Len:
The ditch lights are proving to be a real challenge to get wired. Apparently, the red LED mounted between the 2 white ones might be bused with the white ones. They won't blink on DC which is OK. Hopefully, the ditch lights will be operating soon. Most important part is that the engine runs A+ on straight DC. I did like your Col. Potter terminology; "cow patties." And you were 100% correct!

Rick

Len:

Got the headlights to work perfectly; forward and reverse. Now I'm working on the ditch lights.

Rick

I should be able to hard wire the motor directly to the wheels as I did with the ACS-64. Now it runs great on DC.

Hi Len:

Thank you so much for your help with this. I had a feeling that if I hard wired the motor directly to the trucks as you indicated, it would work. I did, and it runs great!! I do have diodes and 470 and 560 ohm resistors for the LEDs. After I get this phase done, I'll let you know how the lights are.

Thanks again,
Rick

Will this model be available straight DC? I certainly hope so.

Thank you all for your input, much appreciated! I wish Bachmann would be like other model rr suppliers and give the consumer a choice of DC or DCC. I have over 600 engines that are DC. I'm not about to change my power supply for one engine. Once again, I spoke with a Bachmann tech who told me there is no way to convert the engine to straight DC.

According to Bachmann, the ACS-64 is as-is. It cannot be modified. What a disappointment!

Emily:

Thank you for your response and suggestion. I will certainly give it a try.

I recently purchased the Amtrak ACS-64. It is a beautiful model. My layout is DC; the model is supposed to be DC/DCC compatible. The engine runs awful on DC. I have no interest in sounds, etc. Is it possible to hardwire the motor directly to the trucks and avoid all those electronics I don't need?

Although my era is the New Haven. . .especially the motors; I do like all electrics. There's something about a "sparker."
I'll be in Springfield on Sat.

As a kid I "worshipped" the New Haven. I hired on the NH in Feb., 1968 and worked at Devon, CT. My RR career spanned 44 years when I retired in 2012 as Sup't of Operations for the Housatonic RR. One of my goals was to become a locomotive engineer, which I did!
It was a fabulous 44 year career for which I am very gratefull for.

Looking forward to seeing the prototype and possibly a spring delivery; thank you.

Thanks for your response. Looking forward to this model.
Will there be a prototype at your booth at the Amherst Ry Show in Springfield, MA?

When will the ACS-64's be avail?

I finally spoke with the parts mgr. Richard was fabulous and located the screws. Many thanks to him and his diligence.