hi-
trying to get a little e-z track temporary layout created that i can mess around when i come home next year from college, i know i won't be able to commit to a serious layout so this is the next best thing; anyone know if there is a graphic of some sort that explains how the different switches and track lengths fit together? something like what LGB did here:



i'm using nickle silver track by the way..

thanks in advance

So I know I talked about creating this thread a while ago, but I was a bit apprehensive as the response to the idea was not overwhelming. Anyway, I think it's a good thread to create as ideas, tips, and techniques for improving the Bachmann models can be shared. I'll go ahead and list the mods I've made to my own models.

Thomas- CGI face (Wooden Railway), red undercarriage, space between splasher and side tanks filled in with black, connecting rod bolts painted blue, space between cab door and running board filled in with black

Percy- Open cab, open cab windows (front only), planning to give him a CG face (Wooden Railway), bunker painted black, connecting rod bolts painted green, red undercarriage, planning to cut his oversized chassis and bunker, and cut rear windows

James- CG face (Trackmaster, planning on replacing it with a Ringing in Tekero face as it's far more accurate and the correct size), completely open cab, black connecting rod bolts, wheels, smokebox, and axleboxes painted black (but need to repaint!!)

Gordon- CG face (Plarail), no other mods currently. But he does need new trailing wheels- hoping to purchase those sometime soon.

Duck- Black running board, CG face (Wooden railway- needs mods as it doesn't fit correctly), black connecting rod bolts

Oliver- No mods currently

Edward- CG face (Wooden railway, its a bit small but personally I think it looks charming), blue connecting rod bolts, no other mods.

Donald- No mods currently.

Annie and Clarabel- CG faces (printouts, but the color and design actually go very well with the base models), black undercarriages, dark grey roofs

Henrietta- CG face (printout for the time being)

Toby- CG face (planning on using a Take n Play or Wooden Railway face), roof painted grey, planning on giving him an open cab

I'm going to upload some pictures to photo bucket whenever I get the time and you all can go have a look. I'll paste the link here as an update whenever that happens. I'm curious to hear your thoughts as well as any other mods you might have made to your engines.

building up a temporary layout on my benchwork before we move houses. using bachmann nickel silver track because of price and ease of use. if anyone has any good layout ideas for a 4x8 table let me know. I was thinking something along the lines of this https://www.amazon.com/Layout-Bachmann-Track-Nickel-Silver/dp/B01I4C1TIW/ref=pd_sbs_21_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01I4C1TIW&pd_rd_r=0E9JFQ4VZS08H5QCSPXT&pd_rd_w=OkSdQ&pd_rd_wg=HrpmJ&psc=1&refRID=0E9JFQ4VZS08H5QCSPXT

but not from this seller per say and probably a bit of a different setup. not sure though. would like more ideas. thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-Thomas-Friends-Train-Cars-/232230383890?hash=item3612027112:g:hyUAAOSw241Yl4Nf

I'm not going to bid till the very last minute...!

Hi all-
Wandered off the Thomas message board because I am in need of some help and I bet I can find someone here.

I am in need of someone with skill in designing an HO/OO layout/design/track plan for my table. I've never been very good at making or designing layouts, just don't have the eye for it I suppose.

If anyone is willing to help I would truly appreciate it.

I only have a few guidelines:
- Must be an online software (to be as accurate as possible)
- Must have a list of all track pieces used and where they correspond on the layout
- Must be in HO/OO scale
- I am open to different track brands, but preferably Atlas as I have a good amount of that already

If you are interested in helping shoot me a PM. We can talk specifics such as table size and requirements for the layout there.

Thanks in advance,
Griffin

.

*Before I begin- admins, please feel free to delete this if you don't find it to be within fair game of the guidelines of the board*


I have seen lots of people on the board asking about where to find low prices for Bachmann Thomas and Friends items and where to find discontinued rolling stock, among other things. Rather than having answers to these questions strewn across the board, I thought it would be nice to have a central thread where we can keep all these answers and offers in one place and even, perhaps, to trade/buy/sell Bachmann items from other users! (ALL TRADING/BUYING/SELLING SHOULD BE DONE ELSEWHERE, NOT ON THIS THREAD.) To kick things off, I have a few questions:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Where can I find N scale track (any brand) cheap and in bulk?

2. Does anyone have a Bachmann Flatcar with Paint Drums (discontinued) they would be willing to sell or trade for another item? (DM me if so. Again, no actual selling should happen here.)

3. Where can I find Bachmann Henry cheap?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time...and hopefully I am within my limits by creating this thread.


