I purchased an older 40 foot, four bay coal hopper with the Clinchfield road name from a hobby shop.

The only markings underneath the car are "Made In China".  The road number is CRR 47000

I've researched some of the older Bachmann tooling and found similar 70 ton hoppers, but none are Clinchfield.

Does anyone know if this is from an older Bachmman run?

Many thanks!

I grew up near the N&W Clinch Valley District.  Single track mainline with long sidings.  I saw lots of coal drags, a weekday local and on Saturday morning, a time freight from Norton to Bluefield with some L&N, Clinchfield and Interstate traffic N&W picked up in Norton.

Thanks much!  I grew up in coal country, so I find branch lines fascinating too!  Happy railroading!

Thanks much for the input!  I appreciate the help!

I have an opportunity to purchase a Sound Value Class J 4-8-4 (BAC 53201).

I understand the locomotive is "recommended" for 22 inch minimum radius curves.  How does it perfrom on 18 inch radius curves?

Model Railroader reviewed the model in both DCC and DC mode.  How is the DC performance?

Thanks in advance for the help!

While having lunch with my wonderful Wife, she thought maybe my Class J could be repaired without sending it to Bachmann for five weeks.   With a large magnifying class in hand and some tiny tools, I attempted to replace the disc that holds the smaller drive rod in place.  The disc is part of the cylinder assembly.  From the factory, it comes with a tiny dot of solder to hold it in place.  I didn't want to risk damage to the plastic of the cylinder assembly since the space is very confined, so I tried Super Glue to secure the disc on it's mount.  At the moment, it's holding and the Class J is back on the track.  Hopefully, she'll keep pulling my N scale Powhatan Arrow!

Many thanks to all who offered your thoughts and advice!

Greetings all -

I am truly impressed and grateful with everyone's input!

I used Labelle 106 on the wheel gears and the worm gear with no appreciable reduction in the noise.   I have tried to listen and identify if the noise is coming from the motor, flywheel, worm gear assembly or from the gears inside the trucks.  I see the split frame is pretty tight around the motor, so I would think any play in the drive assembly is coming from the flywheels on back to the worm gear.  Nothing looks abnormal, but... this little unit sounds like a locomotive from 40 years ago going around the track!

Thanks again for the wonderful input... I appreciate your time!

Thanks much for sharing!  It would be wonderful if greasing the gears would eliminate the noise!

Greetings all...

I just unboxed a Spectrum GP30 (split frame, dual fly wheel, directional lighting) and I was surprised to hear what sounds like gear noise!  I was anticipating (and hoping) the unit would glide quietly over the rails.  This unit sounds like a locomotive from a generation ago or more, when diesel models used to "grind" around layouts.  The locomotive has excellent detailing... I just wish it ran as good as it looks!

Has anyone else had the same or similar experience with a Spectrum GP30?

Thanks much!

Thanks much for the input!

I am guesstimating at least 90 days out and back from Bachmann, $45 for the work plus shipping.

Having grown up around the N&W ( I used to go to sleep listening to coal drags) and getting to see the J on excursions and ferry trips, I'm fond of this model... I just don't want to get into diminishing returns!

Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm sure my expression was a social media moment when I saw my J off the track!
I think I was shocked that a locomotive that appears to be well designed and that well built would have a hardware failure like that!

My amazing wife purchased the Spectrum N Scale Class J 4-8-4 for me.  The locomotive ran great out of the jewel box.  The other day, I am running the J, I turn my chair to look at something else and I hear a "thud".  I turn back to the layout to find my J on it's side.  The disc (part #MTB17) that holds the short drive rod (part MTD05) in place just popped off, jamming the drivers on the fireman side of the locomotive.

Even though the locomotive is just past the factory warranty, I am aware I can return it to Bachmann for repair, but I'm putting more money in what I thought was a nice locomotive... and... having sent other units back to Bachmann... I know the turn around time can be lengthy.

I'm at the point of thinking my N scale layout is going to be "diesel only" with these kind of issues.

Merry Christmas all!

Excellent point about the "push pin"!
I'll give that a try!

Thank you!

Yes...I am seeking help with removing the screw on the third driver of the Spectrum 2-8-0 N scale Consolidation.  I expected the screw to be "snug"... but this screw doesn't budge.  I don't want to spin the screw head off and I don't want to damage the rod assembly or any of the detailing on the locomotive.  Unfortunately, removing the screw and accessing the driver is the only way to replace the traction tire.

I truly appreciate the help!

Thank you!

Greetings all...

My Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation threw a traction tire.  I purchased the replacement tires... and I am having some installation issues.

The traction tire for this locomotive is on the third drive wheel.  A screw holds the drive rod assembly in place on this wheel.   When I attempt to remove the screw... it doesn't budge.  I don't want apply too much torque because I don't want to damage the fragile components on the locomotive.  I was surprised to find this screw so tightly inserted.   What is the remedy?

Many thanks for your expertise in advance!