Greetings Guys,

I have a 3 Truck Shay that I just yesterday added a sound decoder. It runs fine on level ground, for the most part. But I find it is a problem pulling any degree of grade. So in checking the trucks I see where the front and rear trucks are not turning , or better yet free wheeling, not turned by the gears. I am aware of the problems that Bachmann had with the gears in the trucks. I did replace the middle truck a year or so ago because of a broken gear.

Now,  I do not see either truck listed on the Bachmann web site. I just sent them an email to confirm my fears. So, does anyone have any idea where I might look to solve my problem? The part numbers that I need are H81907 and H81910.

Hope someone can help. It sounds so good with the added sound. I hate to just retire it to a display piece.

Thanks for any help.

Ted

I have the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-2 K4 Pacific. Right out of the box, the headlight is very dim. You really have to look closely to see that it is on. I recently installed a sound decoder on another similar engine, for a friend. Same problem. Having two of them with the same problem, makes me believe that there could possibly be a inherent problem. Does anyone know where the resistor might be mounted, in the boiler or on the board in the tender?

Can anyone offer any help as to what to do to make the headlight brighter, or is it a loss cause?

Thanks for the help.

Ted

Hey guys, I have a DCC Equipped C&O® H-4 2-6-6-2 Articulated Locomotive w/Vandy VC12 Tender with a bad decoder. I want to replace it, but want to match what was installed from the factory. I am assuming it is a Soundtraxx, from what I have seen in the past in Spectrum locomotives.

Any help in identifying the decoder would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Ted

I have been using the EZ Track turnouts for 2 years. For the most part they work most of the time. But I could spend a lot more time running trains if I didn't have to keep tweaking the turnouts to avoid derailments. Some locomotives work just fine, others keep derailing.

I recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum K4 Pacific. I have one turnout that every time the K4 goes through the right hand turnout, the tenders leading truck appears to split the outside rail, and derail. Thinking that it may be a weight issue, I tried adding weights to the tender. That worked some of the time. I have filed the one moveable rail to make sure it is sitting tight against the outside rail. It looks good, but still splitting the rail. As I said, other steam locomotives don't seem to have this problem.

The only other solution would be to install a ground throw that would basically lock the turnout in position. I have done this with a few other turnouts and it solves the problem. But because of the location of this particular turnout, I have to rely on remote control. My guess is that the moveable rails are too loose and will sty tight against the outer rails. 

So, is my problem with the turnout or the tender? And does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can fix this problem?

Thanks for any help.

Ted

Hello,

I just purchased a Bachmann Spectrum Pennsy K4 Pacific, DC model. It is a beautiful detailed engine!! Since my layout is DCC, I would like to convert it to DCC/sound, but have no clue as to where to start. I have added sound decoders to a couple of diesels that were DCC equipped. But starting from scratch may be a different story. All I know is there has to be some modifications done to the locomotive in regards to pick-ups, and adding the decoder in the tender. That's about as far as it goes. Is it a difficult job?

I have not even looked at the locomotive to see how it comes apart, so would like to have an exploded view of the locomotive to reference, if it is available. Can anyone offer me any advice or help in getting started? Also what decoder would be appropriate to use?

Thanks for any advice and help.

Ted

Hay guys. I have a Bachmann GP9 with DCC on board. I was trying to speed match the loco. Somehow I managed to mess something up in the decoder. I have tried programming on the program track, setting the address to #3, setting CV 125 to 1, to restore the factory settings. Nothing. What I have now is a loco that the back light will work, no front headlight, and no movement.

Talk me through the factory reset if I have it wrong. Is there something I am missing? In the process I hit CV 30 and programmed a "0" data. But I can't find any setting for this CV. I have done some programming, but am in no way an expert.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ted