I call from the Central Time Zone.  I don't call around their noon or noon and 1/2 hour.  Time and time again I get Mrs. ________________, Main Desk Coordinator recording that goes straight into a voice mail recorder or answering machine.

I find it aggrivating but will make note of your suggestion - thanks.


Rick
-

Get some e-trade rags coming to your inbox - or make yourself a mail account for such stuff.  (I made a second account on Gmail for e-rags & junk I sign up for)  Bachmann's advertises a Newsletter - over on the left.

Go to Walthers.com and sign up for their monthly sale book - they sell most every brand - usually 70+ pages of stuff in O, HO, G, N and A... A = all scales, like paint.  When you find something you like go it's manufacturer's website to check prices.

Have a ball - read stuff from places like this.  "Thee Olde Fartes" here have a wealth of information & usually don't mind sharing it.  I'm going to learn what a frog is one day.  :-)

Have you decided on what rail lines you're going to buy into?  Which locomotives?

Okie Rick

HO-Ron,

I've called Bachmann 5 or 6 times all about returning a Russian that I know is under warranty.  I've had nothing but frustration trying to find out if I need and RMA number - that's all I want to know.  I've been told at one place to call another which turns out to be the number I called first.

I'm going to do as I've read - if t's not under warranty to enclose $$ with the locomotive.  My Russian is under warranty.  I can't get anyone to reply to an email either.

Mr. Bach Man, are you reading?

Thanks & later-
Rick Graham

Has anyone tried or looked into the DYNAMSIS hand held wireless controller?  I'm a long way from programming CVs, but this Bachmann product appears to advertise that it is capable of just that:


Product Information

two-way wireless infrared operation
constant digital information updates of handset commands to locomotive, and of locomotive performance back to handset
joystick control for locomotive selection and speed
programming on the main
9,999 locomotive addresses
supports 14, 28 or 128 speed steps
full CV programming   <------------------------
turnout and accessory control
easy-to-use backlit LCD screen
control of up to 40 locomotives at any one time (up to 21 functions per locomotive)
allows 40 consists of up to five locomotives each
universally compatible track connection
expandable modular design
four AAA batteries included
suitable for all layouts, from train sets to sophisticated railroads
2.3 amp power supply
conforms to all applicable NMRA standards
Price: $315.00
Product Code: 36505

These are going for bout $130 on ebay at auction.  There doesn't seem to be any information on this except for it's expansion units.

How well does this controller work?

Rick

A call to Soundtraxx gave me information and piece of mind.  The TSU-1000 Heavy Steam can be run on DC and DCC tracks.  It is set to operate on DCC by default.  Changing the value of CV29 to 6 enables "dual mode."


Rick

After a search through the Chamber Of Commerce, all their contacts, Historical Society, etc. a friend of mine did a search on Flickr.com.  It's located in South Bartlesville close to the relics of the abandoned smelters furnaces of The National Zinc Co.  The author of this photo thought it strange it standing there also and commented under his photo about MKT using oil burning steam locomotives.





fwiw...
Rick

It'll probably be like Schwinn Stingrays and Ouija boards - sentimental value is more than the item's actual worth. 

Still, good luck!
Rick

I was watching my EZ Command Controller DVD today and saw the box you seem to have to buy to have a reversing loop in a layout.

The more I see & read the more complicated and expensive things seem to get.  Is there a wiring way around the reverse loop so there won't be a short in the track?

Thanks-
Rick
-

Thank you Bob!  I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

Fingers didn't get the EZ Cmmand Controller connected today but will for sure tomorrow.

Rick

Greetins-

What brand of DCC Sound decoder use in their 'installed from the factory' equipped locomotives?


Rick

Thanks for the information Len.

I knew I'd catch a lot of "buy Kadee" but I've been wanting to try these since last November.  The only thing stopping me was there were none in stock anywhere I could find.  They became avilable a week or so ago.  I'm going to invest in some of these - 20 (enough for 10 cars) are $6.00.  I have bout 20 matching gondolas and tankers I'll try them on.

Later-
Rick
-

I put a Tsunami TSU-1000 S (Heavy Steam) decoder in my Bachmann 2-10-2 DCC equipped locomotive.  It was my first install and looking back - it went rather smoothly.  With the assistance of Yampa Bob I pulled the Bachmann DCC decoder, swapped out the 9-pin JST on the Tsunami decoder forr a 8-pin NMRA wired plug to fit the Bachmann, wired and placed the speaker in the coal load and sealed it.  I'm waiting on my DCC Controller but expect no problems.  Soundtraxx phone support is great.  The place I bought my Tsunami, speaker and 9-pin to 8-pin harness was helpfull also via telephone.

A Tsunami install will cost about $120 but I'm sure 22+ sounds are worth it.

Luck-
Rick

If you have a Hobby Lobby store around you call and ask if they have any modeler's water - explain what you're trying to do.  My local Hobby shop has lakes and water falls / streams.  Check http://www.hobbylobby.com


Luck-
Rick

I have about 3 dozen various ans sundry types of rolling stock - boxcars, flatcars, tankers, cabooses - that have hook-horn couplers on them.  Some are old Tyco and Atherns models, others are ebay specials.  I was wondering if anyone has tried to convert any stock using these couplers?  What kind of luck did you have?  Does this coupler need a specific sized box?





thanks-
Rick

Good day folks,

The Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-1000 S for Heavy Steam Locomotives is installed in the Bachmann 2-10-2 tender.  This 2-10-2 had DCC installed from the factory. 

The 2-10-2 worked ok on my DC oval with a MRC 220 DC transformer before the Tsunami implant.  My Proto 2000 2-10-2 with DCC and QSI sound works fine on this DC track as well as a Bachmann Russian Decapod "DCC Ready."

After installing the Tsunami I tried the locomotive on the DC 5'x6' oval.  The loco won't move, there are no lights but there is a very faint barely audible sound coming from the speaker.  If I was guessing I'd say it is the clanging of a bell or a repeated short quick steam release. 

I don't have a DCC controller (it'll be here next week).  Connections have been checked and rechecked.  There is a red LED inside the shrink wrap of this Tsunami that comes on.

Does this Tsunami need a setting or re-setting of a CV?

When some willing fingers arrive I plan on swapping out the Tsunami for the DCC decoder that came onboard.

Ideas or headscratching "hmmms" are welcome.

Thanks,
Okie Rick and his trick mouthstick.