Hi Folks

After too long a time I finally got around to replacing the bulbs in my WBB F-7 Atlantic Coast Line units.
From ACE ELECTRONICS i ordered white 12-15 V Bayonet Base Bulbs LED's to replace the incandescent ones.
Order number is 55-111W-1

I don't know what took me so long but it was easy to take the shells off both units and to replace the bulbs.
The LED's make a big difference now I plan to replace all my WBB steamer and diesel bulbs with these LED's.
If 3 rail or anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Can these bulbs go brighter?

ACE Electronics info

www.ACE4PARTS.com

713-688-8114

Ive been on this quest to easily replace the lights in the WBB F-3s, F-7, some of the steamers.

well through the knowledgeable folks on this forum there is an electronics company that has the bulbs you literally screw in and wa-la youre done thats what i like!!

now I need to know what voltage those nose lights on the F-3, F-7, Berkshire , Hudson and GG-1 are because this company offers a 12 and a 24 volt choice.

this is exciting as finally we can have "bright lights"  without the heat or draw of power>

Thanks in advance I will post results when I get this done.

My son Joey was given a WBB GP-38 Chessie System locomotive for his birthday by my brother and sister. We finally opened it Monday since the schools were closed due to the weather.

I felt compelled to comment because I was really impressed with the looks of the locomotive. The shade of yellow and the deep blue trim is a real eye pleaser.

On the track it is just an eye catcher and it has pulling power!!! In our collection we have GP-30's and GP-35's as well as a GP-7 but I got to hand it to Joey he has a thing for Chessie and really wanted it and I remember trying to talk him out of it but I had to "high five" him for his decision. He was one happy kid!!!!

I think Bachmann has also found a signature color scheme for their boxes, as the package is a solid box cover and the colors are classic.

You can have a laugh on me but I didn't know Chessie was B&O!! Another reason for me to like it.

What I would like to know. Since I have become spoiled with the sounds of the GP-30 is it possible to "swap" out the GP-38 system for a sound board that is in the GP-30's?? I have someone who could do it for me.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Finally got a chance to see those WBB F-3's in the ERIE markings it looks really nice !!!

Does WBB make the passenger cars to match??

Also saw the Rock Island ones. They look good too!!!

The hobby shop I go to offered me 30% off

I am really tempted!!!!!!!!

I'll let you know if I bite!!!

Merry Christmas to all at Bachmann who work with a love and passion for this hobby that brings a lot of joy to all us "kids"!!!

Santa is bringing a WBB CNW big Hopper, a Chessie GP-38 and a CN Gondola with the barrels!!!

Dad's Getting the Seaboard RS-3!!!!! Mrs. Klaus has been workin on that !!!!!!

We received our latest copy of Classic Toy Trains magazine.

On the back cover Bachmann usually has an ad. They were announcing that the O-Gauge RS-3's were to become

available soon.

But

The Seaboard version was missing!!

What's up ??

 My son and I have Bachmann HO and O gauge trains.

For Christmas we run the G-Scale around the Christmas Tree. Since we are in the process of re-doing the O-Gauge layout I set up the G-Scale for my son to run and remembered how frustrating it is to assemble the track using those practically micro small screws.

I was just wondering if Bachmann Large Scale has a system like easy track or Fas-Track for Large scale. If they did I would switch in a New York minute

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!

Was out of town took 2 of the little ones on yes a train ride. We took AMTRAK into

Chicago spent the day sightseeing rode the Train Back to New Buffalo stayed at  cool

Comfort Inn in St Joe Michigan. I have not rode AMTRAK in a few years it was a great time. The trains are sell outs!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of young people, students, and young families. And yeas Railfans-these guys are great!! They were talking "Rail" stuff the whole time. My kids had a great time these rail fan fellas had great senses of humor.
There were German Exchange students on board who were going to ride the Empire Builder for their Spring Break. I was AMAZED at how much American rail history they knew!!!!  Next adventure is all the way to Port Huron next long weekend.

By the way if you are in New Buffalo michigan "OINKS" is the best ice cream you will ever have big generous scoops and a fun place. Also the I luv Toy Trains shop is across the street!!!!

It was a long work week last week so on Friday I had a an hour before I needed to be home. In need of a little "mental health" break, I stopped at Barnes and Noble and pulled the last copy of "O"-Gauge Railroading magazine. In it on page 27 is a very impressive review/article of the new WBB O-Gauge GP-30 with plenty of photograghs.
I have seen a couple  short WBB video reviews on U-Tube taken from one of the "shows" and became very interested in this type as I usually go for Steamers and F-type diesels or NW-2's. But there is some magical "alure" about this diesel and started to consider adding this especially after the WBB reps on the video described what lengths they went to for detail and trainsound realism.

Well read the article I can tell you I plan to get one in the UP markings as it is so classic.
Sounds like WBB hit a home run with this one and I wish them the best of success!!!!

What is the optimum amount of "smoke drops" to be placed in the smoke unit without smothering it??

Also is there an on/off swithch??

I just received a Berkshire Santa Fe Steamer and I think WBB has a nice realistic unit

and the true Blast 2 is nice sounding also.

Good job WBB

Also I noticed the headlight is nice and bright!!!!!!!!!!

Found out the 60' Madison cars of Pennsylvania and Pullman are out of stock and

no one knows if WBB is still producing them. 

Is it true or what ? As no one has them in stock.

Maybe 3 rail can clue us in.

Those 2 sets are the backbone sets(in my opinion) of a steamer passenger set

on a layout not to mention they look really cool.

While visiting in Ft. Lauderdale last week I had a chance to visit the

"Hobby Super Store" which has one of the largest train depts I have seen.

