Hello,

A co-worker gave me two, lightly used Bachman HO starter sets.  From what I can gather, the set was made/sold around 1996.  The track connections are not the same as the EZ track that I have.  Any idea what it's called and if there are any adapters available?

Thanks.

Any experiences?  I've seen a couple of demos on YouTube.  Just wondering about reliability, etc..  Are their any other equivalent products out there?

Thanks.

http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=7614

Anyone have any issues with this set?  I bought one from a LHS two weeks ago.  I understand there is a specific track section that has to go at the end of the track, with a specific end next to the Hayes bumper.  However, there is another straight section that has a bad "spot" on it.  The trolley reaches this section then dies (light out, doesn't reverse).  Removing this section results in "somewhat" normal operation (the trolley only enters the barn about 1/3 of the way).  I checked the track with an ohm meter and could find no wiring problems.  Regardless of where along the line the bad section is inserted, the trolley does not move beyond that bad spot.

So, last Saturday I exchanged the entire set out for another one.  Same exact problem.  One bad track section.  Am I overlooking something?

Part of my irritation stems from the fact that I'm relatively new to the hobby and I don't know what's what in the wonderful world of couplers. I have two Bachmann HO sets (three locomotives).  They both (excluding Thomas) have what I assume are knuckle couplers.  I've slowly been buying a piece of rolling stock here and there (new and used) and have been limiting myself to stock with knuckle couplers only. 

Yesterday at a new LHS, I bought box cars (three Life-Like, a Model Power and a Mantua).  They all had the "standard" (NMRA?  Hook and Horn?) couplers.  At the owner's recommendation I bought a pair of Proto 2000 Couplers.  This was for the Mantua that has chassis mounted couplers.  I also bought a 20 pack of Life Like Scene Modeler knuckle Couplers "For upgrading starter Life-Like Locos and Freight Cars" for the Life Like and Model Power box cars.  Perfect, right?

Well after spending over five minutes on the Mantua, it turned out that the hole in the knuckle coupler was much larger than on the original, so the coupler flops around too much.  With the truck-mounted Life Like couplers, they "catch" in the middle of the pivot.  I think the back of the coupler is catching on the back end of the coupler box.  In other words, the Life-Like couplers don't work on Life-like trains.

At this point, I'm not sure what to do.  Should I stick with the original couplers and "back fit" my Bachmann sets?  Would Kadee be my salvation?  Any guidance would be appreciated.
   

What the best (removable) way to do this?  Adhesive is out – I'd like to be able to change my layout if desired.  Are small Phillips head screws adequate?  The existing holes are almost certainly too small.  I assume they're intended to be pilot holes?

Thanks.

(I've already learned that non-DCC locos don't like DCC).

I'm currently running two loops, one non-DCC Thomas and two DCC locomotives on a separate loop.  I have enough track to run a third loop for the second DCC loco to run solo.  The problem is that a second DCC controller is pricey.  One can buy an entire non-DCC starter set (including the non-DCC controller) for less then the cost of a DCC controller alone.

Secondly, can a DCC controller run two separate loops? (i.e. with a Y-track connector in parallel or in series?  Will the DCC controller "see" them both as a single track or

Thanks.   

The Great Train Expo is in town this wekend and I'm looking to pickup some inexpensive (used) rolling stock.  I know what the coupler looks like (I guess there's at least two different types).  I just don't know what it's called.  I see more Athearn than anything else.

Thanks.

Are they good places to buy "low risk" items, e. g. used rolling stock and track?  I've attended one show and found vendors prices competitive on some new items but not all.

Thanks.

I understand there are other factors such as # of turns, radius, length of track, etc.  I have entry-level locomotives (FT-A and a GP40) and I'd like to get more rolling stock.  Just looking for a general guideline.

Thanks.

I have a Thomas HO locomotive that I just ran on a DCC layout.  The loco makes a steady noise at any time power is on, regardless of whether or not it's the selected loco.  The noise changes according the loco's speed.  The other two DCC locos work as usual.  The Thomas loco does too – just noisy.  All locos are new w/ < one hour of use.  Using a regular (non DCC) transformer = no noise.

Thoughts?

Cause for concern?

Thanks.

My son received this as a Christmas gift from his Granddad (new, still in shrinkwrap):

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1175

Aside from the standard E-Z Track instructions that come with the Bachmann HO sets, there is was no documentation on the four electrical switches to use with the four track switches.  Presumably, the red wires route power from the accessory terminals of the transformer to the switch(es).  These switches in turn, appear that they can be daisy-chained together.  The four green wires are (again presumably) used to route power from each electrical switch to its corresponding track switch.  I'd appreciate if anyone could let me know if I'm in error here.

I searched the website and could find any online documentation either.

A search of the forum shows that at least one other person has run across this problem as well.  Bachmann, a little more hand-holding for newbies, please.

