With the Phoenix system, you just get one of thier boards (2K2 or P5) and then customize it fit you locomotive. You down load a sound file and load it into the board. Then you can tinker with it all you want. One by the way, you must have their computer interface to do this or you tell the dealer you are getting the board from which sounds you want loaded before he sends it to you. It is not like a Sierra system where you buy the board already setup with a preprogrammed chip for your engine.

Bin-there done-that for many years. The only puter I work on now is my own. It's still a religous experience at times. Good luck guys.

 
Are the Bachmann folks having problems with their web site? Quite a few times now many of us have not been able to reach the site. Just wondering if you folks are experiencing some puter problems.

glennk28, not sure what you mean, please clarify.

Mike from Carmel Valley RR

Sheldon, sounds as though you have a perfect situation for a railroad. Being indoors you do not have put with whims of mother nature. I unfortunately I do not have that option so I built my Carmel Valley RR in the back yard. Fortunately I live in Southern California where mother nature is quite nice to us. Where ever you place these layout, they are sure can bring a lot of enjoyment.
Also on the range issue of AristroCraft versus AirWire. I was using the TE mini onboard 75mhz system for about a year. The range on that system would not allow me to be more than a eight to ten feet from the unit. I attempted all the remedies suggested on the AristoCraft forums but to no avail. Out of frustration, I tried the AirWire 900mhz system. The difference was like night and day. I can now be inside the house, if I wanted to be, and still be able to control the trains. I still use the TE "27mhz" equipment to control switch operations and it works extremely well.
Well, that's enough from me. Ya'll take care and have a good New Years!

That idea of just removing the roof is an excellent option. That should allow you to get to the interior without the hassle of removing the entire cab. Also, the back wall is a sperate part which is attached to the rear of the boiler. As was stated earlier, two very small screws at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Be very careful with them, they can easily grow legs and walk away.

Turn the loco over, four screws hold the cab in place. I have had them off several times on both of my units.

Mike

Sourdoh,
I have converted two Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidations over to AirWire battery control. It is much simpler just to remove the factory electronics and wire them straight to the new control board. The front of the 2-8-0 pops off to reveal the circuit board and the back part has two small screws to be removed. The ash pan has four small screws. That is all the disassembly required. One pair of wires to the headlamp, one pair to the motor and one pair to the chuff contacts. These go thru a connector to the tender where all the gear is installed. You can install batteries there or in a follow behind battery car as I have done.

Mike

Jack,

I have been using the (new version) Aristo lithium-ion batteries for almost two years now. They have worked flawlessly for me. Not one single problem. The very first lithium batteries that were produced had some problems but with the new version being produced today, those problems have been eliminated.
I get four to five hours of use from a single charge when I have two batteries wired in parallel. One caveat to this, these batteries come wired to emit 21 to 24vdc. I use AirWire R/C so I have take a 16vdc and an 8vdc tap off of the batteries. I still use the Aristo lithium charger to recharge the batteries.

I have recently converted my two Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidateds over to AirWire RC/battery from the AristoCraft 75mhz system. The improvement is incredible. Before I could not be any farther away than say 6 to 8 feet from the unit. Now I can be clear across the yard. The AirWire system is by far the best currently on the market. I also installed the Phoenix P5 sound system which is designed specifically for the battery powered garden railroad trains. I have all the gear in the tender with the two AristoCraft  lithium-ion batteries wired in parallel, in a trailing battery car. I have an umbilical from the tender to the locomotive for power, lights and to pick up the chuff trigger. This is how battery power/remote control is supposed to work. Also, the installation of the AirWire and Phoenix gear was quick and simple.