As hard as it is to believe, Bachmann's classic dual crossing gate operating accessory is 40 years old this year!


It was first introduced in 1976, when Bachmann first began to get into action accessories (to compete with rival companies like AHM, Life-Like and TYCO at the time.)

Over the years, it's gotten a few cosmetic updates, such as a more realistically-green base, nickel-silver rails, prototypical colors for the crossing signals and gates, and the ability to easily connect to E-Z Track. (Bachmann didn't start making an E-Z Track version of the crossing gate until 1997.)
Bachmann also made another version in the 80s and 90s that came equipped with a flashing lights and bell sound, but it wasn't very good (the lights would strobe together unrealistically and the bell would ding too fast with a grinding motor sound), and it was discontinued by the late 90s.

We have a couple of them set up on our big HO-scale train layout at the hobby shop I volunteer at, and even with the unrealistic bouncing gate problem, they still attract attention, and the owner will order some to sell to his customers! And visually they look pretty neat (especially since we live in an area where most railroad crossings have gated signals, due to the MBTA operating commuter trains through here.)

Just felt like sharing this interesting Bachmann milestone.

Quote from: Len on July 11, 2016, 11:42:39 PM
Another short term option for replacing truck mounted horn-hooks are the knuckle couplers by Life-Like. They have the small mounting hole, like most truck mounted horn-hooks, so are a direct replacement. They come in packs of 2-pair, P/N 433-1436 https://www.walthers.com/magnetic-knuckle-coupler-2-pair , and 10-pair, P/N 433-1427. They let you switch a lot of truck mounted couplers quickly, and cheaply. So you can take your time learning the skills to convert to body mounts.

Kadee also makes the #212 Talgo Adapter, http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page212.htm , for installing their couplers in truck mounted coupler pockets.

While it does simplify switching operations, even after converting them to knuckle couplers, staying with the truck mounted couplers will still leave you with issues when running a train in reverse. So long term, you'll want to switch to body mounts.

Len

Yep, I've used both the Life-Like knuckle couplers, and the Kadee talgo truck adapters (though with E-Z Mate couplers). They're pretty good for replacing couplers on Life-Like rolling stock and certain locomotives, and they work pretty well with old AHM and TYCO rolling stock as well. Sure, I have a lot of "older" stuff on my layout (like a lot of older Life-Like, AHM and TYCO rolling stock), but I prefer knuckle couplers over the old funny-looking horn-hooks. If I get a locomotive or piece of rolling stock I plan to run on the layout and it has horn-hook couplers, I always replace them with knuckle couplers before using them on the layout.

Yeah, working signals would be a pretty good idea. As for how I model my railroad, it's because in my area, the freight trains passing through are local, so I mostly base my freight trains off that, except the real freights where I live are CSX, and I model the BNSF Railway. Plus, since I use 18"-radius curves on my layout (due to space reasons), local freights are easier to model, along with passenger trains with 72-scale-foot rolling stock (like the old Athearn, Con-Cor, Life-Like and TYCO 72-foot Amtrak cars), although while those cars may not be that prototypical, I prefer to have a more prototypical locomotive pull the cars (like an Amtrak F40PH or P42 Genesis diesel.)

Quote from: Trainmaster247 on March 23, 2016, 12:58:25 PM
Pretty nice layout, defnitely more of the fun than ops style. What control do you use? DC or DCC

I use DCC, to be exact, Bachmann's E-Z Command. I got it as the pack that comes with a decoder-equipped locomotive, in this case, a BNSF GP40-2, as I was basically upgrading an existing layout (it originally was analog/DC until a month after I began operating it.) Next month will mark two years since I moved up to DCC. It's much more interesting than analog train operation, I will say. I also have quite a few more DCC locomotives now, compared to when I first began using the E-Z Command system.
The E-Z App system is also very interesting. Once BlueRail Trains makes their plug-in Bluetooth decoder available next month, I'm going to buy one, along with a DCC-ready Amtrak locomotive (either another Athearn "Genesis" P40/P42, or a Walthers Mainline F40PH) and install the decoder into it so I can run an Amtrak train via Bluetooth as well!

