Here is a picture of a Bachmann 1:20.3 coupled to the Kadee height gauge.  Coupler height is exact with the gauge.



This view shows the Bachmann coupled to the AMS 1:20.3 box car.



Note that the AMS body mount coupler, as delivered, sets higher than the Bachmann.  Even though slightly higher, the AMS body mount works OK with the Bachmann.

I prefer Bachmann couplers, either the plastic truck mounted or the newer metal couplers supplied with the 1:20.3 cars.



These are the plastic body mount couplers supplied with AML 1:29 scale cars.  These happen to be couplers that came with Art Knapp's 1:29 scale PS-1 box car.  The Knapp cars are produced by Accucraft for Knapp.  This same coupler came with a number of AML PS-1 box cars.

JD

Russ,
If you don't want to build a reversing unit then check out the Split-Jaw Products units.

Split-Jaw offers two variations of reversing units.  Our club has used these units on  club displays with good results.  They have proven to be trouble free.

You can find out information on the Split-Jaw units at www.splitjaw.com where they list part number 10100 or part number10200.  Part number 10200 can be set for multiple stops along the route.

Just another option that you may find worth investigating.

JD

Sure we run the Sam's Club Christmas Sets.

Our club, Tidewater Big Train Operators, purchases two sets each year.   We display/run one of the sets at our week-long Holiday Show.  The Holiday Show is open and free to the public. 

Raffle tickets are sold to the public.  Ticket sales are always brisk.  Most folks seem to think the Sam's Christmas Sets are nice and they would make a great addition to their Holiday decorations.  The kids think they are great.  The sale of raffle tickets for the sets helps us defray some of the expense connected with this large show.

So, everyone is not a "hard core" train buff.  Have yet to hear, after all these years of displaying and selling tickets for these sets, that they are not prototypical.



JD

I guess only time will tell on how well the K-27 sells.

There no doubt are those hard-core folks that won't run anything that wasn't used on the railroad they model.

On the other hand, there will probably be a lot of us that could give a fig if the K-27 was railroad specific.  The Connie was not widely used by North American railroads, but there sure are a lot of them out there running in unmodified version.

I have the green boiler version, numbered, painted, unlettered on order.  I'll letter it for the CD&StL and run the "hell" out of it.

I could care less about Colorado narrow gauge.  But that sure is a nice locomotive and most folks that see it running here in the East won't have a clue as to the railroad that used these locomotives.

Then, when and if Bachmann produces a EBT 2-8-2 several will be added to the roster----and they won't be lettered for the EBT.

Bill,

Possibly it's just a problem with the flat car kits.

I've purchased one box car and two reefer kits and they all had the knuckle couplers attached to the trucks.

JD

Guess that which can not be talked about can now be talked about.

Great news that Bachmann published in its e-mail newsletter.



Now with seven variations to pick from it will be tough to select the first one.  I see a number of the K's on the CD&StL roster.  Will have to decide tonight so my dealer can place a preorder in the morning.

If Bachmann makes the announced December delivery date this will be one extra special Christmas.

JD

wslogger.
Let's try this picture.



As I mentioned in my original post, now deleted, the two wires, that are twisted together, in the lower right hand corner of the picture are the chuff trigger wires.

Maybe this will work.  Sorry for the mixup.

JD

What you have is an extra foot plate.

It's been a long time since the Connie arrived at the CD&StL but I seem to remember the plastic, diamond plate foot plate was too short to reach from the tender to the locomotive.

Bachmann included the plain metal foot plate that works just fine with the Connie.  I took the plastic footplate and used it on a 10-Wheeler.

A little someithing extra from Bachmann at no additional cost.

JD

Bachmann does not sell parts or components for locomotives or rolling stock.  Bachmann carries no inventory of replacement parts.

They will repair or replace a locomotive.  The charge for service of a Large Scale locomotive is $30.00.  That's the charge for locomotives that are past their warranty period.  For that $30.00 you get your locomotive repaired, or in many cases a new locomotive.  The complete locomotive with tender, if applicable, must be returned to Bachmann.

Large Scale Spectrum locomotives require a $50.00 service fee for repair or replacement.

JD

These are both older sets.  Don't think either will be listed by dealers at this time.

The second set you list was known as the Royal Blue. 

Loco Bill a regular at this site has an extensive data base on Bachmann sets.  He should be able to give you an estimate on the price of these sets when sold new.

JD

 

First, remember we are talking about a small Industrial Mogul.  Doubt that in many, if any, cases a locomotive of this type would be used to handle a passenger consist of any size.

I've added 14 ounces of weight to the Indy.  It will easily pull six Bachmann J&S coaches. Now it looks a little out of place at the headend, but it will pull them.  The Indy handles, with ease, six to eight Bachmann side dump cars.  My layout has little if any grade so that no doubt helps the little Mogul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbLCm9VTJak

This is a very short video clip I made about an hour ago.  Here the Indy is pulling a box car with battery and RC receiver.  The three J&S coaches have been extended by adding three window sections.  The combine was built to match the length of the passenger coaches.  The Indy handles this consist with ease.

This Mogul has been in service since December 2002.

JD

Time flies when you are having fun.  The Industrial Mogul was introduced Dec. 2002.



This is the Indy with a custom cab and modified tender.  With just a little weight added they will pull a respectable load for their size.  They won't pull paint off the wall but will sure handle two or three J&S coaches or four or five freight cars with no problem.  Great little locomotive.

Bachmann will introduce a locomotive, catalog it for a few years, and then drop it.  In time the locomotive may be produced and offered again.  Case in point would be the 1:22.5 Side Tank Porter.  It was offered at different times over the years.  Now it's back in a 1:20.3 version that has been upgraded from previous versions.

Just hang on, it will probably be offered again.  In the meantime, there are still dealers that have the Indy in stock.  It just takes some looking around to find one.

JD

The coupler's are attached to the motor case from the outside with a screw.  The screw is hidden behind a small plastic cover.  It's been a while since I removed the couplers from my Climax locomotives.

Can't remember if that little cover slides up or down to get it free from the draw bar where it attaches to the motor cover.  Once that little cover is removed you can then remove the screw and the coupler assembly. Look closely and you can make out the cover that would normally be easy to overlook.

Just went and checked the Climax Operator's Manual.  Look on page 28, Side Frame, Brake Shoe and Coupler Assembly (Front).  You'll see the little cover. And it does slide up to remove it for access to the mounting screw. Back truck is the same.

JD

I've been using EZ Lube since Bachmann first offered it.  The gear lube does the job it was intended to do.

As mentioned, gobs of grease along side a gear or on  a shaft does not provide any lubrication.

The EZ lube will put a light film of lubricant on the gear face teeth, as an example. That's were it is needed.  The lube lasts a long time, will not sling off, and provides lubrication in both extreme high and low temps.

A very good product.

JD

Information for removing the tender is contained on page 19 of the Spectrum Two-Truck Climax Operator's Manual.

Following procedure copied from page 19 of Operator's Manual.

*Loosen the two recessed Phillips head screws located under the tender water valves (access the screws by simply lifting the water valves off). Note:screws may be tight.

*Tilt the coal bunker backwards until the tabs on the back of the bunker release.

*Lift the bunker shell up and off.

That's it. When lifting the bunker off pay attention that one or both of the sander lines are not lost. They are small and if dropped might be difficult to find.



Went out and took a picture on one of the Climax locomotives showing the location. 

JD