I'm trying to program this engine with a long 4 digital address

I put it on the program track and programmed cv29.  I then confirmed it with a read.

Values I trI'd are 32 36 38 and 34

When I stick it on the main track it only responds to short address.

I know it's reading cv29 because I I set a value of 1 or 255 the Loco runs backwards as it should

Tips for fixing squeel

So I bought my 4 year old son his own train set, the "Santa Fe Flyer" which contains what I'm guessing is a standard line FT.

Within one week is developed a intermittent squeal.  I took the shell off today and listened for the source.  It was the rear truck.  I lubed the front and rear gear with white PTFE grease and the gear axle sides with plastic safe gear oil.  (Front gear and rear gear)  However the squeal is still there.

Any advice without disassembling the entire truck and lubing everything?  I would hate to send it back to Bachmann for such a simple problem.  Or is this a defect?

Question 1:

Someone over at the MRR forums said you are offering the HO 3-Truck shays with metal bevel gears now on the replacement side frames.  Is this true and is this the link?
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_92&products_id=1651

Question 2:

I've had 2 H-6 2-6-6-2 and 1 H-5 2-6-6-2 fail and two 4-8-2 Heavy Mtn fail in the drive line (gear tower)   I really don't want to send them in under warranty because I know they are no longer available.)  Is it possible I can get a replacement gear tower recommendation so I can order one from NWSL?  (gear size/teeth count final drive ratio)

I have to admit this is a beautiful engine, but it's not my road name and certainly not for this much...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330841589530&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

The heavy 4-8-2's are averaging about $150
The 2-8-4 C&O Berks are averaging about $145

I wonder if manufacturers pay attention to auction prices to determine when there should be another run or not.

I was looking for a particular model, and I just can't find it.  It seems a lot of trains are missing from the online catalog.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1014161670001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAGaC5v4~,9uhnnmkkI-YaHjrfC7JRUxmt87j-id2g&bclid=3720556001&bctid=1290845444001

It's a news story piece, but about 1:52 and 3:25 you can see a my triple head of h-4's and h-5's pulling 75 cars.

Thanks Bachmann for supporting the C&O and your good customer service.

(I have your Berk, J-2, a small fleet of 2-8-0's as well)

Happy Holidays
Don

Sorry if this isn't an appropriate place but I wasn't sure where to post it.

I read several people were having issues with their HO Shay Tsunami's overheating and in some cases, burning out.  (Especially when pulling a decent load)  Not a lot mind you.  But enough to warrant concern.

If I may be so bold, for your next revision Bachmann, I would recommend you guys use this stuff to secure the decoder to the metal shell.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100013&cm_re=artic_silver_thermal-_-35-100-013-_-Product

It's the same stuff used to secure ram sinks to memory chips on video cards and is non conductive.  It has the same thermal transfer rate of thermal grease but will hold the decoder in place.

It takes about 3 minutes to apply and set, useable in 30 minutes, and is fully cured over 100 hours.

Before I return these to Bachmann for service, I was wondering if I needed an RMA number from them.