Ralph Berg said:ok Ralph thanks, now where's the list for the trains?????? hah LOL I'll test em real good, see how long it takes to burn em up or damage somtin!! Hah LOL RegalJerry Hansen said:I was a beta tester for Rise of Legends and Vista. You can sign up to be a beta tester on the Microsoft web-site. Ralph
Question Robbie? How do you and others get on the list for this trying out all this NEW stuff in the computer world, and train world, like the beta testing for different train items, and things?
…so much for computer problems; when is the 2-8-0 gear box hitting the market, and at what price…?
Fr Fred,
The price for the motor and gearbox is $200.00. Send me an email and I will send you the order forms. [email protected]
TOC has the burden to help finish the installation instructions, his latest is that he needs to review the pics once again.
I am trying to be in position to start shipping the coming Monday.
Barry - BBT
Got some initial feedback from TOC last night.
Have a visitor from CA, so will start in earnest on the instructions Monday.
Need to get them squared away so I can ship.
I appreciate your patience, mine is just about used up.
Barry - BBT
Barry,
Take a break after you ship the pre-orders.
Then start on re-gearing the K. 
Hay Barry.
Don’t forget I’m stopping by on the 14th to pick up the old Christmas Loco.
Thanks
Geoff
Geoff,
It’s ready, finished it yesterday.
Barry
Probaby after seeing that post! Some times you need some thing to push you to finish things like I’ll be there >>>>>
Have the instruction set back from Dave. We’ve discussed the pics for the instruction set.
Next I have to marry the pics to the instructions. Hopefully, finish this week end.
Barry - BBT
Chompin at the bit.!
Tools at the ready!
John,
Me, too.
Barry - BBT
Finally,
The Instruction set is done (first draft). It enables me to make the first shipments, which I will be preparing this weekend for Monday.
There will be a cover letter, inviting corrections, and critique of the instruction set. Both Dave and I are too close to know exactly what everyone needs.
There are six complete drives and eight ready for the final assembly. Hopefully, I will have all of those ready for Monday. Of the 43 who listed with me
28 of you have placed orders. Half will be shipped to on Monday. I will begin the next group for completion after that, that will mean all of the list will have been shipped in the next couple of weeks.
I am anxiously waiting for feedback on the installed drives. I have mentioned it before, that I think this may be my best work yet.
Dave’s testing has been an experience, nervous at first and more and more confident as time passed.
Sorry for the delay.
Barry - BBT
Barry?
How’s everything goin?
Haven’t heard in a while.
Everything is fine, got sidetracked with some orders. This is the busiest Christmas I’ve ever had. Ran out of regular motor mounts and pilot truck frames, which pulled me off of gearboxes.
I’ll be back on gearboxes this weekend.
Barry - BBT
Barry,
Since I just dropped my engine off with Geoff tonight and thought of this, how much do you want to charge me for a Connie gearbox install?
Enjoy the engine, it’s missing a few parts but those will be added in the form of other parts when it returns(rear tender steps = single K-27 tender step, etc.).
Anxiously awaiting it already!
Robbie,
Since I hadn’t planned on this, let me think about it a bit. I’ll let you know.
Barry - BBT
P.S. For the rest of you, this is a pickup and delivery. The shipping cost on a Connie box is just too much.
Barry,
Are you referring to an entire Connie or the gearbox that we ordered.
If you need more shipping money for the gearbox, let me know.
jb
John,
This would be the entire Connie. I don’t feel confident enough in my abilities to install a gearbox, and since Geoff’s going to drive right past Barry’s in January, he offered to drop off the Connie.
The Connie’s just a tad larger than even Barry’s gearbox 
Just to explain.
We (TOC and myself) have spent a lot of time writing the instructions for everyone to be able to install their own gearboxes.
Logically we know that some are just not going to be up to the task, it was explained that Robbie was one of these.
The reason for this approach is the cost of shipping a Connie, it was too much when I came to this conclusion, and rates are up even more.
Some of you may seek help from a friend who may have already done an install or just has more bent for this kind of stuff.
There is another customer on the list, who lives here in Phoenix and I have agreed to do his.
Further, we determined that for most of us, this is just a series of steps which we all can master (if the directions are good enough).
I expect to make improvements to the instructions as time passes. Robbie still wants to know what I am going to charge him.
Barry - BBT
Barry Olsen said:
Just to explain.We (TOC and myself) have spent a lot of time writing the instructions for everyone to be able to install their own gearboxes.
Logically we know that some are just not going to be up to the task, it was explained that Robbie was one of these.
The reason for this approach is the cost of shipping a Connie, it was too much when I came to this conclusion, and rates are up even more.
Some of you may seek help from a friend who may have already done an install or just has more bent for this kind of stuff.
There is another customer on the list, who lives here in Phoenix and I have agreed to do his.
Further, we determined that for most of us, this is just a series of steps which we all can master (if the directions are good enough).
I expect to make improvements to the instructions as time passes. Robbie still wants to know what I am going to charge him.
Barry - BBT
Robbie is worried about what your going to charge and he never even asked me what I was going to charge. Hummmmm I think I would worrie about my charge’s first. Connies seem to be selling fast on Ebay.
Barry I’m now up to three locos for myself. 2 for drives and 1 to be checked out and up greaded with your new side rods and stuff.
Side note. Called about the pass cars and they don’t have the SP Coast ones. bummer.