Lots of the Bachmann crew have been hanging out in Durango, learning how to work on Soundtraxx systems, or so they say.  But there are lots of interesting freight cars in the Durango yard...

Personally, I would like to see some larger and more detailed On30 freight cars, like the newer LS cars.

Manager

My only suggestion at this point is that you might consider removing the problematic DCC system altogether and converting the loco to DC only.  I once bought a 2-8-0 from a seller on Ebay, only to discover that a DCC system had been poorly installed.  I uninstalled it, wired the  motor to pull power directly from the rails, and it runs perfectly, and silently.

Either that, or install an entirely new DCC system.

manager

I'm assuming you mean the 2-6-0 Mogul.  A 2-6-9 would be an odd beastie, indeed.

Firebox Models makes a resin kit for a 2-6-0 switching pilot.  As I recall, assembly was mostly superglue, and it has worked fine.



EDM in the UK also makes a kit that is more metal-based.  Perhaps someone who has assembled one can provide some hands-on info.



Manager

On30 isn't exactly correct for 30" either, since the HO track scales out to something like 31.17" in 1:48 scale.  The prototypes for On30 trains range from the larger 36" gauge locos, like the 4-6-0 and 2-6-0, to the smaller 24" gauge locos, like the Forney and inside framed 4-4-0.

Some modelers can live with the discrepancy, while others feel the need to rework their trains to run on true 36" gauge track [also known as On3 track].  And a few brave souls leave the track as-is, and change their modeling scale to 1:55, so that the HO track scales out to almost exactly 36".

And that was probably more than you wanted to know...

Manager

The guys at Model Railroader are trying to be consistent, and state the number after the small "n" in feet, not inches, like they do with On2 for 2 foot and On3 for 3 feet.  But it can be confusing.

For me, all of my Bachmann shiny green boxes say On30, the NMRA calls it On30, and it's called the On30 Conspiracy, Finescale On30, just plain On30 on Yahoo, etc.  Case closed.  Most On30 types don't pay too much attention to MR anyway.

And I think the discrepancy is consistent with the attitude of most On30 train guys anyway, somewhat inconsistent, a bit inexact, and fairly relaxed.  In fact, it's not even 30" between the HO rails in 1:48, but something like 31.17", just odd enough to keep the rivet counters out of the clubhouse.

manager

Just saw this posted on the On30 Conspiracy.  Schweet.

Maybe what's next is whatever you can batch or modify from the building blocks that Bachmann and others provide.

Well put, max.  This is what max is linking to, from the Backwoods Miniatures site.



manager

Bachmann never hints at new releases beyond, "Some people are going to be excited...Anticipate!"  The first hard evidence we sometimes get is a premature release of entries in the Walthers database, or maybe some photos from a shop in Japan, but that's usually a day or two before an announcement.  So, we will all have to wait and see, and comment, and wish, and anticipate.


Manager 

I'll second that motion.  Very nice loco, and the colors are Bachmannesque.  It's also different enough from the other On30 rod locos out there now to have some appeal, and looks extremely American.  How would the size compare with other On30 locos?  It looks pretty small, which is probably a good thing for most On30 pikes.

The SS&S #6 would also be interesting, as a different take on the Mogul.  And I'm sure there is a file at the Bachmann offices with all of these.  Looking at the photo, what if this Mogul were made in a way that the front driver could be removed to make a 4-4-0, like the LS 2-6-0/4-4-0?



Manager

I don't think they actually mention the scale, so one would have to compare the dims of the model monorail to the real thing, but I think it's pretty close.  Then you would need some cars with oversize riders for the Autopia, some really fancy modeling work for the Peoplemover, and maybe some boats with submarine covers for the the sub ride, and you've recaptured some of the kinetic frenzy of the former Tomorrowland.  Add a backdrop with the castle and Matterhorn, and there you go.

And yes, I've thought about this.  See you at the asylum.

You would also need a model monorail gliding overhead as you approach the Tomorrowland station.

Manager

You might watch for the Favorite Spot's Ebay listings.  Usually, they will list their Bachmann items as soon as they arrive, and they don't have the 4-6-0 sound version listed as of today, 6 April.

Manager

My 0-4-0 Porter can handle 6" radius curves, when pulling 4-wheel rolling stock -- The gas-mechanical can handle the same curves easily.  Not sure about the 0-4-2 -- Mine has been bashed. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsvWOX3jYp0

Manager

Temps me to jump from On30 to LS.  Or maybe I should just study Kevin's techniques and apply to On30.  Either way, the Youtube movie of the 4-4-0 is one of the best I've seen, really bending the line between model and full-size, and shot and edited with an excellent eye.

Brilliant stuff, Kevin.

Manager.

OK, I replaced the original speaker, and reattached the PCB card to the metal posts on the tender base.  That solved part of the problem, although there was still some resetting at low voltages on DC.  So I took the loco down to our local HO club, and it worked fine on DCC.  So I need to buy a DCC system, and the problem is solved.  Lessons learned:

- Don't mess too much with the pre-installed sound.

- Buy a good DCC system

Thanks guys...