I think you are looking for the Nonesuch Car & Foundry who made the Skeleton Log Car Extension for the Bachmann log cars.  I have their e-mail address as nonesuchcf@aol.com.

If that doesn't work I can also provide the mailing address.

Peter.

Tom, unfortunately the Loksound programmer while very powerful in giving you total control over the sounds, does not let you simulate a locomotive running without the interface unit and a decoder. The QSI software is much cooler from that respect.

With just the Loksound software you can play all the individual sounds, bell, whistle, shovelling, airpump etc, and the various components of the chuff, but since most sounds have multiple parts (initial, loop, and end), you don't always get the full effect.

There's a ESU Loksound Yahoo Group which has a great deal of information and can help with some of the more complex programming options (and you can get VERY creative with the programming). The latest version of the decoder has 16Mb storage which gives plenty of room for custom station announcements etc. I have Tom Hanks, from the Polar Express movie, making my "all-aboard" announcemnt.

Again, the small size is a real advantage compared to another products I've used ( ie. the QSI dcc board). I was able to fit the Loksound XL in the boiler of a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-0 above the existing PC board, and still keep the Bachmann smoke unit. I can send you a photo before I jammed it all back in if your interested. I also installled one in a Bachmann 2 truck Shay with good results.

The unit seems relatively immune from dropouts etc., I just wish it was $50 cheaper. But, you get what you pay for.

I'm now experimenting with the MRC 001819 which is very reasonably priced, but with 20 locomotives to convert, you need to cut some corners.

Peter.

Forgot to add something. I think you will find this site invaluable.

http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips5/climax_tips.html

as George has paved the way in doing DCC in most the large scale engines.

Peter.

Another option would be to go for a combined DCC/sound board. I've had great success with the LokSoundXL board which has the added advantage of being very compact.

The Loksound XL has excellent motor control, autochuff feature and plently (for me) volume. Rumor is you need a 100ohm speaker, but that's not true - they work with any 8-16ohm speaker with the correct jumper setting.

I get mine from Litchfield Station who has the best prices and for no extra cost they will load whichever sound file you want.  They're not cheap, but do cost less than a seperate decoder and Phoenix P5.

Here's the link to the US Sounds page. Scroll down to you find Climax and click on the > to play a sample.

http://www.esu.eu/index.php?id=345&L=2

82553 Climax   geared steam locomotive type

Good luck. Peter.

I have a couple of 5 ft diameter bends and the 3 truck goes thru them fine. I suspect it could even handle the 4 ft (R1) at low speed.

This has been raised many times going back to the 1:22 stuff. Even after cars were out of production for years, the revised run still had the same number as previously. USA Trains does the best job on this. I have many of their DRGW American series box cars, all with different numbers and variations on the heralds etc. Makes for a nice mixed train.

They did it with the locomotives also. When the Annie RGS came out, it was #25 just like the tired offering in the Big Hauler set. Never mind that people may want a #20 or #22 to go with it.

Not sure why Bachmann misses the easy opportunty to sell more stuff?

Peter.

I use Opps (?) which is a latex paint remover that you can find at move hardware or big box stores. Works great. Drip some on and leave it fora minute. the letter float right off.

As I recall, it's exactly the same. I've not done an Annie transplant, but I did do a Gen 4/5 10-wheeler into a Gen 1 boiler and everything lined up perfectly.

Peter.

How about uploading a example of the finished product to youtube so we can judge for oursleves?

Peter.

Kevin, thanks fo rthe DCC/sound update. I think it would sound great with a LoksoundXL decoder with the 52591, small diesel loco, sound file installed.

Let's hope if has more reliable pickup than the porter otherwise I will probably have to pass on it.

Peter.

Hi, anyone know how ready this loco is for sound and DCC installation? I'm not expecting the socket, but I was hoping for Bachmanns usual option of screw terminals on their circuit board and the provision for a 2 inch speaker.

Thanks.

Peter.