I have a Silverton & Durango 2-8-0 (and a Santa-Fe version of the same loco) and a few coaches with the standard Bachmann couplings. However, as a British modeller these are not compatible with my British Outline stock (from Bachmann and others) which use the British tension lock (hook and bar) coupling.

Can someone tell me of there is an NEM pocket part that can be fitted to the 2-8-0 so that I can easily change the couplings so I can run the locos with some of my British stock?

I am trying to build up a collection of model locos that attended the B & O's centennial celebration, the Fair of the Iron Horse in 1927. I already have Lafayette, John Bull and the Dewitt Clinton and King George V (actually a King George II from another manufacturer but I have a bell and a change of name/number plates) but I am looking to expand the collection.

The most easy one I would imagine would be to Convert the Bachmann 4-4-0 American Type into the William Mason, but which one should I use?

The archive footage of the procession shows William Mason with a balloon stack (is that what you over there call what we English refer to as a spark arrestor chimney?) and a dark livery. I already have a pale grey 4-4-0 (B&0 number 27 I think) but the boiler looks too light compared with the Black and White films on YouTube. However, the dark blue B&O version has a straight chimney which would not be right. Also was the William Mason Blue? I ask because I think I've seen more recent pictures of it in green, although I have seen a postcard of it in pale grey!

As a result can someone point me to the best model to start off with and confirm what Colour I would need to paint it.

Or better still could Mr Bachmann make one ready to run!

Many thanks

Just out of interest what do people out there model and what era?

My model is (or will be if I ever finish it) will be based on Chirk Station on the Welsh/English Border on the Great Western Mainline between Shrewsbury and Chester. The era is between the late 1920s and 1935 to enable me to model the interchange between the Narrow gauge Glyn Valley Tramway. The narrow gauge Tramway locos are 009 built from PECO kits using Graham Farish (now owned by Bachmann) n gauge chassis, while the standard gauge is British outline OO using Bachmann, Hornby and various other manufacturers stock.

Best wishes

Steve

Just as an introduction the Bachmann locos I refer to are British outline from the Bachmann Branchlines Range.

Among my collection I have six locos fitted with the Bachmann EZ command 21 pin Decoder 36-554. All work very well and were fitted and programmed without a problem using my Hornby Elite DCC controller on a fully isolated programming rail.

However, the last loco (an LMS 3F) has been behaving oddly when I have tried to programme other locos. Despite being on the main layout which is isolated from the programming track it runs at high speed when I try to programme other locos. The really odd thing is the all my other locos on the same track remain stationary (including the other 36-554 fitted ones).

Has anyone else had this happen to them? 

I am new to Bachman US HO scale models and I was wondering what is the Difference between the "Spectrum" and "Silver Series" range of models.

Currently I only have 1 locomotive and 2 coaches in US HO scale which I hope to use (just for fun!) on what would otherwise be my British outline model railway. I am now about to install a couple of tunnel mouths and an over bridge. AS I hope to get a few more US models in the future, I wondered how much clearance I should leave above the top of rail level?

Please note, I would like to keep things as low as possible since I do not want my lower British stock to look to out of place.

I've just received the DCC fitted Bachmann HO 2-8-0, SF #2511 BAC51311. The loco runs beautifully but I cannot work out how to switch the Headlight on!

The main problem I have is the instructions tell you how to do it with the Bachmann DCC system, but I have a Hornby Elite (I should also add that this is my only loco with any form of light pre-wired) can anyone help?

best wishes

Steve

I've just ordered a Bachmann HO 2-8-0 w/DCC, SF #2511 BAC51311 from a shop in the states and am wondering if there is an easy way to fit the "Thomas" style couplings to it. The same question also applies to the 1860 - 1880 Passenger Car
Part #: 13401.

For those who may be wondering why, the "Thomas" type coupling (or a version of it) is standard to most British rolling stock and while the Kadee looks great it would be uneconomic for me to convert to it.

Regards

Steve

Does anyone know where I can get Bachmann US products in the UK?

Has anyone know how to convert the Bachmann Toby to DCC?

I've just been looking through your spare parts and notice that there are a few for the Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle still available. The body shell looks like a red version of the GWR Modified Hall produced by Bachman UK. Are these two basically the same model?