I read somewhere that the crossing is one piece but could be cut in two.  Hang in there, The Bach-man should be in Monday and will have a better answer.

Meanwhile, here is the product page.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=176

Bob

The February 2007 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman featured  "China's...and now Iowa's...mighty QJ 2-10-2 "  (I wonder if Lanny has seen one) with huge elephant ears. 

The author/modeler flew to China to research and brought back a lump of QJ coal for authenic weathering.

Henry Posner III bought 2, with an option on 3 more, and had them delivered to the Iowa Interstate Railroad.

It's a monster.
Stats:  4,700 built, 2,980 HP,  133 tons, 59" drivers, 50 tons water... Oh Oh ..minimum radius 475'.....65" HO...that lets me out LOL.

I wish I had a scanner so I could add the color pics to my collection.  One picture is of a doublehead going over the Simingyi bridge in Inner Mongolia.  Awesome.

Bob

I'm sure you read the EZ manual, don't we all?  There are instructions on programming user-installed decoders with a low voltage test track.

I only buy Bachmann DCC equipped locos, but I agree about the Bachmann decoder. I think by using that, it will be easier to program and be DC compatible, in case you want a DC section.

Good luck
Bob

Rich
You described me precisely.  My right eye went bye-bye last year due to Macular Degeneration.  Close work with the left requires visor/mags and really bright lighting.

I actually praise the Lord for this, because in spite of the handicap, it has brought out crafting abilities I didn't know I had.  My fingers have become more sensitive and agile, and a lot of things get done by feel. 

In life you have to "roll with what's thrown at you", and I'm on a roll now. With Lanny's help and encouragement I'm even getting into super detailing. 

Initially, a guy at the hobby shop said I wouldn't enjoy and couldn't handle HO with my eyes.   He was so wrong.  No matter what, if you can dream and visualize it, you can do it. 

I use sectional track because I enjoy the wheel clack, that rhythmic tune I hear when we rail fan by the crossing.  I don't want or need sound.  Whenever my wife runs the trains she goes "Toot-Toot" and the dog starts barking.  The metal wheels "sing" in harmony, and I fall asleep on the floor. LOL   

Bob

May I post a picture of a nice "freebie" (just for postage) on the forum?  I don't want to start that "landslide" you mentioned.

Thanks
Bob

A new Super Walmart  and Walgreens opened here just before Christmas.  You can imagine the impact on the smaller stores.

Bob

Don't pay $3.00 for eight 2-56 X 5/16" machine screws.  Look for a "Fastenal" store near you or click the link.  100 bulk price is....get this...only 52 cents.  That's not each, that's total.  Other lengths vary from 2 cents to 5 cents each depending on jobber.    They just opened a new store here,  they ordered 500 various lengths for me, and no shipping if I didn't mind waiting a week for their regular freight.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=28519

To see other lengths, click (remove) on the search criteria and you can enter a new length.  They have the hard to find 1/8" length currently at $3.00 per hundred.

For those who prefer (shudder) self tappers, they have them in bulk also. 

Bob

Since Horizon bought Athearn, or whatever, they are few discounts on Athearn products.  Horizon has a website, and they will sell direct.  However, their pricing is full retail to "protect" their dealers.     

I have a dealer friend in the midwest that recently said this in an email "I refuse to sell Horizon products  at full retail or higher as Horizon has instructed me to do."  I recently ordered 4 Roundhouse vintage cars from him at $14.95 each, Horizon's price is $18.95. 

When I visited his store last summer, I asked him if he had discounts on everything.  He said "No I have to feed my family too".  But on Horizon and some other brands he tries to help out on quantities.  The retail business is tough, I've been there myself.


Bob

What really irritates me is when I go into a store and ask for something specific.  If the guy doesn't have it I get:   "You don't want that, you want this".

Anymore if a dealer says that I just say "goodbye".  I know what I want, and I want it now.   

If he says " I don't have it but can have it for you next week".  My reply is usually "If I wanted it next week, I would have come in next week".

Another  gripe is when I see the thing hanging on the wall behind the counter, but the guy says "My computer says we are out of that item".

If he says "We don't sell many of those",  I reply "How can you sell them if you don't have them". 

Biggest complaint:  Ask for a pair of  34-34 jeans.  "We're out of them, they are the most popular size".  But they have 500 of them in size 54.   We have to even order our clothing on the internet. 

Now this is way off topic, but when we built our house the guy selling us the cabinets said there was a problem.  To have the appliances where we wanted, there would be a 12" empty space in the cabinets.  I asked him if they made a 12" unit , and he said yes they did  "Well, stick it in there."    I was considering another destination for the cabinets.

Bob

GN
Please read paragraph 6 in my post LOL

Good idea about having 2 gauges.  However I just move the gauge instead of rotating the car.   

Another essential tool is the Kadee trip pin plier. Since I don't use magnets, I bend the glad hand up a bit before assembling the coupler.   

I do have 2 of the reamers, those little suckers have a habit of getting misplaced.

