Hey, it's actually snowing right now here in AL The strange thing is that I can see lightning....only in Alabama

You're not alone Paul.....

I've been seeing Christmas advertising since before Halloween. I wish the snow would come down here though....I'm prepared now- I got rid of my Camry in favor of a Jeep Wrangler

I guess it is about that time

Kevin

no

Bachmann's hollow track doesn't take well to being stepped on though...even from a small child

you should be able to run your finger over the joint without feeling a bump. Make sure the rail is in the joiner and not on top of it.

Kevin

Does the track bend and move when the train goes over it? If you're not supporting the track at each joint, the track can flex at these weak points.  This changes the height of the couplers and causes them to uncouple. The problem with the switch might also be related to this. There needs to be a smooth transition from flat to an incline. Is the turnout on the incline, or is it flat? Also, what kind of surface is your layout on?

I'm not sure what the problem is with the locomotive, someone else with experiance with spectrum connies will probably step in and help.

Kevin

So, the fact that the season of fall lasted all of 2 weeks here in Alabama is a result of global warming? I can see that......

just about any IHC steamer, Athearn 4 axle diesel (except genesis), or Bachmann diesel should fit those search requirements

My dad works with someone who races a purple Charger, that puts close to 1000 hp to the wheels. He wanted to take my dad and me to a test-and-tune night, and my dad decided to try his luck with his 98 BMW Z-3 (with the wimpy 4 cylinder engine of course). He ended up losing the match (duh) and had a top speed of 54 MPH over the 1/4 mile strip, don't remember the time though. He was up against a beautiful blue RX-8.
Now we've found something even more fun-autocross. The SCCA sets up a course out here at the old airport about once a month. My dad races his beemer, and I race in my 'high performance' 97 Camry. I rarely have anyone in my class, but when I do......I usually lose. Good practice for my job as pizza delivery boy though...

Kevin

this may seem a little random, but I figured out that I could have a scaled up HO 15" radius oval with two 9" straights (220 ft x 350 ft) in my backyard. I wish.

kevin

I was able to fix the problem on the shay by slipping the bevel gear off, putting a SMALL drop of cement on and putting the gear back on. I did this about a year ago and have had no problems since then.

YAY! I just found a new one for me to get started on.

What do you say, Cheez-It orange?
It took a while, but a picture finally turned up for this one. It doesn't look lke it will be that hard to do, but I don't know about the headlight... 
I am happy now.

I think the reason the 45 tonner looks smaller than the 44 tonner is that the hoods on the 44T are wider than what they should be prototipicially.

Here's a real 44T: (great picture BTW)
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=241525&nseq=3

an end view of the Bachmann N scale model:
http://www.pbase.com/atsf_arizona/image/100441203

and an end view of the Bachmann HO scale model:
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/pics/GE44BO.JPG

I can understand the N scale model- there needs to be room for a motor in the tiny thing

The thing I don't get is how they say they're saving water, like it's something that will put out pollution. I'm pretty sure that steam locomotives aren't the sole cause of so-called "global warming."  I, too,  am sick of all this 'green' and how EVERYTHING has to be 'green' or it's not accaptable in society. Even the laptop I'm typing on has something saying it's 'green'. But, right now I'm smelling the wonderful aroma of the neighbors who think it's a good idea to burn their horse manure, after it's been soaked in diesel, of course (it's their summertime tradition).