Update

I cleaned the tracks and cleaned the drive wheels. I took it to the Local Hobby shop. It runs great but for no apparent reason it will still just stop.  I am able to duplicate it while sitting still.
With the engine at idle and not moving (so engine is making sound but not moving) I can wiggle the engine at the wheel area and it will cut out. I should make a little video and demonstrate what I mean.  I think it is the pick ups at the wheels I think it is called the power truck assembly.

Robert

Any word on when these will be available?

I cannot find them any where yet.

Robert

Hi
I always wanted to join the Platinum car club.  I looked at the page.  But is it worth it? 
I see you get a club car, emails and news letters but this great and free message board keeps me up to date.  I do want to join but I am not sure if it is really worth it.
Robert

rick
I have this but in a different color. My 6yr old love this! I was thinking of getting a whole bunch of the #18347.  What I think you are looking for is #18344.  Here is a link from the guy I basically give half paycheck every month to him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BACHMANN-HO-FLAT-CAR-DESERT-MILITARY-TRAIN-18344_W0QQitemZ370304023385QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5637d6fb59

JohnII

Thank you.  I have an amazon gift card and maybe these will be on there.

Robert

Pipefitter
That was a great walk through on how to do it. I think I will call or email Bachmann and see if doing that voids the warranty.

I wonder what does happen to those engines that get returned?

Robert

Jonathan
The engine is DC and I think you are correct on the a warped gear would cause a jerking motion. This one I think I will exchange. If you were able to read the other post I am having problems with a DCC FT-A Unit too.  But I think that just needs some lubing.
Robert

andylvtrains
That is  great question.  This is one of my top reason I still have not committed to a final track plan.  To make the double crossover in EZ-Track it takes about 42 inches.  I am thinking of doing what BestSnowman and/or what Jhanecker recommends.

Jhanecker2
I agree on the wide part.  However it takes less length that using the crossover.  But the won't the lager steam engines (Ones that take 22" curves) have trouble? I cannot remember if they did I may have to try that tomorrow.
What was the name of the Kalmbach book by the way?

Robert

Man My son must of been good he just a lot of (I got them on eBay from my the favorite spot)  It has kind of become a hobby of mine to see if i can win an auction at a super low price!  Any way to the problem.

We got this cute little DC Santa Fe Engine for time when the younger kids come over and want to run the trains. Well I tried to do the regular break in of the engine I did it initially on a DCC  (I have read the great advice on the articles that covered how to break in an engine) and initially I thought OK it is running slower because I am using DCC. SO I did it on DC and it still runs super slow. I took off the shell and noticed that the gears appeared to be well oiled.  However upon looking closer it looks like one of the gears is warped.  I should take a pic and show it. 

I am guessing that is what is causing the problem.  So if it is how did the gear get warped?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

Santa Brought a lot of great engines for me, err my 6 year old son for Christmas.
We got (again I mean my son got)
B & O (Just gorgeous!)
Burlington (A Unit and B Unit)
Santa Fe (This one is Just beautiful and my favorite)
NYC (A Unit and B Unit)
Erie (Another Beautiful one)
Seaboard

They are all beautiful but the B&O is squealing It is new and I am guessing it need a little TLC. But where?  If I open the item up does it void the warranty?  I know my Hobby shop guy will take it back but I would like to maybe take care it it at home.  But will it come back?

I was a little bit hesitant to do the run in but did it anyway 15 forward and 15 back. Still squealing.

I must give Bachmann a lot of Kudos on this engine it is just a beautiful engine.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Robert

Chazx208

I try and use the catalogs that the manufacturer has to help guide me on if it will run on a certain radius.

Some people will probably mention that an engine or car will run on a certain radius but it looks rather odd. For example my Bachmann Heavy Weight Passenger cars run on 18" and when moving they look good (to me) but when they are just sitting there they look a little out of place.

I have for the last 20 minutes tried to find out where I was able to download a Digital (PDF) copy of the Bachmann catalog. But I could not.  It is an invaluable reference!

Enjoy your Rail Road

Robert

Lex

I just cleaned the drive wheels and they sparkle now. When I inspected them the first time the looked just like my other engines. But not I think all engines need a good cleaning.  It is running better now but still stopping from time to time. I am going to clean the track tonight or tomorrow and I hope the combination of the two will help out. 

I also just got the Broadway limited SD40-2 (Which I need help with to but that is another post) and it runs and sounds great with no problems.SO I initially used that as a gauge to see if the track needed attending. 

I guess that  a combination of a slightly dirty track and engine drive wheels could and did effect the performance.

Thanks for reminder of cleaning track and train!

Robert

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well I have a friend at work who is also into model railroading.  He came to me and offered to sell me a Genesis F-7A Freight Engine with DCC and sound. The road name is "Cotton Belt" by the way.  He said take it home and see if I like it and he said he would make me a good deal on the engine.  My price I would offer is still in question as I think the engine has a small problem.

It sounds and runs great for the most part. However I noticed one small problem.  Every once and a while (Not in the same place) it will stop sound and all.  I will then proceed to push or wiggle the engine while on the tracks and it will start up again.  Additionally if I have the engine just sitting there and with sound running I can wiggle it again and it will stop operating.  I think somewhere there is a loose connection somewhere.  But where? I do not want to open this up unless I am going to buy it.

I know where my friend bought it and I know the price he paid ($145)  I am guessing it is a couple years old and it looks great.  I was originally going to offer $100 if it ran perfectly but I was going to offer only $75 in the as is condition.

So I am looking for advice on what to do to fix it. and what to offer him for the  engine as well.  I will add another note this is the only engine that stops on the track like this all of my other engines run fine and do not loose power at all.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Happy Holidays

Robert
PS it is snowing in Texas!!

Bob
That is just beautiful. I would love to be able to get better with the weathering.  I just pretend that all the buildings are new and have not been truly exposed to the harsh-es of time.  We want to get that model next.  And yes I am hooked on the  Wood kits.

Sid

Yes the widows are peal and stick. This set had the parts to it and then the "Glass" windows too.

The outer most part (this is the exterior trim which is the darker blue)
The window frame (this include the fixed top window)
The bottom window (this can be set fully closed or open as you want.


The kits are a lot of fun. I enjoy building them more than plastic ones for some reason.

Ray
My first railroad as a young lad was in an unheated area and found the same problem. My current layout is indoors.  It was originally going to be in the garage.  But TX summers are too hot and winters can get too cold too.

jbsmith
For the longest times I ignored the other pitons till my last visit.  There are many great options.

Bob
Thanks for the website. It is now bookmarked.


Robert

PS To the Bachmann.  Thank you for having spell check here on the message board.  A few message boards do not have it.  Though if I use fire fox browser it has it built in.