Take a look at the NMRA's website on wiring. Scroll down the page to where a simple oval is shown. I think this is exactly what your want:

http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring

Hope this helps.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

Since you use the word 'sets,' I assume the power supplies are the ones that came with the sets. Set power supplies are designed and built to keep the cost as low as possible. They are only capable of putting out the minimum amount of power required to run the items (usually only a single engine) that are included in the set.

If you are able to run each engine separately at normal speeds, but they slow down when both on the same track, then yes, you are probably overloading the supply.

Also, these simple power supplies are equipped with a thermal overload. Frequently if these thermal overloads are tripped, they will trip at even lower current in the future. Drawing too much current (as in running two engines from a supply designed to run only one engine) will eventually trip the overload. Repeated overload trips can render the power supply useless.

There are wiring techniques that allow the use of two power supplies running individual sections of your railroad, but these are not really useful on a simple small oval. Take a look at the NMRA online stuff for more information.

And as Jerrys HO wrote above, if you run both trains on the same track / power supply, you would need to constantly monitor where they are, with no way to separate them except to remove one from the track.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

In addition to the above replies:

The latest issue of the NMRA Magazine has a very detailed article explaining how to match locomotive speeds using DCC. Note that the name for this matching is 'Consisting.'

Try borrowing a copy of that article from an NMRA member, or contact the NMRA and ask if it is available on-line, or as a reprint.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

Welcome to the hobby!

As written above, Bachmann only puts current items on their website.

The prices listed on Bachmann's website are MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price), and are heavily discounted in the real world. You need to find an on-line or local dealer to find availability and actual selling prices. I don't know of any on-line dealer charging MSRP. And these days, the brick and mortar hobby shops that charge MSRP are quickly disappearing.

Another resource in determining the current price of trains that are out of production is Ebay. Be certain to look at the auctions that have ended (meaning the price the item has actually sold for) rather than the open auctions where the seller frequently sets ridiculously high opening prices.

In general, model trains are toys, and do not appreciate in value. Recognize that these trains are mass produced in China. They are designed to be operated on our model railroads. Yesterday's hot seller is quickly outmoded by advancements in detail, technology and capability. Yes, there is always the story of someone finding a 1939 Lionel train in the attic, and selling it for $$$$$$. I am a lifetime model railroader, and have yet to meet anyone who has actually done that.

By all means, ask your questions here, but here are links to a couple of large scale train websites where there is an abundance of information on all aspects of LS trains:

Large Scale Central:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/pages/active

My Large Scale:
http://forums.mylargescale.com/portal.php?page=active_topics

BTW, A sincere thank you for your military service!

Happy (LS) Railroading,

Jerry

To add a point to the above answers:

The two 'engines' (sets of cylinders and driven wheels) were always operating independently as to rotation, whether in simple or compound mode. This means that the sound one heard could vary from 4 chuffs per revolution (when the two engines happened to be in perfect sync.) to 8 chuffs per revolution when the engines were at their maximum out of sync condition. This provided a 'blur' of steam at higher speeds.

As to actual prototype operation, when in compound made, if the first (rear) engine slipped, a large amount of its exhaust steam would suddenly go to the second (front) engine. This sudden application of a large amount of steam could then cause the front engine to start slipping, thus lowering the exhaust pressure at the rear engine, and causing it to continue slipping. This condition mostly was connected with getting a train moving from a standstill, where maximum tractive effort was required.

This was also a leading factor in the manufacturer's addition of simple mode to articulated engines. Apply the same steam to both engines and they would not trip each other into this unstable condition. Good solution, but it complicated the plumbing required and add an operational detail the the crew (engineer) had to deal with.

Stan's DCC connected sound system using two wheel sensors should provide an excellent representation of all these conditions.

Happy (Articulated Engine) RRing,

Jerry

Along the same line: The low end power supplies included in sets usually employ a very simple thermal overload contact. Once that overload is tripped, it will usually trip at a lower current the next time, and an even lower current on each subsequent trip. The bimetal strips just get weaker and weaker. This is irrespective of the time between trips.

Once that begins to happen, the only real solution is to replace the power supply. More expensive power supplies employ a much more robust overload protection, and are mostly immune from these types of nuisance trips.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

Chris:

Thanks for the update! I'm really happy to have confirmation that the On30 Annuals will continue, especially under your editorship.

Your On30 Annuals are the absolute best single source for On30 information and projects. On top of the feature articles on layouts, techniques and products, you always have numerous great practical On30 projects that create unique narrow gauge equipment. The boxcab detailed in the 2013 Annual (built from a Bachmann HO 45-ton Center-Cab) is one of my favorites! And, your focus on NG caboose building and bashing (many using Bachmann products as the starting point) has produced some really unique ideas and models. All great stuff!

Happy (On30) RRing,

Jerry

I can't pin-point the date of manufacture of your engine, but I can tell you a little about Bachmann's history:

They were very early in the plastics manufacturing business, but only started manufacturing toy train products well after WW II. They started with plastic buildings, then later began to manufacture trains. I suspect your engine is no older than the 1970s, but maybe someone will have a better date.

