Hello
I have been in Model Railroading on and off again for almost 34 years. I have had HO and N and have worked with Marklin as well. I love the Bachmann Forum for my HO and love the great answers I get form some great people so that why I am starting here first. I did download the current catalog for Williams from the website and have visited the Lionel site too.

The current layout we have has been slow with its progress for many reasons.  Well my 7yr old son and I decided let's do a fun Railroad with interactive things for us to do. What he was thinking was what he saw in his train videos like a coal loader and Log loader that Lionel has.

Below is my question which sounds simple but may not have a simple answer. I know there are many variables on this and am looking for guidance.  Yes I have a trip to my local Hobby shops coming soon. I have to break it to him that we are changing from HO to O. And only one really deals in Lionel and I think neither deal with Williams. I need to call and check on that.

What is compatible between Williams is O Gage and Lionel O Gage. Os is it like Marklin HO and Regular HO. Marklin was HO but for the most part they were not compatible with anything HO like Bachmann, Athern etc.

When I think Lionel I think Post war 1940's.

Additional
What my thoughts are do Lionel and Williams cars have the same couplers?
Are the Williams DCC? I am going to look that one up in a minute.

What about track? This one I am guessing is like my HO. Where my Bachmann EZ Track is not easily compatible with another Quick connect track with road bed. 

What I think my goal is this. To run most everything from William's products and add the Lionel cars that would be used for example the Log loader and unloader. But then I think that I might need a piece of Lionel track to control it.

Thanks for the help in advance. I am off from work today so I wanted to post this question as I do my research.

Have a great Day

Robert

Hello Everyone
I have not been in the Train forum nor at my train layout for almost a year. First things first I am changing that. I forgot how relaxing Model Railroading was!

Okay
I live in Texas Just north of Keller. Around here we mostly will see BNSF or UP. From time to time I will see a SP (Southern Pacific) in Black with a UP# painted on it. If I am correct UP owns SP now. And eventually they will paint it I guess.

But tonight I was waiting for the light to turn green so I could make my left turn and then the RR lights and gates start coming down. Now for me I am of course always happy to see a train pass and enjoy it go by.

But what I saw tonight surprised me. A CSX engine in Dark blue with no repaint Numbers to show it was now owned by UP.  Now I know that CSX us mostly an east coast company? And looked on the map on their site and they don't work their way into TX. Or at least that's what I thought! I almost did not recognize it as when I first say it I said oh there goes the SP engine again. And by that time I could not see the engines number.

I would love any input. I hope I gave as much information as possible.

Lastly any good websites to show which tracks are owned by which company?

The UP had some basic stuff CSX had some great stuff.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Robert

PS I hope to be back in here more often than I have in recent months.

I am a little hesitant about asking about another manufacture again but here it goes. I saw the Intermountain Railway Co. "HO" AC-12 's with sound for a nice price and they offer layaway.  I have always wanted a Cab Forward. Since Bachamnn Does not make one I need to look elsewhere. Would love some opinions. On what company does the best cab Forward.

I I breached the rules I am sorry but according to the rules of conduct I can ask these type of questions.

Looking forward to the input.

Robert

I have read the code of conduct and do my best to follow the rules closely.  However for the first time a post of mine was deleted. I am just curiously why it was? There was nothing offensive, no personal attacks. My only guess is that there could of been a "copyright" or "trademark" infringement as I linked to another company but even then I have seen that before too and not topic removal either.  My last guess is it may of have to do with the sport team on the train itself and this may be the trademark infringement.

I guess I would of liked to know why a Post was removed especially if you are the one That created the topic.

Has anyone else had a post removed and what was it for?

