This is directed to the 'powers that be' in the upper stories of the Bachmann company.

I was looking through the parts online catalog and of course looking through the SD40-2 section and noticed you have shells for sale. My question is why don't you offer an undecorated shell for the SD40-2? Surely it wouldn't cost as much as having one painted, and I would most definitely so cleverly lose my existing painted shells for some undecorated ones, and probably buy some more SD40-2's just for that reason alone if you offered an undecorated SD40-2 shell. Any who, just curious.

I also just got an old DC Dash 8 Spectrum in HO scale and I want to upgrade it to DCC. I saw the board for DCC, but does it come with instructions on how to wire it up, and also saw the 8 pin decoder I will have to buy as well. Just want to have my bases covered before I drop the cash.

Best,
Bal

I've been watching pretty hard now since school has kicked back in gear and it's the beginning of train season again. I've noticed that most manufacture's do the same loco(s) for their big release(s) of the year.
since I'm new to the hobby is this standard practice or is it some rule the NMRA has set in place that they have to abide by?
I figured that each company would benefit more if they didn't do all the same type of locos...guess I'm wrong in this...

I do know that dummy engines are pretty much a thing of the past, but I wish they would do them again..anywho, I noticed only a few companies do the undecorated version of their models. I know the yardmaster stated that undeco'd loco's don't sell well, but they must somehow or the other companies would be doing them right? or is because Bachmann sells so much the sales don't justify the quantity they would normally produce?

Just rambling and thinking this morning.....

Best,
Bal

Hi All,
I'm thinking of doing a free download of posters and billboard signage that can be free to use for whoever wants to use them. I'm a graphics major so I thought I would contribute this for all who have helped me along the way in this great hobby. If there is anything you would like to see done please let me know via this thread. I will be doing all scales so everyone can use them.
So there is no misunderstanding these signs and stuff will be usable on your layout to go on buildings and your billboards etc if you do that sort of thing.
Best,
Bal

Anyone have any tips, cautions, kudos about using a 3 way switch on their layout? I've done a few changes to my yard area on my layout to make it a little more functional if it were done in real life and the 3 way switch helps to do that. Matter of factly I'm going to have two of them. Ez track doesn't make one of these, so wish they did, so I'm looking at the peco one. So, go with it or avoid them like the plague. By what I've read the main problem is with the wiring from what I've read. But it seems pretty straight forward to me. If you have any experience with these please share.
Thanks,
Bal

Hi there,
Just wondering are there any plans to do the new sd70 and 4400 in an unpainted version? I don't need any of the heritage units but I sure could use a few of those unpainted ones!
Best,
Bal

this isn't mine, but wow, this just makes my head hurt watching this...jeez...he must have ALOT of 'free' time...
http://youtu.be/dxRJ9rdyX4c

I finally caught this engine yesterday morning. The view is from the overpass here in my home town of McComb, MS. What you see in the background is what remains of the old Illinois Central train yard.

Also, two other video's...I remember someone in a post a while ago said that there aren't anymore tank cars being used. Here are two vids showing that tanks cars are well in service and being used every day.

Enjoy,
Bal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DC7LCtH73o&feature=share&list=UUHt0AMIYW5JAFV_Ja1wiVPg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Ps56vaKvc&feature=share&list=UUHt0AMIYW5JAFV_Ja1wiVPg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wzNICaX3I0&feature=share&list=UUHt0AMIYW5JAFV_Ja1wiVPg

In a previous post were I posted a short vid of our train museum we have here in my home town, someone asked to get a better shot of what looked like a custom made work engine. Well, it's been a VERY busy spring and summer- 1. Umpiring girls fast pitch softball, 2. 5 month old in the house, 3. Full time job,4. Dealer Room Director at the World Horror Convention this past June in New Orleans, 5. Releasing 4 new books starting in June and also writing short stories for short story collections from invites....whew...I think that's it! Anywho.. I have found that engine for you. It's called the Doodlebug. It was in service at the Fernwood pulpwood plant in the 1930's. It ran service men from McComb to Fernwood and some other fairly odd jobs I'm sure. But here it is in all it's glory. The first pic is the ONLY pic of it in service and the second is it fully restored and its gorgeous picture taken on it's 75th birthday. Sorry it's taken me so long to get this up here on the boards for you!

