That is exactly what I did: Just plugged a 44959 into the 2-4-4-2 and it works fine after adjusting some CVs. But thanks for the answer, would have assured me if I hadn't been so bold to try it blindly...

Hi and thank you for the exhaustive answer. As I live in Germany the costs of ordering a decoder replacement from Tony's will be definitely higher than buying the Bachmann module 44957 here. I saw a post where a guy just mentioned having tested a Whitcomb sound module in a steam loco but cannot find it any more. No one out there in the wide world who has practically tried to exchange the modules???
Regards
Peter

Hi Ton, thank you for the estimate. Anyone out there with more than an educated guess...?
Regards
Peter

Hi all,
plan to buy an On30 2-4-4-2 and would like to add sound without complicated installation. The original plug-and-play sound module 44952 is discontinued and nowhere to be found. Can it be replaced by one of the still available modules 44957 and 44959 and will the sound files work with the 2-4-4-2 decoder? Am aware that this will NOT be the authentic articulated sound but that would be ok for me. Will have to know for sure because both items will have to be bought abroad with no economic chance to send them back if not compatible...
Regards
Peter

Hi Peter,
thank you for the information. I ordered a pair of trucks and a pair of sideline gears some weeks ago and expect them any day now (they are already in Germany). Will see then what I get... Meanwhile 3 Shays are on the waiting track...
Regards
Peter

Hi from Germany,
after curing my Shays in 2013 with the offered free replacement gears I dropped out of 0n30 for some years. Now back and owner of a second hand Shay that shows definite signs of split gears. The free replacement gear program will certainly not be available any more, so I will have to buy parts from the parts department. They have complete trucks and drivelines for the Shay but cannot tell me if these are already the stronger parts made for the gear replacement program in 2013/14 or the weaker split-prone earlier parts. They do not know of any gear issues...!!!  Can the Bach Man or anyone else with better knowledge at Bachmann help with this information?
Best regards
Peter

Hi all, I saw a small rectangular Bachmann wood tank car/water car/fire car some time ago on a photo that unfortunately I do not have any more. It was painted something like caboose red/westside red and had although relatively short two trucks i.e. 4 axles. Does anyone have a Bachmann number for this car and/or a Photograph? Even better would be a source where to buy it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Peter

Hi from Germany, I was lucky to get one of the rare Large Scale Heislers some weeks ago. It is one of the coal-fired versions (Luken's Steel) and I would like to rebuild it into an oil-fired one. Bachmann is sold out of the oil tank that was included in the only oil-fired version of this loco as well as of the 2 air-tanks that hide some of the "empty space" forward. Does anyone out there have these parts as unused spares and would be ready to sell them to me? Or does anyone know a dealer who might have them? Will pay any reasonable price including full postage from whereever it comes via Paypal. Still hopeful, Peter     

Hi all, a surely silly question, but the plastic coal load on my 81197 Shay should only be fixed by snapping in but does not move. Any ideas? Thanks, Peter

Hi Bill, thank you. Just to get into details: I mean the Bachmann No. 81196, 81197 and 81198 with my question for compatibility!? One more question: How difficult would you rate the replacement operation, any soldering to be done? Regards, Peter

Hi all, I consider buying one of the older 2-Truck Shay models (yes, those with the chronic gear problems...) Can anyone confirm that the readily available replacement trucks 88999 are compatible with these older models and that the gear problems are completely solved with the new trucks? Thanks, Peter 

Hi Loco Bill and thanks very much. Do you know if the cooling fan can be deactivated by some CVs? Regards, Peter

Hi all, I just received one of the 2011-run Climax locos with factory-installed sound. It has a cooling fan in the tender which runs as soon as the loco sits on the track and gets current. The noise it makes is not very loud but when the sound is switched off you definitely can hear it and that is very annoying. Is this cooling fan really necessary on a loco that is only run short lengths indoors or can it be deactivated without danger to the electronics? Best regards, Peter

One more question: Is the plug-in a 12-pins in one row version?
Peter

Thanks again Kevin,
I started looking for the QSI here in Germany but think I will have to get it in the US. My plans grow because I was offered a new in the box Bachmann 2-truck-Shay (82199) by a German dealer at a very reasonable price. Is the situation regarding installing sound in this Shay the same as with the Climax or more complicated because the model is "older"?
Regards
Peter