Two problems.

First.

Why do some locomotives operate in reverse when forward is selected?

Seems to happen with my steam when I swap tenders, as explained below.

Second.

I have on occasion purchased steam engines in a road name I don't need because they come
with sound.  I then swap tender bodies for a previously weathered and decalled Great
Eastern engine, couple the tender to the engine and then experience what seems to be
intermittent pick-up issues.  The tender worked just fine behind the original engine but
as soon as I swap tender bodies and couple the tender to it's new engine, pick-up goes
awry.

Both the above are with Spectrum 2-8-0s if that helps.  It's happened twice and I now have
two engines, with sound, that I can't use.  :-(

A sad sight but not untypical of 1958.  Scene not complete as locos need decals and a little more weathering.

Not sure of the origins of the locos as they were picked up a flea markets as non-runners.  Unnumbered engine may have been a Bachmann 2-8-0 as it originally had a wide firebox and ash pan but I removed it and added regular firebox sides and ashpan.  GER engines never had wide fireboxes.

The other day I accidentally reset the decoder in one of my FA-2.

Since then, it no longer operates like the others that I have.

I have reset ALL the CVs to the Configuration Variable Defaults as shown at : -

http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20pages/bachmann/ho_fa2_sv.pdf

However, the loco that I reset still does not operate the same as it did out of the box.  FA-2 units out of the box "ramp up" before they move off and prime mover RPMs notch up as the unit runs faster.  The one where I accidentally reset the decoder and have reprogrammed as per the Configuration Variable Defaults provided by Soundtraxx doesn't do this.

As soon as the throttle is cracked, the unit begins to move.  There is no "ramping up" of the prime mover nor an increase in RPMs as the unit's speed increases.

Obviously, the Configuration Variable Defaults list is incomplete, anyone have any suggestions please?  I've asked on the Soundtraxx Yahoo Group and nobody there can help.

I've somehow lost all audio from both my FA-2s.

One was running faster than the other as I'd somehow messed around with the momentum levels and could not get them to both run at the same speed.

Thinking I was fixing the problem, I reset the decoders to the default factory setting.

Now I have no bells, no horns, no prime mover, no headlights but the units now both run at the same speed.

So.

H E L P !

How do I get my audio back?

DCC is fairly new to me.  I'm competent enough with other modelling skills but not even close when it comes to DCC.

The volume in my two CNR FA-2s is way too loud.  I've tried to find the CV that turns down the volume but with no luck.

Anyone happen to know the CV?

Thanks in advance.

Has anyone else experienced problems with the Spectrum light 4-8-2 binding as it goes through the frogs of Atlas code 83 Number 6 switches?

I have no problems with other steam locos, 2-6-0s and 2-8-0s.  I've just installed DCC sound into one of my Spectrum Heavy 4-8-2 and it binds going through the No. 6 frogs.

I've check back to back on the drivers and they're fine.  I've have found that I need to run a 2 inch piece of hacksaw blade through the frog and then give the frogs a gentle filing with a triangular jeweler's file and that seems to solve the problem.

But I do find it strange that of my other Spectrum engines I have in service, only the Heavy 4-8-2 has this problem.

I never had these problems on my now dismantled GER with hand laid No. 6 switches.  All engine ran just fine though all frogs.

Today, I purchased two Bachmann CN FA-2  models in what looked like in the box, the CNR black and yellow scheme and, while the models carry the correct "Canadian National" in their sides and the CNR crest on the nose, when I got home and checked on line, I found out the CNR FA-2s were NEVER painted in the black and yellow scheme as on the models.  They were painted the classic CNR freight colours of Green, yellow and, in addition, the models are unnumbered??

See photo of units below.

"Well", I though, "Perhaps the boxes contain decals." (Separate decals is a good idea BTW.)

But sadly, not only are are the units unnumbered and incorrectly painted but the boxes contain NO decals!!!!!

