Thanks Len, I'll check it Tuesday after the club meeting.

Quote from: Len on November 02, 2025, 01:39:01 PMA Weaver brass loco would be 3-rail O-Gauge for an AC layout. If the OP is trying to operate it using DC the electronic e-unit will not trigger properly, giving forward only travel.

Len

Len, you're correct. I am operating it on an AC layout using an MTH throttle system, the Z-4000 I believe.

Hello fellow Bachmann enjoyers! It's been 3 years since I was online and boy it's been wild. I've restored 2 steam locomotives, joined 3 nonprofit organizations dealing with other steamers, Joined the Air Force and moved to Alaska only to end up volunteering my free time at the Alaska 557 project and the Military Society of Model Railroad Engineers on base at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. It's been a crazy 3 years haha.

The club has 9 layouts with 2 more on the way, but the one I'm focused on is the huge HO layout.  It was originally built in 1984 with DC tech (obviously) and updated to Digitrax DCC whenever it came out in the early 2000s. It is mainly a benchwork and shelf layout with 3 levels. the lower 2 levels are connected with a 5 circle helix about 6 feet in diameter. the second and third levels are connected by a mountainous diorama going up a 2.6% grade, flattening to a 1.3%, then going back to a 2.4% grade.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I have a question regarding a recent purchase. I bought a Weaver models brass Hiawatha locomotive and tender, and matching MTH brass 5 car set. The thing is brand new, never been ran until I did the other day. It refuses to go into reverse, and the lights are a bit sporadic. A club member and I went over the wiring and the board inside the locomotive and didn't find anything wrong with it. There are no switches on the bottom besides the smoke machine's switch. Do y'all have any suggestions?

Thanks, and it's great to be back!!
Quentin

Whoever gives the big answer for this question will be helping me, too.

Ralph,
They look about the same age. The station one looks familiar. I don't have all the boxes to them.

I'm planning on repainting them to the original colors. Some show multiple coats of different colored paint.

I've run only Bachmann locos, and none have had these issues. I don't have any input! But I do say that I will always stay with Bachmann.

Speaking of the old Transcontinental... any chance of that making it back onto the catalog...?    

I'll do some research.

I really can't believe I'm doing this. The first Plasticville forum post in 3 years. But it IS a legit question, ha.

I literally just found a few remarkably preserved 1940s (I think 1948, because a catalog was with them) models in a tote in my grandparent's (luckily, climate controlled) storage unit. Is there anything I should do to them? The paint is in good condition, the plastic is NOT brittle, somehow, and very few pieces are missing.

I still can't believe I'm making this post.

Do you mean Dr. DCC? If so, he's still posting. If not, then I got no clue. No channel named "Mr. DCC"...

I don't know the cause, but what about soundproofing the shell on the inside? Have you considered that?

I was considering T(480) scale, but they barely have anything out (The only steam power they have are Mikados). Track is even harder to find.


To put it in perspective...
T480 scale is half of T450, which is half of ZZ, which is half of Z, which is half of N.  T480 is so dang small, a full oval can fit in a normal 1960s briefcase (I know this because I've seen one). A full T480 layout could probably fit snugly into a normal suitcase. Talk about portable layouts...

I say one of your locos is wired incorrectly.

It's just been a long week and little things like this just get magnified like none other. Took me 10 minutes to get it back on correctly and glued with liquid hobby glue.

Well, I got an update. And it's not good.

The pickups are fine and dandy. That's great. Real great.

The bad news is, the cab snapped off the boiler while the shell was off the chassis. I'm going to have to somehow glue it back together.

Other than that, I got a really nicely running steam chassis! haha.