Larry,
You might want to re-think using the small diameter wheels on the "standard" bachmann freight trucks and passenger car trucks.

The littlle, undersized freight cars, listed by Bachmann as being 1:20.3 are really small.  Their trucks are small and as such the smaller diameter wheels work due to truck size.

The small 24.5 mm wheels are used on the 95xxx series cars as listed above. They are also used on Bachmann side dump and V-dump cars, 92xxx series.

For all other Bachmann 1:22.5 equipment, both freight and passenger, the larger 31.0 mm diameter wheels are used.  I think you'll find better tracking with less derailment problems using the larger diameter wheels. 

JD

Use the 31.0mm No. 92421 metal wheel sets.  These are direct replacements for the plastic wheels on the equipment you have.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

In reference to access to the water fill on the 2-6-6-2T.

First, do a search for the Black Hills Central.  They operate locomotive #110. The is a Baldwin standard gauge 2-6-6-2T that is very close in design and construction to the narrow gauge 2-6-6-2T proposed for Biles-Coleman.

You will note from the videos of BHC's #110 there are no foot boards, ladders, etc., in the area of the tank.

Also, if you have access check book Articulated Steam Locomotives of North America by Robert A. LeMassena.  Check page 317.  There are two pictures of very similar 2-6-6-2T locomotives, standard gauge, that look like the Bachmann narrow gauge version.

These two locomotives have no foot board, foot steps, or ladders mounted to the tank. 

Guess it would take a trip to the Black Hills Central to see how they get to the water hatch. 

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

I understand the that question of K-27 tender electrical pickups has been asked and answered.



This is a picture of the electrical pickups on the K-27 tender.

Now, I know what follows will no doubt seem unkind or whatever.  One has to wonder if anyone ever reads the owners manual and views video that is provided with a new locomotive.

In the case of the K-27, Bachmann addresses in its lubrication information using Conducta on electrical pickups.  The video for the K-27 illustrates adding Conducta to the tender pickups.  A review of the documentation and video provided was very clear as relates to electrical pickup on the tender.

Point is, you'd be surprised at the information provided on this locomotive.  Taking a few moments to review supplied documentation would have provided the answer related to tender electrical pickup.  When all else fails, read and review supplied documentation.

If anyone's feathers are ruffled by this posting I apologize


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Here's the link, with pictures, that explains the noise suppresion PCB and its removal.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2007/11/01/fried-bachmann-pcb?blog=4#more238

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Agree with Kevin and Paul.



The CD&StL logo is a water slide decal.  The large LPS is dry transfer.  Both were applied to the car right on to the factory finish.  Then given a light overcoat of clear satin finish to protect them.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Bachmann 10-Wheeler over-hang when running on Bachmann supplied metal track.



Over-hang of cab is 2 3/8 inches measured from center line of track to outside edge of cab.  Look close and you can see just a little silver showing between the locomotive and tender.  That's the outside rail on the curve.




Over-hang of front pilot is 3 3/8 inches measured from center line of track to outside edge of pilot beam.

Since the discussion is about using Bachmann track I used their track to measure the overhang.  Obviously on curves of a greater radius the over-hang will be less.

rubiranch:  I have six sections of Bachmann curve, never used, that you can have.  It's not doing me any good.  If interested contact me by e-mail at jlsclw@aol.com with your mailing address and I'll send it right out.  No charge.

Also, if you think track noise would be a problem do what we use to do with Lionel trains running on a platform.  Place cork roadbead under the track to deaden the sound.  Most big box stores sell rolls of cork type material.  This material is thin and can be cut to fit under the ties.



One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

The CD&StL has owned a Connie since Dec. 2001.  With exception of one broken tender truck side frame the locomotive has been trouble free.

As a test, when new the Connie pulled 30 Bachmann reefers equipped with metal wheels. That was a one time deal. The Connie handled the consist with no problems or wheel slip.

Usually the locomotive will be assigned to a consist of between eight to twelve 1:20.3 freight cars.  No reason to overload the locomotive.

As a point of clarification, the K-27 has a Pittman motor.  The new Mallet does not use a Pittman motor.  The Mallet has twin Mabuchi motors.

The K-27 has phospher- bronze gears.  The gears in the Mallet look to be made of the same material.  So, as jebouck mentions the gears in both the K-27 and Mallet should be more robust. Time will tell.

Connie is a good locomotive, just don't overload it.  It will no doubt pull more than the gears are up to. 


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Bach Man,

Will Bachmann Industries be represented (have a booth/display) at the SELSTS this coming May?

Oops! That should be the Southeast Garden Railroad Show.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

reds32238

The EZ Lub that I have looks just like your description. The Aero-Car has what appears to be the same viscosity.  I've found that the EZ Lub clings to the gear teeth with a thin film and does not sling like some other gear lubricants.

Grease hanging on the side of a gear or gear case is not providing lubrication. The lubricant must be on the gear teeth faces.

If you are not satisfied with the EZ Lube then try a lube that is more in keeping in what you expect a gear lubricant to look like.

Another good product would be lubricants made by LaBella.  They are a long time supplier of lubricants to the hobby industry.

For sound my choice is Phoenix. I've used their system since 1995 with no problems.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

I've been using EZ Lube since Bachmann first made it available. Prior to that I used lubricants from Aero-Car.  It appears that the Bachmann lubricants are supplied by Aero-Car.

Have yet to experience any gear or drive train problems as a result of lubrication.  I also use EZ Lube lubricating oil on shafts and motor bearings.

If you think the EZ Lube grease is too light then try Super Lube manufactured/distributed by SYNCO of Bohemia, NY.  In fact, any plastic compatable lubricant will work without causing damage to plastic parts.

For sound, there is a plug between the engine and tender.  Inside the tender that plug is not connected to anything.  It is a terminal point for an after-market sound system such as Phoenix or any of the other sound systems offered for large scale trains.  Sound system manufacturers will supply the information required to install their system.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

FB Gardens

This doesn't answer your question directly.

Easy solution is to build a carrier for the Connie.  With a carrier there will be no need to unplug the tender each time you finish running. Constant pluging and unpluging will in short order cause wires to pull from the plugs.



While the locomotive pictured is not the Connie, I use similar carriers for all locomotives that have wires running between the engine and tender. Built the first carrier when the Spectrum American became available during January of 2000.

Possibly someone has a sure-fire method to unplug the Connie with ease and not risk damage to the wires.  If so, bring it on.

Here's a link to an article on building a carrier. In this case it was for a three truck Shay.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2007/10/25/built-another-engine-carrier?blog=4



One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Loco Bill,
Now that's a tall order.

Sure hope you've been keeping up with each year's offerings since the Annie was first introduced.

If not, putting this information together will sure keep you off the streets and out of the bars!


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

The painted, unlettered version has white walls.



But not any more.



Removed most of the white trim. Too much white for my taste.  It was remove the white walls or add mud flaps.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

We should have mentioned that the Anniversary 4-6-0 is 1:22.5 scale.
The Spectrum American and Mogul are 1:20.3 scale.

The American and Mogul were small engines so that the models in 1:20.3 are smaller than the Connie and K-27 by a significant amount.  Both the American and Mogul do not look out of place pulling a consist of 1:22.5 freight or passenger cars.

Since I have examples of each of these locomotives and run them on a regular basis it is true that the American will pull more than the Mogul.  However, either of these two locomotives will pull more than their 1:1 prototypes would have pulled in service.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD