Try Model Train Stuff

]/quote]The new packaging Bachmann chose is no way as resilient to damage as the old packaging with the foam inserts.

I have had a number of Bachmann engines arrive with the new packaging with parts knocked off or minor damage. For the broken parts Bachmann has been great with the replacement parts, once notified.
I note that the competition still uses foam in their packaging.

[/quote]

I agree completely. I've had one locomotive arrive damaged. It had to be returned and four cars that I was able to fix my self. Two had trucks knocked off(an easy fix) and two had damaged couplers(fortunately I keep spares). It's getting old though.

Added comment

I have had problems with other manufacturers cars as most all use very similar packaging.  But all others locomotives arrived packed in foam and  un-damaged. Nor did any of the foam packed Bachmann locomotives.

quote author=simkon link=topic=14934.msg119973#msg119973 date=1290541935]
HO trains should not be run underneath live Christmas trees, because of debris and needles falling from the tree the track will get dirty very quickly, the needles and debris will likely block the track and cause a derailment, and the debris can get inside the locomotive and damage it. Secondly HO trains on the floor is also not a good idea especially if you have pets and small children or if you are setting up on a carpeted area. HO trains are much more fragile than O scale trains, so pets and small children can be detrimental because they may accidentally be stepped on or knocked over or become your pet's new favorite toy. It is best not to use any trains smaller than O scale under a Christmas tree, and G scale if it is a live Christmas tree.
[/quote]

I completely missed the part about "under  the Christmas Tree".
I remember, when we were young, our parents gave my brother and I an S -gauge American Flyer set for Christmas.
They put it up under the tree, but would not let us run it until it was moved to the table dad had built.
I'm sure HO and tree needles would not be very compatible. We had a dog, but he stayed away from the tree.
I was also wondering about HO for a 5 year old. HO has pretty small parts. I think the key there is supervision.

I would very strongly recommend against setting up HO track up on carpet.
Keeping the track level is just the beginning of the problems.
Fibers from the carpet are bound to get into the locomotives. Potential real problems.

My recommendation would be to go with plywood, however,  I have used 3/4" foam sheet which I painted to seal it.

Will

I have two layouts. One 6 X 10 with which I am using the Bachmann Dynamis and a 5 X 8 layout on which  I am using the NCE PowerCab.

I prefer the NCE PowerCab, but the power output limits the size of the layout more than the Dynamis.

So, if your initial layout is fairly limited, I would recommend the NCE PowerCab. If you decide to expand, you can always

add the Smart Booster(SB 3a). My larger layout is a conversion from DC and at the time the SB 3a did not exist.

The PowerCab will read CV's and the Dynamis will not. The PowerCab programing is more user friendly.

The PowerCab will also accommodate control and programing with a laptop computer.

The biggest plus for the Dynamis(other than more power) is that is is wireless. The PowerCab is tethered.

They are very close in price.

Hope this helps.

Take a look at "HO Yard Sale" group in the Yahoo Groups.

It might meet your needs.

Would this be any thing like what you have?


http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/bachmannhoscaleaccessoriesandkits/id51.html

You didn't say which number he was calling on.

I have found calling the direct number for Customer Service is much better.

The 800 number seems to get swamped.

Will

Quote from: richd286 on August 28, 2010, 08:16:02 AM
Hi Will,

I have never observed the fault to occur with anyone one locomotive.  Pressing the stop button does not restore the turnout.  I have to power down and up.  I can select anyone of the six and it will work fine. but when I move to select another switch,  there is no response.

I have 6 Bachmann DCC locos (high and low end) and all work very well.   

Rich

This is the closest thing to what was occurring on your layout that I have ever had happen.

Like I said, it was worth a try.  Maybe someone else can come up with a another idea.

Will

I have my Dynamis set up the same way. I turn it on and off with the switch on the power(surge protector) bar.

I have experienced something similar, but,  as it turned out,  it had nothing to do with turning the power on and off.

When I run a particular locomotive through one particular turnout(I have four), it(the turnout) then quits responding.

I found that by pressing the Emergency Stop button and releasing it clears the problem, until the next time I run the

same locomotive through the same turnout.

So, my question is:  Does this occur when you are running one or two particular locomotives?

If you have several different locomotives, try them one at a time and see what happens.

Your's may be a completely different situation, but it's worth a try.


Will

Quote from: richd286 on August 24, 2010, 11:38:15 AM
What are the possible reasons that turnouts do not respond to the Dynamis controller after they have been programmed.

If you are still reading this thread and if you can provide me with a little more information, I will try and help.

Are you using the basic Dynamis or have you added to it?  Booster, computer connection,etc.

What brand of DCC Turnouts do you have?

Have you had any other problems with your Dynamis. Display, dropped locos, dropped settings, etc?

Are the Turnouts programmed lost or do they just not respond? I read your post as they remain programmed, but just no

longer respond.

Will

Quote from: Hunt on August 25, 2010, 02:43:21 PM
My question was to try to establish a troubleshooting starting point.

I understand that.

Hawaiiho don't read anything into my question. Thanks for advising you can turn your Dynamis system on and off and still use the Dynamis to control your Bachmann factory decoder equipped turnouts. (If you are not using Bachmann factory decoder equipped turnouts then what?)

Mine are all Bachmann DCC turnouts. Someone using other makes of DCC Turnouts will have to address that issue.


What address have you programmed to each of your turnouts?

I am using 4,5,6,& 7 for my DCC Turnouts.


The only problem that I have is one that seems to be common to the Dynamis and the Bachmann DCC Turnouts. . The displayed direction is reversed.

Quote from: Hunt on August 24, 2010, 03:34:34 PM
?? The issue occurs when power is turned on after the power has been turned off Dynamis ??

Re-address all the turnouts, I surmise all the Bachmann decoder equipped turnouts work until you power off and back on.  Correct?

Could you please provide more detail on how this occurs when the Dynamis is turn off, then back on?

I have several DCC turnouts.

I have had my Dynamis for more than a year. I turn it on and off several times a day and have never had this happen.

Have I just been lucky, OR, have I been doing something right without even knowing. >gr<

I strongly suggest calling Bachmann Customer Service prior to sending the units. They are very nice folks and more than willing

to assist their customers.

Describe each unit and it's  problem(s) and they will give you your options(repair, replace, etc.) and any charges.

I had no problem at all shipping several units at a time.

I was instructed to include a letter summarizing our telephone discussion and a check for the total amount required. 

One additional comment. They are very busy, so be prepared to be patient.

Turn the turnout  and the small connection section over and you will see how it is scored to fit them together.