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In N scale, the choice of steam locomotives for CN and/or CP is rather limited. If anyone has one of these Bachmann Consolidations, I would appreciate getting your opinion on it (ie are you satisfied with how it runs and how does it compare to other diesel or steam locos you may have?). TIA...

Much Better! Graham: I removed the inside bearing blocks last night without any problems and it significantly reduced the noise from the engine --- I wouldn't call it 'whisper quiet', but its good enough for me. Thanks for your tip about how to take off the hex nut --- not having to worry...

Seems simple enough --- I'll let you know how I make out. On the electrical side, I think the issue is just a pickup problem since the drive mechanism seems to work smoothly throughout the voltage range. The actual contact area seems to be ridiculously small, so I'll clean everything up and...

Graham: I assume the thrust bearings you are referring to are the two plastic pieces on either side of the fly wheels (see image)? Just want to make sure before I take the inner ones out as per your tip. Thanks

Sorry --- I was originally going to post this in the N/Z forum. It is an N scale loco, so (i) I will try your suggestion and (ii) I won't hold you responsible if it no longer runs after I do this ;) While I'm in there trying that, maybe the source of my electrical problem will become...

I am having real problems with a GP7 Phase I CP loco that I purchased probably 18 months ago. When I initially bought it, I had to take it back to my local LMS after 2 days because it wouldn’t run at all. They got it running reasonably well, but it was still VERY noisy. It has sat in the...

Gentlemen: FYI --- I checked the cables when I got home and suffice it to say that I felt a tad foolish when I discovered that they were null modem --- oops! :oops: Equally useless to me as serial since only 9 pins end up being connected (plus reversed for reasons that escape me) Moral of...

Fred: Thanks for pointing out this web site to me. One quick about question --- if a 25 pin serial port and cable only has 9 operable pins, why would you not just go with a 9 pin serial port and cable? Probably a stupid question --- what am I missing?

Thanks Graham --- its reassuring to know I haven't been going down a path that I shouldn't have been on in the first place :) BTW --- I thought about the 50 way connector as well because I have a total of 62 connections to do, now I'm glad I didn't go that route. Even the 25 way are finicky...

Graham/Fred: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check the cables tonight and see where that takes me. One other question --- is there a better option than 25 pin connectors/cables? I went with this approach because it theoretically will meet my objective of fast'easy setup, but the...

I've run into a very strange problem with the wiring of my coffee table layout control panel that maybe someone in the group can help me troubleshoot. I decided to use 25 pin connectors in the control panel and at the layout facia so that I will be able to hookup/unhook everything quickly and...

So why DOES everyone say Zed outside the US (including Canucks like myself)? Why not Bed, Ced, Ded, etc....?

Here is the response I received from the manufacturer regarding tip life: If your tip is not heating up quickly anymore you may have drained your batteries to the point where they need to be replaced. Did you try a fresh set of batteries yet? Regarding the tip life expectancy, in testing...

I would question what this fellow told you --- I just finished wiring my control panel (which includes 12 bi-polar LEDs) and didn't have a problem. One word of caution --- I did just about 100 connections on the panel using this unit and, near the end (ie the last couple of connectors), it was...

Can you guys post pictures of what you've described here --- both sound very interesting!

Frank: You're right --- getting exterior lighting to look realistic in N can be a challenge! One thought I have is to 'mask' a portion of the LED so that it appears to be smaller (paint, maybe a piece of painted foil wrapped around part of the bulb, etc). I will try to remember to post a...

Sorry --- DC

Does any know if there is a manufacturer(s) that makes an automatic reversing unit (ie for automating changing the polarity in reverse loops). I have 3 of these loops in my coffee table layout, so operating it is going to become tiresome using the typical main/reverse switches on the control...

I bought this soldering tool on Saturday and used it for soldering all of the switch/LED connections on a control panel. I soldered about 100 connections using it and I only have one word for it --- amazing! Once you try it, you'll never want to go back to a standard soldering iron again (at...

Daniel: The answers to your questions are as follows: - I shoot for a consistency just a little bit thicker than Hydrocal before you pour it into rock moulds (between a paste and being 'runny'). I would suggest you buy one of the sheets you mentioned above and try, say, 3 different...