I installed a TCS M1 decoder in an IHC Premier "Pacific" without doing anything major to it.  The motor power connectors are isolated from the chassis, but one lead was common with a headlight lead. It wasn't a major operation to isolate it.

Len

Frisco & Andre,

Thanks for your support on this request. I believe a Spectrum quality 'Prarrie' is long over due.

Len

To get things a bit back on track (no pun intended):

Maybe the 2-6-2's were a niche loco, so were the Y6a's & Y6b's. That doesn't mean people (like myself, and others with small layouts) won't buy them if a decent one is produced.

Len

Roger,

I already have enough IHC 2-6-0's that I've 'super detailed' over the years. What I would like is some decent 2-6-2's for my layout.

Len

Will someone at Bachmann please look into making a Spectrum quality 'Prarrie' 2-6-2 for those of us in the 4x8 layout crowd?

All that's really available these days is that outdated, "Toys-R-Us" quality, "smoking & lighted" travesty on wheels in a Backmann box that calls itself a 2-6-2.

Len

Will Bachmann honor the original Williams life time warranties, or will this be another situation like Lionel and K-Line?

In that case Lionel declared original K-Line warranties void, and stated warranty support would only be provided for "K-Line by Lionel" products when they came out.

Len

Any idea when parts, e.g., reversing units, motors, power upgrade trucks to convert dummies to powered units, etc., will be available?

Len

Now that Bachmann's purchase of Williams Electric Trains is official, when can we expect to see an O-Gauge forum?

Len

The contacts run completely through the rerailrer. So the contact on one side connects directly to the opposite contact, there is no crossed wiring inside the rerailer. If you pulled the plug off one side and plugged it into the opposite side, without flipping it over, you'd reverse the polarity of the track power.

On a straight rerailer laid on the workbench with the rails perpendiculr to the edge of the bench, and the molded "Bachmann" on the bottom farthest away from the bench edge:

Contacts furtherst from bench edge = left rail
Contacts nearest the bench edge = right rail


I don't have a loose curved rerailer handy, but I suspect it's similar.

And I think you'll find an inexpensive multimeter can be a very handy thing to have around when model railroading.

Len

If you do much work with flex-track a pair of Xuron rail nippers saves a lot of time, and mess, compared to a Dremel tool.

Len

Gene,

At the train store where my repair shop is located some newer Model Power/Mantua has body mounted knuckle couplers. All of the MP cars with horn-hooks have them truck mounted.

Len

Quote from: SteamGene on August 26, 2007, 05:54:11 PM
This is only true if he has talgo trucks and he keeps them.  So - are the couplers attached to the bottom of the car directly, or are they a part of the truck?
Gene

Gene,

All of the Model Power cars, and most of the locomotives, I've seen that came with horn-hook couplers had them truck mounted. Which is why I said, "...if you're going to use the original coupler pocket..."

Len

Whichever knuckle coupler you choose, if you're going to use the original coupler pocket you'll need some Kadee #212 Talgo adapters.

The fill in the space between the small pin in the original coupler pocket and the large hole in the knuckle coupler.

Len

The fastest way to convert the cars is a pack of Kadee #212 Talgo adapters and some EZ-Mate MK-II couplers. The talgo adapters fill in the difference between the small pin in the coupler box and the large hole in the EZ-Mate couplers.

Len

Stephen,

With the Atlas #4's or the Peco Medium turnouts you should be able to get 6 yard tracks on your board. There will be about 1-1/2" from the board edges to the front and rear tracks.

If you can ever make the change, your 2-10-2's will be happier on the Peco mediums because of the curved diverging rails. And they don't take any more space than the #4's.

Take care,
Len