Jerry,
Back in 1980 or so I had a Bachmann HO 4-8-4 set.

The RR I built had a mountain and about the 3rd trip around the engine derailed.  I had to "fish" it out with a cane fishing pole so I took my sabre saw and cut an access hole.

2 trips later the engine took a dive thru the new hole!!!  The engine hit the concrete hard and had multiple fractures.  I noticed one of the sidearm pins had fallen out and caused the engine to jack knife.

I wrote Bachmann (wrote, shows how long ago it was) a letter and they asked me to send them the engine.

I got back a brand new engine     

As far as I'm concerned, Bachmann has the best service going.

Glad to hear they still "have it".

JD,
Thanks for the video and the photos of the engine!


I want to get one, but this past week has been a bust.  We had to spend $300 to get a heat pump fixed (accumulator), 2 medical bills that set us back $500, and now we owe IRS $200 for taxes.

I might have to wait a bit before I go buying any trains     

Bob D.

Yeah, I really like the looks of the Ten-Wheeler.

I wish it was more modern like this Seaboard unit:



but it'll do fine for this Mississippi Central engine:



Does anyone offer replacement domes and steam chests???

I have a mini-lathe and could make the domes, but the steam chest might be a little harder to do.

The Mississippi Central engine appears to be a CLOSE match  

Ray,
Here's a photo of a Mississippi Central 4-6-0:



IMO, it would look just as good with the "cow catcher" removed as it would on.  A scale 12"x12" wood piece (maybe a tie???) attached to the frame (behind the cow catcher) would look more like a freight engine.

I know on diesels we modelers call them pilots, I've never really paid much attention to what they're called on a steamer though  

Bob D.


Here's the pdf file for the 4-6-0:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/81099.pdf

While I'm just getting my feet wet in G scale I've been in O scale for 12 years or so and have made some decent decals on my home printer, an Epson Workforce 500.

I use white and clear paper from BelDecal:

http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet_decals.cfm

Then spray the sheet with a good coating of Testors Clear Gloss.

Like Bill said, lighter colors like yellow are almost transparent.  If you know your printer you can sometimes adjust the opacity (is that a word?) of the color, but I couldn't seem to get it the way I wanted.  I had an O-scale N&W blue caboose and when I put the yellow decals on it they looked green!

The next thing is to find a decent font to use.  If you're free-lancing it's not much of a problem unless you choose something weird.  Multiple colors or emblems needing white and a clear area between them can be a PITA and often not doable with anything else other than a printer that prints white (ALPS, no longer in production).

Choose solid colors and a font that is easy to acquire and give it a try.

Mike,

I didn't know there were different models.

The problem I'm having with the Spectrum Mogul is that I'm finding they're no longer in production and not readily available.  I get all worked up to get one then the bottom drops out when I find their no where to be found.

I'll stick with the 4-6-0 as that seems to be having a long life.

OOPS!  I didn't know there were 2 different Moguls.

If reports like this keep coming in I'll be making that purchase sooner than I thought!

Mike, let's see some photos.

The Bachmann writeup says this comes with "speed-synchronized sound".

What would the sound card Bill is speaking of offer over what comes with the engine?

Are there any YouTube files where i can hear the difference?

Bob D.

Bill, I just knew you'd say that! 

Mike, when you say the 4-4-0 and the 2-6-0 are close, do you mean in overall size?

Next query...is that the front coupler that hangs out and down on the 2-6-0?:



Can it be replaced by a Kadee?

Which one?  I like the looks of both, the Mogul sounds like it might be a little sturdier with the metal chassis, but the 4-6-0 looks just as good.

Anyone have both and can you give me any advice?

Bob D.

Thanks Bill, you've been a HUGE help!

I'm sure to have more questions so stand by 

Bob

Thanks again Bill!

Sounds like freight cars from Aristo-Craft and USA Trains will look fine with the Ten-Wheeler.

Full-scale/size Boxcars and tankcars are my favorites.  Which manufacturer would you recommend?  I don't plan on having a huge fleet, I'd rather have quality over quantity.  Half a dozen freight cars will suffice.

Bob

What "scale" are the 4-6-0 and 2-6-0 engines?

Also, does Bachmann sell separate power packs and controllers for G gauge?

I noticed some engines specify 1:20.3 but others have no designation.

Bill,

My mistake, it was the 91607.

The price sure is right on the RTR set, plus I tend to run my trains slow so the plastic gears may not be a big issue for me.

I still haven't made up my mind, I still need to look at the individual cars, track and transformers to see what I want.  I have an old Troller Transamp 1, is 1amp good enough for these engines?

I asked this on the "My Large Scale" forum, but so far no answers.

Here's the meat of my post there:

I was looking at the Bachmann offerings and saw they have a nice 4-6-0 available, item number 91667.

I also see their RTR sets and was wondering if the engine in the RTR set item number 90059 (White Pass & Yukon) was the same engine as 91667.

Both writeups say their the "Anniversary Edition" engines.  Are they or does one have advantages over the other?  The pricing was almost identical, but item 91667 is just the engine and tender while 90059 is a complete RTR set with cars, track, and power supply.