I was checking the CPR Historical site reviewing the drawing and diagrams of various CPR coaches used for passenger service.

One of the unique coaches was the lunch counter sleeper coach.

The coach is 83' length has designated seating for 24 plus the lunch counter area complete with kitchen area and 10 counter seats. (round seat on a pole) Just like an old time lunch counter.

There were 3 of these coaches and they were built in 1953.

Did any other railroads have such a coach?

Some one on this forum recently had inquired as to where they could locate a set of the Rivarossi 60' coaches. a search of e-bay indicates there is a set available

http://cgi.ebay.com/HO-Rivarossi-Passenger-Car-Set-Northern-Pacific-600233_W0QQitemZ350072419063QQihZ022QQcategoryZ19129QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

On occassion he has a few sets available, roadnames vary.

For specs on these see

http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/635-600229

I just received a set of these coaches made by Roundhouse (Athearn) . Nice coaches, good detail, track well.

I have been replacing my passenger cars which were mainly Rivarossi and Spectrum full size coaches with shorter coaches that suite my layout.

Too much overhang with those large coaches as my layout is mainly 22" radius with a few 18" curves in some places. I am slowly learning to live with the limitations of my layout. Will mothball those full size coaches for the next layout as well as my larger steamers for that matter.

I was surprised  that when I placed the set on my layout next to another train with a set of the 60' Rivarossi coaches that the coaches are nearly the same length.

I had never even thought about what the 50' length referred to specifically.

I assumed that the 50' length was the entire/overall length of the coach, not so.  It refers to the passenger cabin only and does not include the open vestibules found at each end of the coaches.

I am not complaining, merely an observation.

Just out of curiosity what is your favorite Bachmann steamer?

My favorite was the newer Spectrum 4-4-0 which I think is a fantastic little steamer.

However, I recently obtained a 4-6-0 with the 63" drivers and I find myself totally mesmerized watching it run.  I find watching the valve gear is almost hypnotic.

I have one of the low drivers pulling freight on my layout but watching the high driver pulling my set of 60' Riverossi coaches is a great sight to behold.

 

I know that these are no longer produced for Bachmann but are there any plans to re-release this line of kits?

Check out the C&O's Historical Society web page

http://www.cohs.org/modeling/basementsub.htm

It is in the August/September 2007 section

Hi, just want to rave about this engine. I have the 4-4-0 in the Russian Iron paint and I only recently got around to breaking the engine in.

I have it pulling a 4 car 60' Riverossi passenger set.  I have a 2% incline to the layout and this engine pulls like a champ. The slow speed control is excellent.

I am so impressed that I would like to obtain another in the Russian livery put that paint scheme seems to be in short supply. Will keep looking though.

Congratulation to Bachmann for a superb little engine.

Some time back there was an announcement of sorts that the current Spectrum Heavyweight coaches were being phased out.

What will Bachmann be introducing for coaches in the heavyweight series? Are new improved models on the way?

I see in the latest Model Railroader magazine one of the larger model railroad vendors is blowing out sets of the heavy weight coaches sets at a major discount.

There was another thread regarding 4-8-4's and their tender types which reminded me of a NP picture of a 4-8-4.

This is obviously not a Vandy tender, what is the description of this tender. It certainly is streamlined.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/np/np-s2667abd.jpg

There is even a drawing available for this tender.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/np/np-tender-abd.gif

Mr. Bach Man

As mentioned in this forum the Spectrum Heavyweight coaches are not in the current catalogue. 

I am wondering about the possible availability of the newer smooth side corrugated steel coaches.

Will Bachmann consider releasing smooth side coaches in the near future?

I recently tested a new Spectrum 4-4-0, I first tested the engine on a DC oval  track during the initial break in period. 

Later I tried the engine on a DCC track and the engine started up and ran fine, however the engine headlight does not come on. I immediately thought that it had been turned off and only needed to be turned on. No response. I tried another DCC engine and had no problem turning the headlight on and off.

So, the 4-4-0 headlight will not turn on when run on DCC, but will turn on when on the DC track.

Any ideas?

Mr. B, the catalogue section is missing the road names from the engine descriptions in the HO Steam section.
I assume the roadnames are to be entered later?

How do you store your Spectrum steam engines when they are not on your layout.

That is how do you avoid having to unplug the somewhat fragile electrical connections between the engines and their tenders while storing the engines.

A question for Mr. B, there is some confusion about which motor is in the Spectrum 2-8-0. The specs on the model page indicate a 5 pole motor yet others are insistant that it is a 3 pole Mabuchi motor and that the reference to the 5 pole is a mistake. Apparently when the Spectrum 2-8-0 first made its debut it had the 3 pole Mabuci motor and that the frame would require modifications to fit the 5 pole motor.

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/2/1358709/ShowPost.aspx#1358709


Please advise, thanks

Has anyone tried swapping the "small" baldwin tender with any other steamers? (not the vanderbuilt versions)

If so which ones would simply plug in and which would require rewiring?

Thanks

I just acquired another 2-6-6-2 Spectrum engine.

I have a question regarding the smoke box/boiler access door, the new engine has one compressormounted  on the smokebox door, the old engine has two compressors mounted on the door. It this correct or am I missing a compressor?

I found the write up on this engine on the "other" forum and there are two pictures of two different 2-6-6-2's that would seem to indicate that this is correct.Unfortunately the pictures are a bit on the dark side - contast wise.

Anyone know for certain?

These engines in my opinion are superb, they pull great considering they have no traction tires, they  have excellent slow speed running characterestics.  Just a great engine and they are not that much larger than the new 2-10-2 Spectrum.

Have placed most of the track for my new layout and have a couple of spots where the engines definetely slow down and then pick up speed.

For EZ track would I use the existing track with the controller connections to attach to another feeder (another EZ track connector track) or should I run the wire from the transformer controller to the other feeder?

Also, is there another source for the plug (with the " two connectors") that Bachmann uses?

Just browsing my favorite on line train stores and Klien is offering the Light Mountains in the L&N for a super discount amount

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/bac-81608.htm

If I did not allread have two I would get one for sure. These are a great engine.

I was somewhat surprised that the N/S EZ track sectional pieces required the amount of modification and tweeking as I had to spend getting the trackwork ready.

I am using the EZ Track sections for the mainline on my layout and then swithing to flexible track for the yards. I chose the EZ track for the high roadbeds and am using cork for the yard areas (with lessor roadbed profile). A significant number of the EZ track sectional pieces required shortening of rail and also re-alignment at the joiners as well as the replacement of the railjoiners for a number of sections.

In all fairness, had I stayed with only diesels a lot of time and effort would have been saved laying the trackwork. One I tried the steamers it was a whole new story. Darn those pilots and trailing wheels.

Hi, as there have been a few complaints lately about contacting the service Dept. I thought I would relay an incident I had very recently with the Bachman Service Dept.

I need to have a Doodlebug repaired and contacted the Service Department by their e-mail address. I was contacted the next day by Jennifer who answered my questions and who advised me to sent in the unit.

Perhaps instead of phoning more customers should use the e-mail address? I myself have been in contact a number of times with the service department and find e-mail to be adequate.