Here's a couple of ideas-First, make darn sure you have the track properly connected-it's real easy to connect the track and have the rail ride on top of the connector rather than be seated inside. The change in rail height can move the couplers up and down enough to let them come apart.   Second, using your coupler gauge, make sure that the couplers are set at the proper height.  Last, using a flashlight, watch closely and see if your "brake lines" are somehow twisted and hitting each other on the curves.  If they clash, they can force the couplers apart. Bend them in such a way that they don't foul each other.   After that, I'm at a loss.  Best of luck to you. 

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

All 10 of my Bachmann passenger cars came from the factory with medium over shank couplers.  The direct replacement E-Z Mate Mark II from Bachmann is their number 78022.  As an aside, 7 of those 10 now have replacement bodies from Deerfield River Laser, and I just found it easier to replace the original "springless" couplers with the updated versions.  The new ones don't get "stuck" like the old ones.  If you happen to be running a Bachmann Forney around 18" curves, you might want to try the over shank LONG version, as it gives a bit more play in between the locomotive and the car and reduces the chance of the car being shoved off the rails.  Best of luck to you.

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

Orders are now being taken for the new 2017 edition.  I just ordered mine at https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/on17
I just wish it came out more than once a year................

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

The only other passenger car made by Bachmann not included in your set is the 2 door baggage car.  There is a nice variety of D & RGW freight equipment made by Bachmann, some still available as new old stock from dealers or at train shows-a reefer, box car, ventilated box car, flat car, high side gondola, steel hopper, regular gondola, and a caboose.  They also made a "Gramps" oil tank car, which I believe I have seen photos of in D & RGW consists.  I'm a Maine 2-foot modeler myself, so I'm not a real expert in things western.  Welcome to the best scale for model railroading!

John Tumolo   Britcarfan@aol.com

Here's something to check-I have found that a lot of derails over switches and crossings are the result of the coupler "brake hose" hanging down too low.  A hose that seems ok moving one direction fouls out when reversing.  GENTLY bend the hose up and see if that does the trick.  Better yet, get down at eye level with a flashlight and watch the unit as it passes over the switch.  Best of luck and Merry Christmas!

P.S.  A Kadee #205 Multi-Purpose coupler gauge is worth it's weight in gold-check your local hobby shop for an HO version-it will check both the coupler height AND will easily show you if the "brake hose" is hanging too low.  I check each piece of new equipment before it hits the layout-too many bad experiences with brand new equipment derailing on its first trip around.  Note that Bachmann made the decision early on to use the HO height as the standard for On30, and everyone followed suit. 

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

I started this several years ago and it didn't help, but here goes again......
Sing it with me now... "All I want for Christmas is a 2-6-2  a 2-6-2  a 2-6-2" With any luck the Bach Man is out there........also dreaming of Maine 2-foot Prairies.  It was great seeing the Bachmann folks up in Augusta, Maine at the Narrow Gauge Convention, and it's still sad not seeing our mentor, Lee Riley.  I know a lot of us miss the big guy. 

  Merry Christmas to you all.  John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

I'm told they make a batch of whatever, then wait to see if there is demand for a re-run.  There are a LOT of items out with dealers, mainly the ones you see at train shows.  Check with John Weigel at Peterboro Railroad or Star Hobby down in Maryland-they both carry a HUGE suply, and usually have what you are looking for.  Remember, just because it's no longer in the catalog dosen't mean it's not available, new in box!   Both of the aforementioned companies are big supporters of On30 modelers.

John Tumolo  britcarfan@aol.com

P.S. There is a place in New York-Trainworld-that has On30 in stock, but you will have to check with them to see what's still available.

Dear jrl-Just looking for an update-were you able to fix your problems with the Forney?

John Tumolo  britcarfan@aol.com

Dear CG-Just looking for an update-were you able to solve your problems with the Forneys? 

John Tumolo   Britcarfan@aol.com

May I suggest the following-under the engine is an "H" shaped piece of plastic that contains the brake shoes for the Forney.  If for some reason this was removed and not properly replaced, you can have a wheels up situation.  My advice would be to snap it back in place where it belongs, or pull it off and leave it off to see if that takes care of the problem.  If you can get down to eye level with the Forney, shine a flashlight under it and you may see the problem.  Otherwise, call Bachmann service and talk to the folks there- the toll free number is 800-356-3910.  I don't know why you would have a problem with the engine going through a "Y", but first you should check the front coupler to be sure the "brake hose" is not hanging down too far, which will result in the coupler fouling in the trackwork.  Also be sure the gauge of your track is correct, and that the gauge of the lead and trailing wheels on the Forney are in spec.  If you have no problems with regular switches, I would blame the "Y".  Best of luck.  John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

Out of the 6 that I own, I had 2 that I had to send back to Bachmann for just this reason.  You can try LIGHTLY lubing the gears, but this only worked on one of mine that had the problem-I still ended up sending two back.  The good news is that Bachman stood by their product and sent me replacements.  It's now been at least 5 years since replacement, and none of the noises have returned to any of my Forneys.  Do yourself a favor-call them first-the toll free number is 800-356-3910.  The reason I will always sing praises of Bachmann is because of the way I have always been treated when contacting them with any questions or problems.  The folks in the shop must be fans themselves, because they really seem to care.  Best of luck.

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

Here's a few things to check-they may sound dumb, but sometimes it's the simple things............
Be sure the packing styrofoam holding the front pilot truck is not still in place. 
Be sure the trailing truck isn't stuck on it's "slider".
Be sure all of the wheels on the trailing truck and the pilot truck spin freely.
If all of the above are ok, and all four drive wheels are turning, I'm at a loss.
Best of luck

John Tumolo

Lee was one of our best supporters-I had the privilege of meeting him several times over the years at the Bachmann displays at train shows, especially up in Massachusetts at the Big Amherst train show, and he was always a gracious host, intently listening to the babbling's of a fan, and remembered me as the guy always asking for a Bachmann Sandy River type 2-6-2 Prairie.  Thanks to him we got our Forneys, enabling us Maine 2-footer fans to build an affordable semblance of our beloved railroads. In my humble opinion, Lee was the best public face Bachmann could have ever asked for.  Truly one of the good guys. What really hurts is that he was going to retire at the end of this month!  It's just so sad...............

John Tumolo  Britcarfan@aol.com

Hey, gang-It's that time of year again-time to start singing "All I want for Christmas is a 2-6-2, a 2-6-2, a 2-6-2"  For all of you modeling the Maine 2 footers in On30, keep on asking Bachmann to build us one.  Thankfully, we got our Forneys, now it's time for a Prairie.  I don't know if I'll buy 5 of 'em like I did the Forneys, but I'm good for at least 2.  Come on, sing it with me-"All I want............" 
Merry Christmas to you all, and a Happy New Year, too!

Don't forget-The 36th Annual Narrow Gauge Convention returns to the East Coast in 2016, and right in the thick of two-foot country-Augusta Maine.  Keep next September 7-10 open.  Check them out at http:/nngc2016.org/wp/

John Tumolo   Britcarfan@aol.com

Just curious-any new announcments for On30?    Here's hoping............

John Tumolo   Britcarfan@aol.com