Will do, thanks folks. (though Im going in Enlisted so we'll see if I ever get to Quantico). Semper Fi!

Wow! Definitely lots of great advice, thanks folks! Yeah, I'm going away for a long time (Marine Corps), so the trains will have to stay behind til I'm married wit a house. But that's for me to figure out.

Hello,

I am looking for tips on how to properly store away HO locomotives without their original packaging (Thomas Line) for a long period of time, probably 4 or more years. Obviously cleaning the wheels and lubricating any gears is a must, but any other tips such as the type of packaging recommended or containers and where to obtain packing materials? Thanks!

Yeah, I shouldve noted that when I installed the decoder in Gordon I used a soldering iron to burn holes into his backhead and tender since the decoder was too huge. That Train Buddy Thomas was atleast modified within thomas' body lol...sigh what to do... I will give service a call and explain my predicaments as 1 option..

I use nickel-silver EZ track and over the years I found the most effective way to minimize rails losing electrical conductivity due to shifting rails was too solder all the joints-and i have a semi permanant carpet layout- hope this helps

Hello All,

So my question is has anyone else had problems with their Bachmann Gordon short-circuiting, smoking then refusing to move indefinitely? Because this has happened to me twice with different units.

The first time it happened with the first Gordon I owned, minus the "refusing to move" part- No problem there, I simply contactedthe service department and they arranged for a replacement. The replacement worked just fine out the box. Then I converted it and all my Thomas engines to DCC. This was about 3 years ago...

Now a few days back, Gordon decided to move very sluggishly then started smoking, then after a few seconds he ran like his old self again. The next day I turn the power on, he refused to move. I had to use Henry, James, Percy and Toby to tow him to the scrap yards where he sits now (on his side).

My question to you Mr. Bach-Man and others, does this happen to ALL the Gordon models? Since I converted my last one to DCC, I most likely voided any and all warranty services and now have to blow money on a new Gordon once again- But I'd rather not if this is just going to happen again. Any help and suggestions? Thanks.

Quote from: James The Red Engine on January 06, 2010, 05:58:39 PM
SMASH IT!

Ok, not sure if that would work though.   I've taken the cab off my James Model and from the firebox up to the face is all motor and eye mechanism.  Don't really think the weight would fit in that. 

Theres en0ugh room where under the cab to fit atleast 4 egg sinker weights. 5 if there ARE no decoder wires to deal with

Quote from: White_Crow05 on January 05, 2010, 05:53:01 PM
i've tried nickels and the lead weights and still my james is performing poorly. with out pulling anything at all the driving wheels spin and a high rate and james creeps along slowly, also he seems to want to derail at switches anyone know how to fix these?

Remove the spring from the pilot truck- it worked for me

Quote from: White_Crow05 on January 05, 2010, 05:53:01 PM
i've tried nickels and the lead weights and still my james is performing poorly. with out pulling anything at all the driving wheels spin and a high rate and james creeps along slowly, also he seems to want to derail at switches anyone know how to fix these?

Are your rails and train wheels clean? I have the same problem because of excess conductive lube all over the rails and wheels.

Quote from: White_Crow05 on January 03, 2010, 02:21:04 AM
Does the nickels in there rattle? and is it easy to take the cab off james?

Its VERY easy to take the cab off- just remove the two screws underneath the cab.

Well everyone, I've suceeded in improving James' tractive effort! I visited one of the local mega-chain stores, went to their fishing aisele and got these things called "Egg Sinkers", which are made of steel. I just jammed 4 into the cab of James, along with decoder wires and PRESTO! If anyone wants to do the same, make sure you wrap the weights in electrical tape so they won't short anything. 

I'll try that if I can't find any other ways. But tomorrow I'll go looking at fishing weights at the store....

Quote from: ThomasFan247 on January 01, 2010, 12:02:20 AM

Quote from: kman781 on December 31, 2009, 07:54:41 PM
Excuse me if this has already been discussed, but any suggestions on how to improve James pulling strength by adding weights? I thought about using aquarium gravel in his cab, but i don't believe thats heavy enough...

U can remove his cab and put in two nickels, 1 on each side of the cab 

Hmmm, I was thinking something much more heavier, but not a bad idea...

Excuse me if this has already been discussed, but any suggestions on how to improve James pulling strength by adding weights? I thought about using aquarium gravel in his cab, but i don't believe thats heavy enough...

All my other engines and cars go through the switches fine, including the dummy engine of the Acela Express. Its definitely the heavy weight of the Acela locomotive and the quality of the track sswitch. Actually, my Gordon and Henry engines tend to go through the switches roughly too...