Thanks.

I have a large scale trolley and wanted to see what would be involved in making it automatically reversible (if possible).  I did a search and found that a reversing unit is/was available for other gauges.  Just didn't see anything for large/G scale.

Thanks.

I'm new top the hobby and have a few multi scale sets.  I'm looking for the most economical way (smallest footprint and cost) to get my sets off the basement floor and up to a level that's more enjoyable, comfortable and will keep the trains and track from being trampled.  My goal is to be able to set up and run all the trains from a single table (hopefully no more than 8' x 8').  With the various scales/gauges, I know scaling will be impractical.  I'm just looking for something purely functional at this point. 

Currently, I have:

Bachman G scale passenger train and a G scale trolley (streetcar?).  The train is currently set up on a 10' x 6' rectangle, though I can go anywhere from 4' x 12' to 8' x 8' with the track I have.  The trolley is running on a 4' circle.  My current thought is to run the train on a 7' square; with the trolley running a separate 5' square within the train (my son likes to see all the trains running, which is my reason for keeping the tracks separate).

Two Lionel sets (a #1473WS set from 1950 and a new Polar Express set).  I currently have 40" x 60" of FasTrack but can expand this is necessary to keep both sets on the track (but operated one at-a-time).  I have the old track that came with the 1950 set but do not anticipate using it.

Two Bachmann HO sets: One Thomas Holiday Special Set w/ 40" x 60" of the steel alloy (black roadbed) track.  One Digital Commander set with two locomotives and 40" x 60" of the nickel silver (grey roadbed) track.  I also have a 43 piece track expansion pack with a number of additional straights, curves and switches.

I've seen multi-tiered layouts (like a wedding cake) and I'm curious if to see if this would be a prudent way to go.  Again, I'm looking for something functional at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Hi.

I have a new HO Digital Commander set.  The Hayes Bumper did not have a joiner attached, nor do I see space around the first couple of ties for one to slip in.  Is this correct?

I have a new Bachmann Digital Commander set w/ two engines.  I can run them separately but cannot get them to run together (nose-to-tail, both facing forward).  The instructions are not clear (to me).  Is a separate (third) address required?

Thanks.

Hi.

I have a G-scale trolley that was bundled with a ten-wheeler set.  Is there any practical way to access the motors and gears for lubrication?  I don't see a plug to access this area like the engine has.

Thanks.

I've seen both a running, full-size version and a gold plated model of it on a train video.  I haven't seen a full view of the engine, so I don't know what the wheel arrangement is.  However, it has a long crankshaft (for lack of a more accurate term) that runs longitudinally (fore and aft) along the wheels, low on the engine.

Just curious.

First: I'm not looking to start a pro/con smoke debate.

I have a 4-6-0 that was part of a Christmas set that my Dad bought for my kids two or three years ago.  The set has < five hours of total running time.  I'm not sure how a good or bad smoke unit should behave, hence my question:  With three or four drops of MTH scented oil, the engine produces what I would say is a moderate amount (at best) of smoke for maybe two minutes (four or five trips around a 25' or so circuit).  When new, I don't recall it making more smoke but a couple of minutes worth doesn't seem very encouraging.  I don't have oil leaking from the engine and flipping it upside down doesn't produce any drips, so I assume I haven't overfilled it. If it's broke, is replacing/repairing it something that I can handle on my own or

Thanks.

My father bought a Bachmann set for my son as a Christmas gift.  I believe it's the Digital Commander set (HO, DCC set with two diesel engines).  My son wants smoke, whistle, lights, motion, etc. Pardon the pun but all the bells and whistles.  Are there any Bachmann sets or steam engines that fit these criteria?  I'm guessing I'm outside of my league with the whistle and motion unless I go with a Lionel set.  Bachmann has a Chattanooga set but it's not a DCC.  Didn't know if that was a big issue or not.

Thanks.

Hi.  My kids received a Bachmann large scale set (4-6-0 engine, tender and two passenger cars) from their grandfather last Christmas.  It also came with a streetcar/trolley with a second controller.  A few questions, please:

(1) Is there an "electrical" limit on track length?  I currently am running a 4' circle for the trolley and a 6' x 6' square for the train.  I believe there's enough track to run 10' x 6' (or 8' x 8', 14' x 4' etc.)  Anyway, back to the original question, in case I want to add track.  A local children's hospital runs an elevated, large scale set in its entranceway that must be > 150' in length.  Just curious as to what additional equipment that involves, if any.

(2) I inadvertently left the smoke on after taking it down last year and unwittingly left it on (and empty) this year.  Did I break it?  I guess the easy way would be to add some fluid there and find out for myself but again I'm just curious to see if I've caused some damage.

(3) Does anyone know of an articulated engine in this scale like maybe a Big Boy or Challenger?  I imagine it would have to be a monster.

Thanks in advance.