As the title says, the 3 bay EBT hoppers we've been patiently waiting for are finally here.  A bit pricier than I expected, but today what isn't?  They look great-time to start filling the consists..................

Sorry it took so long to see your message-if you haven't been able to get your 2-8-0 running, I'd seriously consider sending it back to Bachmann-they do a great job with repairs, and if you have checked all your connections between the loco and the tender, anything after that will take a bit of expertise to repair.  Chances are, the problem is the actual ends of the connectors, as when pulled out without a bit of care it's easy to separate the wires internally.  There's a plastic clip on the side/bottom that needs to be gently pried away from the plug (which I then cut off so it's not a problem in the future) and if you didn't know to do that, damage can happen.  I know the reason the "catch" is there is the factory way for keeping things together, but unless you treat you trains like Godzilla the connectors will stay together just fine without the clips.  It's well worth the cost for mailing and repairs, as purchasing another one will be VERY expensive as they have become rare as hen's teeth.  Let us know how you make out. 

Wait just a minute!  I've been asking for a 2-6-2 Prairie for YEARS!  Get in line-my Prairie should come first!

Gently pry the ash pan from the bottom of the locomotive, gently prise the plug from underneath (don't yank by the wires) and you're done.  Just be gentle-don't man-handle the thing!

I keep hoping that when enough of us have asked something will happen.  I so miss Lee Riley being there-he would have gone to bat for us, I'm sure.  He's the reason we got On30 from Bachmann in the first place, not to mention the Forneys. 

I've been asking Bachmann for years, and I shall continue to do so-All I want for Christmas is a 2-6-2, a 2-6-2  a 2-6-2. Come on, sing it with me.......  In 1904 Baldwin Locomotive Works built the first Prairie for the Sandy River Railroad (#8) in two foot gauge.  In 1907 Baldwin Locomotive Works built a beautiful Prairie for the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway (#6) in 2 foot gauge. These two locomotives were so close to one another that with the exception of an extra sand dome on the WW&F version, they were pretty much sisters.  Seems to me that building a model of of either one would ultimately (with a bit of modeling on our part) allow the introduction of two very useful locomotives to Bachmann's repertoire, not to mention how much we modelers would appreciate them. Bachmann has already produced an On30 2-6-6-2 that runs like a top and I'm sure could easily be used as a basis for an On30 Prairie. Let's keep asking-and Merry Christmas to all of you On30 folks!       John Tumolo

You can get away with using 15" curves, but be sure to use the second hole on the draw bar to allow for more swing on the curves.  Don't try to "race" the trains around this tight radius-go nice and prototypically slow and you should be ok. If your passenger cars bind on the sharp curves, you can change the stock couplers to long overset shank whisker couplers from Kadee(their stock #149) or from Bachmann (their stock #78021). Good luck and welcome to On30 where your railroad is whatever you want it to be-we don't allow rivet counters.     

Sorry it took so long to return...............what we need is an Outside Frame 2-6-2 in HO to use as a basis for a Maine-style Prairie in On30.   Bachmann already has something available scaled already for On30 in the form of the 2-6-6-2 articulated On30 locomotive-they need only use one of the sets of drivers to get a head start.  I know we're a "niche" for Bachmann, but I can always hope.............

I agree, but with all of the tarif nonsense going on the price would be even higher than before.  Not to mention that the minimum number that would be necessary to make it worth Bachmann's effort to "reprint" just wouldn't have the necessary sales to make it work.  They were ready to re-release the 2-8-0 Consolidation but realized the cost they would have to charge for each item would never fly.  We can keep hoping.............

Attached please find the flyer for the Harrisburg area "O Scale" Narrow Gauge Meet, taking place this year on June 13 & 14, 2025.  This is the wonderful show that the late Al Judy started in Lycoming, PA and moved to the Harrisburg, PA area a few years ago. It's truly a Narrow Gauge show, no stumbling around some big venu hoping to find a few narrow gauge-related items.  Just remember it's just a gauge, not a frame of mind.......

https://oscalecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Harrisburg-Summer-Show-Flyer.pdf

John Tumolo

P.S. Yes, I saw the "hyperlink" has 2024 in the body copy, but it really is the poster for 2025

Ok, Bachmann.  I know things are going to be a bit whacky for a while with all of the tarif wars, but once things calm down, here's something to consider.  We On30 folks need a Prairie.  A simple 2-6-2 with a tender that we can run over our layouts with 18 degree curves.  Now here's a thought, one that I have thought about for a while and if our friend H. Lee Riley were still with us I'll bet he'd be on board.  In 1904 Baldwin Locomotive Works built the first Prairie for the Sandy River Railroad (#8) in two foot gauge.  In 1907 Baldwin Locomotive Works built a beautiful Prairie for the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway (#6) in 2 foot gauge. These two locomotives were so close to one another that with the exception of an extra sand dome on the WW&F version, they were pretty much sisters.  Seems to me that building a model of of either one would ultimately (with a bit of modeling on our part) allow the introduction of two very useful locomotives to Bachmann's repertoire, not to mention how much we modelers would appreciate them. Please consider it.      John Tumolo

Well, depending just what you want to do, really inexpensive "Hawthorne" type cars are always floating around on ebay, and they make a great base for the much more true to life passenger car kits available from Deerfield River Laser.  Check this out if you're not familiar and give it some thought.  Not connected in any way, just a satisfied customer-I've built about 15 of their kits and really like them.  Check here:   https://www.deerfieldriverlaser.com/ 

I've looked at the Haskell as well-it's the closest I've seen to possibly building the Prairie I've always dreamed of.  I keep hoping Bachmann will be able to modify one of their existing On30/HO Spectrum steam locomotive drive trains to come up with a reasonable Maine-style Prairie.  I think using part of the On30 2-6-6-2 would make a great start-my copy of that long articulated loco has been running on my layout for a long time and is still very reliable-a smooth quiet runner that would make a fantastic running base for a 2-6-2.  The closest I've come to the look of a Maine-style outside frame Prairie is my modified Bachmann Outside Frame 4-4-0 created by the late great Alan Carroll who replaced the stock cab with one from a 2-4-4-2 or 2-6-6-2 to give it that Maine-style hunkered down look.  I believe in Bachmann and think they could deliver a credible locomotive, if only they could sell enough to make it worth the effort and financial investment.  I know I'm good for at least 3...........

I started this several years ago and it didn't help, but here goes again......
Sing it with me now... "All I want for Christmas is a 2-6-2  a 2-6-2  a 2-6-2" With any luck the Bach Man is out there........also dreaming of Maine 2-foot Prairies.  Merry Christmas to you all.  John Tumolo  [email protected]

I know it may sound dumb, but are you sure you have the final piece of track connected properly?  If you have it reversed, the trolley will not auto reverse at the end of track.  The "break" in the track must be on opposite sides at each end of the run.  Don't ask me how I know this...........