Quote from: jsmvmd on December 16, 2009, 01:26:25 PM
Dear Van,

Aren't these a nice bunch of fellows ?  This is a GREAT website and a fun place to be.

Merry Christmas to All !

Jack in Altoona, PA, home of the world famous Horseshoe Curve. Well, to me anyway.

Just noticed that you're in Altoona... I'm from Latrobe and still have a bunch of Family in Latrobe, Altoona and derry..man I love that area, wish I could go back!!

Quote from: Barry BBT on December 15, 2009, 06:28:31 PM
Vanglow,

I have several Bachmann Large scale "Big Hauler" power packs, probably much like the one that got you into this mess.

I'll ship it to you for $10.00 total.  These are new never used.

Barry - BBT
623-936-6088

Thanks so much for the offer...I sent you an email!  I think that is the same tranny I have..that would be a Holiday saver! One local place has it but they want like $45, this close to Christmas with two little kids...I'm BROKE!!! lol

good thinking... I was going to go with something low, just enough to get the train moving nice and slowwww, for some reason my kids get scared when the train goes above half speed.  I ordered a new controller already but it won't be here for christmas I don't think. I bought two new coaches for the train as gifts for my kids...so you see why I need to get it at least moving.

hmmmm... I could run a 10 volt transformer to a DC dimmer then to the tracks...thats basically all a controller seems to be, unless I'm completely wrong.

again, thanks for the help!!

whats a safe DC voltage for the train to run on? Looks like I wont be able to get a new one by christmas so I was thinking that I could just wire it to a dc power source and an on off switch. anyone have a clue what voltage/amp would be safe?

thanks for the help!

There is power going to the controller but nothing coming out, I noticed the train running slower at top speed then it did last year, I guess it was going.

Do I need to replace it with the same type, or are they a universal sort of thing?

Hello all..before I get into my problem, Great board..My boys LOVE looking at your pics!!

Now on to the problem... I bought my 4 YO son A bachmann large scale Night before Christmas set last year for Christmas. He was so happy he started to cry when he opened it..BY FAR the BEST moment of my life so far!! Too bad that "Santa" brought him a train that was broken in about 10 places and he couldn't use it

After a call to Bachmann (Santa's elves) they had me send the train back to them and they replaced the set..AWESOME SERVICE!!!

Now I take the set out of storage and set it up and everything is running like a champ, for about an hour..then it stops and won't go anymore.

I did notice the drive wheels don;t turn when you push or pull the engine,  is this normal that they only turn when the motor turns them or could this mean a motor/gear problem?

How do I tell if the controller is at fault? Is there a testing procedure to narrow this down? I'm leaning towards the controller but not sure..please help...my kids deserve to have this train work for christmas at least once!!!

Thanks,

Mike