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Messages - SteveWard3928

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#16
Large / 4-6-0 needs service
November 28, 2012, 10:00:44 PM
OK, I have a Big Hauler Bachmann 4-6-0.  My front truck assembly (some call them pilot wheels) needs re-wired.  I tried soldering new wires to the truck assembly and quite frankly I am terrible at soldering. 
My question:  If I send this thing to Bachmann will they re-solder the wires from the assembly to the motor?  I think the cost would be $30.00 unless I am reading their policy wrong.
#17
Large / Re: Engine needs a push to get it going
October 18, 2012, 09:51:53 PM
I had the same problem earlier this year.  Turned out my joiners were so corroded I was lucky the engine moved at all.  I took the track apart cleaned the rails and the joiners and put it all back together.  Took me 3 days and the joiners that were terrible I replaced.  The best replacement you can get are the rail clamps.  From what I hear they rarely if ever fail.  More expensive...yes but you will not have to worry about the joiners ever again.  Buy a bag of 10 every so often if money is a concern.  A pack of 10 rail clamps on E-Bay are in the $16 range.  I dipped the joiners in CLR for a minute and then rinsed.  Do not put any chemicals on the track itself clean with fine sandpaper. It helps if you buy a sanding pole so you can clean the track in a standing position instead of bending over all the time. Sanding poles on E-Bay go for $5-$15.   As for the locomotive wheels....I use Q-tips dipped in the equivalent of paint thinner and run the Q-tips along the wheel to take off any oxidation.
#18
Large / Re: g scale track by bachmann
October 18, 2012, 01:53:29 PM
Not an issue, just be careful not to split the plastic.  I did the exact same thing last year for Christmas.
#19
Large / New Locomotive Derails
October 12, 2012, 07:03:38 PM
OK, I bought a new Tweetsie 4-6-0. Headlight, sound and smoke all work nicely.  My problem is that the new loco is derailing on my curves about 95% of the time.  I checked them with a level and they are level with no obstructions.  I knelt down as the locomotive was slowly coming and when it reached the curve it looked like the pilot truck wheels are floating or just lightly touching the rail. 
--The times it does not derail the locomotive wobbles as if it was top heavy.
--My old yellow/black 4-6-0 can handle these curves at full throttle and without any issues.
--I have been told that the wheels might be "out of gauge".  I have no idea what that means or how to fix it. Can someone please explain that to me and what I can do to remedy this situation.
--Does this occur with new locomotives?
--Is there a way to bring my pilot/truck wheels down so they are not floating around (like an extra washer or a longer screw)?  They are not guiding the engine around the curve and it is wanting to go straight instead of turn.
#20
Large / Quick Question About Truck Wheels
September 24, 2012, 11:49:23 AM
I bought a new 4-6-0. The current 4-6-0 had a loose wire so I took the bottom off the locomotive and I am now putting the bottom back on.  Does anyone have a photo of the truck spring and washers?
I put the spring on the truck and then sit the bottom on the truck and spring. I then put the washer and screw on. What is happening is the spring rides up into the opening for the truck wheels and that cuts down on the movement of the truck (hope I explained that ok). 
Do I put the washer on top of the spring to prevent this?  If so how do I stop the screw from going through the truck opening.
Does it use 2 washers and I just did not notice it?
I should have taken a photo before I took it apart.     :-\
#21
Large / Bachmann Service Prices
September 13, 2012, 06:00:25 PM
I have a 2009 Bachmann 4-6-0 yellow/black #177 (G-Scale).  I am trying to find out what the costs of repairs are (I believe it is based on the repair but someone told me it is a flat $15.00). Has anyone sent their locomotive in for service?
Debating if it is worth repairing or just buy another 4-6-0.  What is wrong with it, you ask.....
1) headlight
2) Smoke unit
3) Little plastic piece on the end of the wire that plugs into the locomotive from the tender for sound is missing.
***** Is there a set price on repairs no matter what it is or do they charge per repair (a la cart).  I am leaning towards a new unit but thought I would ask for other opinions. I guess it depends on the cost.
#22
Large / lake or pond
July 23, 2012, 02:05:50 PM
Ok, Now that I have my train running pretty good (only took 2 months  :P)  I want to put in a small "lake" or pond next to the track.  I am going to keep it to the side for now.  If it looks pretty nice I will expand it and build a bridge/track over the water later.
**I was wondering if anyone out there has any tips or clever ways to make a pond. What should I line it with, if anything?  Ohio is in a drought now so maybe lining the pond is a good idea?? Any tips on making the edges of the pond look nice? I think what I am going to go with is a mining theme (gold, silver, ore,copper etc..) using my old reliable 4-6-0.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Steve

