Quote from: jbwilcox on October 24, 2015, 03:32:58 PM
Are the Peco turnouts with electrofrogs DCC compatible?

What about Atlas turnouts?  Are they also DCC compatible?

It looks like Atlas has a greater variety of switches in Code 83 HO track.

Any turnout is "DCC Compatible" if you wire it correctly. The electrofrogs require all metal wheels to be in gauge, and the two frog rails to have insulated joiners. I have a few friends who use them exclusively on their DCC layouts with no issues. I plan on using all electrofrogs as well, and I have them on my mini layout. There is misinformation out there that these can't possibly be used on DCC layouts since they are not "DCC compatible." They work fine and are vastly superior in my opinion, because of the power routed frog.

Atlas turnouts are usable without any modification or thought behind wiring. They have a large enough frog area that the Porters may stall if the frog is not powered with a relay or switch.

Micro Engineering and Peco each make On30 track and turnouts as well. Peco is code 100 only and they offer one type of turnout and a wye. Micro Engineering offers code 100, 83, and 70, but only #5 turnouts.

There is no right or wrong answer! Enjoy!

Scott

I use Peco HO because of Troels Kirk's layout. His reasoning was the Peco turnouts require no wiring for switch machines (my biggest positive!), the frogs are powered (with electrofrogs), they were readily available, and they came in multiple configurations including curved turnouts and wyes.

Here's a 30 inch gauge shay. Looks more like HO track to me than anything else.

Quote from: p51 on October 08, 2015, 06:35:15 PM
Thanks for the listing, I had no idea you could change all that stuff.
I was confused on changing the whistle, though. At the top of the ten-wheeler listing, it says which # is for which type of whistle, but I don't see which CV you input for that.

CV115

Quote from: p51 on October 08, 2015, 11:55:55 AM

Quote from: Yardmaster on October 07, 2015, 02:35:46 PM
It is possible to change the sound volumes with a standard DCC controller. Bachmann engines that come with factory installed sound also come with a choice of whistles that can be accessed with a DCC controller.

Okay, are there instructions somewhere on how to do that?

http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM_pages/bachmann/bachmann.php

I highly recommend using JMRI to program any decoder, but there is the list of CVs you can access. CVs discussed in this thread are 115 and 128-146.

Scott

What parts are you looking for? I believe most of the parts for the 2-4-4-2 also work with the 2-6-6-2.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_71_667

Scott

Waiting patiently as well. I'm thinking Friday.

Scott

Elmer's white glue seems to work just fine for me. All other suggestions are very good as well.

Scott

I just had this happen to mine. I already had the new gears so mine turned out to be a motor issue.

First you need to figure out if it is a gear or motor issue (or something else). I would disconnect the drive shafts so the wheels run freely, then put it on the track and run the motor (obviously the loco will not move, but the motor should run.) If the motor runs fine, then it is likely the gears. Send an email to the Bachmann parts department for free replacements.

If the motor is the problem, you have two options, given that you are out of your 1 year warranty. First (easy) - send it back to Bachmann - they will repair, or more likely replace the shay for $55. (My understanding is they are running low on new shay stock and are being resupplied around December. I was also told the parts to replace the motor are not currently in stock.) Second, there is a seller on eBay who sells the motor mechanism for about the same amount ~$55. Just search for "on30 Shay motor." (Actually I don't see any at this moment but I believe the seller is "sooo-much-stuff".)

Good luck. I was told there is a resupply of locos arriving in December with all new tooling and gearing and hopefully these issues will finally be over.

Scott

I just wanted to publicly show appreciation for Bachmann's service department. Today I received a call less than 48 hours after Bachmann received my broken engine to let me know it had been repaired and all the testing they did to ensure its continued operation. I wish I would have asked the gentleman's name, but he was most pleasant to talk to.

As frustrating as it is to have to send something in, it's nice to hear a friendly voice on the other end. It's not my first dealing with the service department - it hasn't always gone this smoothly - but most of us are quick to pass blame when something doesn't go right. So I wanted to pass along my very good experience.

Much appreciated,
Scott

Sedfred,

In what part of the country are you mowing lawns? There have to be some model railroaders nearby that would pay handsomely for a nice lawn and a modeling friend!

Welcome to the hobby and best of luck with your search!

Scott

Wow, great site canpac. Thanks for sharing that.

Scott

Still broken by the way. The Update Account button doesn't do anything. Tried multiple computers and OSs. This is in the Parts and Service section of the site.

Scott

For G scale track, I polish the rail tops with a very small amount of Mother's Mag Polish.

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101.html#&slider1=18

Scott

In my experience, I've sent in the engine. When Bachmann finally gets to it (couple of weeks) they have called to let me know my options. At that point, they accept a credit card for any payment.

I'm sure you could also send in a money order as stated above, but I've always waited for the call.

Either way, I've always had good experiences with the service department, and have a loco there right now.

Scott

In the Parts, Service & Information part of this site, I am unable to update any info under "My Account." I am sending in an item for repair and wanted to update with my new phone number, but clicking on the "Update" icon doesn't do anything.

Just FYI...

Firefox 33.1.1 Mac OSX 10.9.5 if it matters.

Scott