Check the supplied wiring diagram for the Climax.  Noise suppression is located in the bunker.  It is integrated with the main circuit board.

JD

The 38 ton Shay has noise suppression built into the main circuit board.

The Heisler has noise suppression mounted in each truck.

JD

2) What is the driver diameter and driver axle spacing of the Indy loco?

Driver diameter is 1.57 inches.  Driver axle spacing is 2 1/8 inches.

Kevin was right on for the driver diameter

JD

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

Great story.  Wonder if that mouse is a member of the Brotherhood?  You may be hearing from the union!

JD

You have the answer to the headlight and smoke stack.  They are just fine the way they are attached.

For lettering I use Woodland Scenics dry transfer decals.  They make all sizes of lettering in a variety of colors.

Another good source for lettering is Stan Cedarleaf.  Stan makes first rate water slide decals.  Stan will make whatever you want.  Contact Stan at www.trainweb.org/pcsrr or scedarleaf@aol.com.  Stan is located at Dewey, AZ, phone number is 1-928-778-3732.  Stan has a very fast turn around on any orders.



This tender is lettered with Woodland Scenics dry transfers.

JD

Norman,
I don't think so.  Since introduced in very early 2007 there is no indication in any of the catalogs that the Porter has be up-graded with metal drive gears.



Looking at this picture of the Porter's drive gears shows they are not metal.

The latest 2011 catalog makes no mention of the Porter having metal gear case with metal gears.


JD

Scotty,

Quote(your unnecessary rude snarkyness aside, im glad you posted that)

You think that was "Snarky" I held back on what I really wanted to post.

I only posted the picture of the box end flap to show that Bachmann refers to the more highly detailed 10-Wheeler as the Anniversary locomotive.

You need to get out more!  Since the Anniversary Big Hauler's introduction Bachmannn has always advertised this locomotive in its catalogs as the Anniversary edition.  The end flaps on boxes that contain the Anniversary locomotive have always carried the Anniversary designation.  So the picture was no great revelation!

JD

Quoteand..IMO the new Gen 7 should also *not* be called "Annie"!
because the Annie is the "10th Anniversary edition" only..came out in the year 2000.
The new one cant logically be called "Annie"..but that is probably a losing battle!

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This is a picture of the end flap on a new Version 6 Anniversary Big Hauler received 12-23-2011.  Bachmann still designates its more highly detailed Big Hauler as the Anniversary model.  Sure works for Bachmann.

Just don't confuse Scotty with facts.    

Seems like the majority of folks understand the reasoning behind the Version designations.  The designations work so why muddy the water with all these variations that have no meaning?  But at least this all gives Scotty something to do.

JD

Kits and pre-build J&S coaches are the same size.  They a 1:22.5 scale.

JD

When the 2-6-6-2 was first introduced the question of the purpose of MTG73 was ask here on this board.

For the life of me I can't remember what that answer was. It may have had something to do with supporting the front of the boiler/smoke box, but that's just a guess.

The Bachmann or some other board member should be able to give you the correct answer.  Maybe Kevin will be able to answer your question.

JD

Here is a picture of the noise supressor that Bill mentions.  It is mounted on the motor brush end  and soldered to the motor leads.  Easy to remove and it's not needed.  In fact many times it will burn out.



Also, as Mike M. mentions, the first edition did not have the NMRA/Large Scale polarity switch mounted behind the smoke box door.  As delivered the locomotive complied with NMRA polarity standard.  Within short order Bachmann published the procedure to change the locomotive's polarity to bring it in line with Large Scale practice.  If you get one of these very early 4-4-0 Americans, conversion of polarity is very simple.

Either The Bachman or one of us here on the site can provide details for changing polarity if you so desire.

JD

You can check to see if the "chuff" is working.  With the battery in place in the tender and the volume switch on the bottom of the tender turned on do the following.

Take a thin piece of wire.  Bend it into a "U" shape.  Insert the wire into the sound plug on the tender.  Each time the wire makes contact with the contacts in the plug you should hear a "chuff."  No "chuff" then the problem is in the tender.  If you get a "chuff" then the problem is in the locomotive.

JD

Try a short piece of rubber tubing.  You want a piece that will fit over the end of the bulb.  Place the rubber tube over the bulb, push down slightly so the tube grips the bulb and you should be able to remove the bulb.  Also, in many cases the bulb it not burned out; it's just loose in the socket.

If this doesn't work then follow the advice already posted to remove the bulbs.

JD

The portion of the hinge on the smoke box door is cast on.  It can not be removed.  You'd be stuck with the hinge location so every time you looked at the smoke box door it would probably limit your enjoyment of this very fine locomotive.

How does it size up?  Are you asking about physical size or its performance?  Never got out my calipers to measure an Accucraft K-27 against the Bachmann K-27.  They look the same to me.  Performance wise it is every bit as good as the Accucraft.  I've run the Bachmann K-27 along with friends that have the Accucraft version.  The Bachmann K-27 more than holds its own with an Accucraft and for a lot less money.

JD

A new version 6 Annie should arrive today if all goes well.  UPS has been busy these last few days.  Can't wait to get inside the 10-Wheeler to check out the new drive train.

One of the "Enthusiastic" Children


JD