Robert

After reading several posts on people asking about adding sound to their Diesel engines I asked myself what sound decoders and speakers do most people mostly use in their installs?
What sound decoders do people use?
I have only used MRC and Tsunami to this point.
For steam I love the Tsunami by Sound Traxx.  It has a great and full sound! I have one in my Pennsylvania K4 4-6-2 Pacific and I just love the sound!
For Diesel Tsunami it still great. They have more choices of sound for your engine. 
But I must admit I do like the cost effectiveness of a MRC they are about half the price of the Tsunamis and your get a nice but bulky speaker. (Yes I know you get what you pay for) I have done several install with the MRC sound that required me to hard wire the sound decoder to a DCC equipped engine. The MRC 1662 and the MRC 1666 are the ones I have used so far.
How do they compare to engines that already have sound installed?
First off if you can afford it or desire to go this route it is a quick and easy way to go. There are so many choices out there.
Having just acquired an Athearn Genesis F7-A and a BLI SD40-2 for Christmas. I had the opportunity to compare between the three.  Yes I think the BLI and the Genesis were better and at that price they should be.  But only paying 30 for a FT-A B&O Diesel and then $30 for sound for only $60 and my time I have a great little engine with sound.
Then getting in the BLI Paragons and MTH that a whole other league. An associate of mine has several of these and wow!
What type of speaker do people use in tight spaces? Any advice?
I ask this question to help me and other that recently seem interested in adding sound to their Bachmann engines (Hint Hint Bachmann. Please add some diesels with sound).
Little or no space in the Bachmann Diesels So what to do?
The engines that seem to come up in the message boards are to me all interior space wise about the same?  A GP38-2 or a SD40-2 or an EMD or even a Morse after I have taken off the shell all have the same problem. No room. So you need to make room. I have chosen to mill the metal frame and make room that way. But I did get for my birthday a Dremmel and have had fun milling the frame for space.
Now the FT-A by Bachmann has a little room for that bigger 1" speaker but it took a lot of milling of the metal frame to do it.  And now I am experienced in the fact that I should have removed the gears of the engine as if you all remember on one of my other questions "why was my not running smoothly anymore.
Finally
I am not an expert but there are many here on this message board. But this subject if a favorite of mine and I wanted to learn and maybe even help out on this subject.  I wish we could make this a sticky note subject and people could reference a particular area for this info. Yes I and other could go to other message boards and I do sometimes from time to time.  But I have grown to trust a lot of you and Thanks to Bachmann for allowing us to talk about all thing model railroading here!
Links
Soundtrax
http://www.soundtraxx.com/index.php?p=home.php
MRC
http://www.modelrectifier.com/index.asp
Thank you for reading this and adding to it!
I was a little hesitant to write this as for criticism on trying to be a know it all, but here it is.

Good Morning everyone.

I would love to get advice on a good soldering Iron and what accessories I would need.
I have a basic one from home Depot it was about $20. But I know there are better ones out there.

What I am using it for.
Primarily it will be used for soldering wires together for Sound boards and DCC install on engines.

I will eventually need it for soldering track wires and so forth.

What type of solder is the best? Where to get it? Radio shack?
What accessories?  Like holders for the solder it self.  or wire holder to help me when I need and extra hand.

Thanks for the help!

Robert

Man My son must of been good he just a lot of (I got them on eBay from my the favorite spot)  It has kind of become a hobby of mine to see if i can win an auction at a super low price!  Any way to the problem.

We got this cute little DC Santa Fe Engine for time when the younger kids come over and want to run the trains. Well I tried to do the regular break in of the engine I did it initially on a DCC  (I have read the great advice on the articles that covered how to break in an engine) and initially I thought OK it is running slower because I am using DCC. SO I did it on DC and it still runs super slow. I took off the shell and noticed that the gears appeared to be well oiled.  However upon looking closer it looks like one of the gears is warped.  I should take a pic and show it. 

