Dear Bach-man (or anyone else that would like to respond  )

The K-27 comes with excellent info on lubricating the running gear.  The manual states the gearbox is lubricated at the factory, but does it also need periodic lubrication?  Or is it sealed and should never be opened up for lubrication?  If it needs periodic lubrication can you provide steps to do this and the recommended lubricant?

Are you looking for dry transfer, water slide or vinyl? 

For water slide I would recommend:

http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html

For vinyl:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/

For dry transfer CDS made the best.  But I heard they went out of business.  However, some train shops may have them in stock still.  I have not tried these folks, in the UK, the samples on their web page look as good as the CDS:

http://www.djbengineering.co.uk/index3.html
(in the left side menu, click the "1:20.3 transfers" link)

Yes, the #3 axle is normally fine.  You need to send a request into Bachmann Service department.  I sent in a FAX with a copy of my original receipt.  Got the replacements about 10 days later.   If you don't want to do the work yourself they will pay to ship the loco both ways and do the work for you.  However, it is a fairly simple procedure, follow this link for the detailed steps on replacing the counterweights.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/album49

Mudhen,

I have a P5 in my K-27 and I get the 4 chuffs per revolution.  By default the P5 chuff comes set to run off of the DCC inputs, that is it reads the DCC speed to determine the chuff.  Do you have the Phoenix computer interface?  If so check to see if this is enabled, as it is by default, at least in the latest downloads from Phoenix.

Now I'm not running Airwire, but true DCC, so I'm not saying that this is the problem for sure but the symptoms you state are what I saw when I installed my P5.  I had to disable the speed from DCC.  Then I was 4 chuffs.  Even if you have the input trigger set up correctly the DCC input overrides it.

Also, the K-27 comes with a jumper that allows 4 chuffs per revolution.  If you remove the jumper it only makes 2 chuffs per revolution.  I assume you or someone else has not removed the jumper?

-Jim

Definitely sounds like something is wrong.  So you are saying the new counterweights are looser fitting than the originals?

Did you get the Airwire installed?

I was told by Phoenix Sound that files ending in 04 are the 1.04 version.  And files ending in 05 are 1.05, etc.  So if you found 6904, that is a 1.04 version file and should work with no problems.

The 1.2.5 version is the program version (not the sound version).  I believe that is the latest program version.

Oops, I see the document is empty

I believe Airwire is similar to DCC, if this is the case then you may be able to follow the install for the ESU decoder install.  This is what I used for my NCE decoder.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/k-27/installdocuments/ESU_DCC_Install.pdf

And this is what I did for the P5 install:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/k-27/installdocuments/Phoenix_Sound_P5.pdf

The diagram doesn't show the capacitor is step 5, but this is highly recommended by Phoenix Sound.  I got mine at Radio Shack, same with the NPN transistor.

I haven't done an Airwire install but there is a specific Airwire install here on the Bachmann site.

Here is the link:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/k-27/installdocuments/Airwire_Install.pdf

Update ... I had been having issues with my Bachmann K-27 using a Phoenix P5 sound card triggered off of the optical chuff.   I followed the instructions on the Bachmann site, but was still having problems with the chuff cutting out at 50% or less of full throttle.   Phoenix has provided a fix in the latest version of software, 1.04. The optical chuff trigger gets too short for older versions of the software.   I now have chuff at all speeds.

If you have the Phoenix computer interface you can download the latest ROM file of your choice from Phoenix Sounds into your K-27. The file name should end in 04 or  higher.

Another thought, you might check your track work.  Possibly your rail-to-rail spacing is below the minimum (too tight).

My K-27 doesn't make any noise on 8' diameter curves.  I'd definitely call Bachmann or to the place you bought if it is local and has a repair department. 

Did you run the loco at all before the counterweights were replaced?  Did it make the noise then?  If it was fine before then it's possible they didn't put the side rods back on correctly, as that's about all that has to be removed to get at the counterweights.

You can look at what the side rods should look like here:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery/album49

Nice Video Bob!  What sound system did you put in?

For the counterweights I would send the electronic copy to Bridget:
cs@bachmanntrains.com

According to the following site Bachmann does have a D&RGW caboose in the works.

http://120pointme.blogspot.com/

But it doesn't say long or short.

Tom, excellent upgrade! 

I think manufacturers should take note.  I may do this for the K-27 as the plug is a bit clunky and very difficult to remove.  I work with the connectors you used every day and never thought about using them.  Sweet!