Mr. B, what on Earth was behind these dumb pieces of logic?

The colour scheme is easily checked on line and all CNR locomotives are numbered, as is every other locomotive in North America, if not the world.

There's no reference and no information in the instructions as to why the units are unnumbered nor suggestions on what decals to purchase. As for the wrong colour, well, what can one say?

After spending in excess of $350 plus taxes for two locomotives, I think I have the right to expect them to be painted in the correct colours and to be numbered and numbered in the correct CNR series.

I now have to repaint the locomotives into the correct colour scheme and locate and purchase decals.

Normally, I'm a big supporter of the better quality Bachmann products. i.e., the Spectrum and DCC Sound on Board series but in this case the only thing I can say is...............................

I'm really disappointed!

I don't know if this has been asked before, but do Bachmann sell separately the complete drop in sound decoders as used in all Bachmann locomotives, steam and diesel?

I have a fleet of Bachmann steam and diesels, all complete with the DCC ready circuit board, that I'd like to have sound installed.  A "Drop in" sound decoder would be the best choice for me.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

I'm looking for a suitable sound decoder, drop in preferred, for the Light Mountain.

Any suggestions?

I've tried, without any luck, to find suggestions complete with instructions instructions, prefer YouTube,on line.

Any suggestions there?

AFAIK, there is no Bach-Man equivalent on the UK Bachmann site, is this correct?

I have two DCC/sound Alco 2-6-0s and one of them has problems negotiating an Atlas code 83 25 degree diamond crossing.

The one that has no issues I can get it to creep dead slow across the diamond but the other one loses contact everytime.  It seems it's the rear truck, which slightly lurches going through the frogs and that's when the locomotive goes dead.  I've check the tender wheels  gauges and they are fine.  I've loosened both truck retaining screws (Why do Bachmann make them so damn tight?) so the trucks can pivot more freely but none of this helps.

Before I reinvent the wheel, so to speak, and take the tender apart has anyone else experienced this sort of loss of pick up problem and how did you fix it?

Thanks in advance.

As many of us know, Bachmann engines generally could do with a little more weight over the front of the tenders as the wiring harness tends to slightly lift the front tender truck resulting in less than perfect contact. This is especially annoying with DCC and sound.

First I unplugged the harness from under the engine.

Opening the tender was not a problem.  There's a small screw under the wiring harness at the front that is better removed if the front truck retaining screw is undone as this gives easier access.  The first tender I did I removed the hold down "strap" that holds the wiring harness in place at the front of the tender but that was a pain to reinstall so I didn't bother on the second tender.

Carefully lift the front of the tender tank away from the frame and carefully release the locking tabs at the rear of the tender.   I used a quarter ounce selfadhesive lead weight from a supply I purchase many years ago from a hobby shop.  All it required was a little filing along the front and back edges and it then fit nicely on top of the weights Bachmann has already installed in the tender.

I then replaced the body of the tender onto the chassis and screwed it to the frame.  A little tricky getting the screw back in the hole as clearances are tight.

I then screwed the front track back into place but left the truck slightly looser than Bachmann did as this gives the truck a little more play which will make it easier to keep contact with the rails.  The front truck usually being the one with the pick up issues.  I then connected the harness back to the the plug under the engine.

So there it is.  I think it was worth the effort as contact does seem better and the whole job took me 20 minutes or so.  The engines now do not stall on a couple of switches like they used to.  You will probably be faster as only having one eye I have no depth perception and the eyesight in my remaining eye isn't that good anyway so if I can do it, anyone can.

Here's today's results. The track with the diamond crossing and associated switches and spurs were built over the past three days. The industrial spur leading to the yellow and brown structure services three industries located along an almost six foot long spur. Next over is the Ramp Track and next to that Team Track and then the previously built yard ladder track. Just visible in the distance, diverging to the right of the main, are the two tracks that will serve as a coach yard for the commuter cars, once we get into that part of the operation.

