i was just wondering at what stage of development the proposed large scale alco c-415 center cab switcher is at . we are looking forward to seeing the prototype model. we will be waiting impatiently.

are the ladder extensions on all the long cabooses (from top of ladder to roof) the same? they look like there shooting off into space? or are they different depending on witch one you select?

does the oregon lumber 2-6-6-2 have white walls?

what happened to the long caboose? i have not herd of one out there yet and rummer from the u50 guy says it will come out as soon as bachmann can perfect the bnsf  and  penn central  paint skeem.

i wonder if you get both a coal and oil load with this loco in every road name?  also is there any other differences that are road name specific ? it is hard to pre order something when you dont know. it would also be nice to see pictures of the new caboose in all of the road names so we can decide what to pre order. if there are let us know. thank you. bob.

i received a new 1.20.3 davinport yesterday from just trains (not where the con man St.jason is vice pres.) i greased the gear box,oiled side rods and axles beforehand. the little thing ran better than  i thought it would although it does not like non powered switch frogs. i had just cleaned my indoor track with my new track scrubber from r&l lines (they work great!) it ran fine for about 10 min. and needed another cleaning but after that it seemed fine. it runs alot better than a plymouth that is being fixed as i speak. overall,its a nicely detailed heavy for its size as good as it gets for a 0-4-0 engine. if it had sliders it would run as good as a lgb 0-4-0. for 161.00 deliverd, you cant beat it. put it on a track with no switches if no power at them bothers you.

mr bachmann, i have heard that the mallet will not be produced now. is this true or is this just a sick joke? if it is still going to be made when can we brake into our local hobby store late at night and steal one? i mean when can we go purchase one?

stan why does bachmann make a dcc sound shay if it is so hard to make it work? what would someone use to get all the sound if they just started from scratch. ok this guy went to the hobby store got a dcc shay and some track. what elce does this guy need? (please give me a way to reach you e-mail or phone so i can resolve this mater and decide witch shay to buy with dcc or forget about it .) i have been model railroading for about 37 years and i am ready to give sound a go. thank you. bob.

i was told that the sound in a three truck shay will work with just dc. will it work all funtions-bell- wistle etc.?

i received my shay today-lubed it and began to break it in light. it did not run very good at slow speeds.it jerked around and surged. my heisler ran much better at break in. i hope the shay gets to running good or the three truck is off. i cant see why i should buy two locos that dont run like they should. bob.

i am thinking of getting a 3 truck shay with the dcc- sound. i use a bridgewerks td 25 with aristo train engineer. can i still get sound? i dont care about dcc yet. if all i have to do is take off the train engineer and just run the pack thats great.

remove the 2 small screws at coupler shaft . remove shaft with coupler. remove screw holding coupler to shaft.turn shaft over and lift up spring placing spring on top of coupler in spring groove. reinstall screw and small plate. install coupler and shaft with 2 screws. now it works- no cutting-bendin-etc.

i received my heisler tonight and it did not come with an oil bunker and it did not come with three stacks,it came with two-straight and onion. i lubed it up put it on the track and to my amazment it ran rather good. it has that tik tik tik someone talked about but i dont think its realey a problem. no slow speed surging(low speed is slooooow and steady) real good high speed and nothing brokin from factory or shipping. as far as the tik tik,i found out how to make it stop-i turn the power off! all i need to do now is find a way to move the cuplers up to meet my cars?  bob.

does anyone know what heisler comes with a oil bunker besides oregon lumber? in 1:20.3

i note that on the picture of jon millers connie he has a high headlight. did you just rotate the smoke box door, un glue the headlight and rotate it - file down the flag bosses-unscrew the serkit board/smoke pot and move it back? and if so what methed did you use to un glue the headlight? i see the two pieces sticking through but it seems to be glued well and i do not want to break anything. thank you ,any advice would be appreciated. bob.

what is wrong with the drive train in the 2-8-0? i have had one apart and the motor and gears do look like something you would find in a 2 dollar toy but will they pull a train for a decade with proper lube without having to re motor or gear? if they will thats good enoff for me .if not thats why theres berrys. i would like to know before i buy a second one.

i hear alot about bachmanns responce to people looking for parts with no luck and this is true in most cases, but i hear it is going to get much better! also the people in customer service seem to be going above and beyond now a days. thank you girls in c.s.! and thanks guys in repair! bob.

helo curmudgeon, you spoke of a smoke stack adapter some time ago. i would like to know if there is one that will allow one to fit a shay spark arrester type stack to fit in a k-27? (the stack with the opening screen at the top) i know this is not correct but it looks great. thank you. bob.

any sugestions on installing a cab light in a connie? what would you wire it to and what kind of light?

i hear from a very reliable source that bachmann is in the final stage of development and tooling for a large scale 1-20.3 G.E. U-50-B. production should start in early 2009. i asked why such a large and obscere loco and was told that because of the b-trucks it would run on 8 foot min. radious curves and the car body would be easy compared to other locos. i think this will be a big seller as long as the price is good. ill take one in s.p.!