RogerT .... you have put your finger on the main issue with my derailments ... "well (or not so well) laid track".  My "temporary" layout is of the "not so well laid" type.  I like my current track plan.  It's a modified 4 ft. X 12 ft. dog-bone with a switch yard in one end of the semi-dogbone (dogbone on one side and a long high-ball straight away at the top).  However, I plan to modify it to a 12 ft. X 6 ft. foundation and add some elevation.  Flat train layouts are pretty boring so, I thought I'd try to model some of the Texas hill country.  Since I'm a rookie at this, it will be interesting to see how well it turns out. 

Thanks everyone for the help. 

God Bless All,
Garry

Sorry guys.  I was thinking "favorite steamer" rather than favorite Bachman steamer. 

I'll stick with my 1st choice .... 4-8-4 War Baby.  My second choice would be the Spectrum 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain but, it's a tough choice between the two.

Garry
(aka rowdyjoe) 

SteamGene .... two screws on the bottom of the tender.  One in front of the front truck and one behind the rear truck.   

This would have been the easiest and simplest decoder install I've done ... if I hadn't installed it backwards the first time.   

This loco runs smooth as glass with the Digitrax DH163Ps installed. 

By the way ... I too have the problem with the front truck derailing on one particular turn and I can't figure out why.  It does it about 20% of the time and it's veriy aggrevating.  I'll figure it out thoughh.

Garry

SteamGene .... I have the Vandy tender.  Very nicely detailed too.

Garry

Thanks everyone for the tips.  This should be one of the easiest installs I've done.  The toughest so far was disassembling the older model "War Baby" 4-8-4 to install a decoder.  After that experience I've decided to buy plug-n-play.   

Garry

Just took delivery of a beautiful Spectrum 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain steam locomotive and it runs on DC very nicely.  However, since it's "DCC ready" I have a nice decoder to install.  Can someone please tell me where the decoder socket is located? 
I connected two plugs from the tender to the locomotive before putting it on the track and this leads me to believe that the NMRA socket might be in the tender .... or is it in the loco?
Sure would appreciate a little help as the parts breakdown blueprint does not indicate wiring.  I'd rather not disassemble both the tender and loco to find the socket.

If this locomotive is typical of the Spectrum line I'll be buying more of them.
However, I'm a little disappointed that the instructions/drawings don't have a wiring diagram/schematic.

Thanks,
Garry

I should have been more specific in asking for Driver Wheel size.  I'd like to know the driver diameter for a GS4  4-8-4. 

Are the drive wheels for the GS4 the same size as the GS6?  I appreciate everyone's help but, I'm still confused. 

Thanks,
Garry

Bach Man,
     What size were the driver wheels on the original 4-8-4 War Baby? 

Thanks,
Garry

Daylight,
     Do you recall the size of the drives for the GS4?  Can' seem to find that info. on the web.

Thanks,
Garry

1.  GS4  4-8-4 War Baby

2.  Hudson

3.  Challenger

To all who are interested #2:

The repair job was successful and the loco runs fine.

Garry

To all who are interested.
     My War Baby was delivered on Tuesday of this week and it ran very well as DC.  As some have pointed out, this particular loco is not DCC ready so, I did it the hard way ... I wired it myself.  The wiring was not difficult to figure out and isolating the motor was easy enough but, reassembly was difficult for me.  In the process I broke an important part of the right front valve linkage support ... it's a plastic part that guides the linkage.  The linkage binds up and stalls the the motor without this part. 

I've written to Bachman parts dept. requesting the parts but, in the mean time I'm trying to epoxy the part back in place.  Wish me luck.

Garry

Charles,
     Thanks for the tips on disassembly.  It appears to be a delicate operation and I hope I can successfully complete it.  I've wanted one of these locos for a long time and now that I have one, I hope I don't foul it up making the conversion to DCC. 

Woody,
    Thanks for the history of this loco.  I've always admired the design and appearance of the War Baby and I'm very happy to have a model of it.  These were an important part of US RR history as,  I think, all steam locos are.  Before I leave this earth, I'd like to ride as many of the steam excursion trains I can.  However, with fuel prices as they are I may have to use my imagination.   

Garry
Arlington, TX
 

Thanks Rich and Bach-man.  Shucks!  I was looking for an easy/plug-n-play install but, when I saw "discontinued" at a few retail outlets on-line I suspected what you guys have confirmed.  Iit looks like I'll have to heat up the old soldering station again. 
Hope the disassembly and reassembly isn't too tough.  I'm a bit impatient with a new toy and I want it to work right away.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Garry Rife
Arlington, TX

Thakns Rich.  I didn't find anything on the www either so, here I am hoping the "Bach-Man" can give me some answers. 

Garry