I model On30 and have multiples of most of the steam engines except for Heisler, several gas mechanicals, and 4 of the 44 tonners. Any help or just point me in the right direction and I'd be most appreciative.
I'm sure others may have different needs.
Thanks for the help.
Mark B.

I see there is a Bachmann VHS maintenance tape listed on E-Bay. Since VHS has kind of gone away with the dinosaurs wouldn't it be nice if our hosts were to make this file available for no charge on their web site? I'll bet there are thousands of engines out there that have received little to no maintenance but would benefit greatly from a well-placed bit of lubrication or tweaking. Yes, You-Tube has articles about doing some of this, but it would be nice to get the official procedures from the manufacturer itself. I don't know if this tape covers all scales, steam and/or diesel but some information would be better than none.

So how about it Bachmann? An inexpensive project on your part that would make us very happy and further extend the lives of these precious engines.
Thank you....
Mark B
Ashland & Mountain RR

The Annual arrived in today's mail. (5/4/26)
Looks like a great issue.

Fred and others,
I checked with White River last week about the annual. They said they anticipate shipping mid-May and have not yet received them in their warehouse.
Mark B.

Make sure the wire pickups from the engine make good contact with the pads on the trucks. Sometimes the engine may rock from side to side a bit, and you may lose electrical contact. If you are adept at soldering, attach them for a more permanent connection. I am not adept but my hobby shop (Engine House Services) in Green Bay is. They used short pieces of flexible wire from the engine to the trucks. It's a tight fit. Other than that, no major issues.
Mark B.

Thanks, and will keep some track space open for them.
Mark B.

Does anyone have any information on the availability of On30 3 bay hoppers?
Mark B.

Thanks for the hint, Fred. I've inquired and did not get much help from B'mann., I have a loco in for repair and alongside I've ordered a dozen of each screw that shows on the parts department for On30. Sort of a shotgun approach. Their screws show as "universal" for usage/application. No dimensions listed. Next step is to measure them and order from a small screw supplier. There are a few recent stories on another forum about one of those suppliers, ignoring customers call, e-mails, and requests.
Perhaps the Bachmann himself could shed some light. With over 1000 replies to my inquiry it seems this might be a bit of useful information to a lot of us On30-ers.
Best to all of our fellow On30 fans.
Mark B.

What is the part number for the screw that holds trucks to bolsters and for the screw for the coupler box cover? Or does any one know the screw sizes so they might be ordered from another source?
Thanks,
Mark B

For us "seasoned citizens" suffering from diminished eyesight and shaky hands the Bachmann On30 offerings have been great.
Thank you, Bachmann, for enabling me to stay in my favorite hobby.
Looking forward to new products.

Mark B.

Dapper indeed.
Thanks for the help.
Mark B.

Many of us have been running our On30 steamers for quite a long time, most likely with little to no maintenance. Is there any information as to lubrication of gears and bearing surfaces?
I have some trepidation about opening an engine and having parts go flying to all corners of the work bench. Hopefully any information would provide a guide to accessing critical areas for each rod and geared engine as well as types of lubricants to be used. I know there was a VHS tape that Bachmann put out a long time ago, but mine probably got tossed when my VHS player quit working a long time ago.

Mark B.

Fred- It took just under 2 weeks from placing my order to receiving the Annual. I was pleasantly surprised considering some of the more recent issues have been summertime arrivals.
Mark B.

Got mine today. Nice issue.

John, that's something I'm going to try.

Mark B.