Merry Xmas everyone,
             I have a Climax that I purchased in 2002 and its still going well. I fitted a Sierra Sound card in it and it also was going great until recently when the sound just stopped. Battery is good, LEDs light up, good speaker, but zero sound. I have sent emails to Sierra but no reply as yet. Question is, are these card repairable?

                  Dave
                    New Zealand

I have an Original 2-6-2T that was never a good runner on Track power so I have decided to convert it to R/C . My big dilema is, do I fit onboard Batteries ,or use a Trail car that has the added advantage of being able to carry a pair of SLA 12v 2.2ah batteries. Of course I then have to haul them around all the time. If anyone has done this conversion or has ideas about it I would be real pleased to know.

                       Cheers
                            Dave

Today I was cleaning out my friends Garage and came across a partial J/S Bachmann kit with Spoked Wheels. Plastic spokes and metal rims. Are these still available, cos they look great.  This could be one for Loco Bill.

              Dave

Does anyone know where I can get a new, or used, Tender for my Live Steam Mogul. I have a Big Hauler Tender but its way too long and the wheels are oversize for a 1/24th Loco. The Trucks and wheels need to be the smaller diameter size that Bachmann made.
  The Loco is an English " Pearce" model . Modelled in the "Baldwin Style.

                    Cheers

                        Dave
                        New Zealand

I am converting my Annie to R/C and need to get to the sound connection under the Firebox. I am going to use it for constant directional lighting. Any ideas on the best way to access the plug board would be greatly appreciated.

                      Cheers

                         Dave
                         Waikino
                         New Zealand

Greetings from New Zealand, Hope you all had a nice start to the New Year.
      I am going to put R/C in my " Annie" and am wondering if 12volts is enough to get a reasonable speed ,pulling 3 J S Coaches around 8ft curves, and up 3% grades and so forth.
I'm always open to advice so if anyone can help me here I sure would appreciate it.

                    Cheers

                           Dave in Waikino

Another one from New Zealand. Can The Pheonix PB9 sound kit be installed in the " Annie " without too much major surgery, and if so, can anyone put me on the right track, sorry about the Pun" for installation.

                Cheers

                        Dave

I have the opportunity to buy a box of Track of 6.5ft diameter. Will my 2 Truck Shay get around the curves with the Drive Shaft on the outside.

                   Cheers

                        Dave
                          NZ

I am in the process of preparing to install a "My Loco" sound card in my Shay and would be keen on getting some advice regarding the DCC board that is in there. Can it be removed and if so, can someone who has done it before let me in on the secret of all those wires. I have the wiring diagram and have traced the wiring back to the Trucks and lights etc so no problems there. I just need to have all the room I can get for the Batteries.
                 Cheers for now

                           Dave
                              New Zealand

Have just installed a "My Loco" in my Annie but have found that the sound needs 7 - 8 volts to fire up and by then the Loco is nearly at warp speed, well, not quite, but it is well on the move.  Has anyone installed one of these sound cards and had the same problem or am I doing something wrong.  I have adjusted the trim pots for minimum volts but it still is a way out of sync. Paid NZ$110 for this so would be hoping that it will work.
     Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
                        Cheers
                                Dave

Gidday all,
           The Value of our Dollar here in New Zealand has made the price of Sound units from USA out of the reach of most people so I am looking towards the more affordable end of the market for a sound unit for my Annie.  Has anyone installed a "Dallee" sound system in their Loco's and if so, what are they like. I have 'Sierra" in my Climax and U Boat and they are great, but priced over the top for me here. As a rough guide for items from America, Double the Price and add approx $60 for postage and you've got the approx price in NZ Dollars.
            Let me know what you think folks, I read the Forum everyday.

                                Cheers

                                    Dave
                                    Waikino
                                    New Zealand

This is probably for the Bach Man.
                                                  The rear universal immediate to the Transverse Gearbox has broken so I have E'mailed the service Dept but can't seem to get a reply. If it had of been any of the other Uni's I probably could have lived with that but this is the one that has the magnets glued to it that triggers off my Sierra Sound.  Could you please ask the service Dept if the part is available as I would love to get the sound going again.
          Many Thanks

                      Dave
                        Waikino
                           New Zealand

Does anyone know where I can buy Imitation Trees for a Portable Railway. When I say portable, its 40ft long and 10ft wide. It is mounted on a trailer that folds up to 20ft by 8ft.

                  Cheers

                     Dave in New Zealand

I brought a new Two Truck Shay a couple of months ago and noticed that the rear truck does not drive the Drive Shaft. Is that normal for this model?

                               Dave
                               Waikino
                                NZ

Gidday all,
            Have finally recieved a new Gear and axle for the Connie. As I don't have an exploded view of the workings can anyone run me through the proceedure to replace the Axle and Wheel.
        Also, many thanks to the " Bach-man" for giving me the suppliers name here in New Zealand. New part only cost $19.50 so I am really pleased with the outcome.

             Cheers
                 Dave
             

Hi there Bachmann,
                     Have tried sending several E'mails to the service dept for a replacement Final Drive for my 2-8-0 Connie,which is new, but they both were sent back as " undeliverable". Can you help me with this problem as I would really like to see my NZ$600 Loco going.
               Many Thanks
                 Dave
                  Waikino
                    NZ

A friend of mine recently brought,from Ebay, what was meant to be a New Connie. When he got it and eagerly put it on his track for a Demo it would'nt drive. I have just pulled it apart and have found that the Final Drive gear was split in half.
      As we live in New Zealand the option of sending it back is not available due to the excessive postal rates in both our countries.
      Can anyone advise me as what is the best course of action to get this great Loco going and if spares are available,where can I get them.

                         Many Thanks

                            Dave Cole
                               Waikino
                                 New Zealand

Greetings gentlemen, and any of the Fairer *** who may be partaking in this Forum.
     A Friend of mine here in New Zealand purchased a Connie from a Retailer in your good Country and when it arrived here it would not perform as one would expect from a New Locomotive. The motor makes all the right noises but there is no drive to the wheels. He has contacted the retailer but was told to contact Bachmann.  That is probably good stuff in USA but not here in New Zealand. We don't get a lot of response here.
  My question is, Has anyone else had this problem and if so, can you advise as to what would be a solution.  TOC, is this your field.
         Many Thanks everyone
             Dave Cole
                Waikino
                   New Zealand

Greetings Gentlemen,
                      can anyone tell me what is the accepted Sierra Sound that is closest to the Annie. Although the Factory sound is ok I feel I need something a little more realistic.
                Cheers
                     Dave in NZ

This is one for the Bachmann.
       I recentley purchased Four Flat Car Kits From Trainworld and there were no Knuckle Couplers. I E'mailed Trainworld and after some discussion as to to the where abouts of the missing couplers they finally agreed to contact Bachmann and send me the missing Couplers. This was good stuff I thought but when the Box arrived it only had one set of couplers. I have since Emailed both Trainworld and Bachmann to see if I can get my missing Knuckle Couplers but have not had any success from either.
       Would it be possible for you to check up on this for me as due to the Time difference I am unable to contact Bachmann by any other means than E'mail. I sure would like to get my rake of Flat cars going but its a bit difficult without the couplers.
             Many thanks for your time
                  Dave Cole
                  Waikino
                  New Zealand