Stick with it buddy! It's a great hobby. I strongly suggest limiting your ebay purchases to rolling stock (freight and passenger cars). Unless you are buying from someone with lots of locos and at least thousands of sales ie: a true online dealer. Used locos and locos listed as "new old stock" may be cheaper, but without the skills to really clean them up, they are often more trouble than they are worth. The spookshow site, is a great place to check before any purchase. I like to search ebay. They have the largest selection of everything ever released in N scale. I have at least 1 of every steamer Bachmann has released since 2004. I can't remember her name, but there is one dealer, that usually has prices at or below even my favorite etailer. She lists almost exclusively new Bmann stuff. The coolest ebay steamer I bought was the 2-10-2. Someone listed it as having only been used in an ad photo and the price was $50 less than any other one listed. It runs great. My only disappointment was the seller didn't respond to my request for where the ad was printed. i would have tried to get a copy. But, I ramble... Usually, after I search ebay, I google the item with the model number, when available. On items still available in stores, you would be amazed how often, I find the same item at a better price from a true etailer, or even a hobby shop.  I can't find a new model of the one you have online. Maybe pick a different Bachmann Diesel you like. If you are set on this model, other manufacturers have them in production now. They will run fine with your other Bmann stuff

If it was me, Id return it as defective. But, if I had to keep it, Id read this http://spookshow.net/loco/bachdash8.html

Then I would post more questions here, if I wasnt comfortable making the adjustments.
if you are careful most diesel locomotives are easy to disassemble and reassemble. You might even enjoy the process.

I prefer my childlike enthusiasm. Virtues are boring.

Twitching a bit
I'm sure the inventory levels are accurate. You can fix any discrepancies next January. But if you insist and there are too many Berks, one of the Pere Marquettes is mine. I must have mislaid it. I can email you my address, when you find it.

So long as you bought it new and have the receipt, Bachmanns warranty is second to none. Give them a call. They will make it right. If you bought it used, it is still worth the call. Their fee based service, is more than reasonable.

The short answer is no. I have seen a number of threads on this topic, on other forums. The newest version is a very solid performer though. Not what you want to hear. Sorry

Quote from: brokemoto on January 05, 2015, 07:30:00 PM
I have gotten the 2-6-6-2 around a nine and three quarter circle.  I tried it just to see what would happen.  It made it.  It did not like it, it looked pretty silly, but it did go.   It liked the eleven inch a little better., it looked a little less silly, but silly still.  It took the Kato UNITRAK thirteen and three quarter curves with no complaints, even an S curve made from the same thirteen and three quarter sections.   Still, the articulateds run and look better on curves sixteen inches, or better.

Kato makes track?
I wasn't going to bring t up on the Bachmann forum. 
But now that it has been mentioned. They do also make very nice track.

That all said.  Richard, whichever track you choose, I'd set the 2-6-6-2 down on the track you have and give it a go. Buy wider radii after you see how this looks to you. As mentioned above, you can mix radii in a turn, so you could use a wider radius piece coming out of the straight and then smaller radius pieces to complete the turn. I run loops in a few narrow places around my house and that's what I do

Welcome to N!

You are correct in your radii calculation. I think Bachmann calls it 11" radius track. There is enough play in the track, that depending on where you measure and how you connect it, the measurement can vary a bit.


My 2-6-6-2 handles 11" radii, just fine.
That said. My only real rules with my trains is have fun
after that there are a few things that have proven to be true over and over and over.
one of them is choose the largest radius you can fit, in the space you are using. All locos and especially bigger locos will run better. I don't have a list of available track, but you can find it if you google bachmann n scale eztrack. Instead of adding straights, in the short direction, i'd add some wider radii track.
Post the dimensions of your proposed area and i will add more info this evening EST.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?topic=23461.0;wap2

This thread has some good advice on converting bachmann turnouts to dcc. Maybe it will help

RGW
i have not seen the new sound decoder, I still doubt it will be a drop in, with a plug. Even if it were, the existing steamers wouldn't have the same plug. There are some pretty good tutorials, on putting sound in many steamers. Not knowing you, I can't prejudge your skill set, but learning to do the installations, for me, has been fun.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Bachmann/2-8-0/bachman_n_scale_2_8_0.htm


Just a thought. Not sure if you saw it. I think if you find a board you will have as much wiring and soldering to do, if not more.

Nscaler hasnt commented, since his original post. I'm wondering, does he want to "complete" this set, or use his new train. Any n scale dc power supply will do, then it's just a matter of minimum radii, right?

Quote from: Yardmaster on November 19, 2014, 03:43:55 PM
It is looking like early 2015 for delivery on the Berkshire.

Wahhhhhh. A few weeks ago the hope was pre-holidays. Well, I was only going to be able to purchase 1 steamer now and 1 in the spring anyway. Looks like my decision has been made or me. Still looking forward to it. Thank you for the update. it allows me to budget.

They are often listed on ebay, for reasonable prices. Right now.. if you search, you can judge , but I paid a tad less.
I'd follow Acela, 89974 and 89973 searches, as well as just Amtrak (people often misspell listings)

Thoughts....
1) if you bought it from a dealer and have the receipt the Bman warranty is second to none.
2) if not, you have a choice. Me, I'd swap out the decoder, as Bmanns service is quite good, but the bachmann fee based fix will cost as much as a decoder plus shipping. Hints on the swap start here.
[url]http://spookshow.net/loco/spec460.html/[url]

3) have you tried resetting the decoder on your programming track? The cv should be either in the loco paperwork or on the bmann site. Search for decoder docs. It might save you thought 2.