You'll need a dcc system, but you can also pick up a 44 tonner or 70 tonner switcher, which has the decoder already installed.

For what it's worth, this one is a real gem!!! Thanks!

Waiting....!!!

I concur on BOTH the K4 AND heavyweight cars. As of now, NOBODY is making heavyweights....!

Dear Bach-Man,

I hope you can! My name is on at least two of them (when they come out, that is)! :-)

Any chance we'll see these at the Springfield show?? :-)

Glad you found the wiper problem! That CAN happen but it is easily fixed! One other thing to check besides the track are the wheels. Even out of the box wheels might be coated with oil or blackening which could impede electrical contact. One way to clean them is by applying 91% alcohol (ie 91% rubbing alcohol) to a paper towel and then laying the paper towel across the track. Hold the engine against the paper towel, apply power, and clean the wheels (be sure at least one of the wheelsets is making electrical contact)! You can also use an ear swab dipped in alcohol and just run it around the wheel treads.

Do be careful as too much alcohol could remove paint!

It is unfortunate that you had that experience. Were you looking for a set or to have something repaired? A lot of hobby store people are "train snobs", but most aren't. Unfortunately, it is the train snobs which often thwart newcomers to the hobby. If you cannot find a friendly hobby store, you can always ask questions here (or on other N Scale forums) and mail order what you want! :-)

I live in New York City and I am familiar with most of the stores in the area. I agree that there are more than a few "characters" out there who know how to make a customer feel unwelcome. On the other hand, there are quite a few helpful shops as well. I'd be interested to know which shops had the "overbearing" personalities! :-)

I've gotten it to run on a 4" radius curve with little difficulty (keeping the flextrack bent to 4" was the difficult part). 4-6" radius should be fine for N scale traction.

I am currently in the process of converting my trolleys (Brill/PCC) to DCC. It requires a bit of frame milling and the usual rules of decoder installation apply. It has been done before!

This is BIG news as well! I've always loved those little slope tenders but never could get a decoder entirely in one (the threaded screw posts got in the way, and I tried just about everything else with very limited success). Perhaps I can ressurect those 0-4-0s...or MAYBE Bachmann will retool those to match the quality of the Spectrum steamers (I hope I hope)!

I can't tell you how many YEARS I've been waiting for 44 tonners in N scale!! (I also have one of those older DDA40X's with split gears, so I guess that's good news as well)!

Put me down for several! This one ought to be a BIG seller in the N scale community, as it is truly a first!

WELL DONE, BACHMANN!!! (Though I will be much happier when I have mine in hand)

>>The motor in the Ajin / MP 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 are made by Mashima. Bachmann uses only in-house motors. The Acela has a smaller motor then their open frame 5 pole, but its still too big for a Deccapod. I belive they are working on smaller motors for several reasons:

1. The Russian
2. The 4-6-0
3. The 70 Tonner (RD is available from the HO project)
4. The 44 tonner (RD is available from the HO project)
5. A Spectrum version of the 0-4-0T or 0-6-0T<<


If this is true, put me down for several of each!

A working 44 tonner in N scale would be a major boost to the hobby (and yes, I would be able to squeeze a decoder in as well)!

I'll second the request for both! The HO 70 tonner is very nice. Wouldn't mind seeing one in N!

For what it's worth, the decoder installation was easy for the 2-8-0. and it runs like a top! Definitely one of the easier non plug-n-play decoder installations out there!

I had no problem installing MT couplers in my MDT. I also got a decoder in it. I agree it will stall on plastic frogs, but I use all-metal frogs and my NTRAK club uses metal frogs as well. Otherwise, it just creeps along and pulls a respectable number of cars for its size!

I haven't had much luck with the LL 0-6-0. It is a great runner, but there's NO getting a decoder into the shell. I have seen articles where folks have used the LL mechanism to make small articulateds, &c. I am going to try and make a camelback out of mine. Maybe then there will be some room for a decoder!