The ball bearing races around at least one of the axles on my mikado which effectively created a path for dirt to work in to to the gearbox.

I like the idea they'd make a medium size steamer. Either the mikado or the consolidation (e-27) would be great choices. Mostly, it would mean spare gearboxes and wheels for the mikado, mallet and consoidation.  There is the hope for a minor upgrade in the gearbox design too, making it easier to grease the gears and replace worn axles. That's what I will be needing in the not too far future (spare axles).

Quote from: Greg Elmassian on January 19, 2024, 01:07:41 PMVery typical story with large/long locos.

Many people got excited and made a lot of noise over the:

Dash 9
E8
Mallet

But when it came down to it, it was a limited market and since there was a lot of time between announcement and delivery, the number of people who would ACTUALLY buy the locos was limited.

Also, many people found out that they just did not have the layout to run such large locos.

But Bachmann must have seen the outrageous prices on the used/NOS market, and dove in.

This happened with each of the above locos... people made a lot of noise, but the second or subsequent shipments sat on the dealer floor and eventually were sold at cost... RLD hobbies had pallets of E8's, Dash 9's sold for very cheap. Many mallets were sold cheap.

So it's good to see that Bachman did not fall into the same trap. Wise decisions will keep the company profitable.

Perhaps they could now make another MORE POPULAR Aristo loco?

Greg

Greg, I agree with you and the assessment of the biz decision.  I did preorder and purchase a new Dash 9 from Bachmann last year in an effort to support their efforts to produce large scale trains. I don't model the modern era, but I also want Bachmann to view 1/29 and the old aristo line as a viable source of income. My preference would be for another 2-8-0, 4-6-2 or RS-3. I am hopeful their GP-40 will likewise be well received. Likely a smart move to postpone a second run of Dash 9s before the GP-40 comes out.

The SW-1 was the designed but never produced loco from Aristo.  I think the SW-1500 was like the SD-9, died on the vine.

Quote from: Greg Elmassian on September 01, 2023, 01:25:41 PMMark, Would you consider running the DCC Revolution system? Then you could leave the QSI installation alone, reprogram the top speed limitation, run on batteries of your choice (or power of your choice).

You would have all the great sounds and functionality of the QSI, all the functions would be accessable from your remote.

The only downside is you need the DCC Revolution and have to run that loco from that transmitter.

There's a lot of cool functions in that GG-1....

Greg

Hi Greg, I didn't consider trying to run the GG1 with REVO DCC.  I think it requires an all new transmitter, right? I'm already feeling hamstrung with the 3 Revo TX's I have when I have multiple iPads/iPhones that could run apps to control the trains...

I checked my railroad and it's got 23.5 vdc in most spots on the line. Maybe I should use the super revo board for controlling the motors if it starts to overload too frequently but the truth is this engine doesn't see much track time. Even the guys at USAT service told me they can't do anything about the top speed and they agree it is slow.

I checked with NWSL about having some gears cut and they suggested to count the teeth, figure out the ratio and then try and do it myself. They just didn't have the manpower to take it on themselves. It's about what I expected them to say.

HEre's a long video a guy made of this past weekend's train show here. I start at about 13 mins or so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnodtkgVlIc&t=1483s

Hi folks,

I'm working on an HO scale display layout. I'd like to add a back and forth trolley to the scene. We've already got the track in place so I'm looking for recommendations or suggestions for a trolley to use. I like the look of the PCC trolley and see the sound value ones out there are pretty reasonably priced. But I am looking for some experience with these things and recommendations.

Also- does anyone have experience with an automatic back and forth circuit like the ones made by dallee?

Now that I think about it. I think I've got the QSI board operating in parallel with the motor from the revolution outputs. The motor will start turning at Revolution speed step 1. ANd the engine starts to move. I have never seen any other locomotives start at this low an output.  THe QSI board does not start making noise until about 25% output (so that's 6v). It doesn't make the engine movement sounds until 12v and there's no way to trigger the bell or horn so I am planning to remove this entire board and install the phoenix P8 board I have for it.  The only thing holding me back is the lighting. I really like the green/red  and dim/bright. Not sure that'll be possible with revolution, it's just too basic.

Quote from: Greg Elmassian on August 25, 2023, 05:16:02 PMMark, the GG1 came with a programmed in speed restriction. Change the max speed CV in it, it will go much faster. Been there, done that.

Greg

Hi Greg! Hope you're well! I actually bypassed that QSI board alltogether. I am running directly from the output of a revolution train engineer board. I've got 24 vdc going to those motors (measured at the leads), but your comment has me wondering if the board itself can't handle the amp draw of the gg1 and maybe that's the limiting factor? I think those are rated for 5A. Do you know what the amp draw for a GG1 is supposed to be?

For me, I have a wide range of engines and interests.  For practicality, I run engines that run the best for me. It might sound OCD but I do what works. Always a heavy steam engine (mallet or aristo mikado) to clear the lines for a day of running. This includes pushing a track cleaning caboose for one or two laps until gunk is cleaned off the railheads. Then, we switch out to whatever we decide to do that day. Some days it is steam engines; others FAs and RS-3s or even the E8.  Occassionally, we pull out the heavy USAT GG1 but that engine's gearing make it problematic (too slow for this fast freight and passenger line). We did acquire a new Dash 9 to help support Bachmann's efforts in the 1:29 line and I am actually thrilled to see that new single dome tank cars are being planned.

On the smaller side, the Bachmann Eggliners are a big hit here. I am also eyeing the blue/cream streetcar as the Hershey's one I have works great on the temporary holiday layout I put in my front yard last year.  I am thinking about adding dedicated streetcar lines to the main railroad too, but for now, I am focused on getting my major expansion projects completed in the next three weeks! Wish me luck!

https://www.facebook.com/millersvillanova/

I can't read PNP without saying "Penelope".

Most excellent, Bach-man!

Hi Bill,

I think it was just the backhead. I did get a new to me Annie a few weeks back.  I'll check it out.

I had to pair a ATSF 'red comet' boiler to the annie chassis I have here.  I repainted it first.  The old molding was not so great.  I also had to drill the hole out for the bell a little bit more. The original boiler for the NP&S loco had clearly been dropped and the mounting holes broken off. With the new boiler, I was able to fix all the old problems. I did have to repaint all of it, but it turned out really nice! I even made the boiler bands and loco lettering out of permanent vinyl.

Ted,

Very nice!! Departing from that hook to a loop, seeming based on the mid 80s practice, is great! I have an LGB 2017D that had that style coupler.  I used a keychain ring to semi-permanently couple them together.

Hi Bill!

I have done a couple of these and found that the main thing that I had to modify was the spot where the switches go through the backhead.  On the earlier BH models, there were not provision for the switches.  On the Annie chassis, there are two. I think one switch is for the chuff signal and the other is for maybe the back up light? I don't know because I was using old tenders.  In any case, I had to use a dremel and make a little cut for those connection points on the one engine.  On the other, I removed most of the wiring and installed a Revolution control in the tender, so the holes in the backhead are for the wires that control power input, motor output, lights. 

I am also seeing a pin instead of the hook and loop coupler.  What's the drawbar look like?  That's a change, yes?

Tender looks a lot nicer than the old BH version! 

Greg,

Were there any concerns with the C-19 socket?