I don't know how it happened, but one of the drive truck's axles are bent (I suspect grandchildren but can't prove it).

All I need is three of axles #85009 which is listed on the exploded parts list (  http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H850X-IS001.PDF  ) but ISN'T in the parts available list.  The truck assembly H827X-00S02 ( 
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_191&products_id=1365  ) is sold out!

Any ideas on how I can fix this or where to get the axles?

John

I am puzzled as to how to physically mount a speaker to get all of the sound out of it.

Can someone expound on the best way to achieve the most sound for a given, 20 mm (3/4") speaker.

Air holes?  Small holes?  Big holes?  Bulkhead mount?  Solid mount?  Loose mount?  What works best? 

I'm in the process of installing decoders with sound in all my HO deisel locomotives.

The F series locomotives have just enought room to fit a 1" speaker with very little work.

BUT the GP stye locomotive I've done so far have been a PITA.  A 3/4" (28 mm) just barely fits in there and don't have the sound volume or quality that the F units have.

Can someone pleae enlighten me as to how mount them so they sound better?

My plan is to build our layout around the Erie Lackawanna diesel era (with very few, if any, steam locos) which would be from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s.

I have many questions in regards to how to set the layout up and what rolling stock to have included in it.

Layout:

Over 20 years ago (when my dad was still alive) we started a layout on a 12' x 5' table.  I understand that now that is not the way to go BUT the table is built and two loops of silver nickel track are laid down with cork roadbed.  It has a reverse track on the inside loop and four pairs of turnouts to get from the inside to the outside loop (and visa versa).

Each loop has four blocks and the reverse track is blocked on both ends so electrically it is quite complete (and all works which I have verified after a week of working on it). 

I guess my question is:  should I disassemble it all and re-build it in the more modern way of bench work?  The table is put together with screws so taking it apart is not a HUGE problem (just the time to take it apart, design a new layout, then assemble it is).

Locomotives:

Fortunately, I have very little that isn't EL and the ones that aren't EL probably weren't EL in the real world either. 

The majority of diesels I have are as follows:  three GP units in EL , one RS3, and a F7AB and a F3A all in EL gray and maroon.  I also have on Conrail GP that will either get traded or sold to acquire more EL locomotives. 

The steam locomotive are all non-EL:  PRR Rivirossi Mallet 2-8-8-2 that I gave my dad in 1978 which he loved but the motor is shot.  I'm in the process of re-motoring it and when done will probably rename it with Erie or Lackawanna names and numbers anyway.  PRR 2-8-2 that doesn't run well that probably needs a good cleaning.  A 0-6-0 that I assembled from a kit (which I believe was identified as a Toyco) that's unlettered.  Not sure if EL ever operated either of these models or not or if I'd use them anyway.

Rolling stock:

90% of what I have has some kind of Erie or Lackawanna or Erie Lackawanna logo or lettering on it.  The other rolling stock has name brands on them like Schlitz, Morton Salt, etc. on them which I think would be typical for a train inventory.  Would that be a correct assumption?

On the brighter side, my wife got me a MRC Prodigy Advance 2 DCC system for Christmas this year.  WHAT an adventure that has been!  There's so MUCH to learn but the value add is something else!  I've successfully converted three diesel locomotives to DCC so far and have actually run them successfully too!

Now for the $64,000,000 question:  how do I landscape the layout?  Buildings = towns?  So that it has some continuity to it?  I have a picture in my head of Deposit, NY (my home town) on the layout with Gulf Summit on one end and Hancock on the other and possibly Binghamton.  I don't want a ton of detail but don't want it too general either.

HELP! 

I'm just getting back to a HO train setup that hasn't been touched in YEARS.  It will eventually be modeled around the Erie Lackawanna in the diesel era (with possibly some steam).

I bought a MRC Prodigy Advance2 system and have slowly but surely made progress with all wiring. 

I'm now at the point where the blocks make sense EXCEPT the reverse loop Atlas 220 wiring!  I can get it set so that a locomotive will enter it from the loop on one end but can't reverse it without getting a "short" indication on the DCC.

My best guess is that I need to take this unit out and install a DCC reverse controller?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

I haven't taken the shell off yet but I'd like to know IF there are terminals on the DCC board for a speaker or not?  If not, what are my options to put sound in them?

John