Agree.  I ordered one just in case.  When I bought my Connie it arrived broken so sent it to Bachman and they repaired for free, but since that was a few years back, I'm sure it was repaired with another plastic.  The cost of this gear plus shiiping is cheap insurance in case I need it in the future versus being out of stock, or worse never made again.  Since I'm just now getting close to getting track finished, I have not had the chance to run any of my engines many hours.  That will be the real test.

Wire around is on the GIRR site for Climax.  I was just trying to understand the issue before I did it.  Thanks for the explanation.

I've got one of the original Climax engines and am in the process of wiring it for RC. I've been reading the stuff on GIRR and am confused on the power and springs. As I see it, from the factory, each truck takes power from track thru the wheels and sends it to the motor directly thru that U strap.  I see how the spring/plunger gets power, but where does it go?  I assume to the ash pan, smoke unit and lights.  I would assume they don't pull much power, as compared to the motor.  So why are springs in the plungers getting so hot as to melt plastic, turn color and eventually fail.  Obviously I'm missing something big here.

Guns are needed for doing track jumpers. 

was there ever an update / video on this?

As I recall there are 2 screws at the front of the bunker then you have to rock it back as the back is held onby hook style clips.

Gonna go out today or tomorrow.  Sending you the two Santa bandy dancers.  One is the older belt drive style and one is the newer direct motor. 

Gray one or Christmas one?  Might be interested.

Yes, very interested.

That is exactly what I was talking about.

I have an older set of passenger cars that have the plastic handrails and 9 volt battery compartment, but do have metal wheels.  Is there a kit available to upgrade these?

Yes, as I recall one of my very old ones that no longer works had a belt drive in it.  It also had trailing car power pickup with the tow bar having flat metal strips to transfer the power instead of wires.  And as with all of them, it didn't last long before it died.

Just out of curiosity, what were the real world grades mentioned above that they encounter that resulted in only being able to pull one car.  Seems that would have drastically hurt profitability on a line.

I have a first gen Shay and its like 8 inch clearance as I recall. Is that the tallest bachmann?  Working on an over/under and trying to decide clearance. Doubt I would ever run anything like the Big Boy and not even sure on its height requirements.

Mine wasn't the motor, but split gears. I know you can get replacements, but for the cost to end up the same.  Don't think I'd be a taker.