Apologies if this has already been posted, but you could spend days on this site:

http://www.hoseeker.net/

Scott

I asked this same question a while ago:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,20020.0.html

I've bought all the 27099 unlettered boxcars I can find, and have a grand total of 3. The new shorty ones are neat and all, but my layout is built for the bigger engines, and I just don't envision them looking quite right behind a 4-6-0. 

Thus the dilemma for Bachmann. A lot of On30ers like the smaller, quaint items that will fit in a small layout. Then you have people like me that have a decent space and just want something bigger than HO.

Considering most layout articles I see in the Gazette and On30 Annual are more "scenery showpieces" than "operational" layouts, I'm thinking I'm in the minority.

I haven't had a chance to see the "other manufacturer's" boxcars in person, but they are not priced much different than Bachmann's offerings, so I might have to go that route. Not the cheapest way, but they at least exist. (I recall the days of $12 freight cars at St Aubin's - unfortunately it was before I was "sold" on On30!)

Here's hoping Bachmann reintroduces the most important (and common) freight car! 

Scott

I think the new cars are fantastic. As much as I like the similar kits that have been produced, my four-year-old hasn't the patience to wait for me to put them together. I like kits, but RTR equipment is always welcome on my layout. Those do look pretty nice.

If I didn't already have a 2-6-6-2, I would buy the 2-4-4-2. But one never knows. Some of my On30 purchases weren't planned, but they were too good a deal to pass up. So I may still end up with one in the future! Right now, still waiting for the heisler.

Scott

Quote from: ebtbob on March 30, 2012, 09:25:10 AMIn the latest issue of Model Railroad News,  there is page that shows four new reefers being offered from Bachmann.   If these new reefers are being offered at $69.99 can you imagine what a 2-8-2 might cost?   Sorry Bachmann,  but you are pricing out of your market.

Yup.  I think Bachmann has a problem when On3 ready-to-run (of higher quality -- and multiple road numbers, imagine that!) can be had cheaper than On30.  I know Bachmann has a near monopoly on the On30 market, but $70?

That said, a 2-8-2 would be a welcome addition.  I know some guys like the small tea-kettle stuff, but for me, bigger is better!  (Hint: offer it in On3 as well to broaden the market appeal and spread the tooling costs over more units!)

Scott

I'm guessing you are asking about the Soundtraxx Plug-n-Play module?  That was discontinued a while ago.  But a micro-Tsunami (or maybe even the full sized one, I'm not sure) will fit just fine.

I solder the appropriate wires from the Tsunami onto an 8-pin plug to make it easy.  And I think it's the 1.1" speaker that fits; someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Hope that helps!
Scott

I may have missed the memo...  but the unlettered boxcars (non-ventilated) seem to be extinct.  They no longer show up on this website in the "Product Info" and Micro-Mark shows them as discontinued.  Nor can I find them available anywhere online.

Any word on a future run?  Seems to be an important piece of equipment to be unavailable for too long!

Thanks!
Scott

I believe everything in the Spectrum line is 1:20.3.  Everything in the Big Hauler line is (roughly) 1:22.5.

Scott

Saw some at Trainfest yesterday - looks great.  The rail is solid brass and I would imagine it matching up well with other manufacturers code 332 track.  The ties I would describe as on the narrow side - like the "American style" used by others.  Not sure on the spacing as I didn't have another piece to compare it to, but to my eye it appeared very similar again to the "American style."  The Bachmann name was stamped on the bottom of the ties.

Looked very nice.  As with all track, I think the price point will be the main factor in its success.

Scott

Since this thread has been revived...

After installing the new Bachmann replacement gears in my shay in May 2010, I am happy to report I've had no problems in the year and a half since.  Runs like a charm.

Scott

Quote from: Blink_182_Fan on October 01, 2011, 06:13:52 PM
Also, if I'm not mistaken, there were train jokes in Two and a Half Men, when Herb had an HO scale layout, and he was as well dressed in a engineers uniform. Charlie and Alan, if I remember correctly, made fun of him for it.

Same producer for both shows (Chuck Lorre).  I wonder if he is a closet train nut?

I think the Big Bang Theory is the best show on TV, and I hoped Sheldon would eventually have a layout.  He always has a few O scale trains on the dresser in his bedroom as well.

Don't take the criticism personally - I just feel they aren't making fun of me, they are making fun of "those guys" at train shows.  If you don't know who I'm talking about, you are one of "those guys."  

My wife laughed her butt off during that episode and kept looking over at me - it summed me up perfectly as a rubber gauger, without giving away the one-liners...  

Scott

Here's a pretty colored one I printed out and use while soldering...

http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/basics/ready.htm

Scott

If the loco you are questioning has DCC installed, it has an 8 pin plug already in it.  Yes, you can just pull out the Bachmann decoder and plug in any other decoder with an 8-pin plug on it.

As far as the MRC decoder, for the price MicroMark has them at, my advice would be to spend the extra $20 and get a Tsunami.  The sound from the MRC steam decoders is pretty poor (although I'm told the diesel ones are pretty good for EMD diesels.)  Also, the size of the MRC decoder will prevent installation in a shay or climax.  A Micro Tsunami is the right size for these locos.

The Tsunami would have to be soldered to an 8 pin plug (very easy, takes about 5 minutes, google how to do it) whereas the MRC decoder already has the plug.

http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/basics/ready.htm

Scott

Quote from: texdon on August 26, 2011, 02:28:56 PM
I called Microengineering this morning.  They told me that the On30 code 83 turnouts will start shipping again late next week.

Awesome!  Thanks for the report!

Scott

Quote from: texdon on August 16, 2011, 09:30:46 PM
Does anyone know why my usual outlets are back-ordered on the Micro Engineering On30 turnouts?  Does anyone know when they will be available again or if Micro Engineering has discontinued this product?

Micro Engineering makes their turnouts in "batches" and seems to wait until the supply is very low before making more.  This is true for all scales of their track.

I have no firm guess, but in the past (summer 2008), when supplies got low, it was several months before they reappeared in stores.

They do have a website now - http://microengineering.com/ - and they might be able to give you a target date.  Post back here if you find out!

Scott