Hi guys,

I model N-Scale but I just bought an HO brass Tenshodo Big Boy and it needs a motor.  I am hoping you guys can help me pick a good quality motor.

It was built in 1977 just like me but I want a modern motor.

Also here's another question. 

Is there enough space in an HO Big Boy to put two motors?
I was thinking it would be cool if I could put a motor for each truck with a sound decoder each and I could make the chuff sound more accurate.

Hello guys,

I decided I want to model UP's #3985 excursion train.  It carries an additional set of water tenders and I have not seen the tender sold alone or with any other loco.  So far I got the Challenger I just need the additional tenders.  I think I read somewhere that these were built later and that's probably why I don't see them sold with any prototype locomotive.
Just today I saw a Bachmann Overland and noticed that the tender is pretty close to what I need.  I may have to kit-bash it a little but it's pretty darn close.  Do you guys agree that this would be the best tender to work with?
Has anyone ever modeled this train?
Do you know any place asides from ebay where I can get just the tenders?
By the way, the Overland looks like a cool locomotive.  Does anyone have this loco?




Here's a rough sketch of how it would look.

Hello there,

I am about to buy my DCC system pretty soon here.  Now I know that the Consolidation is DCC ready and there is space in the boiler to for the decoder but you have to compromise and remove a weight.  I don't like this idea because it will affect the phenomenal pulling performance of the Consolidation.

So I was thinking that there is plenty of space in the tender for a sound decoder.  I will have to reroute the wires but I am willing to do this.

Has anyone done this?  Which sound decoder do you guys recommend?

Thank you

Hi,

I recently purchased a couple of Spectrum 2-6-6-2's but one of them was DOA.
I sent it in and I got a call from Bachmann to inform me that this model has been discontinued and that they'd be sending me a different model.

I really liked my loco and it was a bit upsetting to hear this.   I guess I can go find another one but if it breaks I'm afraid I will have to repair it myself for I don't want it replaced.

I'm assuming and hoping that a model such as the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 might be discontinued because they will redesign it and release a new version later?

Hello guys,

Here I am again with different issues.  Mind you this is stuff I did not run accross while reading back on all the posts. 

Before anyone gets upset about me inquiring about products from another brand let me tell you that I am a proud owner of over 10 Bachmann locomotives which I like very much.  (Mostly steam but I do own a diesel) SD-45.  Especially my 2-8-0s (3) consolidation.  I like my 2-6-6-2s (3) although 2 are going back for issues. I like them mainly for how menacing they look although in all reality my consolidation can pull way more and better.  I have others too...
Anyway,

I need your help with this problem.  I hope you guys find the time to drop in and enlighten me with your wisdom.

I just purchased a Kato GE AC4400CW on ebay and it's used.
It runs great at slow and fast speeds.  smooothhhhhhhh

I also purchased a  Kato GE C44-9W NEW on ebay as well.

The problem is, I'm currently running a DC system but the locomotives run at different speeds. The C44-9W is significantly faster than the AC4400.

I don't see anything wrong with the slower loco and it actually runs very smooth even at a very slow speed. The only thing I can think of is that the motor might be a different production.   Their motors begin to turn at a different voltage and their speeds peak at different rates.  They both run butter  smooth and sound super clean.  I can hear the brass wheels spinning perfect.

Taken apart they seem to be manufactured around the same period, very current.   The chassis is similar, the motor and couplings all identical and the LED circuit is identical except  for on one of them the light is white on the other loco the LED emits amber light.
I don't think they're geared different and I don't see any articles about these machines having different gear configurations.
The contacts look clean and they run super smooth and super quiet.
I guess I could try replacing the motor?  It is the only thing I can think of.

I guess I should buy identical machines when I plan to run them together.
This perhaps is a lesson learned?
The gears inside seem identical so I don't see how it would be geard differently I just think one motor is not as efficient as the other and not necessarily because it's used but perhaps it's a different generation.\
Manufactured differently... 

So this is where I need you guys' expertise the most.  On the stuff I wrote below that's just me telling you where I stand and how I see myself evolving with this hobby and how my layout will fall in place... a few months down the line.



See like I said before,  I'm new at this so there are steps I may not follow in order.  When purchasing locomotives.   I currently own 3 conolidations, 3 spectrum 2-6-6-4, and a couple of the Bachmann standard 4-8-4's I believe.
a few 0-6-0 switchers.  about 7 Power Metal locos that are fairly impressive in quality.   That's all steam because I love that era.

But in my layout I wanted to incorporate a modern section where you have Alcos and GEs and others running around hauling cars.  Mostly UP and some Santa Fe.  I have plenty of rolling stock for all this. 
I will stick to Crapido couplers which is what most of the used rolling stock came with.  The diesels all have knuckle so some cars are hybrid.
later on I will experience with magnetic couplers.


So I have enough trains to get this whole layout started and I have some ideas in my head - I'm definitely going with DCC and I will have a turn table and the yard's gonna be busy as heck.


Thanks for your input.

Hello guys,

Me again.  Trying to learn about contemporary diesel locomotives.

First of all, Is Alco out of business?  I thought I read that somewhere.

And which of these engines is bigger as in more powerful or even more modern.

EMD SD70M
EMD SD70MAC
EMD SD80MAC
EMD SD90MAC

It is pretty obvious that the SD70 Precedes the SD90 and they must be some changes but were these huge changes or just aesthetics.
Maybe a bigger generator?
And how well do they compare to the General Electric locos?

GE AC4400CW
GE C30-7
GE C44-9W
GE P42
GE U30C

Was the AC4400 the answer to the SD70 and therefore the SD90 the answer the GE's AC4400?

Any help will be great.  There's not much in wiki about all of these locos.
thanks.

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the hobby.  I started a week ago.  I purchased a Kato Amtrak set but I've always been fascinated with steam locomotives so I picked up a Bachmann consolidation.

I really like it a lot. I've been looking at pictures and I've been reading about steam locomotives online but I don't seem to find information regarding their average speed.  All I see is information on records they set at 100+ miles per hour and I am not interested in that.
Also, what's a realistic amount of cars they pulled, I can't seem to find that either.
I'm gonna make a trip to Barnes&Noble to pick up a few books on these magestic giants but I bet you they will be filled up with dates and high speed records but no information I am looking for.  I want to know how long it took them to warm up the boiler in the morning  before their schedule and how often they had to stop to get more water and fuel.  My grandpa told me so much about these machines but unfortunately I was too young to care about his stories.  He would tell me that they had steam valves that would release steam while the engine was idling and so you had to keep your distance and so forth...
Will you guys please help me with this.  Anyway if you know of a good book I would greatly appreciate your recommendation. 
Thank you.