Thank you don.  I can't believe I am saying this but maybe I will need to purchase a new engine that is DCC ready.

Thanks guys.  Funny you should say that about the Burlington Northorn. It is the only engine that I have been able to make run good.

I live in the middle of nowhere and the closest town to me would be about 4 hours.  I will look up that club info though and see what I can learn.

So here is a link to another post I did into a different thread.  It has photos of some of the things I have found.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,25923.0.html

So here are some of the things that I have.  Let me know anything about them that you know.  It would be good to know if they are good things or trash.

Good information Don.  So am I correct in thinking that I can add DCC to even an old train set?

Quote from: Doneldon on December 05, 2013, 08:23:11 PM
David-

I see you have an older GS Northern. I though the 4-8-2 was the wheel arrangement.

DCC stands for Digital Command Control. It's the latest (although far from new, now) way to control model trains. With DCC, each locomotive has a unique digital "decoder" which interprets commands from a special kind of controller which sends the commands to the entire train system using a digital address so each decoder responds only to commands for that locomotive. Track voltage is always full on, with the decoders permitting only the chosen voltage through to the loco's motor. The same controller can operate lights and sounds as well, as long as the decoder has the circuitry for those features. Motion decoders all control at least a few lighting functions but only some have sound features.

Conventional HO train control, DC, runs train speed and direction by changing the voltage and polarity of track power. All locomotives on a given track section ("block") move the same direction and at comparable speeds. Operating more than one train requires separating track into electrically isolated blocks and separate "cabs" which control voltage and polarity. This makes for considerable wiring complexity and expense. In essence, one operates the rails, not the locos. DCC changes all that, permitting independent locomotive control on the same track. I've heard people say that DCC runs trains while DC runs rails and I think that's an apt description.
                                                                                                                                                    -- D

No I am not tired of reading them at all in fact it is quite addicting.  I have been looking on youtube and watched some videos of people putting up shelves in their office close to the cealing and running trains on them.  Cool.  I really do not know what I want to do with all this yet, but once I figure out what it all is and if it works then I will figure it out.  By the way I think I forgot to mention this is all HO stuff.

I tested the power packs and they all work.
I just found two complete sets, new in box Bachman train sets.  They look like them may be an inexpensive sets but that is cool.  They come with everything you need, track, power, engine and cars.  Kinda cool looking.  I will upload photos when I can. Probably not till Tuesday.
I really appreciate all the help you guys are giving to me.  I think this may become addicting that is if I can get them up and running.

So I just counted and there are 9 controllers.  Why would anyone need 9 of them.  I see that it takes one to run the track right?  so what are the others for?

Cool, thanks.  I now know that I have nothing to do with DCC in the things that I have.

Thanks Hunt.  I did notice that.  By the way what is a DCC?

Quote from: Hunt on December 05, 2013, 06:32:24 PM
Click Here for Bachmann Warranty Information.

Notice it is a Lifetime Limited Warranty not a Lifetime Warranty,

There are two small screws on the bottom where the wheels are and I took those out but could not figure out how to get the bottom plastic off.  Any thoughts

Yes it looks allot like the 484 from the images that Jerry linked me to.  It also brings up a parts page but doesn't show how the wheels are supposed to fit on.

Does Bachmann have a lifetime warrantee?  Or is this engine worth getting fixed in your opinion?

Quote from: Irbricksceo on December 05, 2013, 06:17:37 PM
It is a warbaby paint GS-4 Locomotive, they are 4-8-4

Hey Jerry what would you call this engine?

Thanks for the replies guys.

Is there a Trains for Dummies somewhere here on this forum?

I just laid out a simple oval track and one engine runs great.  The others will chirp and pulse when running.  Others have no power at all.  I will get around to posting some images of what I have.
I guess the important question is before I get too deep here it looks like only one engine is a Bachmann, are you guys willing or able to help me figure out this mess?  What I mean is I do not want to waist your time.  I realize most of my stuff is quite old and may not be worth much but for the memory of my dad I would love to get something up and running for his grandkids and great grandkids.  I would like to devide up allot of the stuff and give to my kids (5) all of which are older and moved out of the house now but they all seem real excited about getting something of their grandpas that they remember him by.
Most of these things may just be garbage.  Who knows

Thanks Rich
Where do I find the parts page?  How do I find out what model this is so I can do a search.

Quote from: richg on December 05, 2013, 05:28:57 PM
Look at the Parts page. All the instructions are there. I have done it.

Rich