I've had one for some years, and it's been a terrific little workhorse.  It's now converted to battery and r/c (see https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/bachmann-indy-2-6-0-conversion-to-battery-rc.237169/).  It has had weight added (fishing weights in the domes) and I remain very pleased with it - a great little engine for the price.  And, the youngest grandson (now post Thomas) loves it.

Yardmaster/Bach Man

Guys, is there any chance of getting a re-run of the Davenport in the next few years?  It hasn't been available for quite some time and was a great little performer in its day.  I imagine it's chassis wouldn't be too hard to do given the l'il hauler range and the 2-4-2T, and the body was fine as it was, would just need the moulds being put back in use.  I'd certainly be up for a couple if it was....

Bill, Chuck,

Thanks, sounds like a bit of suck it and see, so what I might do is leave a few of the more derelict bits of rolling stock in there, bring the rest inside, and evaluate the results.

I do have a recording thermometer in there. If anything shows up I'll post.

Steve

Guys,

I need to find out the designed max storage temperatures recommended for Bachmann LS Locos.

Background:  I live  in South Australia where the summer maximums are often in the mid 40s celsius  (110-115 F).  In the past  I've kept my locos in the house on such days, where the air con controlled temperature doesn't exceed 35 C (95 F).   However, I've just finished fitting out my shed to take the fleet with a direct connection to the running tracks (yea, no more carting locos to and fro); but the temperature in the shed can get close to 50 C (>120 F) and I'm now getting concerned I might get damage or distortion if I leave the locos out there.  BTW, the track temperature (LGB) can get up to nearly 70 C (150 F) so I don't run on such days!

Anybody (Yardmaster maybe?) got any ideas?

Steve

Seems logical, but don't forget that some locos have pickups in their tenders as well as in the loco body, and the Annie might be one although mine got converted so long ago I can't remember.  

Usual way I've done this in the past is to have a section of track ahead of the programming area which is switched dead when I select programming but is live when I've selected the main line.  That way I have to get the loco in the right area and I can't get a short (unless I mess up in the wiring which touch wood hasn't happened yet).  Mind you, I've only done that in N; all my large scale stuff is battery!

The answer to your question is "yes, they are fine outside - they are designed for it".  You already know that the pressed steel track that comes with a Bachmann set is unsuitable for the outside; most of us use brass (LGB, Aristocraft or some other - Bachmann have recently produced one) although some use stainless steel (much more expensive and hard to solder to) or aluminium, that choice is up to you.

Bachmann G scale stuff is pretty weatherproof although rain can get down the funnel (stack) into the interior of steam locos.  As indicated above, most of us do not leave our locos outside in anything more than a very light shower although they will run OK in quite heavy rain, but then need the cleaning noted above.  I have accidentally left a (non Bachmann) loco on a siding for a week or more, including storms, with no lasting ill effects.    Rolling stock is quite weather resistant; I have left gondolas for example outside for months and had them fill with water without any detrimental effects.  Not really recommended, but certainly survivable.

Of course, if you are using track power (all my locos are converted to battery, plently of advice on the forums noted above) then you need to ensure that the transformers, rectifiers and other electrical components are appopriately protected from the weather (and wild life, before I went battery I had problems with tree rats eating wiring).

Finally, welcome to miniature trains in the real world - they're so much more than models!

For the AD 60s the tractive effort was 63490 in the final form.  This compares with the D57 class 4-8-2 (the otherwise most capable on the NSW system) of 64000 lbf.  But, and this is a big but, the relative axle loads were 16 1/2 tons for the Garratt vs 24 tons for the 4-8-2; and that was of enormous imporatance on the NSWGR.  The alteration in the tractive effort as water and coal was consumed was neglible; the majority of the weight on the wheels came from the boiler assembly etc.

Well, in 1:24, 45mm gauge works out to 3'6" which just happens to be the narrow gauge in this part of the world (and in many others of course; hence it's nicknmae "cape gauge").  But very little is now being produced which is scale accurate in 1:24; and even where it is it's era is not appopriate to what I model, or is in some other way compromised. However, I'm not expecting Bachmann to cater to my taste; they need to go where the best successful commercial propositions lie because any other route is likely to see them join the list of those who once made large scale models.

