I am trying to locate the contact strip's part number N51512 for my tender.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lenz 1025 Gold...They are probably 20 years old...Anyways, I replace two engines today with brand new decoders, engine performance  greatly improved with Factory Defaults. I just wanted to make sure that my settings were adequate in a few existing and I was getting full benefit of a speed curve. For several engines, I was setting Start Voltage at 3, Mid Voltage at 175, Max at 250. Results were acceptable.     

Quote from: skerbs on November 18, 2024, 09:51:30 PMAlso, I reached out to Bachmann and I was informed through their email:
"For sound the reset is CV 30 to a Value of 2 and then try to run on default address #3." That didn't work either. 
My question is how do I know my locomotive is set to "default address #3" after doing that?
Right now, it is a great running silent locomotive with nice bright headlights.

According to the manual, the Tech6 will only run DCC locomotives on address 3. Since you are able to run the locomotive, it has been reset to that address. I am guessing you have somehow muted the sound. The Tech 6 manual I found online does not mention how to turn on the sound.

Would these perhaps have the Bachmann factory installed decoders? The ones used in the diesels do not support CV5 or CV6 so setting a speed curve or slowing their top speed is not possible. To be able to do that you;d have to replace the decoder with one that supports those CVs.

After checking the Soundtraxx website, I wonder if my speaker got damaged.  It did sound crackly before I lost sound totally. Also, the sound did cut in and out before it totally went away. I notice the speaker being the issue for sounding "crackly" "sound cuts in and out" and "locomotive will not produce sound." I will have to investigate further.

So for N scale if they do have to announce Edward at the NMRA that is fine but he should he announced the 80th anniversary year .

So as for rolling stock . I am pretty sure Bachmann is gonna announce some branchline coaches but I don't think we need them yet and they will require a new tool which is something I don't think n scale needs right now aside from Edward . Also, we have a ton of coaches I do think that red Express coaches could be a better option in terms of new coaches
Since they have a backlog in N scale apart from Edward I don't see anyone new coming for a few years .
In the meantime there are many repaints mainly of Thomas and James but also of Emily and Henry
And not to mention class 08s and a suggestion that I really like flying Scottsman

So as for rolling stock I also think we need to focus on existing tooling for catch up reasons . The 7 plank wagon is super simple as that tool already exists not just in the UK but in the Thomas line now for the first announcement of 7 plank  wagons they could announce the ones without the loads due to the backlog rn so they don't have to tool up coal loads .

Also Bradford could be done easy since the LMS brakevan is in the range and why not add the spikeful brakevan to have all of the sentient brakevans in the line.

I understand there are many variables, but curious where you guys and gals who run the older (2000-2005) Spectrum 2-8-0's and 4-6-0's, with no sound and on a 28 Speed step mode, set CV2, CV6 and CV5 for a realistic speed? I also have some engines that have decoders in them with CV6 identified as Page/Pointer Register whatever that is...I'm slowly replacing them as I believe they are giving me issues like stalling...speed changes...etc.

Thank you...     

Terry, I had one of these for years and used it with minimal success (finally sold it at a local train show). I clean the wheels on my Bachmann GE 45-ton and Rapido GE 44-ton locos using the [old] tried-and-true method of a 'soaked' piece of paper towel on a powered track (I use my programming track). After allowing the wheels on one set of loco trucks to run on the wet toweling I then 'burnish' them off on a dry piece of towel (ditto for the other truck). This, coupled with monthly track cleanings, allow my locomotives to run flawlessly. Oh, I use inox (a great Australian product) as a cleaning agent. ///Ray

Did you try a factory reset of the decoder?

Quote from: Coco462 on November 18, 2024, 10:20:36 PMThank you so much!! I think I'll just start with the complete Thomas set and see how it goes. Cause I can tell it's a whole other type and I don't know if he has the comprehension level to run it.

You would be very surprised!  I've worked in special education for almost 10 years and I'm in touch with a former student and his dad, who are now very active in the hobby. The student, a nonverbal autistic middle schooler like your son, quickly adapted to N Scale after starting with a Thomas model, some track, and Annie and Clarabel. Their collection (and layout) has steadily grown, and they're still expanding. Just today, his dad texted me that he's already preordered Gordon and Emily and some rolling stock for as a Christmas gift for his son.  When he first got Thomas he caught on right away that this wasn't like the average Thomas toy/merchandise.  He treats the models with great care and understands that they're a lot more delicate than the wooden or battery-powered trains that he also owns.  Hopefully your son sees it the same way too.

Good luck with starting your son into the hobby and odds are you may find yourself joining in on the fun as well.