Awesome! Thanks Bachmann!

Bachmann,

I'm interested in a couple things in the new catalog such as the HO Auto-reverse track set as well as the Davenport G-gauge sets. Any idea on when they (especially the G sets) may be coming in?

Thanks for the help!

It may. I would give it a try and see what happens.

IIRC, the SD90 is a 6 axle (4 powered, 2 dummy) locomotive and while that may cause it to derail and not navigate 0-27 curves, I think it would work fine. Give it a try to find out.

If steam is important, your best bet is Strasburg. Steam really isn't a guarantee at Steamtown.

If you spend the night, DO NOT spend the night at the Caboose Motel. (Consider this a fair warning!)

Marty Bowersock over at Ma & Pa Junction has them on pre-order for $160. May want to give him a call.

Quote from: CandO on May 02, 2010, 09:41:12 PM
I ordered the Cleveland streetcar, so far. I must say I like most of the paint schemes - a nice variety.

I have a question:
Will these have illuminated interiors?

IIRC, they do have lighted interiors.

Saw it at York. Looks like Bachmann has hit a home run with this one. Hopefully this is a sign to come...

RAM & jettrain,
If you think that each steam trip the UP runs is a public "fan trip" than YOU ARE WRONG!

The Union Pacific usually only runs 1 or 2 PUBLIC steam trips per year. If you happen to look at this years steam schedule, you will see that there are 2 (really 1) trips open to the PUBLIC! All other trips ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 1 of those public trips is for members of the LCCA their families and their guests ONLY.

Other than the DPCFD Special, and the somewhat private LCCA trip, all other trips ARE PRIVATE CORPORATE TRIPS meaning NO PUBLIC "EXCURSION" PASSENGERS!!!


Let me tell you both that the UP does NOT run steam or any other heritage trains for the enjoyment of railfans. If you think this is true, you are DEAD WRONG! The railroad does this as a PR move not for the enjoyment of railfans or the general public. Again, each passenger train the railroad runs are NOT "fan trips." Maybe one or two per year is a brief passenger excursion open to the public but other than that, they are PRIVATE and you are lucky that the UP publishes the schedules for these PRIVATE trips so you can go out and foam them.

Will the 611 run again someday? I'm sure ONE DAY it will but right now or in the near future, no.

In 1994 the 611 was basically put away in operable condition which DOESN'T mean you could go over right now and fire it up. Boiler rules have changed and the engine will need a complete rebuild to legally allow it to run again.

I can say that the engine is maintained so that it can be run again. The museum keeps all necessary points lubricated and once or twice a year, they move her up and down her display track to keep her automatic lubricators running.

Will they run public excursions with the 611 if/when restored? No. Just as UP uses their steam for PR purposes, NS would likely do the same (just like what the Fs are used for). The current CEO of NS has tossed out numerous hints of a return of some sort of steam operations for executive/PR service but right now, the Fs do the job just fine. Also, the fact that there are no materials to maintain steam means that a return to steam is unlikely. Another reason is simply "Is it necessary?" Railfans may think it is "necessary" to run steam for their enjoyment or PR purposes but it ISN'T (although it can be a plus for PR related purposes)! Steam is a little extra "plus" and the railroad obviously doesn't see the need to have an operable steam locomotive. Not to mention the liability of people running all over the place when the steamer is run. I know if I was the NS CEO, there would be NO steam or if there was, PRIVATE, UNANNOUNCED steam trips ONLY just one or two times per year. Other than that, it stays locked away. That way, you run a little less risk of having the whole state out along the tracks to watch you chug by.


Another thing is that NS DOES NOT the 1218 or 611. They are owned by the City of Roanoke. There would have to be an arrangement worked out by the museum and the railroad if the A or the J were returned to service. Do NOT count on the A to run ever again as she was in the middle of an overhaul when the plug was pulled on steam. The A is basically a pretty looking shell of a steam locomotive. That boiler is more or less HALLOW!


There is also a strong possibility that 4501 is going to be returned to service for it's 100th birthday. One of the rumors going around for a while is that NS is picking up some/most/all of the bill for this. We shall see...

Attended the WGH show in Chantilly, Va on Saturday with my modular group, the National Capital Trackers. Other than one issue, I had a great time and the Bachmann booth was top notch with the usual gang from Bachmann consisting of Larry Harrington, Jack Lynch and others all talking to visitors and just having a good time.

I really enjoyed their two HO and ON30 operating layouts. Both were very well done and really showed the potential for the smaller scales. They are especially attractive to those with limited space. They sure gave me some ideas (which may be a good thing as well as a bad thing )...

I was quite surprised to see a new Williams layout. This one was small (looked like 4x8 or so) but had plenty of fun packed it. It was a modified "figure 8" with a bridge, two tunnels, two sidings, and plenty of mountains and other scenic features. I got a lot of pictures which will certainly come in handy for me in the future.

I didn't ask at the show but am curious as to when a new Williams catalog will be showing up? Is my guess of the Toy Fair in February correct?

Quote from: phillyreading on January 03, 2010, 11:28:15 AM
What is L tube track? I have not heard of that track before.

I think he means Lionel Tubular Track which is basic, classic track that has been around forever.

There likely is nothing wrong. Your MTH ProtoSound 2 engine has speed control which acts like the speed control in your car and maintains the same speed through hills, curves, power spikes, etc. The Williams locomotive doesn't have this feature. Without it, it will slow down in curves, going up hills, speed up going down hills, etc. In order to help maintain correct speed, you will need to constantly play with the throttle.


If by any chance there is something wrong, check to make sure your locomotive is well lubricated, is running cool ( the motor that is) and there are no mechanical binds in the running gear/worm gear.

Hope this helps and have fun!

Thanks Lee. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I added another lock-on to the layout to help another minor issue I was having but since the show I haven't seen the problem since.

Thanks again!

So it is now a little over a month before Christmas. Will the sets be in before then? I am really thinking about picking up a PRR set from Marty at Ma & Pa Junction if they will be here in time. The last thing I need is more track and transformer but I can always find a way to put the transformer to use and also use the track on some display shelves. Maybe some day we'll see sets like this without track and transformer....

Was letting a younger fella run my GP9 this afternoon while at a show with my modular club. He was hitting the horn and happened to hit it right in front of me as I was walking around the layout in an area where we were having some electrical problems. Anyway, instead of getting a horn, I got "beeps" (that is the best I can describe it) similar to those you may hear coming out of a toy carousel such as the ones Dept. 56 and Lemax produce. Also, it wouldn't stop until we killed the power. After that, everything was fine. Anyone hear this one before? I've had electrical beeping coming out of the engine and my ill fated S2 turbine when I may have the horn/whistle or bell going and I had to quickly kill the power but nothing like this one before.

Anyone on this?




Off topic. Bachmann - When it comes to steam, please find some other way to secure smoke units other than hot glue. WIth one lap around the glue starts melting and I have to find other means of attaching the unit. Not only did I have that problem with the S2, other friends in my club have had that problem before. Sorry for drifting a little...