The tracks leading towards the camera are shown in the photos below.




Looking back, we see the curving lead that serves the grey building and one more beyond that. The track to the right and leading back to the camera, from the locomotive switching the industry, is not permanently placed and won't be until the buildings it will serve have been built. The track the locomotive is standing on is a sharp 18" radius curve and will be limited to 40 foot cars and 0-6-0 switchers.





Here is a closer view of the grey building with the 60 degree diamond crossing under the tender and boxcar. The track not connected to the switch and just laying on the benchwork will eventually be down the centre of a street and will serve as a switchback for the wye switch just seen to the right. This is a typical prototypical design as it means the switcher will not have to move any cars sitting on the grey industrial tracks to switch the industries shown above.  The track the tankers are standing on will eventually serve a fuel distributor and a lumber yard.

I'm new to DCC and have noticed that of the steam locos I am using for testing, a Spectrum 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain, a Spectrum 2-8-0 and a couple of Bachmann Alco 2-6-0s, the 2-6-0s generally have no issue crossing the frogs of the switches but the 4-8-2 and the 2-8-0 both slow down until they have crossed the switch's frog.

As both the 4-8-2 and 2-8-0 have wheel bases longer than the 2-6-0 and my diesels, I'm at a loss as to why the steam would slow down going over the frogs. 

Any ideas?

Here's the plan, so far, of the new industrial park at the west end of the as yet unnamed yard.  The yard is 29ft. 3in. long and 3ft. wide.

All track is within comfortable reach for uncoupling etc., but I have no problems with structures being set further back as they can be reached from a step stool as required.  Plan is almost to scale but I've laid out the track and it works a little better than in the drawing.

Area shown is 3ft. by a little over 14ft.



Here's one photo of the mock-up.



And another: -

Things have slowed down as I ran out of right hand switches.

However, these two photos show a changed to the west end of the yard.

First photos show the 2-6-0 sitting on the yard lead.

Second photo shows where I've installed a new switch, almost right under where the 2-6-0 was sitting, that will lead to a freight shed/LCL transfer platform.  When I've completed the yard tracks, shown in the background, and when I've built the freighthouse and transfer platform, I'll come back and add the second track so that the LCL platform is between the two tracks.

Original yard lead: -



Revised yard lead: -

As I've run out of right hand Atlas Super Track No. 6 switches, I think today is good time to take my old three stall Walthers roundhouse I used on the old GER and expand it into a six stall roundhouse  using a second kit I bought a couple of years ago with this project in mind.

First.  Using the Dremal and a cutoff disk, cut through the rail joiners that connect the rail glued to the roundhouse floor to the track that connects the roundhouse to the turntable pit.  That was painless!

Second, carefully remove the old roundhouse from it's module base that was used on the GER.  Yes, it had been screwed down and, of course, the scenery glue had crept under the roundhouse floor gluing it to the sub-roadbed.  Tricky but that's done.

Third.  Find the spare roundhouse kit.  Done that.

Forth.  Find glue to assemble new kit and modify and repair existing kit.  Ah, there's the bottle of Tenax plastic cement.  Damn!  The bottle has evaporated.  Ah well, there's always Plastruct Liquid cement.  Damn!  That evaporated as well.  No liquid cement anywhere to be found.

Nearest hobby store is a 40 minute drive away.  Look out window, it's pouring with rain.

Put old roundhouse safely on shelf.

Put un-assembled kit, still in it's box, back on shelf.

Open beer and fire up the DCC and bat a few cars around with the sound equipped 2-6-0.

After almost two years of living in the new house, construction of the new Great Eastern Railway has finally begun.

Photos taken about 90 minutes ago.






Give me about five years and there'll be scenery here.

Here's a link of one of my straight out of the box 2-6-0s running on a friend's small display layout.

I currently do not have any model railroad, hence video taken at my friend's house.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17855079/IMG_0461.MOV