I standcorrected, the coal bunker was not die-cast, only frame, boiler and cab, but still the cab on the sound version is plastic (very delicate and disapointing), why cheapen it?

Hi Mr Bachmann,
I have just recieved a new Forney with sound, to my suprise the the cab and coal bunker are plastic! When I originaly did my research on this loco I could not find any info telling me its construction uner the sound loco description. However, the non sound version gave the discription of die cast boiler, cab, and bunkerWhy would my sound loco (costing a lot more) be so cheesy and delacate, have I missed somthing? Dont get me wrong I still like it but I was expecting somthing more robust, like my 2-8-0.
Regards Johnny.

I have just ordered a digitrax auto reverser (PSX-ARSCFB), it is rated from 1.27amps to 17.8 for the sensitivity setting. Can anybody tell me if I hook this up to my layout that is controled by an E-Z command unit will it work. I belive the E-Zs max output is 1 amp, is this correct? If so will the unit short before the reverse unit works. I have read that people are having trouble with DCC units with 3 amps, and using reversers that have a min setting of 5 amps. I think it maybe time to up grade the DCC command with one that has a greater out put, as I am running about 5 locos at minimum, and I am thinking about sound soon. Has anybody got some feed back for me?

Hey Big Bob1,
I want to add sound to my climax and I found your instilation details interesting. By the sounds of it you got rid of the circit board all together, yes? So by simple deduction (and I am simple) you just conect the respective wires coming up into the coal box, to the colour coded ones on the decoder, correct? I have only been using standard decoders and hard wiring them to the circit boards in locos that have the room for all, as the the climax has stuff all room, I am saying that is why the circit board needs to go?

Does anybody know if the motor in a climax is a common one? I know the model is no longer produced, I was just hoping someone could tell me if Bachmann use this motor in other locos, or was this only produced for the climax, if so I am guessing it is no longer. I have fired off an email to the service dept, but I was looking for additional input FAST!

[I'm not an electronics person, but cutting a capacitor on a locomotive in the US or Canada does no harm.  Cut them all. ]

How about in Australia? will it be any different? I have very little knowledge on this topic, but I have several Bachmann locos all equiped with decoders (Bachmann). Do not understand when you all talk of an "over speed problem" or "silent" motor drive. I have noticed that my consolidation 2-8-0 does speed dramatically on a steep decent, logicaly this to me is an over speed problem, am I correct. Please people shed your wisdom to this novice!

I got it off a guy on ebay very cheep knowing the risks, so I figured the worst I could do is score a decoder and parts, but I fancy I can make her work beuatifuly with the help of a few friends, hint hint! So any ideas guys? I oppend her up to find all parts to be pristine ( no cracked gears as sugested) I was wondering if this had happend to anyone else? I am taking a punt and guessing the gears in the gear column have a little to much lateral tollerance, allowing the occational poor alighnment, creating an edge of gear to edge of next gear (minimal contact) alignment, resulting in horrible grinding noises and slippage. Any ideas anybody?

I have a spectrum 2-10-2 that makes a clicking noise under load, I noticed a previous post by Brad that he thinks it is a cracked gear, any comments?
I would like to know if this is a problem for this model, and if so where inside the loco is it located, for example, the gearing located directly off the motor or is it the gears on the dive axles? I would like to know before I go in. The loco is new, but I live in Oz so the hassels (cost+ time+ the unknowen) of sending it to the states makes it not viable as a warranty job. Any help welcome.

In regards to the clicking noise, can you give me more info as my 2-10-2 is doing the same. Is it a problem with this model do you know? How can I fix it and what part do you think it is?

Thankyou all, I am very impresesd by the help and the speedy enthsiastic aid you all demonstrated. I am very new to the whole train world (well new in respect to the fact that I have not touched a train since I was 10 some 30 years ago) especially DCC and it is a little confusing at this stage, thanks again.

What I mean is that the locos ID has been set as 508 (loco running #), but as I understand I cannot call up a number like that on a E-Z DCC control, now if I could I would leave it or have no problem changing it.

I have just purchased a 2-10-2 DCC equiped second hand loco, and it has the loco number set in as it's decoder address, can anyone tell me how I can change it back to the default 03 setting using a E-Z DCC command station?