https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzYr7UGg8HI&ab_channel=MikeGilchrist

Regarding your partnership (?) with Aero-Car lubricants.
You posted an MSDS for your "new" track and rail cleaner.
Thank you for that information.
I now see it's the same product.
I did not realize the relationship between Aero-Car and Bachmann, but I like it and think it's a good fit.
Does this also extend to the Bachmann EZ Lube Conductive Contact Lube as being the same as the Aero-Car Conducta Lube and Cleaner?

http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/other_preorders.html
No affiliation other than being a satisfied repeat customer.


2-8-0 Sound Value pre-orders
Western Pacific
Union Pacific
Norfolk & Western
New York Central
Western Maryland

Also GE Dash 8-40CW Sound Value pre-orders.
Union Pacific
Santa Fe
CSX
Norfolk Southern
Canadian National

Looks like another pass for me.

Hello from BlueRail Trains.

The boards should be arriving from the manufacturer in the next couple of weeks. We are looking into doing some final firmware updates to the boards before starting sales which I will detail in a follow up email.

Initially we are only going to make boards available to people on this email list. When the boards are available, we will email you a link to an online order form (based on the order you signed up and what your preferences are). The online-store will utilize PayPal for payments (although you won't be required to have a PayPal account to complete a transaction). We are using Big Commerce for our e-merchant (so transactions will be secure). The price of the board is $75 US/Canada ($85 if you want two battery leads pre-soldered in place). I will send a follow-up email confirming the accessories we will have available as well as battery operation considerations.

Good news on the Android side. The BlueRail Android app is coming along, and we expect to have a basic operating "beta" available by the time the boards are shipping. "Beta" means the app works, but needs some refinements/features before being classified as complete. The graphics still need some tightening up. We are still working on Multi-train (the screen that allows you to see multiple throttles onscreen at once) and the extended sound and light panels. Here is a video of running trains with the BlueRail Android beta:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmGgQg0CZ8

Your smart device will require Android version 4.3 or newer to run these trains. The BlueRail iOS app should be in the appstore soon. We will add more features to both the iOS and Android app as quickly as we can (apps can be updated every 7 days at the fastest).

For people outside the US and Canada, we need to get 40 more people signed up before we reach the threshold to cover additional certification costs. I need to enlist a few more interested folks from the UK, Europe, Australia and NZ to make that happen. When we reach that number, we will complete certification and work with a retailer in your area.

We're getting close. Look forward to more communication in the coming week.


David Rees
BlueRail Trains


Click here to update your board reservation options:
http://bluerailtrains.com/reserve.cfm?MyID=14&MyEmail=


Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://bluerailtrains.com/unsubscribe.cfm?MyID=14&MyEmail=

http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=20017

See you there.

Hello from BlueRail Trains!

I'm happy to report the first of our line of
plug-in boards is nearly ready for prime time, and I can give you some details
on it. You can watch a video
here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrokc9KQOHA

We've spent the last
months supporting the release of the Bachmann bluetooth trains (which should be
available the second week of November). We also put some extra effort into
enabling our boards to drive the loco motors at an ultrasonic frequency (for
super quiet operation).

I know we are slightly behind schedule. Our
commitment to simultaneously launch Bachmann's new train control system has
forced us to up our game, and we have been meticulous in our effort to bring you
the simplest and most effective train operation that will both live up to
expectations and offer added features for years to come.

I'll list the
features of our first BlueRail plugin board below. Our goal is to get those in
your hands by end of December (or early January at the latest).

Dimensions: 
58mm x 28mm
Max Voltage:        24 volts DC
Max Stall Current:    2
amp
Accessories:        4 lights (or accessories)

Other Features:
battery
connection (for dead rail or power backup)
wireless firmware updates
expansion
port (for future on-board sound options)
9 pin NMRA connector
100+ ft
range

This board dimension is suitable for an HO tender, but can be utilized
any way you see fit (including larger gauges that match the spec). We will
release a narrower version of the same board (more suitable for HO diesels)
shortly after board one.

Our target price is $75 per board. We will finalize
and confirm the price in the next few weeks.

In addition to use with a
DCC-ready train, these boards can also be wired into any non-DCC train within
spec. As in the spec, our boards have 2 connection points where you can add
wires and connect a battery of your choice. This can serve either as dead rail
or as a "support battery" (for bad sections of track). We do not support battery
charging at this time.

