Wanted: Bachmann : 1:20.3 Spectrum 2 bay hoppers preferably undec. in new or like new condition but will consider others.

Please let me know if you happen to have an extra hopper or two.
Thanks,
SRR4501

Thanks Kevin,
I'll give that a try.

Don Yelverton

I have a second generation climax that I'd like to install Kadees on. The Kadee conversion kit is made for the first gen climax from what I can tell and doesn't work on the second. Has anyone successfully installed Kadees on the second gen Climax and if so, how?

One solution is to install Shay coupler pockets and install the Kadee couplers as you would on a Shay.
I have the parts for this except for the Bachmann pins that go thru the center of the pocket to secure the couplers which do not come with the pockets and I assume are no longer available. The problem with this is that I think the Shay pockets will look too large on the Climax.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated?

SRR4501

Has anyone installed the Bachmann dcc/sound board which comes in the second gen model of the Climax in the original version of the 25T Climax? I have one and am thinking about doing so but am interested to know if anyone else has done this and  the results. I see from the parts catalog that a cooling fan and extended coal bunker are actually part of this installation which hasn't been used or recommended in any of the aftermarket single or combination boards on any of the Bachmann models. I assume this is to keep the board cool. I don't have a wiring diagram from either the original or the recent offering to see how the board is wired or where the fan leads would be wired in. It appears to be a more complicated install that the board in the 3 truck shay as all of the connections are solder connections.

I assume the trucks in the second gen model are die-cast like those in the shay as well. If so, can the original trucks be updated to the second gen trucks?

Thanks in advance,
SRR4501

I replaced all of mine about 6 months  ago with stainless steel springs from Lee Spring Co. I equalized the weight on the drivers at the same time. Using DCC, the factory springs do not take the heat very well, especially when you have occasional shorts. These replacement springs have solved the problem and seem to hold up well.

The contact info is as follows:
888-SPRINGS (888-777-4647) • Fax: 888.426.6655 • Email: sales@leespring.com 
You can go on their web site as well. The part number that I bought to use is CIM030D 02 S

Barry,
What about the springs themselves?

I have recently replaced the electrical pickup springs but I'm talking about the driver springs. I don't think there is an electrical issue with these springs. Appears to be just weak springs to begin with from what I can see. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed or had this problem.

On the loco that I run, the rear springs are completely collapsed and it's not sitting level. As I raise the rear by hand to a level position, the others begin to collapse as well. On the new one  sitting on the shelf, never run, no springs are showing, indicating that they are all collapsed. It would be nice to know what normal is supposed to be.

I have 2 Connie's and the driver springs on both are virtually non existent especially those on the rear axle. Has anyone replaced these springs? If so, what springs did you use as replacements?

Does anyone have a source for the electrical pickup springs for the Connie other than Bachmann? I use the G scale Kadee short coupler springs for Shays but they are too large in dia for the Connie.
           Don Yelverton

I measured it using a Ramp Meter which I think is accurate but it may be too close to the tolerance set by Soundtraxx. Thanks for your reply.

I have a 3 truck shay with factory sound which apparently is experiencing a problem running at 20 plus volts DCC under load. I measured 20.6 V at the same spot the locomotive begins to jerk with the headlight flashing 10 times in a row which indicates a voltage problem. It's supposed to be good up to 22 V from what I understand. Have any of you experienced an issue of not being able to run these locomotives with voltage this high? I called Soundtraxx and they suggested that I drop the voltage to 18V and hopefully this would resolve the issue. This is the only locomotive that I have with the factory Tsunami sound. All others have Digitrax and Phoenix decoders and run fine.

I have a Bachmann 3 truck shay with factory sound. I'm running DCC. Runs great except when going up a long 2%+ grade about 40 ft. in length. At that point it jerks constantly until  it gets to the top of the hill and things level out. During that time, the headlight is constantly blinking on and off as if it's not getting steady power flow. The backup light is also blinking. I have another 3 truck shay with Digitrax decoder and Phoenix Sound which runs great with no issues going up the grade. I also have 2 truck shays that have no problems with the grade.

Your thoughts would be appreciated,
srr4501