Best,
Bal

Well, Amtrak surprised all of us with a stop hop in and walk around this past Saturday for National Train Day here in McComb,MS. To my surprise the lead was a GE-AC6000. They kept it running the whole time, and it sounded just like my BLI undecorated model...sound for sound...and come to find out Amtrak has 5 of these in service running the city of New Orleans route...here is a short vid when it arrived..it may be loud so you might want to turn your speakers down a bit...that baby is HUGE and LOUD...and when it departed...WOW...a rocket would be putting it mildly...more pics and a vid of Canadian National's Lil Obie kid ride to come!
Best,
Bal

http://youtu.be/SpwROv9_v3k

Am I just missing something here? Finally starting to expand and the turnout on the #5 switch when I try to add other EZ track to it it just won't fit....am I missing something here even the little joiner piece won't fit....or is it just time to take out the Dremel with the cutting saw blade and start making modifications? Or was it a packaging error and they put in the wron joiner piece?

I rarely get this excited about things I discover/stumble upon, BUT I ran across this just over an hour ago...now, if this does't set you brain on fire I don't think anything will. Of course there are good sides and there are bad sides, but the good out weights the bad by a long shot...I can see the future of model railroading going in this direction IF the manufacturers ARE smart. This is just a link to one page. Take a minut to browse at you own time. The best thing? These things on these page can be bought right now. Z, N, HO, On30 you name it and it can be done.
Enjoy!
B

http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/miniatures/model-trains?s=228

Was just wondering if anyone has installed the Walthers Transfer table and used it with the Bachmann EZ-track? I wonder if there are going to be height issues. I ask because I'm almost ready to get mmine going and just wanted to see if there was any pointers or precautions I should be aware of?
Thanks in advance,
Bal

This is an outstanding vid of the Norfolk Southern coal train, it's got some GREAT stuff in this video. 45 minutes long, engine house, laying new track, horshoe curve, and dumping the coal with rotary couplers. Love this vid! Even have some SD40-2's helping push!
Bal

http://youtu.be/___rJuGtksk

Just wanted to post a little something here as a Easter Bunny treat.....soooo. here is a 5 minute vid of my local train store. JerrysHO  frequents this one as well. GREAT stuff! O gauge lovers NEED to watch this, and all the other scale modelers as well!
Enjoy!
Bal

http://youtu.be/QZZPd_FJHBc

I'm sure some of you have seen this, but this is still awesome to watch. A complete tear down and then rebuild of an old Geep.
http://youtu.be/_ACjJnrn1lc

Just wanted to let everyone know I got a nasty virus from visiting the site about an hour ago. Yard master please check the codes. It's a nasty one too. Just wanted to give you all a heads up.
Bal

Just a couple of vids taken about 3 blocks from my house. Our old abandoned Illinois Central train yard in McComb, MS. The first vid shows just a little of train yard and the second shows our static steam locomotive display we have at our IC historical museum. Enjoy!
Best,
Bal

http://youtu.be/QCnEGfP_slw


http://youtu.be/Sizbrm42SMs

Wow, seems like the boards are a little light the past few days. Anywho, I have a question and am rather curious.

What made you pick the gauge you are running on your layout and what is it?

I chose HO becuase I think it's the most realistic looking of the gauges and it provides me with a moderate challenge in the hobby.

How in the good Lord's name do you amass over 8,000 pieces of rolling stock that is 90% dedicated to an individual rail line? Jeez!

I wonder if it's any reason why Bachmann doesn't do other tanker cars than the 40' ones? Like the big 22k -38K gallon size ones? Their newer hoppers are very nice. I have a few of those just wish they would make some newer tanker cars. Because gosh those things are mega expensive for the updated modern looking ones from other companies. Anyone know why they haven't?
Bal