I did a search and could not find an answer. I have a GP38-2 sound value and would like to have the sound stay off on powering up the layout. I know this can be done with Tsunami 2 but was hoping to do this with the SV decoder. Also I see that Soundtrax has replacement decoders for this engine, but the cost is as much as I paid for the GP 38-2. Has anyone tried fitting an Econami decoder in this engine or another Bachmann diesel with good results. This would save some $.

Can someone explain to me what is the signifcance of facing point and trailing point when moving cars in an operating session. I understand it is referring to the switches, but what does it matter?

Hi everyone I just bought a used Blue Point turnout contol on Ebay and I was wondering if anyone has copy of the installation instructioins that they might send to me. My email is in my profile and I would appreciate it if someone could help me. Thanks, Paul

I plan to make some changes to my layout over the next few months and I was trying to determine where I could find some real estate. Luckily for me I found out that a large asteroid was headed to the section of my layout that contained the Jurassic Adventure Park. Unfortunately my grandson's dinosaurs were headed to extinction. I hope to reconstruct this newly claimed area and some added bench work into a new farm scene and a train storage yard. So bear with me I expect to be busy on this project into the fall.

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Are all the logging and mining engines that you see on various layouts only available in larger scales then HO?

Hi folks, I need some help re. making an N scale layout into HO. I found a 1995 MR magazine that has a very interesting Nn3 layout that is 18"x36". I am trying to determine what the ratio would be to convert it to HO. I know you can't double it. The layout is a mining scene which has a 6%max grade. What can climb that or would I have to somehow tame that down? If there is interest I will try to photograph it and post or if anyone has some old MR mags it is in the 1995 Great Model RR special edition. Thanks, Paul

Jon you asked about my lift out so here are some photos ( hopefully). The bridge construction consists of 3/4" plywood and the use of hard maple locating blocks and rails. The electrical portion uses copper contact pads on the stationary layout and springy copper contact strips on the lift out. Although the photos don't show them the track feeds were wired to the terminal strips you see under the lift out. The lift out was in place with the tracks going across prior to cutting the gap with a cut off wheel on the Dremel. The ends of each track was permanently secured prior to cutting by substituting PC board ties soldered to the tracks in place of the plactic ties. The PC ties were secured to the structure with urathane glue and spikes prior to the gap  cutting. Later on in the developement of the layout I added rare earth magnets to the under structure to pull the lift out in one direction to remove any play in the alignment blocking.

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Does anyone have experience in converting a Doodlebug to DCC? I expect to use a Digitrax sound decoder # **136 ** don't remember  the letters. Thanks

I have the 4-6-2 Light Pacific and the wipers got mangled. Looking at the parts list I need #H528xmt03 yet when I look at the price list it is not called out. Tried calling Bachmann but they are still closed. Is there anywhere else that I could get this part?

The wipers on this engine are bent and it works fine until it passes over some switches and shorts. I tried to bend them back but they don't want to hold shape. Called Bachmann but they are closed so will have to wait. Is it worth trying to replace them myself or should I send the engine to Bachmann?

 I have the subject 4-6-2 and it recently just derailed. I normally have a hard time putting engines back on the track without the use of a rerailing track. So I put my stronger glasses on and grabbed a flashlight. Upon close inspection I was having difficulty getting the front 4 wheels of the engine to sit on the rails. I took the engine to my workbench and turned it over. I couldn't believe what I found. The front carriage was installed upside down from Bachmann. So this engine was running around the tracks for the past year with it's front carriage floating in the air above the tracks. Quality control???

I am trying to understand what CV's can be changed on this engine and what values to use. I printed the CV list page from the Soundtraxx site for this engine. They suggested contacting Bachmann for info but when calling Bachmann there is no customer service and they suggest using this forum. I know that the decoder is a detuned Tsunami but I need to know what functions are changable with the CV's. I tried some changes but could see no visable change in operation. Some values are listed as a default value of ZERO ---are these addressable or just dead? Thanks for any help. Paul

When using WS inclines or risers do you cover them with plaster cloth or something else prior to installing the track?

Has anyone used Scarm to design their layout and is there a tutorial available?

I am in the beginning stages of building my first layout and would like to follow Plan #19 on page 115 of Bachmann's E-Z model RR book. Can anyone indicate to me where the 2 -22 degree radius tracks go. Also is this plan considered a reverse loop and will I need some special wiring? I plan to use DC and only run one train at a time. I already have or ordered most of the track. Thanks for any help. Paul