, stacks etc?  Naturally since I am interested in modeling the V&T, converting one or more of these engines into the V&T
4-4-0s.  Thoughts?  -  Nevin

I seem to remember that someone here had converted a low boiler version of the Bachmann 4-6-0 in to a passable V&T #26 or #27.  The Bachmann has 52 inch drivers and the prototype had 56.   I would love to hear more about how it was done and how much surgery was involved.  I think there were pictures posted at one point.  It looks like my next railroad is going to the V&T! -  Nevin