I run narrow gauge steam only. As a "late-comer" to large scale I do not have as large a collection of narrow gauge equipment [locos] as I would like, and I have been a bit reluctant to venture into the used equipment market at Ebay.

Ted Wilton
Spanis Springs, Nevada

Hello Peter -

I recently bought a new Bachmann Spectrum Forney locomotive and converted it to Kadee couplers.I have the Bachmann "step-down" knuckle couplers, and I have no use for them. Drop me an email with your address in Austria and I will mail them to you. My email is: twilton@radiumtrail.us.

Regards,

TED
u3o8geo

Looking at the Parts web page there is no longer any reference to the Spectrum Forney.

TED
u3o8geo

It would appear from the photo that the level of detail on the Annie chassis is a bit more than on the Big Hauler. Is this a correct observation?

Regards and Happy Easter!

TED
u3o8geo

My new inside frame Forney arrived yesterday. As I have not started laying track for my new layout I did not try and operate it, but from an appearance perspective the locomotive is exquisite! Very nicely done Mr. Bachmann!!!

TED
u3o8geo 

After getting a very large and wonderful dose of the Maine two-foot Forneys on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum yesterday I ordered a Bachmann Spectrum Forney from a large vendor on the East coast. They called to let me know that it was the last one they had in stock and the box was scuffed, but the engine was fine - did I still want it? Of course, the answer I gave was a resounding yes. Now that weather is improving in northwest Nevada I will soon start rebuilding my garden railway [it used to be in the front courtyard of our house, but after some involved negotiations with my wife I have been granted a new and larger location in the back yard].

A few weeks ago Loco Bill made a comment about the increase in the prices for replacement parts for the Big Haulers, wondering if the increases were an indication of decreasing supplies. In watching the web sites of various vendors it would seem that their inventories of locos and cars overall are decreasing.

Speaking of Big Haulers, has anyone removed the factory paint from the Tweetsie 4-6-0? If so, what did you use to remove it? I am thinking of repainting my locomotive into a non-tourist road livery.

Regards,

TED
u3o8geo

Len --

Thanks! I work with USGS topographic maps which include man at 1:24,000 scale. I was just lazy to redo the math.

Your suggestion about the 1:22.5 scale is good!

TED

I am having difficulty in finding a current source for 1:22.5 and 1:24 rulers. Does anyone have a suggestion.

Sorry for being a bit off a direct Bachmann topic!

Regards,

TED

Recognizing there are differences of scale between the Big Hauler and 1:20.3 locos, I have a question: Do either the Bachmann Forney or the Climax look out of proportion to the Big Hauler 4-6-0. At the same time I am running Big Hauler rolling stock with the 4-6-0. I understand this is a judgement call, but I would appreciate any opinions that might be offered.

Thanks for your thoughts!

TED

I keep getting ads from Amazon for a Bachmann "North Woods Logger" set with a 2-6-0 loco. I have not seen any comment as to the loco and I am wondering if someone could comment as to the nature and quality of the engine.

Thanks in advance!

TED

Thanks to all who have responded to my not so smart questions! Living near Reno Nevada I think that I am going to do an outdoor layout, especially as we have some interesting space in a moderate-sized walled-in front courtyard.

Thanks again!

TED

Jerry and Chuck -

Thanks for your quick replies! Yes, I made the assumption that my caliper was metric rather than imperial [which it is], therefore the rail height is 0.33X inches, and not mm.

As you note, the diameter of the Aristo Craft track is 4 feet [yup, my tape is imperial] and  I thought the curves looked a bit tight [I also model in HOn3 and am a bit sensitive to tight radii].

Thanks again!

TED

I am new to G-scale, as I was given a Big Hauler Tweetsie set [looks like it has the version 5 frame]. A couple of questions - As part of the package that was given was some Aristo Craft brass track and the Bachmann steel track was not included. It looks that the rail height of the brass track is 0.35 mm, so I assume that it is not code 250?

Secondly, what should I consider as a replacement power supply [I do have the one that came with the set]; I do not plan to run multiple locos with the layout I am planning to build?

Finally, as this is 1:22.5 I assume I will need to scratch-build structures [?] so is there a 1:22.5 scale rule?

Thanks for any help that might be offered!

Regards,

TED