New locomotive? What new locomotive?? There is a new Bachmann locomotive;-))) grab one before they are gone!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110383063169 Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

And it even got rescaled to 1:32 for that auction!!! Enjoy;-))), Zubi

Quote from: glennk28 on February 12, 2009, 03:38:43 AM
I'm aware that the Uintah locos were single-expansion locos, but the term "Mallet" has tended to encompass all "two-engine" steam locos.  Even so, the only ones built for USA service were the two Uintah locos.  gj

GJ, the Uintah articulted locomotives are refferred to as Mallets because of the type of the frame arrangement and articulation they used. So in this respect you are correct - we speak of Uintah Mallets. But there exist several other types of arrangement of two powered trucks other than Mallet type of articulation and your statement above referring to 'all "two engine" steam locos' is simply not correct http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articulated_locomotive Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Heliboy, Terry said it all... for a beginner there is no better start as Roundhouse. If you have the funds, why not get yourself a Darjeeling B-tank in R/C version? You are unlikely ever to regret it... If you are in a hurry and like good price, there seems to be one second hand for sale at http://www.svrronline.com even with some coaches. If you order one from Roundhouse you will have to wait a few months at least... But beware, once you step into this hobby you will soon run out of space and money;-))))) Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Heliboy, Yes, they run on steam! Some of them that is. If you have the budget for that and interest in real steam locomotives not just electric driven boxes, you should explore this direction. You will also be able to learn some physics and engineering and teach your grandson some valuable skills. I advice you to stick to narrow gauge as the locomotives and rolling stock are larger and easier to maintain, plus you will need fewer rolling stock to make a credible train. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Terry, glad to hear that your Shay works so well all these years. I had one of the first batch, probably one of the first 50 or so! After a couple of years it started disintegrating... standing on a shelf!!! I bought from Bachmann most of the parts which fell apart and sold the loco... I never regretted it!! And never bought another Bachmann product either... I am tempted by the new wagons, the K, the Mallet, but the memory of the Shay disaster still haunts me! Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi PS when will you be in Tokyo? Let's pizza;-)!!

Long, Zubi

Trea916, Consider coal firing!! Live steam of course. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Oz26, If you have the Ten-Wheeler, you can safely assume that most LGB, USA-Trains and Aristocraft rolling stock will go well with it. If you are fussy, you need to decide whether you want to stick with narrow gauge prototypes, but if you are not, you can mix almost whatever you like from these manufacturers, plus most of the Bachmann's rolling stock. All the older Bachmann is OK, the new Spectrum cars may be somewhat too large, but please remember that the charm of narrow gauge is also in the variety of sizes of the rolling stock. The most important thing is to please your own taste. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Dear Bachmann, you mean, like the long D&RGW caboose? Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Grumpy, I am glad that you like the combination - this is most important! And I am sure they look fantastic together (this combination may actually have somewhat more standard gauge feel to it). Please show us some photos, especially if you are going to run in 4 feet of snow !!! Best wishes from sunny Tokyo, Zubi

Kevin, thanks for the comments. Of course this can be the camera angle and perspective effect. I mentioned this as I think that LGB coach windows are substantially oversize for 1:22.5. I have never compared them with plans but I remember an article in GR. Given that LGB often used smaller scale ratio for height I would not be surprised if it worked out to 1:20. Of course LGB cars are much shorter but that is another story. Anyway, if you are convinced this is due to camera distortion, that explains it. Best wishes, Zubi

Quote from: Bruce Chandler on January 28, 2008, 11:41:29 AM

I must be missing something.   In the first picture you reference, the Accucraft Coach is clearly taller than the LGB - not the other way around as you suggest.   

Bruce, what you are missing is that the rail on which the LGB coach is standing is placed about 2cm lower than the rail on which the Accucraft coach stands. Still, the roof of the LGB one is only 1.5cm lower than Accucraft. It seems like LGB coach is 0.5cm higher than Accucraft but this may be due to perspective effect. Best wishes, Zubi

Quote from: CCSII on January 27, 2008, 03:13:55 PM
Check out these pictures to see the difference:
http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/forumid/17/tpage/1/view/Topic/postid/5851/Default.aspx

Funny to see that the LGB coach is actually taller than Accucraft... http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/chuckn/LGB-AC1640.jpg
It is much shortened though (artificially). Hopefully they will come up with the correct length version soon! (Barry Bogs prepared the prototypes for them.) http://www.frolin.net/cwrr/pictures/20070125/index.html
I wonder how Bachmann coaches would compare but I believe they are smaller/less high than LGB. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

DMC, Congratulations and wellcome to the exciting world of large scale trains! My first large scale set was also Pennsy Bachmann but this was about 15years ago so it was not the same one I guess. As for your questions, yes, garden RR and Large Scale RR are essentially the same concept as most if not all large scale trains can be used outdoors, and most trains used outdoors are large scale. The actual numerical scale used varies from about 1:13 to 1:32 although even this this is not a fixed range. The set you have is in 1:22.5 scale, which is still the most popular scale used internationally. A lot of recently released Bachmann products is in a slightly larger 1:20.3 scale though. The track is 45mm gauge and represents narrow gauge. The radius of the track supplied with your set is 1200mm but if you buy rails from other makers than Bachmann you can buy other, larger radius curves - our train will run better on them if you have space for that. One word of caution, the rails you have in the set are not meant for the garden!! They will rust. If you want to set up a permanent garden railroad, you need to get rails from another maker, brass, aluminium, nickel silver or stainless steel. There is a lot of choice. Good luck and best wishes from Tokyo ,Zubi