The free BlueRail iOS app will be in the appstore at
release time (and will be compatible with the Bachmann E-Z App). Once the
product is released, we anticipate a 2 month effort to release an Android
version of the app. I will send more detail on the control app and features as
we get closer to release.

What's next? After completing boards for HO (or any
DC-powered trains near that size), releasing boards for larger gauges (with
larger amperage needs) is fairly straight-forward.  N scale might have been
considered an impossibility a year ago, but recent reductions in bluetooth
module size have introduced some amazingly small options which are following up
on. All boards BlueRail releases do have an expansion port in anticipation of
onboard sound add-ons. There is also interest in adding bluetooth control of DCC
as well as increased layout control (all of which are on our list).

If you
are interested in the Bachmann E-Z App trains (with built-in bluetooth support)
please checkout the following
URLS:
http://e-zapptraincontrol.com/
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ez-app.php

If
you have received this email, you are in our contact database and will be the
first to know the details and given first opportunity on these boards. I will
send a follow-up email in November in which I will confirm pricing and specs, as
well as a firmer release date.

Thank you for your interest in model train
technology.

David Rees
BlueRail Trains

http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19812

See you there.

13th Tampa Model Train Show 6/6 - 6/7

Info;
http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19679

Discount;
http://www.gserr.com/shows/DiscountCardTampaJune.htm

Anyone else going?

http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19751

See you there!

New traction tire available for 2-8-0 and "J"

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_109&products_id=9028

Model: TRAIN-0R007
Bachmann states "same as traction tire #train-0R019 in N:2-8-0"
What Bachmann fails to mention is that this (TRAIN-0R007) tire also fits;
USRA Light  2-10-2
EM-1  2-8-8-4
Berkshire  2-8-4

These tires are only listed under "J" parts. none of the other loco parts.

Get 'em while you can, max 20 per order.
I received my 20 today.
Shipping was turn your head and cough.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N821X-IS001.PDF
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N%20SCALE%20EM-1%202-8-8-4.GEAR%20BOXES.pdf
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N_2-10-2_(DCC).pdf
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/N%20SCALE%202-8-4%20BERKSHIRE%20with%20DCC%20SOUND.CHASSIS.pdf

Regarding the word "Spectrum" on your products.

If I remember correctly the products first labeled as "Spectrum" was to indicate the motor was electrically isolated to facilitate the user added DCC decoder.
This was about 1995-96?
This was at a time when DCC was still pretty much in its infancy.
I also recall the "Spectrum" lokies began to have greater detail than what had been released in the past, but the "Spectrum" designation was more about DCC readiness.
Am I remembering this transition correctly?
As many lokies newly released are not now using the designation, yet they still have the finer detail, and more so, have at least some provision to add a decoder, if not an already installed factory decoder.
Is "Spectrum" now used to designate provisions for sound?
I.e. provisions in the tenders for a speaker, or is it yet morphing that it indicates DCC w/sound factory installed?

What exactly has the word "Spectrum" come to imply?

Inquiring minds want to know.

TIA

PS  I don't do DCC, please re-consider those tens of thousands of us who don't, and give us the option to add later if we want, but do not force us to pay extra for a decoder with or without sound, something many of us will never use, especially factory sound in n scale.
We can live with dual mode decoders if we must.
For this reason, I'm going to have to pass on the new Berk, even as much as I would like to have a few.
You are pricing many of us out of your potential market.

Again, TIA

http://realrail.org/upcoming-events/rail-pass/


some more here;


http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=19544


See you there.

I am trying to clean up my wiring in my control panel.
Presently incorporating two digital multimeters.
Yes, I could use one, but don't wish to turn a knob to toggle between volts and amps to see real time information.
Two are bulky and that's what I'm trying to get away from.
I want small and compact, and both volts and amps on one display, at the same time, no turning knobs or flipping a toggle switch.

I have been looking at this;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321401479269?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Anybody bought from this etailer and can comment on the quality or accuracy of these?
Yes, you get what you pay for, but I have less invested in the two meters I'm already using, and I find them accurate (>2%) compared to my fluke.
Anybody bought one, or anything else from this company?

http://stores.ebay.com/nyplatform?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Seller has 99.9 positive rating over 21,000 transactions.
Thoughts, or better yet, real experience?

