At an NMRA show this weekend, my friend purchased the new 2-8-2 mikado sound value dcc. It was taken to a test track to verify that it was OK. When it was put on a straight dc test track, it's lights flashed on both ends and there was a loud clicking sound coming from the speaker. The clicking and the flashing were in sinc. When the voltage was high enough, the lights were on solid and the sound started. The voltage at this point made the engine take off very fast.The test track had an old Troller unit for power.  It was then taken to a display layout that had very good dc/dcc controls. On dc, the lights still flashed, but the clicking sound was gone. It still took off way too fast at the start. It was then switched to dcc and the lights came on solid and the speed was more controllable. Is this normal for a dcc engine on straight dc? Two locomotives were tested and both ran this way. Thanks in advance, Jim

HELLO Mr. B: Will the C&S reefer in this set be available as a single? Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello to all: Attended the WORLD'S GREATEST HOBBY ON TOUR in Columbus, Ohio at the Columbus Convention Center, yesterday and talked to the crew at the BACHMANN display. A really GREAT group of guys. They answered all of my questions and I received a new FREE catalog, to boot! I hope that if this show comes to an area near YOU, that you get to attend. I heard about a 4X8 layout project, to be raffled off, somewhere, based on the MA & PA in HO, using BACHMANN'S lineup of great little MA&PA locos. I hope that some pictures will be posted, before the layout gets away, to some lucky winner.  Thanks for the hospitality guys and hope to see you all, again. Thanks,Jim

Hello MR. B: Everyone that lists this caboose for sale shows a picture of a red caboose with MARYLAND & PENNSYLVANIA down and no road number. When you check with the sellers, they say that they have the newer SILVER SERIES unit and used the wrong picture. Was there ever the red, not brown, caboose produced. Someone said that the red caboose was a pre-production model only and never issued. I try to find this model at every flea market/ train show that I go to. Am I looking for something that never existed? I have undecorated units and decals that I can do my own, but I still want what I can't find! Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello Mr. B-MANN and All: I see that we have "new" highside gons w/ coal loads. I don't have my rolling stock at hand, at the moment and have tried to look for the older cars, in dealer inventory. Everyone has the new #'s only, so I can't cross check the road numbers. Are these just the old road #'s w/ loads or are they a totally new car? I would hope that a new car with more detail, would also have a different #.  Another manufacture just rehashed the same old cars/ #'s with loads or weathering and called it another part #.Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello BACH MAN and ALL: I see in the WALTHERS B'mann On30 listing, that the #25241 C&S # 21 is in stock. No one else has made mention of it's arrival. Is this an accurate listing? With all of the excitement, over the new 4-6-0 and the 2-6-6-2 being released, the re-issue of this old favorite, just might have slipped in under the radar. I'll be glad to get one, just the same. I don't find it listed here in the loco section, unless you put in the part number, and then it will bring up a picture. Whats the good word Mr. B? Is it here, at this time, for the holidays? Thanks in advance, Jim 

Dear MR.  BACH-MAN: I have just heard bits and pieces of Mr. Riley talk, from the 2009 NATIONAL NARROW GAUGE CONVENTION. For those of us not in attendance there, could we have an overview of his speech. I thought by now, that someone would have asked what was said, but haven't seen it from anyone else. Sooooo..., I'll take the bait and ask for the silent majority. Thanks, Jim

Hello All; I see that there is a snow plow for the new THOMAS set. Why can't we have one for the 2-6-0 ? This could be an add on just like the working coupler units that are now out. What do you think, Mr. BACHMANN? Jim

Hello BACHMAN and ALL; I see in TONY COOK'S pictures in the General Post section, one of his pictures happened to capture a high side gondola in C&S road name. No body has had then as of yet, however these new pulpwood cars have come right on thru. What gives? The new roadname high side gons were announced way before the pulpwood cars. Thanks in advance, Jim

Hello Bachmann; New site looks good! I seem to recall the mention of new items to be released in February, in conjunction with a show. Is my memory correct; what and when is it, if true? Thanks in advance, Jim