I am guessing that is what is causing the problem.  So if it is how did the gear get warped?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

Santa Brought a lot of great engines for me, err my 6 year old son for Christmas.
We got (again I mean my son got)
B & O (Just gorgeous!)
Burlington (A Unit and B Unit)
Santa Fe (This one is Just beautiful and my favorite)
NYC (A Unit and B Unit)
Erie (Another Beautiful one)
Seaboard

They are all beautiful but the B&O is squealing It is new and I am guessing it need a little TLC. But where?  If I open the item up does it void the warranty?  I know my Hobby shop guy will take it back but I would like to maybe take care it it at home.  But will it come back?

I was a little bit hesitant to do the run in but did it anyway 15 forward and 15 back. Still squealing.

I must give Bachmann a lot of Kudos on this engine it is just a beautiful engine.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Robert

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well I have a friend at work who is also into model railroading.  He came to me and offered to sell me a Genesis F-7A Freight Engine with DCC and sound. The road name is "Cotton Belt" by the way.  He said take it home and see if I like it and he said he would make me a good deal on the engine.  My price I would offer is still in question as I think the engine has a small problem.

It sounds and runs great for the most part. However I noticed one small problem.  Every once and a while (Not in the same place) it will stop sound and all.  I will then proceed to push or wiggle the engine while on the tracks and it will start up again.  Additionally if I have the engine just sitting there and with sound running I can wiggle it again and it will stop operating.  I think somewhere there is a loose connection somewhere.  But where? I do not want to open this up unless I am going to buy it.

I know where my friend bought it and I know the price he paid ($145)  I am guessing it is a couple years old and it looks great.  I was originally going to offer $100 if it ran perfectly but I was going to offer only $75 in the as is condition.

So I am looking for advice on what to do to fix it. and what to offer him for the  engine as well.  I will add another note this is the only engine that stops on the track like this all of my other engines run fine and do not loose power at all.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Happy Holidays

Robert
PS it is snowing in Texas!!

Hi everyone.
As you may know I finished my first wood laser kit several weeks ago and  I recently started making my second wood kit just a few day ago. I am at the window part on that one. 22 windows take a while. So while I was waiting for all of the windows parts to dry I decided to open up the "Lifelike" little church.
I am gong to paint it the color of the little church my wife and I got married in.  A 1928 Sear and Robuck Catalog Church. The walls need to be brown with the windows being white and a multi gray roof.

Now here finally comes the question. Well  being in the evening hours the Hobbies shops are closed.  I looked at my paints, these are the sample paints that can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot and thought why not try them out. I have all of the colors I need here. The paints are latex eggshell interior. I looked everywhere and cannot find if the paints can or cannot be used on plastic. 

Well I tried an exterior wall and a window. Well two coats later they look great. I do see a few imperfections but they look like they belong there. I do not think I will do this with all of the models but this model was only $4.99 and said what they hey, lets give it a try.

I would love some feedback.  Thank you in advance.

Robert

Well after I finished my first wooden kit i wanted to get started on another one.  It is  the Two Story Farm House #140.  Well Unfortunately when I opened it a few of the pieces were broken.  Well the Hobby Shop did not have any more so I decided to email the company and see what they could do. I sent the email in the morning and in the afternoon they emailed me back and said that the replacement  parts would be on their way.  This was on Wednesday.  Today, Monday It came in the mail.  I am totally impressed and wanted to share my great experience.

Thank you American Builders Inc!

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Hi

OK I am too excited and somewhat confused. I just bought #634 HO Wenonah House. I have read several articles on how to build them.  Some places say paint first the build.  Some say build first then paint. 

I also tried a small area of my house paint. And I must admit it looks great. 

Also would love any advice on building it.  Like glue paint and stuff! Or what to do and not to do.  I will say this the kit was expensive but it it beautiful!

Robert

Hi everyone

I am curious if anyone has put in Sound in any of their HO Thomas or any of his friends engines? I did a search and did not a thread on it so I decided to ask. And if you did what sound decoder did you use.

Just curious

Robert

Hi everyone

Okay first I am sorry for asking so many questions tonight.