Bachmann Item#44899

To those of you who have purchased this item would you please humor me and measure the sections?

Pack states "2 ea .75, .875. 1.25, and 1.5 sections per card"

The ones I bought have no 1.25 sections.
The section I'm asking about has six ties and measures 1.125.

The other three pieces appear to be as advertised (dimensions).

Thanks and post your findings.

Moderators please pass this on to the powers that be.

Bachmann item #44899 Assorted Short Connector Sections (N-Scale).
Packaging states "Two each .75", .875", 1.25", 1.5" PER CARD"

This is incorrect there are no 1.25" sections included in this pack.

The section with 6 ties is actually a 1.125" section (1⅛").
The section with 8 ties is in fact 1.5".

I purchased two packs from H&R Trains (LHS),
Not a 1.25" section between them (yes, I measured).
Not sure this is mislabeled or wrong sections inserted into pack, but judging from the blister form, I'd guess mislabeling.

Please investigate this.
Thanks for your time.

In the mean time I'll ask on the N board and see what others have found. Maybe an isolated instance.

I have not yet found these shows advertised anywhere other than the GTS site.

Orlando  -   8/2 - 8/3
Tampa   -  8/9 - 8/10

http://www.greattrainexpo.com/shows/2014Tampa.html

Planning to attend Tampa show.

Conductive lubricants.

How many are truly?
Has anybody really tried to measure the resistance of these products with an ohm meter?
Or are we just accepting hearsay from a manufacturer's claim, or worse yet, internet chatter?

Wahl clipper oil?
Conductalube?
WD-40?
Etc.

I understand a micro coat of oil will inhibit oxidation, both on the wheels and the track. This does not make it conductive

The supposed conductive lubricants from Atlas, Aero-Car, Bachmann, etc.?
Has anybody confirmed these claims using an ohm meter?

How about if you own some of these supposed conductive lubricants, you put them in a glass vessel and measure the resistance with an ohm meter?

How about posting your readings here publically?

Yes, don't kid yourself; I am fully aware of the lead content in glass. I understand many don't own Pyrex, or even know what it is.

Commercial glass will do in this test, just use the same vessel.

Better yet, just put your probes in the factory container. 

Conductive?

FWIW  I'm not in any of these camps, however, a fellow modeler at the club advocates automotive bulb grease, and I will give it a fair trail.

I remain skeptical.

Any takers?

Nigel,
In a previous reply you state that "drying is very important" between subsequent soakings, to effectively strip the paint from a loco.

I have only been stripping loco shells for about 2 years, always using 91% isopropyl alcohol, and had not heard about drying in between soakings.
My experience to date has been limited to Atlas shells with factory paint.

Could you elaborate a bit on this?

I have recently acquired a loco (Arnold) that I needed to scavenge a particular piece from to use on another project. This newly acquired loco has been painted, what appears to be, at least 3 times without stripping between colors. As you can imagine, the paint is "heavy" and fills in the detail on the loco and particularly heavy on the piece I need to remove, filling in the detail on vents and fans.
Soaking in the alcohol for 1 hour, and then followed with a vigorous scrub with a stiff toothbrush has still not exposed the base plastic, just the various colors in different small patches.
I have no way to tell what type or brand the individual coats may be, other than to label them "stubborn to remove".

This particular part is NOT made from the same type plastic the loco shell is made from, but rather the, for lack of better words, "waxy type", plastic that the handrails and sills are made from.
It is proving difficult, as it's now approaching an additional 4 hour soak, since the last scrubbing, with minimal effect.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I found your reply here:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,8348.0.html

Thank you for your time.

Any of you other guys have any hints, feel free to jump in.

Mr. B,
We can’t help but notice the advertisement for H&R trains on your home page.
H&R Trains is my LHS.
They are sponsoring a show this coming weekend Fri 13, Sat 14, and Sun 15.

It is not the common type of train show where one might view a couple of layouts and then visit hundreds of vendor tables.
There are some manufacturer vendor booths but the meat of the show is individual layouts and dioramas.
Their type of train show has judging and awards ribbons for most everything in every scale.

This is the only competitive show in the bay area.
This is truly a train “show”.

H&R Trains does an exceptional job sponsoring this event.
If you’re in the area it’s not to be missed.

Bachmann Industries always has a corporate rep. presence there.
Will you be attending, in person, this time?