I know Tony's Train exchange did put sound in the small tender.  Must be a tight fit, I had trouble putting a decoder in one.  Jerry

 Now if we can only get Bachmann to pay for them under thier guarantee.  It's a shame that Bachmann has to rely on another company to make thier model work when they are under guarantee by them.   They should get a reduced price from NWSL & when someone sends a non working shay back they could send the shay back with the new gears & instructions.
   Can't wait for the Climax gears...another "can't fix" loco.   Jerry

Quote from: IndianaJones12 on May 16, 2009, 11:04:31 AM
The one I've been looking at in my Model Railroader magazines was the one in Tims link. So, does anyone know if they can run on 18" curves?
[/ quote]                                                                                               

Micro mark catalog states that the Tank version will do 18"R. I assume the one with the tender will also.   Jerry

  Am just about ready to get into sound.  Just a few questions, Since all my locos are DCC equipped are there any good "sound only" decoders?   How many sound equipped locos can you run at one time until it gets distracting?   Do you have to have sound in both the A & B unit of a lash-up to sound right?    Thanks....Jerry

Quote from: Tim on May 15, 2009, 12:43:48 PM
Jerry

The Mantua 2-6-6-2's are made by Model Power.

They are sold under the "Mantua Classics" name.

They are currently available from several dealers as well
as direct from Model Power.

Tim Anders  Sorry about that, I meant Model Power
Souderton, PA

Iv'e seen the 2-6-6-2 in hobby shops but the adds all say they are backordered.  Are they being updated again?   I know LifeLike bought the tooling & are bringing them back cheaper & better.   The 2-6-6-2  came out about 2 years ago with a revolutionary Drawbar/ elec. connector. 
  Are the newer ones going to have further updates?    Jerry

  A really neat detail item to add to freight cars is the Kadee roof walks. Really make a world of difference. They are extremely thin, have the side extentions attached & free standing roof grabs attached. Only problem is getting the mounting holes in the right place. Add these walks & wire grab irons & you have made "a silk purse out of a sows ear"   so to speak

  Digitrax has some that you can plug a "Sound Bug" into at a later date if you want to add sound without without changing out the decoder.   

  If I'm not mistaken, Northwest Shortline makes replacement gears for this loco.  I know it's a job to replace them, but if you go with NWSL it will run better & you won't have to do it again next year.   Jerry

 It's interesting that this post evolved into a Kit vs RTR debate.
So I'll put my 2cents in (all I have left after visiting the train store)
  I'm an old timer & I always thought of assembling kits or scratchbuilding as part of the hobby, not a necessary evil. It's a shame that this part of the hobby has gone by the wayside. Alot of the Athearn RTR cars are actually former Roundhouse kits.  They add metal wheels & plastic knuckle couplers & raise the price 100 to 200%.  I throw the plastic couplers away, so I'm supposed to pay $8 to $10 for someone to assemble a 15min. kit. Even the structures are going that way & we even have snap together track with ballast.  Looks like we are heading to a scale Thomas layout.  Jerry

Quote from: pdlethbridge on May 11, 2009, 02:29:32 AM
Don't chock on this one. I just purchased a B&M Bachmann 44 tonner with Decoder for $30.50 including shipping and no tax from the favorite spot. If you look around and are patient, there are a lot of good deals out there. My 4-4-0 and 2-10-0 were each under $60 with shipping and there own decoders.

Like I said, there are locomotives available for all pocketbooks, I was just wondering if there were enough people able to spend that much to justify the production of these high end locos. By the way, did you see the price of the Bachmann Large Scale 2-6-6-2 ?  even with the usual discount I would have to take out a loan! Not saying it's not worth it, just saying, how many can afford it.

   I wonder who is buying those new $400 engines.  Seems most model railroaders are getting long in the tooth & many are retired & really can't afford these new engines ( me included). On the other hand, most young new commers can't afford them either.
    I'm not saying that there aren't engines in everyones price range,  just doesn't seem there are that many that can afford these high end products.  Jerry

Just got my MAY RMC today....looks like they are on the road to recovery...Jerry

Quote from: Joe Satnik on April 30, 2009, 10:42:48 AM
Jerry,

You took the time and effort to tell us.

Why not tell them?   

Idid tell them, my point was that they never asked.

  Yes, both mags. have my email. Wouldn't cost much to type a few words & press "SEND".    Just seems they don't care why people drop out.