Of course, you can always got the "hard core" route and grow your own tree armatures.  Teloxys, or "Seafoam" is popular for this.  It grows ~10" high.  A picture of the growing plant can be seen here:
http://www.katzkuntrykuttins.biz/seeds.htm  almost at the bottom of the page.  A couple packets of seeds should yield a good sized forest (or two).

Remember guys, it's  just a hobby.

Mike

Quote from: rocknblues on April 29, 2008, 09:21:58 AM
One shouldn't correct the spelling of a word and then use a term like mucherino, which is not a word either. Just a thought.

You're not seriously saying that you've never heard the term "mucherino", are you?  Ahh, the sheltered lives some of us live... 

Mike

It might  well be a cracked plastic gear in one of the trucks, and, yes they can make noise in one direction.  I have one myself.  You might talk to service about sending yours back for repair.

Mike

Can you describe the noise; click, clank, growl, screech....?

Looks like the driver came from the shallow end of the gene pool...

Don't feel too bad, Dallas PBS considered themselves too sophisticated for such stuff, so they never offered the series... just more cooking shows.

Mike

According to Bachmann, the Dynamis is a full featured system, so stationary decoders shouldn't be a problem.

Thank you, N-railer.
You saved my bacon!  I almost had to admit that I didn't know all the details about the Pennsy bankruptcy and the drama that followed.  I don't follow the eastern roads to any extent, being mired in the SP and ATSF problems.

Mike

Quote from: trains on April 07, 2008, 03:20:06 PM
I was thinking about leaving bachmann and go to digitraxbut since I saw that new wireless DCC controller I am sticking to bachmann and buy the new DCC controller because there are more options and you can run so many more locomotives.so im going to stay with bachmann.


   I recomend DCC

You didn't say which model of Digitrax, the Zephyr, or one of the other models that can use IR or radio?  Options? Digitrax has about, if not the, most extensive line of DCC components on the market.
And just how many trains do you think you can control at one time?

Quote from: Mooring on April 01, 2008, 07:46:49 PM
Greetings,
I have jumped the ship and left the expensive 027 scale to come to N.
I left not only because of the cost but because of the room needed and for the realism of the models.  I did some research before leaving and from what I found out that Bachmann was the way to go as far as the quality and price ratio was concerned.
Having made my mind up I went out looking....  Talked to my local hobby dealer, he said "I can order anything you want!"  I thought, "OK" sounds good...
I wanted to test both Steam and Diesel versions of Bachmanns entry level offerings...   So I opted for the 4-8-4 "Empire Builder" set and a lone Union Pacific GP-40.  Got em home snapped the track together and PRESTO!  BOTH RAN LIKE A WATCH!  VERY PLEASED!!!   For the price I was paying for a used Lionel Loco,  I had a full set and a UP GP40 to boot!
Then I noticed something sad....   The "Empire Builder" set has different couplers than the GP40.   I have learned from reading that all new Bachmann trains are switching couplers...   
Sorry for the long story....
But how much more is it gonna cost me to get the "Empire" set switched to the new couplers?   I read somewhere you have to replace the entire truck? If that is the case is there a "new truck" for the COOL tender that came with the "Empire" set? 

Sorry guys and gals ....   First post so many questions... Just new to this game and need your help...

-Mooring

Since no one else has spoken, Welcome to N Scale!
In n scale, there are basically two types of couplers.  The first, and oldest, is the Rapido type that looks nothing like a knuckle coupler.  The other, knuckle types come in several different flavors that will (or are supposed to) interchange with the others.  The best known is by the originators, Kadee/Micro-Trains.  There are also operating couplers available from Atlas, LifeLike/Walthers, Kato, etc.  Bachmann's knuckle couplers will hook up with these, but it is a dummy that won't give you automatic uncoupling.
Couplers are available as an assembly with many different types of trucks, or as individual components for body mounting.  You are in a good position to switch to automatic couplers as you don't yet have a huge roster.  The oil tender on the 4-8-4 is an easy conversion to body mounts with a Micro-Trains part.

Mike

Quote from: jksm10795 on March 27, 2008, 10:05:56 PM
this is a total newbie question so please be patient. I am just getting back into the hobby after a 20 year Hiatus...boy things have changed.

I have purchased a new Spectrum series D8-40C CSX Loco, I want to add 1 or perhaps 2 more locos to this run...not the line, I am trying to find a Bachmann dummy to add to my powered loco and I can't...where should I be looking...local hobby shops are no help? OR should I just buy a second powered spectrum and run them attached? also I have a cool set of Bachmann plus Pennsylvania passenger cars (they light up) and combine...what Loco would best represent these cars being pulled, I am aiming towards reality rather than "just what I like"

thanks for helping an "old" newbie!

Welcome back!
Bachmann doesn't (intentionally) sell dummies of these engines.  You can either buy additional powered locos, or strip the guts out of one.  Most locos made into dummies like that have rolling qualities just slightly better than a brick.
Most likely power for your Pennsy passenger cars would be a K4 steamer, GG1 electric, or possibly an E or F set of locos.  Remember that the Pennsy went belly up quite a while ago.

Mike

Quote from: r.cprmier on March 26, 2008, 03:05:44 PM
Why not just stick to Wahl's?

Nah, too easy!
I read somewhere that it is a prerequisite of being a forumite to reinvent the wheel on a periodic basis.

G,D,&R
Mike

What is more important here is that the controller for the large scale engine is likely to be supplying more voltage than the N and HO controllers.  Too much voltage to a motor can let the magic smoke escape.

Quote from: kevin2083 on March 20, 2008, 08:35:52 PM
I've had it for about 1 1/2 years now, so there's no more warranty. Of coarse, it waited until I finally switched all my locos over to DCC to do this.

It's a sign!

Time to upgrade to NCE!

Are you sure that you're not thinking of coupler 'clank'?  Engine rods shouldn't be loose enough to make rude noises... at least, not for long.