-James

I went back a few pages to see if I could dig up an old thread rather than making another new one, but I couldn't, so here we are.

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Bachmann announce new products in a mere TWO months (February) or am I completely wrong?

Either way, it's been almost a year since new products were announced and this probably means new ones are coming up...eventually...

So! Predictions...

*Any redundant thoughts or un-original ideas found throughout are credited to the original authors*

ENGINES

PAXTON
Easy. He's a repaint and since we got a whopping THREE NEW TOOLINGS (Oliver Toad Skarloey) last year, I think it's safe to say a repaint of some sort is, obviously (and, perhaps, unfortunately?), inevitable.

DAISY
Eh. I don't know. She's a new character, recently re-introduced, mildly popular, and even though she's a new tooling (I think... Sorry, Bachmann experts) she's basically a giant rectangle. Easy, right? Maybe? No? Alright then...

Really those are the only ones I see really happening, unless Bachmann says "enough" and doesn't even give us a new engine, which is highly possible as well. I think it has happened before, right?

Anywho...

ROLLING STOCK

FLATCAR WITH [INSERT GENERIC LOAD HERE]

This one is a bit of wishful thinking for me. I've been searching for a while for the flatcar with paint-drums, but to no avail. *sigh.* Anyway, I think this one would be a cool re-introduction seeing as flatcars (beds?) are becoming more and more prominent in the TV Series. "Philip to the Rescue", anyone?

TROUBLESOME TRUCK #6

Not much to say about this one, really. I envision a Troublesome Truck #1 or #2, but with a CGI face. A simple mod to give the range a bit of a modern Thomas-touch.

That's all. I feel so uncreative right now, and to be very honest I don't care very much about Resin or Large Scale, but if this thread turns out to be a hit (wishful thinking on my part, really ) feel free to post your ideas for those if you like.

-R

Hello
The title says it all-- I want to replace my Bachmann E-Z track rail joiners with new ones (due to careless storage most of them are bent far beyond repair). For a while I contemplated throwing out all the E-Z track and starting anew with Atlas, but I paid all this money for the track I have and it seems to me at least like a fixable problem. My question(s) are:
How do I replace the rail joiners without damaging the track?
Will the track work if I simply replace the rail joiners or do I need something else to ensure success?
Thanks
-R

I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not the switches (they cross and allow the engines to switch across tracks at a 45 degree angle) seen first in the knapford yard in TAB are available in HO scale. Thanks

After suffering the pains of DC running, I have decided to switch over to DCC. My model railroad friend (far and few between unfortunately...) is generously giving me a Bachmann DCC controller so that's taken care of.
Does anyone know of a place where I can send my Thomas locos to have them professionally DCC-ed? The instructions I have found online seem simple enough except for the soldering part...I wouldn't want to spend ALL this money (Hint bachmann- your prices bother me  ) just to destroy the model.
The engines I'm going to start with are--
Thomas
Percy
Edward
Gordon
Diesel
Salty
Emily
Duck
James (maybe...I might wait for the redesigned one...)
Oliver (when he's released)
Spencer (idk yet..)
That's all for now!
Thanks

What scale of engines would be small enough (sorry not sure about the terminology) to "match scales" with the HO engines? Z scale?

If there is a gauge that is small enough, are there engines available (any range TBH) that have a likeness to the Arlesdale engines?

Thanks! Hoping to set up a layout that looks like what we see in SLOTLT; obviously there isn't enough info or even what the entire thing looks like to start now, but never hurts to get ahead...

ttte.wikia.com/wiki/The_Loop_Line

Alright, so I have been trying for YEARS to find a great way to model my favorite parts of Sodor without having to do the ENTIRE thing or omitting important parts and after much scrutiny I think I've found what I've been looking for- The Loop Line.

I just found this article on the wikia and think this is what I'm going to do. It includes all my favorite locations (except a narrow gauge line, but once I get started we can see what to do about that ) so I think this is what I've been looking for even if it doesn't have everything (it's good enough!)

However, I will have to wait a bit before I can get started, mostly because of not enough money (we're getting there!) but luckily I do have the space (a 12-9 space ) and the idea...

Anyway, when I get to it (probably this summer if I have the funds, which *fingers crossed!* I will ) I will post pics. Until then, feel free to give me advice on what kinds of buildings I could use, tips, ideas, etc.

Thanks!

P.S. - I will be using mostly Bachmann stuff (engines, resin buildings, maybe rolling stock (ehattons though)) and Atlas or peace track but I am open to other ideas ad stuff...like kits of buildings to match those seen in the T.V. series...

Looking for the discontinued Bachmann Red Express Coaches. Thanks!