Hi Bill,

Thanks for the suggestion. We will keep this in mind for future production runs.

By the way, the green 5 stripe does have a new number this time.  It was 4935 on the last production run.  This time it will be 4859.

Regards,

3rail

Dear Lee,

Thanks for the suggestion. 

Regards,

3rail

Dear Einar,

Your locomotive was made in the late 1980's and no repair / parts manual was every developed for these locomotives.  All of the parts that were available were exhausted almost 10 years ago. They were limited production items manufactured only once per model type.

Our current version of reverse boards will work with you loco. But we have not detail or mechanical parts for these locos. 

You can test if the loco is mechanically sound by removing the boiler  (1 screw in the from and two in the rear. ) Use a DC power pack and connect directly to the motor terminals slowly apply power to see if anything is binding.  You may be able to straighten the bent part and get it running again.

If your probelms are limited to cosmetics, you could possibly find some O scale detail parts vendors in Model Railroading classified section.

I hope that is some help.

Regards,

3rail

Hi Dominic,

I read the thread on the OGR board.  It was regarding squealing after a series wiring modification.  I have wired some locomotives in series and have not had a problem. 

The squeaking could be a number of things.  First step would be to return to the original wiring  configuration to see if that is causing the problem.  Next try the following:

1. Check to see if the flywheel is rubbing on the inside of the shell.
2. The worm gear could be rubbing on the inside of the motor mount. Remove motor from truck, remove motor mount from motor, and use a round file to enlarge the circular opening of the motor mount.  Don't over do it.
3. DO NOT OIL the Motor armature.  This was necessary with old style Lionel motors but it is not recommended for can motors.
4. Check  to make sure motors are properly seated into trucks.  After re-attaching them to the truck manually turn the flywheel to make sure the wheels on the truck turn .
5. Check for any binding parts.  A bent sideframe can contact the wheel and cause a squealing noise.  On 4 wheel trucks the sideframes are mounted on a sheet metal bolster and you can make some minor adjustments to the clearance if necessary.  Do not attempt to bend the sideframes on 6-wheel trucks, call service for a replacement part.

If all else fails send it in to our service department.

Regards

Hi Mike,

We will post them as soon as we get an approved sample. 

Regards,

3rail

Hello,

We do not have any conversion kits for two rail.  We should have some wheels without traction tires available in our service department.  The flanges are usually too big for scale track.

Regards,
3rail

Hello Mike,

They are not shipping yet.  They should be shipping sometime in the fall.

Hi Dominic,

I don't have the hardware store equivalent cross reference, but if you conatct our service department they should be able to get you a replacement.

Regards,

3rail

Hi Bruce,

The locomotives and transformer in our line are more robust than what you would expect to find in a ready to run set.  We would not be able to achieve a stater set price, even with mass production of a single style locomotive.  In addition, we had about 2 months to decide what to make for 2008, not nearly enough time to develop a starter set.  We are certainly exploring this issue for future years to come.

Regards,

3rail

All items built before 1970 had universal motors that would run on AC or DC.

Regards

Hi Dominic,

Re. The trucks.  Early versions were fixed couplers.  Then we had the Postwar style (made in Korea)  circa mid 1980's, then we had the thumbtack style 1990's to approx 2004, and about 4 years ago we redesigned it to the postwar style again.

We did not change the paint for the Texas Special.  We had two versions.  The mostly silver version was a Golden Memories Series version.

Regards

Hi Len,

The upgrade kits are not new products.  There are still dealers that have stock available.

Here is the link to the list of dealers that we had as of last year.  Search around and you may get lucky.  

http://www.williamstrains.com/HTML/FindADealer.html

Going forward, you will see Williams by Bachmann in many more stores.  

Regards

Hi Joe,

You've got mail!

Regards

Hi Joe,

I have never been asked that question before, but here are the readings off of my Fluke 73 meter.

Testing directly to the motor leads gives a reading of 27 ohms.

Testing a completely wired dual motor locomotive (with reverse board and True Blast II board installed) with the leads hooked to roller pick-up and ground gives a reading of 6.7ohms .

I hope that helps,

Regards

Dominic,

You should send all warranty cards to our Philadelphia address.

Bachmann Trains
1400 East Erie Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19124

rtraincollector,

Former Platinum Club Members will be receiving updated club info by mail.  We should be mailing them around the middle of the month.

Regards