Skip, 
        my apologies if I seem a little picky,  but when picking up the Shay or other heavy geared locomotives,  by the ends,  then make sure that you do not use the pilot 'step' to pick it up as these are quite fragile and replacement parts from Bachmann unavailable (you would need an aftermarket supplier to obtain a replacement).  If you are able to get your fingers under the pilot beam then this should be OK.

Skip,
       just a warning about handling locomotives.  On your Aristo C-16 the weakest point is actually the 'sideboards'.  I recommend picking it up by using two fingers on the smokebox to pilot deck support rods and two fingers on the cab (either st the roofline or under the cab attach at the chassis level.  I have seen too many broken sideboards on Aristo C-16's.


      Picking up the shay is a little daunting at first,  but commonsense is essential when handling any highly detailed model.  It is usual to receive the model new, with the siphon hose support brackets broken off intransit and sitting in the bottom of the plastic wrapping.   I try to pick the loco up at the chassis rails,  adjacent to the bogie mounts.  In so far as the bag of detail pieces,  well most could be thrown in the bin.   The DVD is good viewing and the lube info essential prior to operating the loco.

John,
        ensure that the pilot truck is oriented forward (arrow on the underside of the truck should point forward).

Bob,
       I have not carried out the modification,  but from a purely economical point of view,  it would not be worth the trouble.  You will need to obtain a later run electric chassis and then fit to your battery chassis (plastic wheels).  Reliability of early drives is very suspect as a long term proposition.  The latest chassis with the MK5 driveline is pretty well bulletproof,  or the Anniversary drive (same mechanicals but more detailed chassis, steam chest and cylinders and metal driverods) may be able to be fitted.  Cost of parts alone (unless very cheap donor locomotive to source parts) would be prohibitive.  A new Anniversary can be picked up for around $140.00 or a new Big Hauler, ex a starter set,  for around $75.00.

Hunt,
        I see nothing adversarial about asking for the same arrangement that DCC users seem to have with upcoming Bachmann releases.  I have no need for R/c or for DCC for that matter and yet I am required to pay additional for electronic equipment that I simply do not intend using.  I have many wizz-bang decoder-equipped LGB locomotives that will never see a digital command.  By supplying a decoder, LGB implies that the user will use their dcc variation and so use of their sound system in analogue degrades the quality of the sound and the company removes the stationary sound capacitors so additional expense is required,  unless minimal voltage retained at the railhead to activate those sounds.


        I would hope that Bachmann does not go the way of LGB and only offer dcc equipped locomotives, with their own 'modified' version of what a budget sound system should be.  Requesting a baseline analogue loco is not being intimidating or being adversarial.  Implying that it may be so, is in itself intimidatory.

Tony,
        many are aware that the current stock sound system from Bachmann is simply not adequate, with lack of adjustment,  restricted remote control capability and generally not what was anticipated from a respected sound unit manufacturer.  How much of what we did get was a result of politics or economics, from either manufacturer,  will be shown, if the K-27 arrives with the 'basic' sound unit.



      The 1/20.3 scale market is quickly establishing itself as a ready scale for remote control operation.  If the mikado arrives with no such capability then Bachmann's intent will be obvious.

Matt,
        unless Bachmann have 'learned their lesson' on the 3-truck Shay,  then the sound will be more like a Bachmannierra sound.   I fail to see,  apart from sound system manufacturer reluctance,  why a manufacturer cannot install a quality aftermarket sound as an option.  Why do we have to get a system which is simply not up to the task (and apparently badly installed in the first instance)?

Alex,
       I certainly hope that the engineer and fireman are suitably attired with the correct period 'pants' to go with the new period 'paint' scheme.

Dan,
       all of Bachmann's projected locomotives will be in 1/20.3 scale.  The K-27 has been announced but due contractual comitments with Soundtraxx (Blackstone) the company is unable to discuss the project.  anticipated release is late this year,  in time for Christmas.


       Bachmann has also announced a rerelease of their excellent 4-4-0 locmotive in actual 'period' pant schemes.  Although many over the past few years have requested a modernised version of the loco,  Bachmann has decided to release this loco with just a new coat of paint,  without any tooling alterations.



      Apart from the K-27 release,  I would not expect any new production items to be announced,  other than repaints of existing tooling.   The K-27 will certainly tax the budget dollars for Bachmann and this loco,  will,  I believe,  curtail future new production for many years to come.

Lyman,
           there are many largescale publications available, along with 'garden Railways' magazine, which is an excellent bi-monthly publication.


            Now,  I wonder whether you are actually simply trolling for new members with your website forum link on your posting name.  I do not think that this link is really essential if you are simply asking a very basic question,  which simple research could find out.

Dear Bach-man,
                         could you please shed some light onto what these actualy are.  Considering part number, most probably a set of ball bearing wheelsets.  Product search is no help.

I am making an assumption that the 22 volt overvoltage trip is a 'cv' on the board.  Is it possible that the value is set less than 22 volts on Dennis's loco causing it to trip below 22 volts?    The behaviour as noted by Dennis, is caused by a power interruption (trip).  The actual cause is still to be determined.

Harvey,
            apart from LGB,  the only largescale readily available 21 years ago was Kalamazoo (later Delton/Hartland).   The radio-control Bachmann 'Big Hauler' series has been around about 16/17 years and the track-powered around 15 years.

Continuing on from what Tony has said,  I beleive that the 3-truck will trip when voltage exceeds 21 volts input.

Dennis,
            the 3-truck may draw more amperage than your other Bachmann locomotives and thus the power unit may not provide sufficient amperage and so trips off.  If the loco will restart after around 30 seconds then it is definately an issue with the power pack (an aoto-trip will normally reset within 30 - 60 seconds).  please provide current details on your power unit, make,  maximum voltage and amps output to assist troubleshooting.


            In so far as providing lubricants,  well this has been discussed many times previously.   The manufacturer will not provide lubricants as they have no control over leakage/contamination or shelf life issues with the item sitting in a wharehouse or on a dealer's shelf.    You are better off purchasing a quality grease and plastic compatible oil (LGB, Labelle).