As to value, older mass produced trains do not have much value. The fact that they were mass produced, along with the probability that they do not run well if at all, really limits the value. Take a look at a site like EBay's completed auctions  to see what similar items are bringing.

BTW, that "5" on the packaging is actually a stylized "B" for Bachmann.

Hope this helps & Happy RRing,

Jerry

I'm not certain what you mean by "large gauge track," so this answer might not be what you are looking for.

If you mean the 45mm (1.77") track gauge most commonly used for large scale trains, that track gauge at 1:35 scale would represent a prototype gauge of 62".  There were (or perhaps still are) some 5' (60") gauge trains. These were typically in the early days when there were no 'standards' and each railroad picked the gauge that they thought best. England especially had several 5' gauge RRs in the early days.

If you are asking if the 45mm track can be used with 1:35 scale models, the track gauge would be be ~9% larger than 1:32 scale standard gauge that is typically modeled on it. Close enough for some, but way off for others!!

Happy RRing,

Jerry

Quote from: Pospete on September 29, 2014, 07:43:01 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies.  Peter, I believe we may have done business before c/o Flea bay.    Thanks Bill and Chuck too, tho Chuck I did want a Barry's Big Trains Conversion but he retired and it's not currently available.  Hope fully someone out there will carry on producing them.
          I'm just going to open it up and check the other gears, if nothing else they could do with some grease no doubt.  I'll order the new axle and all will be good.   
          I'd offer free beers all round but postage costs being what they are...............................

                    Pete

Here is a link to Barry's summary of what he is doing:

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/22251/where-have-you-been-are-you-st/view/post_id/257867

Happy RRing,

Jerry

80 feet in 1:32 scale is actually 30 inches. That is 6 inches LESS than 3 feet.

80 feet in 1:29 scale is 33.1 inches.

Jerry

Quote from: norman on August 17, 2014, 07:25:16 PM
My belief is that your move to 1:20.3 scale torpedoed largescale.

1:22.5 ( actually 1:24 with the LGB rolling stock, USA Trains narrow gauge and HLW product ) was an excellent product size for both interior and outdoor layouts.

If this were true, where are the companies producing these ". . . excellent products . . ." today? And by the way, LGB was definitely Not to Any Scale, 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:26, or otherwise, with their offerings ranging from near to 1:20, to something in the neighborhood of 1:29. Very well made toys, but most of their offerings were not and are not of much interest to scale modelers. OTH, toy train operators generally do not care about scale, so a Bachmann 1:20 offering should easily find a home with them.

Quote from: norman on August 17, 2014, 07:25:16 PM
<snip> I just deeply regret Bachmann having moved away from 1:24 scale as the 1:20.3 rolling stock and the other 1:20.3 locomotives are simply too large for my uses. The 1:20.3 diesel did not sell simply because it was far too large for even the 1:20.3 scale total converts.

I am a life-long model railroader & general train enthusiast. I only started purchasing LS items in quantity when the highly accurate Bachmann 1:20 scale Shay was produced. I have lots of Bachmann 1:20 scale stuff, including several 45 tonners, with one on standard gauge trucks. That locomotive pulls a couple of standard gauge cars. I'll probably convert another one to SG in the future. It is a highly accurate well detailed model of the original GE locomotive.

Quote from: norman on August 17, 2014, 07:25:16 PM
LGB had the correct product concept using R1 curves. Bachmann should have followed the wisdom of the LGB train founders.

Using that logic, Lionel had it right with 3 rail, 0-27 trains (my second train set at ~8 years old). It even had a whistle!

And if Bachmann had followed that wisdom, would they have gone through bankruptcy too? Would the surviving company be stuck with lots of molds and products that they have a hard time selling, with absolutely nothing new coming from them??

Norman, I really do appreciate your interest in no-scale, toy trains. That in itself is a hobby. But, the fact is that the market was demanding more to scale trains, and Bachmann (along with several other manufacturers) fulfilled that demand. As to running on R-1 curves, I actually have some R-1 curves on my RR. Engines and rolling stock are limited to four wheels in a mining scenario. I also have an LGB Unitah Mallet that will run on R-1 curves. The fact that it is of no particular scale and is seriously compromised (as a scale model) means that it is perpetually For Sale. Just not much market for those toys.

Listing things like scale, item number, new or used, etc  would help you get an answer to your question.

Your post is like saying, "My car has a broken wheel. What do I need to fix it?"

Just on the assumption that your model is H0 scale, try posting a more detailed question in the H0 scale forum below.

Happy (Well Informed) RRing,

Jerry

Kelmark55:

Here is a paragraph from Bachmann's Online Code of Conduct:

"Soliciting of products, services, or membership to organizations is not allowed. (Basically anything that is asking for payment from a forum member).  There are plenty of auction sites, and classified sites on the internet that are specially designed for this purpose, please use them. Any posts of this nature will be deleted as soon as they are discovered. Posts directing forum users such as "Check out my train for sale on ...." will also be deleted."

Add to the above responses that the GG-1's were highly specialized electric locomotives. Very few LS RRs are based on overhead electrics.

And, no manufacturer is going to make that kind of highly specialized locomotive where three other manufacturer's models already exist.

Happy RRing,

Jerry