At an NMRA show this weekend, my friend purchased the new 2-8-2 mikado sound value dcc. It was taken to a test track to verify that it was OK. When it was put on a straight dc test track, it's lights flashed on both ends and there was a loud clicking sound coming from the speaker. The clicking and the flashing were in sinc. When the voltage was high enough, the lights were on solid and the sound started. The voltage at this point made the engine take off very fast.The test track had an old Troller unit for power.  It was then taken to a display layout that had very good dc/dcc controls. On dc, the lights still flashed, but the clicking sound was gone. It still took off way too fast at the start. It was then switched to dcc and the lights came on solid and the speed was more controllable. Is this normal for a dcc engine on straight dc? Two locomotives were tested and both ran this way. Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello: Sounds like you might have one of the trucks on the shorted caboose turned 180 around. Check the pick-ups to the "good" caboose. Good luck, Jim

I talked to The Bachman at Columbus, Ohio a year ago about this engine and it's sisters, as an add-on to the previous locos issued by Bachmann Trains. Could they rehash a 2-8-0 already issued? He talked of the wrong domes and the wrong cab, etc. But you have captured the spirit of the MA & PA loco very well! To that I will ask......are you taking orders? I thing it looks great! I have also asked another mfg of 2-8-0 small market locos, if they would consider making this loco. The brass ones are few and far between, over priced still and must be re-motored to be useful. Again, great job!

Hello All; We'll be rolling out at 4:00 a.m. in the morning, to get to the show by noon from southwestern Ohio.  Hope to meet some of you there. Jim

Hello All: I, too, would like to add to the Ma & Pa roster from Bachmann. I had hoped that in time Bachmann would offer the 2-8-0 later versions with and without the feed water heater. The brass engines that are on eBay are crude by todays standards and the motors hang out of the back of the cab. The two 0-6-0 w/ slopeback tender would be a welcome addition as well. Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello All: I see someone has them listed on eBay right now, for a buy it now sale and gives a delivery date late next week. Maybe some of them have been shipped already. Let's hope so. Merry Christmas All, Jim

Hey Mr. Bach-man; While we're on the subject of reefers, any word on the C&S reefer, as a single issued item? Most C&S fans have the other items in this set already and won't purchase the set just to get the new car. I sat on my thumbs then someone broke-up three (3) sets, just to sell the C&S reefer for big money on eBay. I had hoped that others would join-in to move their sets by breaking them up, too. Nobody has followed to date. Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello All: Too bad that the C&S reefer is not included in the new listings for separate purchase. To have to wait for a dealer to break up a set and list just that car for a war price or to have to buy the set when you've  had a year or more to already purchase the loco and other cars by now. Maybe the late breaking news out of the NMRA convention will be the liberation of the C&S reefer. Here's hoping! Thanks in abvance, Jim

HELLO Mr. B: Will the C&S reefer in this set be available as a single? Thanks in advance, Jim

I'd like to see the Maryland & Pennsylvania roster continued with a Consolidated with and without feedwater heater. Also the correct 0-6-0 with slopeback tender.

We never did get a Colorado & Southern reefer, either. I know that it's the wrong car, but who cares! The C&S loco got this show on the road. We've had standard gauge logos and beer cars that never were; why not the C&S? Thanks, Jim

Hello to all: Attended the WORLD'S GREATEST HOBBY ON TOUR in Columbus, Ohio at the Columbus Convention Center, yesterday and talked to the crew at the BACHMANN display. A really GREAT group of guys. They answered all of my questions and I received a new FREE catalog, to boot! I hope that if this show comes to an area near YOU, that you get to attend. I heard about a 4X8 layout project, to be raffled off, somewhere, based on the MA & PA in HO, using BACHMANN'S lineup of great little MA&PA locos. I hope that some pictures will be posted, before the layout gets away, to some lucky winner.  Thanks for the hospitality guys and hope to see you all, again. Thanks,Jim

Hello All: Where has Harold's site gone. I keep getting NOT FOUND when I try to look for his very helpfull site. I hope all is well and look forward to reviewing his information again. Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello All: Thanks for the replys. My old WALTHERS catalogs are in storage on the other side of town. I had tried to look for the BOBBER under a TYCO or MANTUA old catalog web site with no luck. About half of every listing for the MA & PA caboose uses this other picture. It must have just been a promo shot, but it sure gets around! Thanks, Jim

Hello MR. B: Everyone that lists this caboose for sale shows a picture of a red caboose with MARYLAND & PENNSYLVANIA down and no road number. When you check with the sellers, they say that they have the newer SILVER SERIES unit and used the wrong picture. Was there ever the red, not brown, caboose produced. Someone said that the red caboose was a pre-production model only and never issued. I try to find this model at every flea market/ train show that I go to. Am I looking for something that never existed? I have undecorated units and decals that I can do my own, but I still want what I can't find! Thanks in advance, Jim