I saw the Grizzly Flats coach and combine with the pre-production model at the ECLSTS.  Beautiful set.  I may have to add it to our roster.

I'm late to this party, but I can offer some advice on the temporary style railroad you're planning. 

I built a railroad using brick pavers as the base.  At that time, all I had were 8' diameter and some 10' diameter curves, a 3 Amp power supply, and 2' straight sections.  The railroad worked fine the first few times I used it.  However, the bricks settle a bit, and really don't offer a great base for the trains. I did not screw the joints together, and it took about 20-30 minutes of work to get a train to run.  Another time, I used pieces of wood screwed to the bottom of one section of track.  I'd slide the other section in to make the connection.  This arrangement worked better as it kept the joint firmly together. I think I was using 1 x 6" wide pine.  I didn't treat it, and after a while, I discarded it. The nice thing about that arrangement was I could verify the joints were together and the track was above the grass.

I have constructed a few garden railroads over the years.  My latest efforts follow the advice of the others here: get the widest curves you can, and the longest straight sections to reduce the number of joints!! Unless you decide to go battery power, in which case, the options for track open up quite a bit.

Have fun!

Mark

I'd also recommend keeping the second locomotive.  You can paint it a different scheme, too!

Yardmaster,

This is a regular DC locomotive. 

I popped off the fuel tank, removed the screws.  BTW- I don't know if anyone has ever commented, but the fuel tank makes a perfect screw holder!!
Slowly separated the metal pieces and discovered that one of the motor leads had fallen off.  I checked the motor using alligator clips, no problems.
Quick soldering job and it's good to go.

While I was in there, I also greased the brass worm gear and the drive gears with some LGB gear grease.  Buttoned it all back up and gave it a quick test, everything is OK.

Also, the extra wire is nice.  I've had a few G scale locomotives where you run out of wire when you're trying to trouble shoot....

Hello Bachmann and board members,

I have a brand new GP-38-2 that was purchased this past Saturday that suddenly stopped running.  The lights still come on, but I do not hear any motor trying to turn.  

How do I remove the shell to determine if a wire fell off or if the motor seized?  I discovered that the dynamic brake blister is removable revealing a PCB board.  

The road name is New England Central, road number 3848.  I am using a Tech II Locomotion 1500 power supply, and other locomotives (including other Bachmann) run fine.  I have a short train (5 cars) behind this locomotive.

This is my son's locomotive (he's and I was running it at about 25% of full power.  Nice and slow.  Maybe it was too slow? Anyway, I'd like to see if it is possible to check before sending it in for repair.

Advice?

Thanks,

Mark

I had a chance to see these new engines in person over the weekend and I am really impressed!!

Are there plans to release this locomotive with EZ App controls?  Or is it possible that you can make EZ App retrofit kits available?  (Please consider these for G scale, too.)

Wow!

All three models look fantastic!! I didn't expect the horizontal bar pilot on the E&P version!  I still love that Grizzly Flats RR version.

Chris,

If it is a 2mm screw, that's what the now-closed Aristo-craft used, and I assume what USA Trains uses too for their track.

I replied to your other post, but on the topic of track and planning, for an outdoor set up, use the widest radius curves you can.  8' diameter should be the minimum so that you'll be able to operate about 95% of the rolling stock that has been made over the years.

Hello CRB,

I've seen EJ on Tracks Ahead and that seems like an amazing large scale model train display.  Certainly, you will find a lot of inspiration there. You might also want to check out the more recently published Garden Railway Basics by Kevin Strong (who also posts on here from time to time). 
http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Railway-Basics-Books/dp/0890248354


What I have found is that what works perfectly for one railroader is the completely wrong thing for another.  It really is a highly personalized hobby with the only true common denominator being the desire to play with bigger trains. Stealing the line from Hershey's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups advertisement, there's no wrong way to do G scale.

As for purchasing trains from a brick and mortar: You might find pricing a little bit better on line, but you also should get something for your time when you buy at a shop.  Specifically, service and the ability to inspect the equipment prior to purchase for any broken parts, etc..  Also, these trains are large and shipping costs (and potential damage from shipping) need to be factored in.  G Scale Junction is another shop that is a brick and mortar with an online presence.  They're in Ohio somewhere. 

You should also try and get to the East Coast Large Scale Train SHow (ECLSTS) in York, PA.  That's a g-scale only show and has been a great place to meet up with other large scalers and find good deals.

I like the 1/22.5 passenger coaches because they match my LGB 3080 series coaches, and generally work within my parameter of 'does it look about right with the rest of my equipment?'. 

That ballast spreader could be a cool item, too!  Didn't someone make one of those out of 4" piece of PVC pipe a few years back? Thought I saw it in GR.

Wow, lots of cool stuff in the smaller scales. 

Big Hauler passenger cars are nice compliments for the upcoming Spectrum Mogul re-issues. Makes sense to build trains for the locomotives to pull.

I don't think I've ever seen Eureka and Palisades passenger cars made.  Should make a nice compliment for the E&P locomotives out there.

And here is a definitive work on the L, O&S.  I've seen this book in the RR Museum of PA's gift shop. Read a few of the images, it's got a lot more information in it than just some equipment.

http://www.amazon.com/Railroad-Timetables-Documents-Pennsylvanias-Railroad/dp/B00ECFLXLE/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=03SPT03KAMED9DHWF5K1

Given this small railroad used 4-4-0 equipment, you could, if you were so inclined, obtain a Spectrum 4-4-0 and modify it to match the photos.  The Spectrum 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 are great locomotives based on 1876 models built by Baldwin.  The revised 2-6-0s' are due to be released in the near future.

Fantastic!

This will be a great engine, from the sound of things. 

Is this locomotive to be fitted with metal gears?