So I'm reduced to kitbashing what ever they choose to produce where I can see a successful bash.  But that's the point isn't it? - If I could buy RTR everything I wanted then, given I have minimal interest in the minutae of operation I'd just be playing trains; where as as it is I have to model to get what I want. 

So my bottom line is that I would welcome anything that Bachmann chooses to produce provided it's not limited to just 1:29 - that would cause me a problem.  I don't think they're going the route of 1:29 only as it would let a lot of customers down who might just take their bat and ball and go home, but it is a worry at the back of my mind.

At the same time I'm not all that well off - a loco which is selling for $750 in the US will be $2000 or so if I were to buy it from one of the small number of retaillers in Australia; but even buying from the US I have a self imposed limit of $400, whcih means I can usually afford Big Haulers but not Spectrum.  On the other hand, I don't need the bells and whistles - I'm battery r/c so I don't need DCC compatability and if I want sound I'll install MyLocosound which I can buy by hopping in my car and going to see the manufacturer, or buying at one of his open days, and from a detail point of view the current Big Haulers are fine.

So my plea would be for Bachmann to not forget those of us towards the lower end of the market, and to (occasionally at least) keep going with a few models in the Big Hauler range with relatively low spec electronics.  But that still has to fit in the business model, I guess, and I imagine there is more profit in the high end spec Spectrums.

Steve

Quote from: bob kaplan on March 01, 2014, 11:03:19 AM
Being an older man....the info probably will be of little interest to me.   But 15 years from now...and young man will be an older man....and would gladly look at the info...so...
   Yes...keep tabs on the Little Stuff.
b

Right on.  I'd say include them.

Quote from: Yardmaster on March 01, 2014, 12:19:54 AM
This site is clean...

Don't doubt it, and never really thought it was a virus.  It was more as if I was seeing through the site to the ISP behind it, as it seemed to be a form of "that page no longer exists" type message, even though it demonstrably did exist.   However, it seems to have stopped (I dumped my cookies just in case), so what it was would now seem to be unknowable.

Steve

Guys,

For the last few days when vist the Bachmann site I get redirected here:

http://174.36.98.150/0d7e9dd105437ae93ff52eb545393273/interior-colors.php

and that also happens when I move between pages on the site (I can stick with the Bachmann page by hitting the "stop" button before the redirection takes effect).  It hasn't happened before the last week or so, and it's not effecting any other site I visit, and nobody else seems to have reported it.   Is it me or you?

Steve

Are you sure you've got the right problem? There's a wiring diagram for the Indy here, http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/G816X-IS001-2_WIRING_CONNECTION.pdf, and it doesn't show any connection to the pony truck.  Afraid I have converted mine to battery, and can't remember from personal experience.  The 4-6-0 Big Hauler has a pickup in the front 4 wheel bogie (wiring diagram here, http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/LS_4-6-0_Metal_Gears.dc_wiring.pdf) and good advice on George Schreyer's site http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html.  Afraid I've never even handled the Spectum (old time) 2-6-0, and I can't see any documentation on line for it.

Steve

There was no video supplied with the Indy and as far as I am aware there was not one made for it.  These days one tends to get a video only with Spectum (ie expensive) locos; the Indy is in the Big Hauler (not nearly as expensive range).  However Bill's comments about the Annie info being applicable are spot on the money.  I can't actually inspect my Indy at the moment and I can't remember if it has a lube hole over the gears but I don't think so.  From what I remember you need to undo the two or three screws holding the cover on the gear box and then (carefully) remove it with the loco upside down.  That exposes the gears and enables you to lube them; although when new they will probably have enough grease for initial running.  However, a small amount of oil on the motion and the axle bearings is a really good idea.

For maintenance, I try to check the gearbox for grease and oil the motion and bearings about every 15-20 hours running.  

Trainworld have just advised me that they have shipped mine, which has been on backorder.  I suspect the chances of it making it to Australia before Christmas are zero, but it should be a nice mid January present I suppose.  But then again, US Mail and Australia Post might surprise me yet!

Steve

Totally agree, provided they are done at a scale which roughly approximates something betwen 1:20.3 and 1:24.  The Brill cars similar to DVR#5 ran extensively in this neck of the woods and would be a great addition to my railway.  However I rather suspect that Bachmann may be in a "wait and see what happens in the economy and to large scale buying habits" mode for things narrow gauge at present, so while I would very much like to see them I don't have very high hopes!

Steve