I have a number of these Bachmann 4-8-2 Mountain locomotives, the C&O ones with the flying pumps and vandy tenders,...one of my favorite designs.
 
They suffer from the 'derail prone' pilot truck syndrome, and I am looking for solutions,
 
I was looking at the drawings that came with the locos, and a question came to mind.  Am I reading the drawing correctly,... that there was at one time some sort of spring-metal part to push down on that pilot truck.....part # H114X-MTB44 in this dwg?
HO Spectrum Mountain loco.jpg

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/259338/8603894/HO%20Spectrum%20Mountain%20loco.jpg
 

I have a number of Bachmann Vandy tenders that I wish to put sound (and decoders) into. In particular I am looking at the VC16 and VC12 tenders at the moment.

First the VC16 tenders. I want to build at least 3 different versions for experimentation purposes.
1) mount a Railmaster bass-reflex speaker (already enclosed in its own 'box') on the bottom frame firing out the bottom of the tender.
2) make another version like that of #1, but add a small round hi-bass speaker firing out the front of the tender (in the slot provided for the drawbar) into the cab area of the loco.
3) make another version that would utilize 2 or 3 small hi-base speakers firing out the bottom of the tender, plus one such speaker firing out front of the tender into the cab area of the loco

The VC 16 tenders I have do NOT have any holes in their bottom sides to let the sound out, so I need to drill some. I am proposing to drill some rather 'larger than stock' size holes in between the two long frame members in the bottom of the tender. My thoughts are that these larger diameter holes will allow for a deeper base sound to emanate (sort of like those custom car mufflers for those small engined imports)

In drilling these sound relief holes it would be much easier if that brake reserve cylinder were not in the way.
Any suggestions on how to remove and then reinstall it and its piping??

RailMaster Speakers I intend to use
http://www.railmasterhobbies.com/Speakers.htm

...short note I wrote to some HO manufacturers recently

I have been experiencing some significant problems with locomotive wheel corrosion on some Broadway Ltd locomotives, one steam loco so far, and several diesels.

I have been trying to do a little investigating on what makes for the best wheel construction, and what constitutes the best materials.

I would really appreciate at the very least a short note from each of you as to your preferred construction materials for wheel-sets in HO products.

I have started several discussions on some forums, and included photos of some problem wheelsets for review:

http://www.broadway-limited2.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1452&sid=8099de4afa54b94f0cc4436a535bf039

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=133533#post133533