I need advice on cleaning and lubricating, Thomas, James, Percy, Emily etc.  It seems if we do not run them for a few months on the layout (permanent layout) they do no run very good.

Any insights on type of cleaners or lubricants I should use on these?

The track has been cleaned and the larger HO diesels are running fine.

Have 4 or 5 Bachmann rolling stock purchased in December.  I noticed that they had various problems going through turnouts.  The coupler hoses, or the magnetic part that hangs low to the track were getting caught up on turnouts sometimes causing derailments.  Furthermore they would touch or hit the magnets of the uncouplers in my yard. 

I checked them against a Kadee # 205 Coupler Height Guage and the couplers were low on  every one of them.   No wonder they are having problems.  My Athern and other rolling stock seem to be ok.

Is this typical of Bachmann Rolling stock?  What is the best way to fix them? The kadee washers I have do not fit over the plastic flange on the bottom of the car to give it lift. 

-K

I was able to successfully install a decoder in Emily today.  It was not easy, as there is almost no room to do it.

I used a Digitrax DZ123 decoder.  I installed the decoder in the front under the mechanism that moves the eyes.  Then ran the wires to the back up over the top being careful not to get the wires into the gears.

Emily is a solid piece inside.  An interesting design, but very good. 

I wish Bachmann would consider making decoder installation easier in these engines. Yes they may be for kids, but I have chosen to use DCC for my kids.  They love to be able to run multiple trains on the same track.

Kevin

I have a Spectrum GE 44 Ton Switcher that says DCC ready.  Taking the shell off and looking at the small circuit board, there is not a 8 pin connector.  There appears to be a 6 pin edge connector on one side of this card.  Is this the connector for the decoder?
If so are there specific decoders for this unit with this connector on it?

If not does anyone know the pinout of the edge connector?

There were no instructions with the unit on decoder installation or pinout for the edge connector. 

I have experience installing Digitrax decoders (soldering) into several locos.

Thanks,

Kevin