Ooops! I do not think I made myself clear.  I am going to buy a building (G-Scale) the building has a sign that says "live Bait" with a few fishing poles.  I was wanting just to put in a small "lake" next to the building, maybe 1x2 or 2x2 feet. I was not concerned with fish, plants or pumps, as I am sure the water will evaporate quickly. What I was trying to figure out was how to hide the plastic on the sides and yet secure it without having a bunch of dirt fall into the water. I thought about cutting a large dark trash bag to see if that would work. Just wondering if anyone had built something similar.
#23
Large / Re: track power
June 25, 2012, 12:33:38 AM
Situation has been resolved.  Thanks to all for helping me!!   ;D
#24
Large / Re: track power
June 20, 2012, 04:32:37 PM
ok Chuck my best guess is I am only running about 130 feet of track. This is my first outside layout so I wanted something easy to handle.  I have not seen a notable slowing of the train.  Just a dead spot.  And I do have 24 new rail joiners coming out of Texas and those should be here Friday. I just heard of guys running power to different parts of the track to help with consistency of power. So I thought I would try it also.  I was ready to hook up wire #3 when it touched the rail and the train took off.  I was wondering if wire #4 (which would be on the other rail from wire #3) was actually necessary. 
#25
Large / track power
June 20, 2012, 02:15:01 AM
Red Solid wire connected to right terminal on power pack
Blue and red striped connected to left terminal  (AristoCraft T-5400)

I have the blue-red striped wire to outer rail (red to inner rail).

Train was in a dead spot of track.  I was getting ready to run other wires when the add on wire (paired with the striped wire) accidentally touch the outer rail.  The train took right off.
My question:  Do I still have to run an additional wire that will be paired with the solid red wire?

OR

Can the train run smoothly on 3 wires or do I need 4?   
   
Situation has been resolved.  Thanks to all for helping me!!
#26
Large / Truck (Pilot) Wheels
June 16, 2012, 10:12:09 PM
I have a 4-6-0 from a Big Hauler set.  Has anyone ever heard of the truck or pilot wheels being loose? If so,  how can I tighten them down a little?  They swing easily from side to side (which is good) but I wonder if they swing too easily.  Is there to be any pressure (from above) on these wheels to help keep them on the track?  Or maybe my curves are not level from being outside.  I am having trouble derailing on 3 curves.
#27
Large / Swiches/turn outs
May 14, 2012, 04:29:57 AM
Well I have yet another question....this is my first garden train. The track goes down a fence line, around a
shed back to the same fence line track (for about 15 feet) then it will go off the fence line track and into a flower garden. My question:

----Is it possible for the switch (I will have 2)  to move automatically as the locomotive approaches?   As the train goes down the main track (fence line)  switch #1 has to stay straight so the train goes behind our shed. Once it goes around the shed the switch needs to move so the locomotive can get back on the fence line track.... just in the other direction.  Hope I explained that well enough, if not just ask and I will try to clarify.
Steve
#28
Large / Transformer Power
April 25, 2012, 06:34:48 AM
I have a 2 Amp transformer arriving today (My layout is under 300 feet)  to replace the generic that came with a starter set.  I want to learn how to figure the Amps of this generic transformer.  ???   This is what I am reading on the transformer:
Input: 120VAC
60 HZ
28 W
OUTPUT:  17 VDC
MAX OUTPUT:  11 VA

I am guessing it is somewhere between .5-1.0 Amps.  Does anyone know the formula used to calculate the Amps?   Thanks for any insight.    Steve


Thanks for the info. Right now I am just running my 4-6-0, tender, boxcar and caboose.  No extra lighting is involved...so far.  However I have to wonder if this generic "Hobby Transformer" Model #6609 is really putting out 1.65 Amps.  That seems a little to powerful to be the one that comes with a starter set.
#29
Large / Question about switches
April 01, 2012, 04:42:57 PM
I am building a small 1st layout.  my main is 57 feet long.  It goes around the shed... back to the main behind some fencing into  the flower garden then back to the main. A VERY lopsided figure 8. My question is this:  I will be using 2 switches on the main. I need the train at first to go straight thru the switch so it goes behind the shed. After it is done circling the shed I need it to get back on the main. How can I do this automatically?  Is there a way to use magnets that will flip the switch?  The same is true for switch #2.  Photo of layout is at:    http://www.flickr.com/photos/59688606@N03/6890011546/           
Thanks for any help, Steve
#30
Large / G scale ballast
March 14, 2012, 03:10:22 AM
Ok I am building a garden railroad (1st time).  I have dug a 2-3 inch  trench and filled it with ballast. I have the track on the ballast and it is about 2 inches above the ground.

My problem is the ballast has an attitude and some of that ballast falls to the ground.  What can I use to keep the ballast from moving, or how do you keep your ballast in place?
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