Hi guys , I am having a problem with my lgb chuff sound not working properly. It just has a constant noise. No more chuff. Bell and whistle work normal. Any clues as to what has gone wrong? Thank, Rob

Hello guys ,  I have been having a problem with my LGB 2-6-0 LOCO'S sound. The chuff sound does not work properly any more. There is a constant sound now not the normal chuffing . Whistle and bell work normal. Does anyone have any ideas as to what has gone wrong? Thanks, Rob

hey guys its been a while since i've been on the forum......I was running my Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidated yesterday for the first time in a while and stripped the drive gear. I was only pulling an 8 car train using plastic rolling stock wheels too. This happened a few years back and I chickened out doing the repair myself and sent the whole thing back to Bachmann for the repair. Is this something I can do myself and are there better stronger longer lasting gears available now. Thanks, Rob   Crete, Il.

I have installed a phoenix sound system PB11 in my Spectrum Connie and cant turn down the volume. I know its with the toggle switch but flipping it back and forth doesn't change anything. Any suggestions?  feeling stupid in Chicago. Thanks Rob

hi, did Bachmann make a spectrum 2-6-0 mogul? if yes was it first introduced as a "big hauler" before becoming a "spectrum"? thanks guys

Hello, I purchased an old 1992 PH HOBBIES sound system and was wondering if anyone had any info as to how to hook it up. It appears to be a lot different from the newer systems. Thanks Rob

  Hi Guys..... Picked up an ITT products sound board for my Bmann railtruck. Its the model T w/ oogua horn. I was wondering if there's an easy way to find the trackpower wires on the trucks circuit board? I took a look at the board and really could not figure out which were the track power wires. As always , any info would be greatly appreciated !! Thanks, Rob

   Hi, Bought an old Bmann 4-6-0 big haulerw/tender......it came with an older Sierra sound board installed. The owner said he wasn't how well the sound worked. I decided to remove the sound from the tender an maybe use it in a different loco. My question is .........Does anyone know anything about this particular sound board? What I found printed on the board was........SIERRA STEAM  VER 1.3 (2) 2001/ THROTTLE UP    and also   SOUNDTRAXX (2) 2001     800109  K 28.  Does this make sense to anyone? I just need to know what wires are for what operations. There are no numbers by the long main terminal. I did find a set of 2 wires on the end that were tied off and not in use. I didn't find any reed switchs on the engine or the tender for whistle /bell......also no signs of a chuff switch either. Any and all info on this set up will be very very much appreciated. I'm just looking for a descent useable sound system. 

 :-\Hi Guys.......Installing a PH HOBBIES sound system(S2001S) in a BMANN 2-4-2 and everything was going right until I tried installing the volumn control pot in the top of the tender. I think I might have gotten super glue in the pot. All was working well during my preassembly tests. I installed the pot with super glue and went in for the nite. The next day I started my assembly and did one last sound check. NOTHING!!
No sound from anything ...no bell... no whistle.....no chuff.   I'm stumped. The knob on the pot was stuck with glue and would not turn until I forced it loose. It seemed to turn normally but nothing would function. I tried to buy a replacement from Radio Shack but they didn't have the right one. I bought and tried a toggle switch but not sure which of the 3 terminals go with what 3 wires. I would just like to eliminate the pot all together but do not know how to do it or even if I should. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated. Rob

HI GUYS...JUST BOUGHT A LIKE NEW SPECTRUM 2-6-0 BUT IT DIDN'T COME WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL. I need to find out where the switchs are the smoke, etc. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Is it difficult to replace the original sound with a better system? Thanks, Rob

 Hi guys......the other day i was enjoying running my spectrum rail truck but when i picked it up i noticed the front truck assy was about to fall off. i went to the shop to try and reinstall it. it looks like a small screw came out that holds the truck to the electric power board. the problem now is how to put the screw back when it is inside the wheel truck assy. do i have to disassemble the whole front motor assy? I might hace lost a piece too. it seems like there is a bar missing from the middle  bottom of the truck. i am trying like heck to avoid sending it to the bach.......man for repairs. didn't have a very pleasant experience with him repairing my spectrum "connie"
any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks guys.

Hi again guys.....I am now looking to buy some small 12V LEDS. Any ideas. I have some but they are directional lights(like small spot lights) not too good for lighting the intereior of a building. I really would like white ones too. And ,as usual, I am open to all and any suggestions.
Thanks, Rob

Hi Guys!I'm in the process of attempting to light my buildings. I was wondering what some of you guys did to light yours. I am starting with a malibu 12V transformer. Is that the best way to start getting things going? How many buildings can be lit using one of these?
Any and all ideas and info will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance.  Rob

Hey guys, wondering if any of you have ever made your own signs for your model buildings. If  yes ...........how did you go about it? Are there computer programs for printing out custom made signage? What do you print them on? I've been trying to find out the answers to hese questions for a long time . HELP!!!!
Thanks, Rob

hi there,
    decided to give my Connie a little run the other day and when i put her on the tracks..............bingo! nothing happened. it just sat there and made her neat idling sounds. i guess she broke her drive gear??
now for the fun part. is it very difficult to repair this ? any suggestions as to where i could go to have the repair done? should i just send her back to bachmann for the repairs?
   all i wanted was to just watch her go down the line a few times and listen to her awesome sound effects.
what to do...........
thanks, Rob  in Chicago

Hello,
      I built a real neat little g scale wood log cabin kit last year that came with real stones for the fireplace. I would really like to build another one but have no idea who makes it. I have has no luck kinding a log cabin kit any where. Does anyone know of any kits available like this? Thanks , Rob

HELLO AGAIN.
           Just bought a used Bachmann circus train set and it came with a bonus in the combine car that was not mentioned in the auction. It has a QSI Live Action Sound Unit installed inside. I couldn't wait to hear it. It has "Calliope"written on the side of the speaker tube. Well after installing a new 9V and figuring out where the micro small switchs and volumn controls were I was ready to give this thing a listen but!
you guessed it . It didn't work. So my question to all of you is........are these cool sound boards repairable? Has anyone ever owned or bought one of these?
Maybe I just don't know how to use the darn thing.
Any Ideas?

Thanks Guys, Rob S.Sub.Chicago

Hi again guys,
  just installed the Phoenix sound in the connie over the weekend. So far so good. table tested it and seems to work pretty darn good. Just need to give the real test outside. The Chicago weather is just not going to cooperate tho.

What I need to know is what is the smallest diameter curve recommended for the Bachmann 2-8-0 Connie? I already know I have some 4 footers that will need to replace. Unfortunately one of the sharp curves happens to be on my 10'  wood trestle. Oh well......this stuff is what makes our hobby interesting , right? ya right.
Thanks again for everyones help. I really appreciate all of it.
Rob, ( S. sub Chicago)

Hello there,
               Does anyone know the best place to find dry transfer lettering to use to letter train cars and buildings? I have used woodland scenics many times but they don't have lower case letters just seem to have upper case. I'm looking for both in different style letters too.
Thank again, rob

I recently bought a used Bachmann 4-6-0 with an older sierra sound board installed. My question is...... How do I add reed switchs to operate the bell and whistle? I have no idea which wires to use.
Now, the bell and whistle can only be operated by using track insulaters or a voltage drop. I really need magnetic triggers.
    Any related info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rob