AJW, its one of those jokes where you gotta read it out loud. D.Fusit = Defuse it, cause gun powder is highly combustible, so you don't want any flames around it. 

Mine is a dummy but even its short life of being alive, I never replaced the hook-n-loop coupler, I just slipped it into the knuckle and the only time there was a problem was when one of the cars jumped a switch and managed to yank Thomas with it. It may not look right if you're paying attention but its not exactly nessicary to add a knuckle coupler if you just want to haul american cars.

From what I could tell at the NMRA show, they're not the same engine. Based on the pics though in the new products announcement; they do look the same. I didn't bother taking a closer look since I was passing by the bachmann aisle before I left so I can't confirm that the model is still tender driven or not. It was definitely a lot nicer looking though as I said in my previous post. 

Based on what I noticed, they got more than just a polish. They look like a nicer version of their older runs and could be considered close cousins to the spectrum counterpart if that says anything. The wood load in the tenders seem the same and that's probably the worse part about them. That's an easy fix so hopefully these do sell well.  

A Forney to the spectrum line doesn't sound too bad. They've produced 2 0-6-0 tank engines already for that line of products... 

As some of you know, I like filming trains. One of the greatest experiences of my hobby has been filming the Midwest Railroad Preservation Society switch their cars around and such. I joined the team about two weeks ago, even though I'm a familiar face from times I was invited to film on the property or the open houses I've attended. This particular day though.... it just blew my mind. So far, I've filmed on the property on four different occasions, five if you count this one (4 switching, once with a speeder.).

Why does this time make it so special compared to the others? Simple. An actual diesel (I kept making jokes about slapping NYC lettering on it) was used along with the track mobile, AND there was equipment that was moved that hasn't been for years! Weather wise, its Cleveland, Ohio folks... the weather here has mood swings. One minute its pouring, next it's sunny, then there's hail, then its no clouds visible! Quite the unique event, all at the B&O Roundhouse near CSX's Clark Avenue Yard where the Midwest Railroad Preservation Society calls home.

Folks, grab a drink and maybe something to eat as you witness classic switching at its best.       


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0CVbnibdcY < Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AdYh5APa1M < Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr3wQaWFazE < Part 3

I've ran Thomas with a 4 car freight train (the 3 or so days I let him run under his own power) and now he's pushed whenever he makes a rare appearance, he's worked well with knuckle couplers with his own hook n loop coupler.

A quick check would be to run your fingers along the track. My steam engines tend to have the front and rear trucks derail at certain points because the track wasn't connected right. You'll feel a bump if this is the case. The drivers will go right over it with ease most of the time. As for too tight of a radius, usually the drivers will derail (at least for me).

I plan on attending if all goes as planned since I'm from NE Ohio too.

A company needs to make money. Why should they hurt themselves when the market isn't there? If they produce too many, then they lose money. They were around for quite a bit and these coaches aren't hard to find if you actually look around. They may not be dirt cheap but they're out there for decent pricing. Chaz has a good point. If you over flood the market, they won't be worth anything because no one will want them. In a perfect world, they wouldn't discontinue anything, but if the demand isn't there (I mean able to make money) then they'll stop making them for a year or two. Look around the web or call up your local hobby shops; you'd be surprised what they have in stock.

Stephen, Thanks, that info may come in handy down the line. All I basically need is the years at least. 

Ram, I have. That was actually one of the first sites I checked. The "forum" they have doesn't seem to exist and it takes me to a site called Yuku asking me to start a site...

"Welcome to our discussion forum threshold.  You will be directed to our EZBoard sponsored web site.

Please create an account for yourself if you do not have one already.

When prompted for the password to join, type...

WildMary

in the exact manner above." Going from signing up to making a site doesn't add up if you know what I mean....

Then I tried the links section they supplied, which didn't help my needs either. (They did have some good pics of diesels though I must admit.) I tried searching for the forum they were talking about there but got nothing.

http://www.moosevalley.org/wmrhs/wmrhsindex.htm < The site

There was another site for the WMRHS, but it was basically same info, different format. Maybe I'm doing something wrong...? Last news update was about their HO group on 10/25/2011 so that may say something about not getting the site updated. I honestly have no clue.  Thanks though!

Hi, I finally got around to working on a story that I've been throwing around the idea of for a bit (probably about a year) , and was wondering if anyone knew when Western Maryland stopped using steam and when they stopped traveling to Elkins West Virginia? I have done a Google search and although I did get some of my questions answered, I didn't get them all. Those two being the major ones.

Any help is much appreciated!

P.S. can someone delete the other top that glitched on me?

No bachmann products this year but I can take pictures of the ones I own with my new camera and listen to my Alice Cooper Flush the fashion CD that I got from my sister as I run them. Model Citizen comes to mind, cause they got me fooled again! Every time I go to the club the little guys keep moving around, last time one was being eaten by a nuclear bush from under the porch. 

I saw the one in Scranton and it gives a new meaning to "Bigger than life".

Couldn't they also be used for heavy switching on a terminal railroad or a switching layout? Heck, if worse comes to worse, a steam engine for excursions on a short line.wasn't there a 4-6-6 back in the 70's & 80's that was hauling passengers? I used to have a video that featured it, but not anymore.