Sadly this trip I found the Train Dept reduced and more space devoted to "Sets".

A lot of the stock has been sold off in big sales but there still are 2 aisles of engines

and rolling stock. In the "sell off" aisle I found a few gems which made the trip worth

it!!  There was a Williams O-Gauge F-7 A/A set in none other than Atlantic Coast Line

markings the famous "Purple" color markings!!!!!!!!!!!! The packaging was damaged

and the shrink wrap gone. I found it accidently in back of the top shelf. The manager

opened it. I have never seen a model with these markings only pictures. My friend

who was with me and is not into the hobby was very impressed with the models.

Several of the customers who were shopping came over to look at the engines. One

person said if I don't want it he would buy it!!!!!!!!! I have been looking for ACL for a

long time. I didn't know Williams/Bachmann had made an F-7. The photos do not do

enough justice to the beauty of these engines.

Next was a incredible deal on a Peter Witt "Philadelphia" in O-Gauge. Once again, my

son and I have talked about them. Personally I would have loved a Chicago however

the price was incredibly affordable and we have PRRrepresented on our layout.

Lastly was a Williams Bachmann NW-2 Seaboard which we had been looking for.

I took the 3 back to Chicago with me aboard the plane and had TSA pull me over to

look them over. One fella knew model trains talked to me about these items and then

quickly passed me through with out a hassle!!!!!

If you are in the area stop by there were a lot of items on sale at great prices and

help support our favorite hobby.

I am also noticing more after market companies making more buildings, trees etc at

about our scale for very affordable prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Hunting

Saw the first episode of the series on the History Channel.

If you have a memory like "Dori" in the film, "Finding Nemo" you'll

like it. Otherwise Tape or DVR it. There are so many comercials.

This episode is about the Railroads and the ""Dark Side" of these RR moguls

Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carniegie, Tom Scott of PRR(?) fame seemed the most normal.

My son enjoyed the train scenes they were done well. Other than that these guys were

mostly sociopathic obsessive compulsive types. Carniege may have had nano-seconds

of conscience here and there. BUT overall you will see the important role Rail Roads played

in the development of this country. Because many scenes repeat you can fast forward and

knock off an hour episode in about 20 minutes!!!!!!!!!!

Just wondering if WBB has in the works newer technology with better sounding diesel
i.e., F-3's etc as well as steamers with steam hissing, start up and slow down hissing steam
sounds and chugging. That would be a nice add on feature !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw a Horse Shoe Curve Berkshire with all those sounds and it was very realistic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may be off topic

BUT it is train related.

last tuesday the newspaper had an article about how the CN Railroad wants to tear down the

trainstation in our town of Valparaiso Indiana. It was built in 1903-04 by the Grand Trunk Railroad.

2 of the CN reps were there and they wanted to tear it down in 30 days. The meeting was packed

with residents of our town and a lot of ideas were kicked around. CN is saying it will cost them 50,000 dollars or more to tear down but construction folks there said with asbestos and lead paint

it will cost upwards of 75,000-100'000 to tear down. It was suggested why not CN donate to

preserve the station. Turn it into a tourist center, partial restaurant, In Skokie Illinois one person has a Starbucks coffee place very tastefully down with a railroad theme throughout

the place. and it is always packed with people.

What I am seeking is information of Railroad preservation historical groups that can helpus

or give us ideas. CN has given us 60 days to come up a plan to save the railroad station.

Any help would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi 3-Rail

I need your help. I purchased a few of the NW-2  O-Gauge Engines.

2 of them my son and I opened on his birthday. I noticed the "Radio-Antennae"

on top of the engines were broken on the Baltimore and Ohio and Union Pacific.

I thought no big deal I faxed a copy of my receipts and asked for replacement parts

with some instruction as how to replace them as I would like to learn how to make repairs.

I also followed up with phone calls. I always have left messages NO-ONE has

returned a call. Last week someone finally answered the call I explained my situation and they said they would call back right away that was Tuesday August 28!!!!

I am e-mailing you in the hopes that I get somewhere with this issue. If you want

me to send the engines to you I will but I thought for such small parts I can try to do it myself to save you time. I can imagine how busy it must get around the place. BUT

just a return call to let me know you have got my messages would be a big help. Please let me know what you can do

Thank you

Kind regards

Some months ago while visiting the "NEW" I love Toy Trains Store in New Buffalo Michigan, I found a Williams O-Gauge S-2 Tender in New York Central markings.

I was wondering if WBB made a Pennsylvania tender???

Thanks!

In my search for passenger cars of the ACL and Sea Coast Line

I came across a really interesting web site which deals with all

kinds of topics on Railroading. One which I found interesting was a section
titled "FallenFlags".
Thought many of you would be interested

Dear Folks:

Bachmann finally returned the loco's I returned for repair.

They did a great job and sent them back in nice safe packaging.

Everything runs and operates great. The smoke from the GS-4 "puffs" up

in intervals and it wows everyone that sees it.

PROBLEM:

My son noticed that the hexigonal nut that holds the rod to the REAR FLANGED WHEEL on the port side(Left) side comes loose.  I tightened it and after a few laps

around the layout starts to come loose again. Any suggestions on what to do and

why is it unscrewing.  It's the hexigonal nut for the axle of the rear Helical Gear.

This is a great engine!! and really impressive looking on the layout with its red

and orange colors.

Thank you in advance.

Thanks everyone

Looking to find out if Diesel pulled those Madison passenger cars or was it just

steamers.

Have a chance to pick up some really nice PRR Tuscan Red Madison Passenger cars

did the GG-1 pull them?

Thanks in advance