Quote from: rogertra on June 07, 2008, 12:40:33 PM
It is common knowledge on this board that, sadly, Bachmann Service Department NEVER answer e-mails.

It must depend upon their workload at the time.

I have used the e-mail approach a couple of times and received replies to my inquiry  as well asa few time parts that I had requested in the mail.

Mind you I was not in any hurry at the time.

Still, calling seems to be the most recommended approach.

Quote from: fieromike on June 04, 2008, 09:23:36 PM

Quote from: SteamGene on June 04, 2008, 11:28:44 AM
Has anybody ever seen an unfavorable MR review?
Gene

Sometimes you have to read between the lines.  If you find them glossing over or ignoring something that stands out, that's as good as them waving a red flag.  They are bleeding subscribers badly enough that they don't need to alienate their advertisers too.

See the March 2004 review of the Proto 2-8-4.

Note in the review the following comment

The Berkshire's drawbar pull is equivalent to about 47 free-rolling cars on straight and level track. It does seem to slip easily, so its pulling capacity will probably improve as the blackening is worn off the drivers.

I bought one of these and it would barely pull its own weight, I contacted Walthers and was advised that the first run could not be updated with the traction tire option that was installed on later runs.

Now I will not purchase any engine without first checking with users who have one.

I still want to read any review by Model Railroader or MRC or any other model railroading source.

The 60' coaches are being re-released by Hornby/Riverossi. If you look around you can find plenty of 4 car sets of the original Riverossi sets.

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

http://www.hornby-usa.com/index.php?CURRENT_PAGE_ID=131

I have been collecting a few of these sets.


Yampa Bob,
One of the sets I bought is the DRGW set, unfortunately the base colour is the Pullman Green with Gold lettering.

You can also add IHC to the list.

Check e-bay, I just searched HO by requesting "circus" and there is a number of Circus cars by Walthers mainly but also IHC, Roundhouse

Quote from: Daylight4449 on May 30, 2008, 05:06:17 PM
okay, can anyone tell me if it is any good and if it runs on dc?

The Model Railroader web site has a review of this engine.

Have you tried running this engine on DC to check if the headlight works? Could be a faulty light.

I have purchased a few of the 60' riverossi coach sets off e-bay.

There is one currently listed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150252625049&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005

These coach sets are ideal for the smaller layouts.  The coaches come with detailed interiors, metal wheels and kaydee style couplers.

The coaches track well right out of the box. With smaller engines they go through an Atlas #4 switch with no problems.

You can also find the coaches packaged as Trainline in the Walthers train sets.

http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/931-46

[[/quote]

Gene.

Keep in mind there are "model railways/roads" and then there are "toy trains". 

Snobbish?  Maybe.

Nuff said.


[/quote]

Are you implying that those forum members who have smaller layouts  requiring the use of  18" radius curves are of the toy train class and only those who are fortunate enough to have the space to use large radius curves are the model railroaders?.

Snobbish? If that is what you are implying, then most certainly

Perhaps Model Railroader needs another level added to the forum for us Toy train enthusiasts?.

Quote from: Daylight4449 on May 31, 2008, 02:11:39 PM
i have heard it will run on 18 inch radius, cool!

If your layout has 18" curves and you really want on of the Athearn Challengers go for it. It is your layout and no one elses. Sure a wider radius would be nice but some of us have to make do with smaller layouts.

Quote from: Daylight4449 on May 30, 2008, 03:29:20 PM
can anyone suggest a layout on a table maybe 1 half an inch less on each side on a 4X8 table using nothing but 4 right hand, 3 left hand, 2 3inch, several 9 inch and lots of 18 inch radius curves with at least 2 mainlines (Don't have to be paralel) and all ez track. just thought i'd ask. this would be much easier if i had a planning book.

You make it sound like your existing track is all that you will use in your layout.

I suggest that you layout two ovals (your mainlines) and then trial and error fitting the track pieces/swithches.

The suggestion of subscribing to Model Railroader is an excellent idea as it would allow you to access the data base of plans they keep on line. There are some 4 x 8 plans which would certainly be a starting point for you.

Another source of track plans is at the Atlas site.

http://forum.atlasrr.com/


Two mainlines on a 4 x 8 is really pushing it, not much space at all.

Quote from: Jhanecker2 on May 30, 2008, 09:34:17 AM
Since my  4-8-4  FEF  came packed with  22" Radius  track I would assume that is the Minimum  for that type of  Engine  anything larger would require a  larger radius .  I would also assume that a #5 turnout would also be the minimum  , and would probably  prefer a #6 for crossover use.

Who is the manufacturer of the 4-8-4? Did not realize that this engine was being offered in a set.

Another item that I was looking at a smoke box cover has the US dealer
quoting me a S&H charge of $30.95. for delivery to Canada. I verified with the vendor that this was indeed the S&H charge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-10-2-S-1A-STEAM-LOCO-SMOKE-BOX-COVER-AHM-RIVAROSSI_W0QQitemZ110255026771QQihZ001QQcategoryZ19129QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Must be a real smoke box cover.

Quote from: grumpy on May 27, 2008, 12:59:25 AM
DHL does not surcharge Canadian customers but most hobby shops do not use them but push UPS.  USPS has been reliable but can take up to three weeks.I had an unusual experience ; I received two orders that I had placed a week apart arrive a day apart..
I sure would like to know why the dealers have preference for UPS.
Don.

I was told by one of the hobby shop staff that they used UPS only as there was a significant savings in rates charged.

As in most cases the purchasers pay the shipping I can only assume the "savings" aspect is somehow a credit of sorts to the Hobby shop on the items they pay the S&H for - incoming stock I would assume.

Quote from: grumpy on May 26, 2008, 01:39:27 AM
I use a credit for all my purchases . That way I have recourse should something go awry. I also deal with credible dealers to give me a headstart. I live in Alberta Canada and purchase 90% of all my model railroad items from US dealers and to date have experienced no problems. I did discover to my dismay that UPS is a rip off for cross boarder shipments to Canada.
Don

Yes the UPS surcharge to Canadian purchasers is a surprise to say the least. FedEx also charges Canadians as well.

Quote from: r.cprmier on May 21, 2008, 09:13:09 PM
Sooooooooooo...When are we going to see a decent "workable" Pacific out here?   What?!!  When WHAT freezes over?

Why don't we start with a live wire and make an I-4 New Haven Pacific?  That would also eliminate my extra work...

The Olde Reprobate

Athearn (Roundhouse) will be releasing the updated old Genesis 4-6-2 soon.

If the drivetrain has been updated as indicated on their webite then I assume this engine will be a big seller. 

Both of the old Genesis 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 engines were extremely good looking engines. A bit lacking in detail but still a great start.

If Athearn/Roundhouse is re-releasing the 4-6-2 do you  think the 2-8-2 imay be next?

I will most likely purchase a few of these if they are decent running locomotives