Quote from: jbrock27 on January 22, 2016, 06:42:38 AM
Do you always like to run your trains fast?

Not too fast; I usually try to go for an even, medium speed. I often run passenger trains a bit faster than freight trains, as I usually see passenger trains travel faster than freight trains.

But here are some more updates, now that I've also been to the March 2016 Greenberg Train and Toy Show in Wilmington MA...


Updating the firmware in my Bluetooth-equipped Bachmann GP35. This also removed the problem with the noticeable hum caused by the decoder when operating, and also allows for better slow-movement operation.


The latest version of Bachmann's blinking oil storage tank, equipped with an LED light! I'm thinking of painting the tank to resemble the Rainbow Swash tank in Boston.


Walthers Trainline CSX hopper car. I thought I'd get this to support the freight railroad that runs through my hometown of Brockton MA.

I thought when it meant "3 air horns," it meant that you had three variations of the same horn: short, long, and railroad crossing sequence (two long, one short and one long.)

Oh yes, that "dual crossing gates with flashing lights and bell" from the 80s and 90s was SO cheesy. In fact, in the early 80s, Bachmann's arch rival TYCO made a slightly better version that used a single gateless crossing signal on the base, with a loading dock next to the signal. Inside the loading dock was a mechanical clockwork-operated bell that would be activated by the pressure of the train (similar to the crossing gate), and you would wind up the mechanism with a knob hidden underneath a crate. As the bell would ding, it would hit contacts that would cause the crossing lights to flash on and off. They would alternate, but they would do it rather fast, and again, the bell was rather high-pitched, but at least it didn't have an annoying motor noise. Still a lot more realistic anyways, and a much improved crossing than Bachmann's attempt.


I am actually thinking of modifying my TYCO crossing gate with LEDs in the signal, hooked up to a crossing signal controller.


If I build a new layout in the future using E-Z Track, I will probably use the E-Z Track crossing gate and modify that as well with LED flashers.
I do think it'd be a good idea if Bachmann made realistic scale-model flashing crossing signals, though!

On my HO train layout, I set up an isolated siding designed for parking an analog locomotive while using my E-Z Command system. I used a single terminal rail joiner and a plastic insulation joiner on one of the rails, connected to an Atlas "Connector" switch that is wired to the terminal connections that go from my E-Z Command unit to the tracks (I use Atlas Code-100 nickel-silver snap-track with terminal joiners.) What I also did was put a Life-Like lighted nickel-silver bumper track section on the end of the siding, so I can easily tell whether it's powered on or not without looking at the switch.

Digital technology has made it's mark even more with my model railroad layout...


Yup, I got one of Bachmann's new E-Z App Bluetooth locomotives! Naturally, I went with the BNSF GP35.


Look at that detailing! I believe this is because the Bachmann originally introduced the GP35 as a "Bachmann Plus" diesel locomotive, hence the slightly better-detailed shell than, say, their GP40 or FT diesels.


Here I am controlling it with my iPod Touch 5G. It runs really well, even on areas where the track often needs to be cleaned (they say this is a big advantage with Bluetooth locomotives like these.)
Bachmann says an Android version of the E-Z App will come out soon; when it does, I can install it on my Samsung Galaxy smartphone!

Here's a video of it in action...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8R_A6rfwwA

Quote from: jbrock27 on January 18, 2016, 04:47:17 PM
You do anything yet with those filled in step rails?  Buy anymore freight cars like that?  Do you like rolling stock with molded in roof walks?

