Anyone trying to download the 2009 Bachmann Catalog should note that the address given on this site has an error, there should be a dot between Bachmann and pdf.

The correct address is http://www.williamstrains.com/2009/2009_bachmann.pdf

This is a large download approx. 70Mb so do not try on a dial-up connection.

Dave

During May/June last year I travelled on the ViaRail Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver and on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth. Both were 3 day trips and gave a much better feeling for the respective countries than flying. The Dining Car experience in both cases was excellent with local cuisine being served in 5 star hotel like conditions. Train is still certainly the way to travel instead of air, but its downside is the cost and certainly in the case of my previous travels on Amtrak in the US their almost total lack of ability to run according to the advertised schedule on long distance.

Dave

Dennis,

Try this site for an electronic switch for turnouts

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/Index.html

Dave.

I also recently contacted Customer Service using the online form and was not expecting a quick response after reading messages posted here about them not replying to email requests. I was very pleasantly surprised to receive a parcel here in South Africa containing the parts, for which I had had no part number, about 10 days after my email.
The parts were shipped without payment, with an invoice stating how payment could be made.
The shipping & handling charge was far above the cost of the parts but unfortunately cannot be avoided, especially where International Post is concerned.

Thanks to Cynthia in Customer Service.

Dave.

Jerry,

A Google search provides this link:
www.napalmfiles.com/Rail/Docs/dynamis_manual.pdf

I do not know whether this posting of the manual is officially sanctioned by Bachmann Europe, but it is a pdf file of the original manual.

Dave

Here is a copy of the message I posted during January and I have so far found no reason to change my opinion.


"I am, so far, very satisfied with my unit, it is very comfortable to use and does what it is advertised to do. I have not used it for any extensive use of programming cv's as I have a SPROG and programming track connected to my PC which I use in conjunction with DecoderPro software for setting up decoders.

I have found it necessary to disable it's automatic timeout when communication fails between the handheld unit and control box as every time I put the handheld down out of near line of sight of the control box, 10 seconds later everything would come to a halt. This is user configurable.

One minor irritation that there appears to be no way of sorting the loco roster, it remains in the order in which it is loaded which may be fine until you start adding and deleting.

I have no experience of other systems apart from the original EZ-Command
but would not hesitate to recommend the Dynamis."

Dave

I am, so far, very satisfied with my unit, it is very comfortable to use and does what it is advertised to do. I have not used it for any extensive use of programming cv's as I have a SPROG and programming track connected to my PC which I use in conjunction with DecoderPro software for setting up decoders.

I have found it necessary to disable it's automatic timeout when communication fails between the handheld unit and control box as every time I put the handheld down out of near line of sight of the control box, 10 seconds later everything would come to a halt. This is user configurable.

One minor irritation that there appears to be no way of sorting the loco roster, it remains in the order in which it is loaded which may be fine until you start adding and deleting.

I have no experience of other systems apart from the original EZ-Command
but would not hesitate to recommend the Dynamis.

Dave

Regarding the comment re the Dynamis power supply:

The power supply supplied with my Dynamis here in South Africa is rated for 110-240v supply so unless UL Rating requires something different it should be suitable for US use, needing only a change in plug.

Dave

I have 3 of the Rail Trucks, 2 fitted with Soundtraxx decoders and one with Loksound.  The problem only occurs with the Loksound not with either the original Bachmann or the Soundtraxx decoders, which leads me to believe that the problem lies with the BEMF settings. The Loksound manual refers to their website for recommended settings but they are nowhere to be found.
I have completely disassembled one of my units and unless something is hidden within the motor, which I doubt due to its small size, there are no electronic  components other than on the pcb as you noted.

Dave

I have a Rail Truck with exactly the same problem, but it is hardwired so there is no Bachmann PC Board to cause the problem. After attempting to adjust the BEMF operation by means of its CV's my only solution was to turn off the BEMF on the Loksound decoder, which does improve the stopping and starting jerking. I have previously asked for advice on the Loksound Yahoo Group but received no help.

Remember that cutting the inductor leads on the Bachmann board will stop anything from working, they need to be bridged out for any test, while the capacitor leads need cutting.

Dave

Try http://www.keveney.com/Locomotive.html

Dave

I have had no problems with accessing or reading these data sheets.

Now all we need is info on the PC boards used in the various loco's.

Thanks,

Dave

Sheldon,
Your statement that 200v is the "Killing Threshold" of electricity is not entirely correct. An AC current of 60mA at a frequency of 50/60 Hz can induce ventricular fibrillation resulting in death. Depending on body resistance and the path of the current, a supply as low as 50v could prove fatal. Residual Current Breakers are generally set to trigger at a flow of only 30mA, well below the danger area. Any voltage of above 40v should be considered to be dangerous depending on conditions.

Dave.

 A "Suitcase Connector" is what is known as an IDC or Insulation Displacement Connector, which principle is used for all ribbon connectors used in computers and other electronic equipment and has been proven to be reliable over many years. Although the suitcase is a simple form of this type there is no reason for it to be any less reliable, provided it is from a reputable manufacturer. I believe that 3M were the originator of this type of connector. NASA may not use the suitcase type but I am sure they must have many connectors using the IDC principle.

Dave

Brad,

Try http://www.figuresnbits.com/ for O scale figures and details.

Dave