I'm surprised that Mantua still uses the Talgo trucks, however I'm not complaining.  For the cost of  metal wheelsets, couplers  and a bit of work, they are a bargain at $8.00. 

It is a quick drop in fix on cars with molded in boxes, however the box is not as smooth as the Kadee replacement.  If I experience the slightest binding, I cut or grind off the box and use the complete 148 assembly. 

Bob

Jeff
I have rebuilt/converted about 100 various cars, using the Kadee #148 Whisker and box assembly. For me it's a bit easier to assemble.

I bought a bunch of the Mantua vintage coaches as you described with truck mounted couplers, they are easy to upgrade.

Take the shell off and remove the weight. From the inside  remove the snap in truck with a small screwdriver or narrow pliers.   Cut off the coupler extension and  the snap post and file down to a flat plate.  Round the plate where you cut off the old coupler. Then fill the 2 holes with styrene rod.  The holes vary in size with different models, but usually 1/8" works.  Let glue dry thoroughly. Trim and sand  rods down to the plate. Drill exact center of plate with 1/16", then enlarge with 3/32" and you now have a usable truck.

For the bolster, drill out the snap in hole by hand  to 3/16" working from the inside.  I have a small Jacobs chuck from an old drill that makes a good hand drill vise.  Glue in a short piece of 3/16" styrene tubing and let dry. Glue a piece of 1/8" tubing inside that.  File or sand tubes  down to original bolster flat.  I use 1/2" to 3/4" long pieces and let the tubes stick up inside above the floor. This gives more length for secure bolting.  Drill holes in the weight to clear the tubes.

Barely run a 2-56 tap in the center tube, just enough to start a bolt. Don't tap all the way as the hole is a bit larger than required for a full thread tapping, just let the bolt make the threads.  Ideally the bolt should be a bit hard to turn so you can precisely adjust truck swivel.

Line up the 148 box with the end, drill a 1/16" hole in the floor, tap for 2-56 and fasten with a bolt. Set on track and check coupler height with Kadee height gauge.  It will be close, you may have to shim under the box with washers or styrene. 

If it is off, I prefer the coupler to be too high, which just requires adding small pieces of  .010 styrene to the floor bottom.  If the coupler is too low, then you have to shim between the truck and bolster with Kadee shims.  They have 2 sizes,  .010 and .015 .

Ream the axle journals and install Kadee 33" metal wheelsets

To convert other cars, I have found that for most trucks ,  if the level of the bolster is 3/16" lower than the bottom of the floor, you will be very close to coupler gauge height. 

If you have any problems, or my instructions aren't clear, send me a mail and I'll send some photos of the ones I've done.

Bob

Gene
I have a couple of dealer friends in Kansas that give me fair discounts on items Tower doesn't carry.  For example, $49 for a Roundhouse car set listed at $69 at Horizon.   I'll check around for you.  Is there a particular item you want?

These dealers also now have mail order and are competing quite well. 

When I had a business in Kansas City, there was a huge hobby shop one block away. Guess where I spent my lunch hour?  "Let's see, how can I add this as a business expense"......

Bob

Hi Alex
Your board looks good.  I just question whether it is appropriate to solicit members using this board as a source, or to continually report your progress by the numbers.  One announcement should suffice. Just my viewpoint, others may differ.

Since you are 13, you might attract new young people into the hobby and that's great.  I think the Bach-mann has been very gracious so far for that reason. 

I assume you have considered the responsibilities and work involved.  Good luck with your new venture. 

Yampa Bob

We are modeling a western dude ranch and can't find any suitable buildings.  We would like to have a large "great house" like the Ponderosa on Bonanza,  realistic log cabins for guests, stables, barns without silos, equipment sheds (modern Butler style, not the old quonsets), etc.

Any thing in the works for new items that would fit our theme?

I have a suggestion...HO scale version of the old wooden Lincoln Logs in various lengths.  You have a log cabin, but we want the more modern square cut timbers. The pieces could be molded in wood grain styrene and painted, or premolded in light wood colors.   

Thanks
Yampa Bob

I keep seeing references to "expert", "serious", "knowledgeable", "professional", etc. 

It seems today that when someone has an opinion, they have to call up a great army of third parties to support their preferences.  Why can't people just state their preferences and let others decide for themselves.   That's the problem with the world today, everyone thinks their way should be the only way.  Last I heard this is still a free country.

I am extremely serious about my modest railroad, very knowledgeable, but will never call myself an  "expert" because things are constantly changing. 

If someone says "I prefer Code 83 because I like the way it looks",  that's fine, that doesn't degrade or belittle my preferences.  Notice I used terms like "fine scale modelers" and "discerning modelers", "insightful" and "perceptive".   In other words I respect other's choices and opinions.  But opinions are like (rear ends), everyone has one.

This hobby is supposed to be fun.  I thoroughly enjoy my layout, even if it is "substandard" and  not "correct". 

Yampa Bob