Yeah, sometimes I don't mind them. It might just be me, but when it comes to separate details like those, I usually seem to prefer them on locomotives rather than freight cars. Older rolling stock (from firms like AHM, Bachmann, IHC, Life-Like, TYCO, etc.) can still be run very well today, especially if the horn-hooks are replaced with knuckle couplers, and with a bit of weathering and any separate details that can be added if desired, they'd look amazing. Though at one time, those companies did offer un-prototypical colors (remember TYCO's crazy boxcars and hopper cars with logos like Baby Ruth, Kellogg's, Old Dutch Cleanser, Pepsi, Jell-O, etc?) I do have a few, but mostly for collecting purposes; for running on my layout, I prefer rolling stock of prototypical railroads and such. For a while, I had a train on my layout that, aside from the locomotive (usually a modern Bachmann or Walthers one) and caboose (again, Bachmann or Walthers), all the rolling stock was TYCO!

BTW, I just ordered one of those Bluetooth "E-Z App" locomotives; not surprisingly, I went for the BNSF GP35. If that all goes well, maybe I'll get the Santa Fe FT or RS-3 as well. I seem to also recall hearing somewhere Bachmann will be making plug-in E-Z App Bluetooth decoders for use in DCC-ready locomotives. If that's the case, I can then probably have myself a nice Bluetooth-equipped Amtrak locomotive! (either an F40PH or a "Genesis" P42.)

First updates of 2016!


A Walthers Trainline Santa Fe boxcar I got for Christmas.


I also got this Life-Like container flatcar recently. Surprised I never had one of these yet!


Winter break is over, and the school is back in session...


I had put some more new figures on the farm.



I've been installing a bit more fencing for one of the houses and the library. It's a Bachmann picket fence kit. Bachmann has been making it since the '80s.



A couple action shots of one of the freight trains on my layout.


The current consist for this freight train, pulled by a Bachmann blue/yellow Santa Fe GP40.
I may soon be getting one of those E-Z App Bluetooth-controlled locomotives; probably the BNSF GP35.

I'm planning on getting one of those E-Z App locomotives for my layout; probably the BNSF GP35.

Quote from: jbrock27 on December 24, 2015, 07:25:45 AM

Yes, I know they were.  Do you like them looking like that?  Did you know you can change the look?

I'm planning to weather many of them soon.

Anyways, here's some Christmas updates!
Here are some Christmas Day updates!


Last night, Santa Claus was sighted preparing to climb down this chimney, except there was no sleigh anywhere. So what's going on? Some say it really was Santa, but he didn't use his sleigh this year due to very little places getting snow this Christmas. And other say it's the father of the family living in that house, dressed up as Santa to go down the chimney and put the presents under the tree!


One of the things I got for Christmas this year were a few of these wind turbines for the train layout. I got three, but so far I might just stick one or two on the layout.



I also got some sidewalks that I have laid in the downtown area!


Another angle of the wind turbines. Unfortunately, they won't stay up on their own, even if I tried gluing them onto the platform. They fell over after I took this pic; I will find another way to keep them standing.


The stock pen with a couple of the new Walthers Scenemaster farm people figures I got.


The Christmas train passing through town, of course...

Quote from: jbrock27 on December 23, 2015, 08:02:39 PM
I had asked if your Mehano car had filled in step rails.

Yeah it does; sorry I didn't initially respond. Those freight cars were meant to be kind of lower-end, as they were also included in the later TYCO train sets when they began using Mehano-made equipment. (Early 90s TYCO sets could come with Mehano's EMD F9, Alco FA, C430 or even C628, while their Chattanooga set used a modified Mikado 2-8-2 with the front and back trailing wheels removed to make an 0-8-0.)

Some more updates, in time for the holidays!

The train station has its' Christmas roof added...


I've placed the town tree near the church...


And my Christmas train is all set up!


Here's a neat sight; my steam-powered Christmas train passes a modern Amtrak train; something you probably wouldn't see in real life!


The Amtrak train stopping at the Christmas-decorated train station.


Just another shot of the residential area...


A shot of one of the BNSF freight trains waiting for the Christmas train to pass.


People waiting at the crossings are definitely surprised to see live reindeer in the stock car!