I didn't know sound value HAD a dim function. what is it? I know f1 is dim on Bachmann standard decoders. as an aside, do those CV's work on standard ones to have both headlights on or off?

Mine has the screw fastened coupler box so I'm afraid I cannot help there but I'd guess that the best bet if it is a split frame would be to create some kind of bracket out of scraps.

Not brave enough to remotor but I've heard of people having success in that.

First off, Beautiful Engine, on of my favorites. Second of all, finicky. Early runs either worked or didn't (several came with warped pickups that shorted, many bind up). I have a sound  one atm, my other was replaced by Bachmann w/ another 2-8-0. It runs well, though it tends to stall on dirty track, something that I understand to be characteristic of sound locomotives. It also has much more trouble going in reverse than fowards for some reason.

My point is, it is a finicky locomotive but it looks amazing.

The Smokestack is held in by a screw, look down it, you'll see it. You need a small philips head to get it out though. As for the domes, I have no idea, I've tried, and failed, to find a way to remove em.

Do not Mistake my Meaning, it is a nice locomotive, had I any money I'd buy one, though by backwards I was mainly referring to the fact that the 2-8-4 carries more detail. I think the commentary mainly stems from the apparent discontinuation of the spectrum line as the number of models in it continues to drop with no additions in years. Spectrum level detail Was always preferred. I'm sure Bachmann did the market reasearch, and if they found that they would gain more from standard models,  then I do not hold it against them. Bachmann is, First and Foremost, a company.

As someone with next to no skill adding detail, My experience working on locomotives is limited to maintenance and repairs, so I'd be unlikely to be able to add separate detail. I've found that, yes, spectrum Locomotives are hard to take apart (never managed to get the 2-10-0 apart) but that isn't a huge deterrent, for ME, again, I cannot speak for the market.

All that said, again, maybe this is just me, but I'd take detail level over the soundvalue that comes in both spectrum and standard line models. The sound is nice and all (I have one, the 2-10-0) but one thing irks me, I cannot for the life of me get the chuff rate to sinc up, and STAY synced across speeds, loads and grades. This, for me, bugs me a lot.

Quote from: rogertra on June 13, 2015, 01:23:02 AM

Quote from: jonathan on June 12, 2015, 01:57:39 PM
I am looking forward to it as well.

Also, one may want to shave off the molded on piping, and install wire pipes, that sort of thing. 

Regards,

Jonathan

Seeing cast sand pipes and other piping and the seeminglack of the plate between tender and engine is a disappointment when comparing this engine to what we came to expect with the Spectrum range.

A step backwards I'm afraid.

Cheers

Roger T.

I'd have to agree with you there. Compared to the 2-8-0,2-8-2(SY), and 2-10-0 that I have, this is lacking a lot of detail. Technically my 2-8-0's are the standard version but they retained the spectrum detail.  Even the 2-8-4 that I have has separate sand pipes I think... Makes me wonder why they went even FARTHER back. Oh well.

Quote from: Trainman203 on June 09, 2015, 10:30:43 PM
I defer to those with more experience, I may have it backwards, running DC engines on a DCC layout.

Now that is 100% true, while some systems say they support a DC locomotive on address 0, it is NEVER a good idea. running DC locomotives on DCC will, sooner or later (probably sooner), burn out the Motor.

I ran DCC Locomotives on DC for years, as has Jonathan I think. Now, I never ran a sound loco on DC but I've seen it done.

Quote from: rogertra on June 08, 2015, 08:04:59 PM

Quote from: Irbricksceo on June 08, 2015, 07:41:45 PM
What we really need is a simple guide as to how to adjust CV's to smooth operation at low speeds.

If you have a more than an "entry level" DCC system, something like NCE or Digitrax, then download and install JMRI.

No need to know anything about CVs.  JMRI offers simple menus like "Select Whistle", "Adjust Chuff Rate", "Adjust Bell Volume", simple menus like that.  There's no need to know what CV you are adjusting, JMRI already knows that for multiple brands of decoders, including the ones used by Bachmann.  In fact, it even detects the make and model of decoders you are using.  Nothing could be simpler, only you must have more than and entry level system, unfortunately it will not work with Bachmann's Dynamis DCC system.   If you are using Dynamis, then you need to learn what CV do and which ones to change.

Cheers

Roger T.

I have the NCE procab. How do you connect that to JMRI? Anyway, I know most of the CV numbers, but fiddling with every possible value gets tiring real quick. The worst thing is chuff rate though. I got my 2-10-0 to sync at most speeds after spending the better part of an hour creating a custom speed curve but all that goes out the window with cars or on any non level track.

What we really need is a simple guide as to how to adjust CV's to smooth operation at low speeds.

I have mine set to B&O 3 chime I think, I rather liked the 801 whistle but the short whistle had some issues. Actually, my favorite Tsunami whistle is the CNJ 3 chime but only a full medium steam decoder has that, the built in one does not. If I ever get the money to put sound in my SY 2-8-2, that is the one I'm putting in. (Actually, that and a Reading 6 chime were the ones it has carried most frequently during its time on the Bel Del.

Wouldn't dream of it, I love how it looks (same for the 2-10-0 actually). Don't get me wrong, I get why some people Americanize em and have tons of respect for how well rogerta did on his decapods (I can't recall ever seeing pics of your SY's rich) but I adore the look of the little thing.

They do but IIRC, the Broadway Limited Decapod is a model of a PRR 2-10-0, a VERY different beast than the small russian 2-10-0. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a 2-6-6-2 (though I have no means of running one) but the models are NOT the same.

I wanted to add, a while back, while looking around for possible purchases, I saw some person on the ebays selling cars with lights, trees,  lamp posts, and other assorted scenic items for a shockingly low price, shipping from china. Having not purchased any I cannot speak to their quality however it is worth looking into.