That thought crossed my mind but I needed time to digest another additional $11.25 for shipping charges....

To my surprise I saw Bachmann had these in stock..."Wow" I said. I have two engines waiting on gear repair which is a repair I reviewed and determined I could not do. The cost was $28.00 (each set) which I thought was worth that amount to get an engine on the track so I purchased one set...

Thank you sir...success as well as failure is rewarding...

Thanks Milwaukee...I just paid $127.00 for Still In Box Spectrum 2-8-0 DCC Equipped...No Sound from Ebay. That's why I asked, just curious... As Trainman noted...lead weights work too. I like 4-6-0 High Boilers...have two needing driver gear.     

If the length is adequate...use the one you have for the 2-8-0. Did check Parts...none available. May I ask what you paid for the 4-6-0...just curious?   

Wow...Somehow I missed looking at your layout Ken...Right up my alley too...Very nice work!!!

Perhaps you did but check Ebay Ralph, lots of parts (and assemblies) listed for diesel repairs.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me...Making a joke here...Anyhow...SUCCESS...

Yep, got everything in it's place and the engine runs smooth...For information, I found it easier to fix the cylinder in place and remove the main rod and eccentric rod from the driver wheel. This makes it easier to insert the upper piston rod into the cylinder which I believe needs to be done first...after that rod is inserted, everything seemed to go together. Don't be afraid to bend the linkage a little. When I first started this repair, I had the main rod and eccentric fixed to the driver wheel and the cylinder free...that didn't work.

Hope this helps someone down the road...   

Hey all....I need help in assembling the crosshead link and piston assembly into the cylinders...Are instructions available or a trick to this? I haven't checked You Tube yet... 

Hey Grumpy...What do you use to post photos and then how do you post them?

lights look great...I need to add more to my engine house...Still love your train room!!!!

a long and informative discussion at that....

Checked out several Colorado YouTube Videos last night...They do one heck of a job on instructional videos. In fact...they fully explain how a steam engine actually functions...it's a history lesson...I prefer more bass on their selected whistles though...   

I appreciate your input trainman and agree with you. However, I've come to know that most of my engines have their own distinct sound so that's pretty neat too...I'll be sold when I get somewhere where I can hear the sounds "live" ...but perhaps YouTube videos will help persuade me...funny, but I haven't really listened to many YouTube shorts...also I'm convinced that I'll pay the $$$ and I like individual sound volume control....I need to look deeper into CV's...thanks   

Off the wall question...My train room is a 20' by 10' wrap around layout. Would running 3 trains at one time with sound be a little too much unwanted noise?