I was at my not so Local Hobby Shop today. About an hour's drive.  This is worth every second! But They sell used Engines there and I fell in love the Rivarossi HO Streamlined version of the NYC famous J3 Hudson in grey. It is in beautiful condition I can run it before I buy it. I trust the store that is selling it. They are very honest. It is not DCC and there is no warranty with the item though which concerns me a bit. The engine is about 10 yrs old. But it looks pristine. They want 125 for it.  I bet I could maybe get it for 110 but not too sure as I am asking to put in on a payment plan.

I would love an opinion from anyone here. I am going back there on Wednesday anyway to pick up some other stuff.  I cannot find the engine on eBay which is my first place to check.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Robert

This Question goes to who may know the answer.  Mr Bach Man Maybe?

A lot of times I get stumped on engines especially my steam engines. So I am constantly trying to learn more about them.  I have several books but I also use the internet as well.

Well tonight I found  two nice websites for references of steam engines.  I would love to share them but wan to make sure may I post them here.  I am going to ask the website for permission first before I make them available.

Or if anyone has a good site that they refer to often could you post it here too?

Have a good day.

Robert

Hi everyone.

I received and email from Model Railroader that next week they are going to have their "PDF Articles" and "PDF Video Article's" on sale.  I always wanted to get them but thought they were a little expensive but with the sale they seem to be worth it.

I am definitely going to get a couple and try them out. However, I am curious has anyone bought them in the past and what articles do you recommend or don't recommend. 

Thanks for the help.

Robert

Hi

I just came back from the Hobby Shop and picked up a nice Box Car #17032.  I have bought several Box cars in recent months from Bachmann but never saw this before.  When I picked it up I noticed that it was a little bit heavier than other Rolling stock I have purchased before from Bachmann.  When I took it out of the box I looked inside and noticed two weights in there.  I enclosed a picture of it to help. 

Has anyone else seen this?  It feels nice and heavy and rolls beautifully.

Thanks for your Help.

Robert

Hi
I hope this topic works under the General Discussion topic! If not, sorry. Feel free ot delete it.

Recently I found several train orientated PC Games. I found my Microsoft Train simulator and my Railroad Tycoon 3.  These games were my "Model Railroading" substitute for a long time.  So I came to think, maybe there are other model railroaders that do this too.
So here are my questions.  What PC based Trains simulations or games does everyone play?

I was surprised to see that the Microsoft train Simulator still worked and on Vista an even Windows 7 (Beta Version).  I love the fact that I can download many different ser created material as well for it.
Robert

Hi Everyone.
I think I am going to make the switch from the EZ track (eBay here I come) to a track without the roadbed included. 
In the past (in the early 80's) I used the cork bed that you would split and lay down and nail.  I see it is still in use now.  I did not like it.  I did not like it because I was not good at it.
While I was at one of my local Hobby shops yesterday they had a layout demonstrating the different types of building products.  The demonstrated the cork roadbed, the black roadbed and an area with no roadbed. It looked about 3/8 of an inch thick it looked like it comes in sheets and is cut to suit your need. I failed to ask them what it was. As I was on the drive home I said to myself hey I could do that.
So here is my question.
What are the people on the message board using under their track? What people like or dislike.
Thank you in advance to all who respond
Robert
PS I as some of you may know this all started when I was having problems with my switches on my Offtrack.  And on their People gave some good recommendation on what track to go to. Have been reading on what type of track people are using and I would not be surprised that is one on my next questions.

Hi everyone

In one of my posts I was asking about the coaling and logging industry and at one point I wanted to use a photo from the Walthers catalog.  Remembering about copyright infringement I proceded to write a letter (email) to Walthers I finally received an answer. I will be following my notes. I thought this may or may not be good information  for people on the Message board.

Here it is
Hi Robert,

I received your email regarding image use from our catalogs.   It is not problem for you to use the images :-)

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best Regards,

Kara Benson

--
Advertising & Public Relations Specialist
Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.
Phone: 414-918-7368
Fax: 414-908-9982
karab@walthers.com