the 70t has larger diameter wheels than the 44t, the trucks are longer and taller on the 70t, and generally everything is larger.  The frame is also a little taller and wider. So, if you're wondering "Can I put a 44t shell on a 70t frame?" the awnser is no. While you technically can fit a 70t shell on a 44t frame, it will not look or work right.

After sitting in its box for a while, I decided to take out my spectrum Shay. When I put it in the box about 3 months ago it worked perfectly fine, but when I put it on the tracks yesterday, the motor shorted out instantly and started smoking. I have an MRC 1650 decoder installed running on a Digitrax Zephyr system.

I completely disassembled the shay last night and poked around with a volt meter, and I confirmed that the motor is shorted out. The decoder and light board work fine, just the motor that has problems. I know I can't order parts directly from Bachmann, so where would i be able to get a motor for this? (besides ebay, nothing there). Would Bachmann fix or more likely replace it if I sent it to them? It's a beautiful model and I don't want it to just sit on the shelf looking pretty- I bought it to use it.

you can look through my photobucket account for lots of random pictures of my layout.

http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z250/kevin2083/layout/

like this:

EZ command is a great starter system. Very easy to use, simple wiring, and (my favorite) not very expensive. I used it for a few years until my layout was too big for it.

The hardest part was installing decoders in older locos that weren't DCC ready. But, you can get quite a few with decoders already instaled.

You'll probably never want to go back to analog DC.

Kevin

nevermind. As soon as I asked I found them myself.

Where are you getting these gears from? I can't seem to find them anywhere........I guess I'm not looking in the right places. I don't see them on the NWSL site.....

Seems like it would be easier to use some track without the roadbed. Use the 18"r curve and the 9" straight like you said for the transition from the roadbed on the EZ track to the table and that should look pretty good.

You can get sectional track just about anywhere without roadbed, or if you're REALLY careful (and patient) you can seperate the ties from the plastic roadbed on the EZ track. I messed up the first time I tried it, but discovered using a putty knife makes things go much smoother.

Not saying this is what you have to do, just some input.

wow. Couldn't get much closer than that.

I'll add my as well.

Almost ALL the problems I've had with cars uncoupling by themselves was caused by the trackwork.  Yes, sometimes the couplers will be at the wrong height , and sometimes there will be something wrong with the coupler, but like I said- it's usually from the track being liad poorly. Just spend some quality time with the track- you'll be glad you did.

I wouldn't think so. If there's one fixed and one rotary coupler on a car, I would think that as long as each fixed coupler is connected to a rotary coupler then it wouldn't be a problem. let's say the fixed coupler ins on the B end and the rotary courpler on the A end. If all the cars are arranged so the A end connects to the B end of the next car, the A coupler from the car being rotated and the A coupler from the next car will rotate. Then there wouldn't be any horrible noises or broken things.

this should help.

http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=20.html

I've been gone from here for a while, so here's some of the stuff I've been working on since you last heard from me. I've had plenty of time to work on trains again since I couldn't drive for the last two weeks....got to have my jaw broken in 3 places surgically. ugh. But, enough of that, here's some pictures for yous guys.

My latest is an Athearn GP7 repaint. I hand painted it because I couldn't find the masking tape.


I redid this one again. I can never seem to be satisfied with how it turns out.


and these are most of the diesels I repainted. The one on the far right is my GP40M creation that has since been painted to CSX. There's also the yellow and black GP4M that finally has some truck sideframes



and this is why you haven't heard from me in a while.... Been trying to keep 2 Jeeps running

I have only been able to succesfully program decoders on PHYS mode........ but oh well, as long as it works

I had problems with some MRC decoders randomly changing addresses. I just wrote a letter to MRC and sent them back, and within 2 weeks had new decoders. But, it took almost 2 months for me to get back my Bachmann 70 tonner that came out of the box with a defective decoder. Still loud as ever and doesn't work right, but I don't feel like sending it in again.

Kevin

Here are some photos from the show......
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z250/kevin2083/Gadsden%20MR%20show%202009/

Sorry about all the blurry pictures- my camera likes to reset itself to having a 2.8 second shutter time. Turned out to be a 162.8 mile drive, but I think it was worth it. I got some great deals on some things- like 2 SW9 shells, a roundhouse bulkhead flat, an Athearn covered hopper, and an OLD Athearn rotary snowplow kit for $1 each. I'll probably be there again next year.

And Ray, I think I talked to you, but I'm not sure. I asked a few people if you were there, but didn't get very useful responses. What table were you at?


Kevin