Any ideas where I might find a front step for my 45 ton side rod diesel. One step has broken off and I lost it. I've been quite successful at casting repair parts, but the open grid of the step has proven to be quite a challenge. I don't need the support strap, just the grid part.

I see the post about tips for the early climax. Are there any tips that I should know for the 85093 climax?

Does anyone know of a good source for a replacement microswitch that goes under a number 6 turnout to switch the frog polarity? My 0-4-0 side tank keeps stalling on the turnout. I checked with a VOM and it appears the switch is not functioning.

Is there any problem with me scanning and posting a pdf of an instruction sheet/parts breakdown of a Bachmann engine on this board? I certainly don't want to break any rules, but the parts/service department suggested that this would be a place to find the information.

I have an old Bachman large scale tank engine that came in the Clementine mining set. It appears that the rear axle has broken. The rear drivers are free of each other. Service says no parts available. Does anyone out there have a similar engine with a stripped drive gear or a burned up motor?  I trying to piece it back together. It was always a good runner and the kids miss it. Thanks

Years ago Curmudgeon posted photos of a large scale wedge snow plow he had fashioned out of pvc pipe. Does anyone have info on this or any other wedge plow ideas that could be fitted to an Annie or to a gondola or flat car?

Does anyone have the link to the add on spring coupler fix for the large knuckle couplers? I seem to remember that it came from the Saskatoon group?? It has worked very well for me in the past. I just can't remember the specifics. The older I get the more I forget!!!

Does anyone have experience with a TCS keep alive device installed in a Bachmann dcc engine? If so, any advice for a newby?

Two questions:
Does anyone have any good solutions for coupler modifications to the Aristo so that I can pull all of my Bachmann cars?... especially the coaches.
Can anyone point me to a source of info on how to set the valves on the live steam Aristo 0-4-0?  I made the dumb mistake of adjusting too far and can't seem to find the original setting I can't seem to find a forum as clear and easy to use as this one.

I have seen messages questioning the pulling power of the 4-6-0's. I've never had any problems. Here's a "quick and dirty" video showing what they can do. One is pulling 9 passenger coaches. The other is pulling 8 coaches, 4 freight cars, and a bobber caboose. The set up is on my living room and dining room floor (very patient wife!) and includes several 180 degree 4' diameter curves and a couple of mixed 4' and 10' curves. All cars have metal wheels, but no modifications.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqMgNmK4qjE

Can someone simply explain the advantage of a back emf decoder, please.- Mike

What can anyone tell me about the quality of the Clementine 0-4-0 tank engines. I have the opportunity to pick up three or four of them. Are they a sturdy engine? If not, are they a good base for building up a better engine? Any input welcomed. Thanks- Mike

Can anyone give me a couple of good sources for HO engines? I can only remember Caboose, Factory Direct Trains, and Trainworld, but I know there are lots of other good sources. I sure miss my short term memory!!- Mike

Why is it that some of the messages (such as the 2-6-6-2 thread in the large scale section) display so wide. I order to read it, I have to scroll right and left for each line? Most of the other messages are just fine. How about it, computer guys?- Mike

Does anyone know of any train shows in the Orlando, FL, area the weekend of Oct 31 - Nov 2... or any rail sites and/or stores worth visiting in the area? I'll be in the area from the 29th thru the 3rd, and I will have some extra time. Thanks in advance for any info.- Mike

I am trying to identify an HO steam locomotive. It is a B&O Atlanti 4-4-2. On the box : General Hobbies Corp., HO Train Co. of Philadelphia 40, PA. On the bottom of the engine: Tokyo, Japan. The engine is heavy enough that it may be made out of some kind of metal. The 8 wheel tender is plastic with B&O markings. Any ID help would be appreciated. No, I'm not trying to value it for a "big sale"... just interested in finding out a little of its history.  Thanks- Mike

Why is it that some of the posts are so wide? For example- whenever I try to read any of "rocknblues"'s posts in the "Pictures of my bluff" topic, I have to scroll across right and left to read it all. This is true of only some of the posts... but I have run into it in several various threads. Am I doing something wrong?.. or do I have some incorrect settings? For what it is worth, I have a wide screen laptop, but it seems to be the same on my laptop, my home computer, and the desktop at work. I'm hoping that some of you computer "whizzes" will give me some information/understanding here. Thanks- Mike

Okay guys. All of this talk about battery power with wireless remote control has piqued my interest. I have a few questions:
How heavy can a battery be for one of these trains? I ask because I have a number of 12 VDC 7.0 amp. hr. batteries which were removed from a fire alarm system. But they weigh about five pounds each. Would that be too much for a 4-6-0 to pull in a trailing car?
If it's not too much weight, then how much would I have to expect to spend to get an RC unit going. I'm not at the point that I feel any need for sound, so if that's an extra cost, I'd be happy to go without it. Any input would be welcomed. Thanks in advance- Mike

Gene- I've heard that your club might have an open house this weekend. Any truth? If so, we might stop off on the way to or from the show in Newport News... Anxiously awaiting word- Mike S.

I have to be in Palm Springs, CA, for a convention the week of the end of October and the beginning of November. Does anyone have some ideas for good railroad places to go nearby during short (2-4 hour) breaks? (Hobby shops and/or rail fan sites).  Also, I'll have one weekend half day available. Any ideas would be appreciated. - Mike S.