Hey guys, I haven't been on this board for a few years but now my 8 yr old has fallen in love with my Bachmann trains and he bought his first Bachmann DCC gp30 on Ebay (used). He was very disappointed to find that the locomotive doesn't really move on the tracks even though all the wheels seem to be spinning. I'm hoping there is a simple solution to this. Is it a weight issue? If you really turn up the power it will start to move very slowly but there is no traction. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone, I bought a used bachmann dcc on-board gp30 diesel on ebay for my young son. When we received the unit, it had a sticker on the bottom from the previous owner with "14" printed on it. I am assuming that the owner had set the digital address to 14. I have the EZ Command Control system which only offers 10 addresses. Is there a way to reset the address without having to find someone with a different dcc controller?

Hi there, can anyone tell me the minimum track radius requirement for the Spectrum 2-8-8-4 EM-1? Thanks!

My son forgot to unplug my E-Z Command Control Center last night and today it doesn't power up any more. It smells like melted plastic. Does anyone know if it is dead for good? Is there anything I can do other than buy a new one? Thanks!

Hello everyone, it has been a while but I'm back. I was looking at a Broadway Limited Blueline Big boy today. I would love to have one but I recall reading somewhere (maybe here) that it won't navigate an 18 inch radius. The website says that the recommended minimum radius is 18" but is that realistic??? Does anyone else own one?



http://www.broadway-limited.com/products/BLI_5080_DIE_CAST_UP_Big_Boy_4_8_8_4_4004_1941_after_cooler_DC_Sound_DCC_Ready_HO-4783-1840.htm

All you guys that have been modeling railroads for years/decades I'm sure you have seen or have a Rix Rail-It so you can ignore this but for those who are new I have just discovered this $3.00 gem. It helps you easily put your locomotives/rolling stock on your tracks without having to use the rerailer. It is especially nice for placing your larger steam locos with front and rear trucks. Just thought I would pass it along.

http://www.rixproducts.com/6280002.htm This is the official website. I bought mine at my local Hobby Town USA store for under $4.00

Andrew

Hey guys,
I recently installed a Bachmann decoder in my Spectrum DCC-ready 4-8-2 light mountain. I put it on the track to see if it worked and it did. I assigned it a number and put it away until yesterday.

I just noticed that I cannot turn on the headlight but the fire box light is always lit even if I'm running other locos. I should be able to control the headlight with my E-Z Command controller by pressing the fuction button and then pressing the #10 button.

Before I open the tender and start tinkering I thought I would ask if you think I put the 8-pin plug in backwards? That's the only thing I can think of unless I inadvertently disconnected the wire leading to the head light.

Thanks for any help,

New Guy (Andrew)

I just read your response to a posting where you wrote that the E-Z command will control switches if they are DCC switches. Does that include the E-Z track switches or is that something new that I haven't seen yet? Also, is that a newer version of the E-Z command that controls the switches? Right now I have many E-Z track swithes and I run everything with my E-Z command except the switches which I have hooked up to an athearn power pack.

Thanks,

New Guy

Dear Bach Man,

I have the EZ Command controller and several Bachmann DCC locos and a few Bachmann DC locos.

When I am using the EZ command and I have a DC loco on the track, it is as if the DC loco is receiving too much power. The lights on the locos are very bright and the motors are loud and it sounds like they will burn out at any moment and they are just sitting still. 

It worries me, I just don't want to ruin my analog locos. Is this normal? I know the instructions say that the EZ command my damage older analog locomotives buy mine are new, one of which is a Spectrum DCC ready 4-8-2 light mountain.

Thanks for your help and advice,

New guy

Dear Bachmann,

I was in my local hobby store and noticed an ez-track kit that had a dvd called The World's Greatest Hobby, Building Your First Model Railroad. Can I buy the dvd seperately? I didn't see it on your website.

Thanks,

New Guy

Dear Bachmann,

Is there any chance that Bachmann will release a new Hogwart's Express set maybe around Christmas time or any time in the near future? I think this would be a great collectible. If not, does anyone know where I can get one brand new besides ebay?

new guy

Dear Bachmann,

I'm interested in purchasing some dummy diesel locomotives that match the ones that I already have. All but one of my locos is made by Bachmann. Does Bachmann sell these? I don't see them on the website but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

Thanks,
New guy

Hey guys and gals,

Am I the only one that has problems with the magnetic, curved piece of metal that hangs down from the couplers? Sorry I'm sure it has a name but I can't think of it - or maybe I just don't know it....

For the longest time I couldn't figure out why my trains were derailing on my EZ track turnouts (mostly) as well as in other places on the track (less frequently). Finally I realized that the metal pieces were getting caught up in the turnouts and on the track. I don't uncouple the trains magnetically so I just clipped the metal pieces a bit and my troubles seem to be over for the most part. I still have an occasional unexplained derailment on the turnouts but at least the train is staying on the track.

I'm sure you experienced modelers are probably cringing at my method. I'm sure there were other options. What should I have done. Are my couplers now useless if I want to magnetically uncouple the trains in the future?

new guy

HI everyone, I'm new to the model train world. I have collected a few locos and just received a brand new spectrum 4-8-2 light mountain. I opened it up and the first thing I noticed was that something was rattling in the tender then the front wheel assembly came off and i realized the screw was missing. I removed the cover and located the screw and got it all back together just as the diagram shows.

Afterwards, I placed it on my track that I know works, turned the dial on my digital commander and... nothing. I tested another loco - no problem. I tested it with a new athearn dc power pack - nothing. I noticed that when I pick up the front wheels of the tender the loco begins moving but the second they touch the track everything stops except the light in the cab of the loco. In case you were wondering, the loco is not dcc equipped and is not dcc - ready at least it doesn't say so on the box. There is a wire harness that connects the tender to the loco.

Questions:1.!What does the circuit board in the tender do?
                  2. Why doesn't the loco move on its own without being attached to the tender?
                  3. How do you think I can fix the problem?