Chris350,
have you had a chance to see and hear the Intermountain SP Cab-forward engine?
Our local hobby shop has had one for many months, but because the rear engine doesn't pivot, it still sits in the case.  I've suggested they let one of our three members who would buy the engine try it at our club layout to see if it will make the curves, but they won't have anything to do with it.  It's a beautiful engine and would be a pleasure to see on the rails.
There are several of us who are computer 'geeks' in the club, but other than change CV values, that and the use of 'Decoder Pro' is the limit of what we've done with the current crop of decoders.

Bob

wjstix,
I agree totally with you in running at much slower speeds.  I enjoy watching the 'monkey motion' of steam locos' much more so than a rectangular box running around the rails!
The occasional exception is a very long straight track on our club layout that begs a passenger train to run as she did in the 'golden' days.
My wife and I enjoyed watching the 4449 between Minot and Williston, ND as she pulled 15 privately owned passenger cars on her return trip to Oregon.  She was running 60 mph, just as her fireman said they would.  At that speed the main rods looked slow, but with 80" drivers, she really eats up the rails!!
The big Northerns and little Atlantics often had huge 80 inch drivers that gave them great speed----I just want them capable of their fleet speed, if not their top speed. 
I haven't run slot cars for years, so that's out of my system!!
My motorcycles give me all the 'need for speed' that I need!!!

Edo,
what I've read is the Tsunami TSU-1000 heavy steam would be one choice, but has a chuff like a Berkshire.  The TSU-1000 SP Cab forward may have a more prototypical chuff and can be set to normal from articulated sound.  Both have the horn and whistle of the 4449, but according to what I've read, can be a problem to program for operation with both whistle and horn.
I suggest you listen to both decoders on the Tsunami web site and make your selection--neither one sound quite like the 'real thing' in my observation.

I guess I'll work with the sound when the other problems are solved,

Bob

As I mentioned, my other Backmann and 'Spectrum' engines have normal speed ranges.  Even with the large diameter drivers of the 4-8-4 'Daylight', my engine is still a freight engine for speed. 
This is an 80 mph engine with its' train in tow!!  I'm hoping to see it first hand as it travels back home to Oregon this week!!

Lexon,
my comments exactly!!  Plenty of studying and vernier calipers to get exact spacing, and I still struck out!

I've bought a half dozen of the beautiful 'Spectrum' 'Vandy' and 'Hicken' tenders.   These will ride behind some of my old engines in the future.  My problem is a lack of information on getting the engine 2 and 4 pin plugs that mate with the receptacle harnesses that connect the engine and tender.  Does anyone have the 'Mouser', 'Digi-Key', or with part numbers?
I haven't had any luck with talking to the Bachmann parts and service departments.

Any help would be appreciated,

Bob

My old 'Bachmann Plus' GS4 ran pretty well once 'tuned up' and had excellent paint, but lacked wheel bearings for the drivers and tender pickup for DCC.  The newest release is generally an improvement over the previous engine.  The valve gear is nicely rendered, the drive train is better, and the tender has wheel pickups and an LED reverse lamp.
However, the paint is super glossy and gives a child's toy appearance, but the problem I can't resolve is a top speed of only 55 to 60 smph!  This engine in mainline service regularly ran at 80 mph pulling a full passenger train!  This speed is with DC and DCC.  I also swapped out the Bachmann (Lenz) decoder and installed an NCE decoder without improvement in top speed.
I've notified NWSL of the problem to see if they can work up a solution.
My other Bachmann and Bachmann 'Spectrum' engines have a fine speed range. 

Does the 'Bach Man' or anyone have a similar problem or solution?

Thanks,

Bob Fewel