Thank you!  I couldn't remember which they were and I couldn't find my info about replacing the Bachmann wheel sets.  Much appreciated.

I'm looking for replacement wheel sets for the Sharks that were initially made by E-R Models and later taken over by Bachmann.  Are there any after market replacements?  Do any of the N scale diesels by Bachmann have the wheel sets that would be a replacement?  Thanks.  Problem is that the white gears on the axles are splitting -same problem with the early Spectrum GE- Dash 8 wide cab diesels. 

 Humor for the day:

Sitting on a cold, snowy day.  Dreaming of trains and what would be fun to add, being a steam fan I of course thought of a steam locomotive.  Then it hit me, I've got two ConCor/Kato Hudson's in my jackpot of locos that aren't DCC'd.  And I wondered if these old shells would fit on the new Hudson, well the B&O shell anyway.  Than I started to think who would have the best price.  I almost fell for their scheming, but NOT this time Mr. Bachmann!  Not this time.  I am holding out for a non PRR 4-6-2.  I'm on to you!  But keep up the great model work, and keep trying to get me.  :>}

Assuming this is one of the recent 2-8-0s and not one from the 'White Box' era.  Take the boiler shell off and pack every little nook and cranny with some moldable lead.  Ideal product to use is from A Line, there are several online dealers that have this.  At about 10 bucks for the package it may seem a little steep, but it helps alot when you can't just slap a chunk of weight in the loco.  You'd be surprised that a little bit can really help.

the only N scale pacific produced by Bachmann is the PRR K4.  It is a great runner and sound is fantastic, but the Belpaire firebox limits it to PRR.  There is a model made by another manufacturer but it is not easy to service and the lack of free standing detail is a deal breaker to me these days. 

Dear Bachmann:

Hoping for next year!  Santa didn't leave me a USRA Heavy Pacific in N scale.  I was good, I asked nicely too.  Maybe you can help him out next year.  What a great mechanism you have for the PRR K4.  Maybe you can turn your elves loose and let them make a heavy and light Pacific with DCC and Sound?  One road name could be Baltimore & Ohio.  Thanks for listening/reading.

Yours Truly,
BnOEM1

 Saw this product at Lowe's and wondered if anyone has tried it on their layout.

"Ox-Gard Anti-Oxidant Compound
Part # OX-100B

Ox-Gard Anti-Oxidant Compound contains prime grade zinc and is formulated with metallic zinc to create a compound that enhances electrical and thermal "

https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound

I've recently swapped ConCor PA shells with new Kato PA units.  The only thing to do was file down some of the corners at the front of the A units.  Perfect fit and easy DCC conversion.  Bachmann to Bachmann should be just as easy if not easier.

Again I would also ask for a USRA Pacific 4-6-2.  Like the aformentioned locos Bachmann has made recently.  I truly believe these would be in high demand, particularly with DCC and Sound.  Essentially the mechanism is made, the boilers and maybe tenders would have to be made.  The other company that made them didn't have the level of detailing and were a puzzle to take apart and put back together. 

I doubt it.  BEMO, what I think was a precourser to Rawa/MRC, produced a 2-8-8-2/-0 that had a smoke unit.  It wasn't the best due to several factors.  I think the small generator couldn't hold enough smoke liguid to make it worth it, and it was messy.  Just one of those impractical features.  If you use dcc sometimes you can get your steamer to smoke - but only for a very short time, then you cry.

I know I'm a broken record and the Hudsons are a great idea.  But...  Why not a USRA Pacific?  You basically have the mechanism from the K4.  Model Power's version isn't that great and you have become the trusted provider of steam.  I have some passenger consists that are just dieing to be pulled by a P-7 or P-6 B & O 4-6-2.  I personally could guarantee at least 4 units sold.

USRA Heavy Pacific 4-6-2 !!???  with DCC and Sound?  Maybe streamlined Cincinnatian?

The easiest choice is to find a Bachmann 2-8-0 that has the decoder and sound in it.  They are really pretty good.  the other option is to go with the decoder in the boiler (this saves the need to run wires to the tender. This is the method that first came out when the original 2-8-0 was produced.  You can use any decoder small enough: digitrax or Lenz mentioned or the TCS Z2 or M1 or M2 would also fit.  Best of luck.  If you go the sound route, the boiler shell swaps easily, the tender doesn't.  Best of luck.  The installation file I have is too big for the post, if you want it I can email it to you.  Or, go to the Train Control Systems website: www.tcsdcc.com and look under installations.

Without opening my engine up and just looking at the Spookshow site, it looks like the motor might be a Mashima open frame motor.  I would measure the length, width, and height of the motor.  It is a "flat sided" motor so, it might be replaceable with a "flat can" motor.  Flat can motors are usually a better motor.  There are a lot of sources for these, just be sure you are getting a motor with the double shaft and that the shaft is the correct size diameter (1.5 mm or 1 mm).  Try Northwest Shortline or other sources.  Also look for one with similar voltage max. - about 12 v. DC.  You can go lower, but not much.  Are you running the loco on DCC?

Can anyone tell me if the headlight on the heavy Mountain is a bulb or LED?  Does anyone know the voltage coming out of the decoder?  And finally is there a resistor for the headlight on the decoder or before the headlight?  Obviously you can guess that the headlight isn't working, not sure what has happened.  Before I started tearing things apart I was hoping to get these answers so I can be prepared to fix it right away.  Thanks.