Yeah, I know, it was dumb to even  start down this path... but I'm planning my permanent layout around Bachmann sectional track. 

Bachmann track has the major advantage for Newbies like me of being the most cost effective  track option out there right now if you're going for an indoor only layout.

Real fast tho you discover the limitations inherent in that sort of a plan.

First... is Bachmann planning on ever introducing another radius of curve? Like one that allows the construction of a 2 track main line?

As it is, using existing  straights and turnouts it's quite possible to set up passing shunts...  but the moment you hit a curve, church is out.

Next... a 45 degree crossover, to supplement  the existing 90 degree, would be a handy item to have available.

Finally... the MOST valuable thing to produce would be track adaptor sections that would mate Bachmann track to, say, Gargraves flex track.

I fear none of this is ever gonna happen, but I figure it can't hurt to ask!


Mr. T.

I got lucky on the E-Place, and got high bid on an apparently NOS boxcar (unmarked) and a work caboose (likewise, unmarked) from Hartland Locomotive Works.

Sure, there's a bit of a scale discrepency between them and my Big Hauler stuff (HLW stuff is 24:1), but I'm not that much of a stickler on that point...  they'll do quite nicely, especially at the price I got 'em for!  

However...   a nasty thought has just occured to me while waiting for mail delivery. Couplers.

Has anybody out there added HLW stuff to his/her system? If so, how big a headache was it to graft on Bachmann couplers???

I'm not REAL crazy about Bachmann's coupler, but I've got so many of them at this point that changing all of the rolling stock over to something else would be a major killer.


Mr. T.

Now...  I'm not trying to be a smart a-- or anything; I'm just curious.

Is there a serious alcoholic in the Bachmann marketing department? 

Here in Wisconsin, we don't mind beer or ads for it...   heck, around here, we ENCOURAGE that kinda thing... but I'm amazed by the number of different reefers Bachmann has put out that are liveried in the logos of breweries...   almost exclusively small local micro breweries centered in the New England and Tidewater areas.

Every time I think I've collected them all, ANOTHER ONE pops up!

I can understand small runs of 100 or so units for each label, to be sold in the region where the brew is consumed...  but there appear to be THOUSANDS of copies out there, distributed nationwide!

As it happens...  my layout is gonna include a spur line that  serves a brewery (I got a deal on a BUNCH of Bachmann barrels to go on the warehouse platform!), and the reefers are getting assembled into "The Hangover Special"...   complete with a kitbashed tank car that has a Wild Turkey logo on it!     Ya gotta chase SOMETHING with all that beer! 

Seriously tho...  there's GOTTA be an interesting story behind all of this booze related rolling stock! Anybody know what triggered this trend?


Gavno the Ugly

I recently picked up a NOS Porter; the price was an offer I couldn't refuse. 

I assume it's a "Pre Spectrum" product; the model number is 11398 (I can't find any information on it on the Net).

There was no documentation of any sort in the sealed package.

Can anybody give me an idea how old it is, or at least give me an idea of how long ago it was replaced by the Spectrum version? 

Being older, I assume that there's no nice handy DCC connector in there anyplace. I'm thinking that one of the side tanks is the place to stash a decoder, but I'd appreciate any advice from folks who have successfully installed a decoder in one of these beasties. 


Gavno the Ugly

Excuse the questions of a DCC Newbie and G scale Novice.

Most DCC decoders I see out there have a maximum current capacity of 1 - 1.2 amps for motor control.

That's no doubt adequate for handling HO and smaller stuff, but is it enough to control a Big Hauler's motor?

What decoders are others using successfully for G scale locos?

Thanks!

When I was a kid, my 027 gauge Marx and Lionel sets ALWAYS had at least one  Plasticville signal bridge for safety on the line! 

Now that I'm into my 10th or 12th Childhood (the others including ham radio, motorcycles, guns, hunting dogs, kilts, and, would you believe, officiating in Womens Flat Track Roller Derby!) and I'm getting back to it in G scale, I REALLY miss that signal bridge.

I know that Aristo Craft makes a similar item, but Bachman / Plasticville can do a bit of "One Upsmanship" on them with this item.

The old O gauge bridge, and the current G scale Aristo Craft, are both configured for spanning a two track main line. However, these days we think in larger terms than that sometimes.

How about reengineering the bridge to accept 1 or 2 track "expander sections" in the middle to make it useful for 3 track (2 track main plus a spur or passing shunt track), or 4 track areas?

It's worth a thought, anyway...