Hoping for some guidance. 

I have converted two 0-6-0 saddle tank switchers to DCC and everything works well on both DC and DCC except I have lost my forward and reverse lights.  When doing the conversion, you are required to remove the two copper jumper strips that are on the terminal strip, now I can't figure out how to rewire the lights.  The decoder has light output wires, but I can't figure out where the light wires connect.  Can anyone help me?

Thanks loads,
David 

I don't know if this is the place or not, but over the past couple of years I've had to deal with the repair of some locomotives, most of which was entirely my fault.  Because of the equipment still being under warrantee, the Customer Service department took care of these problems without ever a question.


Recently I had a derailment of a new 4-4-0 Locomotive that rolled off the side of my layout and hit the concrete floor.  And once again, the Repair Department fixed the problem, in fact, did more than fix it, they replaced the damaged Locomotive.

I just felt that I had to say something and I didn't think 'Thank You' was enough.  How can I not continue buying and using Bachmann equipment, when their customer service is so outstanding.

David Von Stein

Hey Hunt,

Thanks for the suggestion but no thanks.  Completely different engine, different time frame.  I'll just play around with it and see what happens.  Maybe I can find someone local that will babysit while I tear it apart.

David

Here is another question for the assembly.  I have an older 4-4-0 American and tender, and would like to know if I can resonably convert it from DC to DCC operation?  I sure would like to be able to use this locomotive on my layout.

Thanks,
David

Howdy,

It's been a while since I've posted but I have a question that seems to have an obivious answer but,  I am using Atlas code 83 turnouts & switch machines, and Bachmann DCC power and locomotives.  Is there a source of AC power for the turnouts available, or do I need to use a seperate AC source?

Thanks for the help,
David   

 
Hey Shane, I just had two HO locomotives repaired, and in the past I have had my repairs returned to me within two months.  But for some reason this time it took four months , they must have really been snowed under.  When I called and talked to the repair department, they have always been polite and courtious, although not giving me the answer I was hoping to hear.  I might not have been happy with how long it took, but I sure can't complain about the results.

David Von Stein

Hey John,

Quite a stable of horses you have.  I wouldn't mind having a shay, but think I will stay with what I have for a while.  At least until I get some track down and a little running time on what I have.  I would like to go to DCC some time down the road also, just so I could run a couple of trains at the same time.

And Chris and Lee, thank you very much for reminding me about the acid into water rule, I had forgotten all about that.  Maybe this weekend I wil be able to clean that track and start laying track.

You guys have a nice weekend, the weather here in Florida is supposed to be great!

David

Paul,

Thank you very much for the explanation, that is definately on my 'want' list.  As soon as I'm up and running, I will go shopping.

Thanks again,

David

Hey John,

Right now my running gear is a LBG starter set (72324) that has a steam locomotive (2-4-0) with tender and 2 short passenger cars.  I really like the steam age and would like to get a better locomotive as time goes by.  I figured i could get up and running with this, and see what it going on.  I did purchase some used track and a MRC Power G transformer, to gie me more than a circle to run on.

What do you mean, what kind of power?  For now, I would say staight DC, if that is what you are asking.

And Lee, thanks for the info on your mainline, I am going to try my best to stay at 2% until I get something stronger to pull with.

David

Good Morning Paul,

And thanks for the help.  I went to that site yesterday right after reading your suggestion.  I do believe that the cleaning block is on my list of 'I wants'.   It just sounds too simple to pass up.  But, wouldn't it fit into the 'don't sand your track' catagory?

Thanks again,
David

  Hello Kevin,

Just a follow up.  I tried the Muradic acid this morning for just a couple of minutes, what a great idea.    I cleaned a 4 foot section of track in just a couple of seconds, this is going to save me days of cleaning.  I checked the resistance with my meter and there is a big difference between the tarnished and acid cleaned track.  I figure with me cleaning, and my wife washing, we should be able to do all of the track in a couple of hours at most.  Thank you again, and I will be carefull.

David

Paul - Thank you again, and I realize the get this track ready to run will be the hardest part.  If you run a train enough, keeping the track clean is minor.  But as heavy as the oxidation is on this rail, I have my work cut out for me.  Thanks for the BriteBlok suggestion, I haven't heard of that.  I am thinking of a track cleaning car.

Kevin - Wow, muratic acid, we have some for the pool.  I was using Never Dull trying to clean the top of the rails, and at 200 feet of track, it will take me all summer.  I may try the acid but I am aware how caustic it is.  I appreciate the ideas and help.

David

Hey Paul,

Thank you for that.  It was recommended to me to use a very fine grade of wet or dry sand paper.  I played around a bit using Never Dull, and Mothers and it is going to take some work.  The sandpaper idea sounded good, but I was afraid that it might damage the rails. 

Thank you again,
David

Hello John,

Glad to meet you.  Thanks for the info, and I think that I am going to try to stay at or under 2%.  I should have enough of a run to keep my grade managable.  As a beginner, I have a feeling that I am going to make many mistakes as I go along.  My present problem is now how to clean very tarnished track.  It was set up outside, and is now black.  But the price was right, and I have the time, so I felt I could clean it up and save a couple of bucks.

Thanks again, and maybe we can get together some time.

David Von Stein
dvs56 @ Bellsouth.net (please remove the spaces)

  Brian,

Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was looking for.  Now I can start laying track and be sure everything will work.  I appreciate the info.

David