Ha Ha, a downunder man that shares my view on collectors. Onya mate, could show them some knuckles!!! Seriously though, don't change Pegasus, but do enjoy. When I got my "City OF Truro" produced by Bachmann exclusively for the NRM, York, UK I could not get it out of the box quick enough and play. Yet this is a true collector item and now has a greatly inflated price tag, around $550Au, and thats if you can get one. Truro, being a 4-4-0 however, could not run with a large train, so I "chipped" her and an old Hornby (Oh forbid that name!) GWR railcar and run them as a consist with 7 cars of the vintage now portrayed by the NRM. Trust me, it works, but one will have to add weight to the cars should one run the consist at the rear of the train. Enjoy mate. Peter.

Hey there John, the Pegasus dates back to around the 1830's, just before the great industrial revolution kicked in. What you have there will become a true collectors item, therefor not ment to match any other stock, and certainly no freight. Do not even try and alter it, and a must... Keep the orignal box and paperwork that came with it, otherwise, as a collector item, it will de-value.  Please... do not change anything... but do enjoy.  Peter

Thx Stephen. Checking into your idea. Yet also to check power into the motor. There seems to be something a bit more sinister happening here though, one which even Bachmann would want to be interested in. I have a Bachmann Branchline class 55 Deltic Diesel which is displaying a very similar trait. Both loco's are new, and displayed this "sluggish" behaviour out of the box. I was gifted with my "J" but never had a train for her to run. I am only now in the process of getting my "J" ready for her train, the "Powhatan Arrow" soon to be released by MTH Trains.  I will not give up on my Bachmann N&W class "J" She is truly a beautiful machine. I just want her running right. Thx mate. Peter. (footnote, this problem is beyond Bullfrog snot... I now know what it is... Thx Dave)

Hi guys, me again. 1st, Thx to all replies to my "gear ratio" & "its official" posts. Sadly, I now believe my N&W Class "J" needs to go to the techno nerds. After lifting the body & checking again, it is the motor that stalls, whilst the Tsunami races on full noise as if she was do'n 110mph!!! When the motor stalls, it "hums" and that cannot be good. This has now got me beat. Thx Jim, but its not the gears. Why the motor stalls under load??? Mr Bach-man, someone down under will get my "J", but could it be just the motor, or could there be something more sinister hiding??? Whilst I have had her for some time, she is a new loco. As mentioned, I have a Branchline class 55 Deltic diesel which displays very similar traits. Thx Peter.

Righto guys, back with ya all.  1st, thx to the replies to my "Gear Ratio" ?  Now, about my Spectrum HO N&W 4-8-4 Class "J" (item 83904)  Why is it that she seems so ...um... sluggish.  She stalls with just 4 Pullman heavyweights, on good track, well powered (NCE Procab) large radius (26" min) & only 1.5% grade.  She stalls, or grinds to a halt, no wheelspin, whilst the Tsunami sound races on full speed???  MY Spectrum's K4 4-6-2 (item 84114) will go full noise with 6 heavy's, my USRA 2-6-6-2 will pull 36 coal hoppers no problem.  My best performer, Blueline's ATSF 4-8-4 (item 5160) rocks, but she is fitted with traction tyres.  Come on Mr Bach Man, help me out here, any ideas will be tried.  I have tested & tested again & again.  Why???  I was gifted with this beautiful loco, so I will not give up on her.  As a matter of intrest, I also have a Bachmann Branch-line Class 55 Deltic Diesel (item 32-530DS) 'St Paddy' which suffers from a very similar problem.  THX. Peter.

THX Guys.  The "Powhatan Arrow" was a large train for N&W.   My layout has a 1.5% grade, so my "J" tends to stall on the upside.  I live in the land downunder, so not sure what bullfrog snot is.  Sounds great though!!  Kinda knew about the DCC bit, just do'n the homework beforhand.  Done the extra weight thingy, no good.  Tested my theroy chipping a switcher using it as as pusher, will need to add weight into the tenders.  To motorize the canteen, to hard, to small.  To motorize the bagage car will be a lot easier, a good way to deguise the extra motive power!!!  Will film and youtube this for you all when done.  THX again guys. petdrus

Hi guys.  Re: item 83904, Spectrum series HO N&W 4-8-4 Class "J" pass loco.  Beautiful loco, but does not have the grunt to pull the "Powhatan Arrow" on her own.  I wish to motorise either the "Canteen" (Spectrum item 89922) or the bagage car I have for that train, "chip it" then run them as a consist.  To do this properly, I need to know the gear ratio used in the Spectrum Class "J"  THX