Converting an old (pre-DCC era) engine to sound is, in my experience, much harder than just converting it to DCC. You have to get the decoder installed and find room for a speaker and it's enclosure. In some cases, I've just given up and bought a new version of the engine and swapped body shells...although in some cases, the new bodies of the diesels are much better detailed than the old ones.

Anyway, non-sound DCC decoders aren't that pricey compared to sound decoders, for the cost of one sound decoder you could buy like 3 non-sound ones to convert your old DC engines with. Maybe look into ones with some version of "keep alive" or "power pack" if the old engines - like many old steam engines - don't pick up power all that well.

Generally, an engine will start more smoothly with CV2 at zero. If you're using 128 speed steps and set CV2 at 20, when you move the throttle to speed step 1 the engine it will jump from 0 to speed step 20. I usually only use CV2 if I have two engines I want to speed match, and one is a little more sluggish getting started.

You may find adjusting CV66 (Forward Trim) and CV 95 (Reverse Trim) up or down from the default 128 may make the engine run slower or faster.

Well, but that sort of difference is more common with words rather than family names. Apparently all UK modelers say it that way, so I don't think it's a one-off thing or a joke.

Maybe Bachmann should add a little pronunciation reminder on it's UK "Branchline" OO trains website?

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/category/model-railway/branchline

I noticed watching some British modelers on YouTube recently that when discussing Bachmann's UK products they pronounce Bachmann "BACK-mun" rather than "BOCK-mun".

Seems a bit odd, any idea why? 

I have two of the Bachmann freight cars factory-equipped with the flashing EOT and am very impressed by how well they work. I would love to see Bachmann use that technology to add working markers to their very nice bay window caboose models as an option.

Yup, that's where it was hiding - under the dome next to the stack. Once I got that one (and the two under the cab) out, the body came right off.

Thanks to all!

Thanks for the replies. I took the front pony truck off, that screw isn't holding it in place. I removed the three small screws holding the bottom part of the chassis - the part keeping the drivers in place - and there's nothing under there either.  I know I had one engine long ago (old Life-Like 2-8-8-2) where you had to remove one of the domes, maybe this one does that too?

Hi, I need to take the body shell off this engine. I found the two screws under the cab OK, but there is apparently one or more other screws holding the body on that I can't find. I've been looking at the 'exploded view' diagram for a while, but if it's there I can't see it. Anyone know what I'm missing? Thanks.

Yes, compared to other working signals, 3 for $35 (actually a little less since I'm a Walthers "Yardmaster") made them worth trying.

I did contact Walthers, they said that they contacted Bachmann who confirmed it was only one signal, and that they (Walthers) understood how I could be "confused", and could return it for a refund.

I replied pointing out I didn't appear to be the one who was "confused". It would have been nice for them to at least acknowledge the error on their part.

The Bachmann 2020 print catalogue shows it as a three-pack of signals. The Bachmann website appears to have the correct information at this point.

Even my receipt slip that came with the Walthers order says "BAC 160-39115  3 Color Lighted Sig 3pk".

Hi, I recently ordered this from Walthers. Both their website and the 2020 Bachmann catalog says this is a three-pack of signals...but what I received only has one signal? 

SP 4449 was built in 1941, and worked in revenue service until it was retired in 1957 and placed in storage. In 1975, the engine was restored to working condition and has been used since to haul excursion or 'railfan' trips, often near it's home base in Portland Oregon.

The Bachmann "railfan version" means basically it is a model of the engine as it looks now (or in recent years) which is slightly different than the way it looked in the 1940's-50's when it was an "every-day" working  SP engine.

http://www.4449.com/

A pronunciation model railroad issue that bugs me is when people talk about installing a "lock-sound" decoder in their model engine, meaning they installed a Loksound decoder. In German "locomotive" is spelled with a "k" instead of a "c", so it's a long O. "Low-k sound", kinda like "loco-sound".

Thanks in large part to the NMRA standards, you should be able to run any loco on your layout. If you buy an engine that is not DCC-equipped, you will need to install one. Most engines made in recent years (decades?) comes with a receptacle for a decoder, you normally just have to remove a dummy plug and plug in the decoder. Several companies make decoders, both sound and non-sound, and any brand decoder will work in any engine.

Great Northern used long six-axle Vanderbilt tenders on some of their larger engines. A Spectrum 4-8-2 with long Vandy tender might be a good starting point for a GN P-2.

I don't know if any of the railroads serving Mpls-St.Paul used the shorter Vandy tenders. The DM&IR had some 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 engines that used the shorter Vandy tenders.