Large Scale Central

Fire extinguishers ready

General Discussion
#1

I just may be about to get banned from the Bachmann site, having pointed out, respectfully [you know me] that both Thomas and Percy actually operate in a different direction to just about every other large-scale loco made in the last twenty years or so, but without the benefit of a polarity switch having been fitted as a factory item.

This means, of course, that those folks who have bought these models to run on Christmas layouts where the younger get the chance to drive Thomas as well as more realistic trains might be in for a surprise on taking over the throttle…

The comparatively easy fix has already been posted on mls…

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#2

tac,
Just as well you added “…just about…”

The orginal Spectrum 4-4-0 was wired backwards and did not have the reversing switch either.

#3
TonyWalsham said:
tac, Just as well you added ".......just about........."

The orginal Spectrum 4-4-0 was wired backwards and did not have the reversing switch either.


Yup, I figured that might be the case, so I added that phrase as a let-out… I also have an older REA FA-FB that is wired ass-backuds, and save it for special occasions…Bleeve it or don’t I don’t actually set out to upset folks. It’s just that some folks stand there and say ‘please hit me’.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#4

Gack.

I’ve just noticed that our very own Tim O’Brien has mentioned this in HIS recent post.

Apologies to all for bumping or whatever it is that you do when you post something that somebody else has posted.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#5

If my hazy memory recalls, MDC’s ran bass ackward as well.

#6

Had 2 of my posts (different threads) deleted on the mentioned site a few days ago. I probably average 1 every other year.

Just a bit of pushing the envelope on my part, although the previous poster in the same thread, who wasn’t tactful or diplomatic with his complaints, didn’t get deleted.

Curiously enough, I’m still able to post.

Joe

Edit: Added “on the mentioned site”

#7

Part of the job of the new “Director of Communications”, isn’t it, to delete things not in the best interests of the Ting Dynasty?

I gave up long ago, deleted my account even.

Why, oh why, does this keep happening?

One would think with consumer complaints folks in filly would have a memory span longer than 30 days.

Maybe it’s the “Technical Advisor” telling them “nothing is wrong…all is well”.

Always reminds me of the scene in “Animal House”…“all is well! All is well!”

Splat.

#8

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/165318.aspx

I think F…Bucksco has too many words in his “cartoon”.
He could leave out the “if you do” and “if you don’t”.

Anybody notice how much like the Polk Fawning Site the BotchBoard is becoming?

Unless you fall all over yourself with praise for their most high, you get deleted.

Let’s see:

After the “loss” of end steps on the Climax (thrown away…nobody knew you had to “install” them), the Thomas stuff comes with…parts in a bag that are critical to use with existing equipments.

The original 4-4-0 ran…horrors…backwards, and we had to generate “procedures” (hell, they were “fixes”, but that word didn’t sit well with China), so everything went to polarity switches…and now they “forgot”…

I may have to borrow one to check the gear ratio…just for grins and chuckles, mind you.

I see the inventor of the Ames Super Socket (gee, if it was so freaking wonderful, where is it mounted in the Thomas stuff again?) is posting how to improve Thomas performance on another site.

I see the “parts page”, and wonder…when the original quote, about 13 years or so ago, in part was “we make them cheap enough that when they break, you buy a new one. We are not in the parts business” has anything to do with suddenly parts being available and the price of the goods going through the roof?

It’s all very strange, indeed, but I am certain the Director of Communication has a script to read from on this.

They just crossed out the “LGB” at the bottom of the page…and it’s “Suitable for Large Scale”.

#9

got our Thomas A&C out this evening…tried as shipped…Clarabel let go every time it came to the first Corner…(using all Bachmann track around the tree)…

switched to the “Garden Height” with provided mounts…

still WILL NOT NEGOTIATE the turn…headed out now to add some handy zip-ties to couple till we can gut him and get him outside…

total BUMMER!!! Like I don’t have enough to do tonight before Sun-up!!!

:frowning: >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

was this “anticipated”?

Merry Christmas!

#10

I don’t understand the polarity fuss. Can someone inform me as to why “large scale” is so special that people insist it must run the opposite of everything in the smaller scales?

#11

Because that’s the way the little german…did it in 68.
So, if you’ve got stuff to that standard, and Botch wires 'em backwards…

They put polarity switches in all the other stuff (later 4-4-0’s, both 2-6-0’s, Heisler, Dismal, later 2-truck and all three-truck Shays, 2-8-0, 2-8-2, Anniversaries, Davenport, I think the rail truck) but somehow managed to wire these to nmra and forgot to put that switch in.

THAT’S why.

#12
C. Nelson said:
got our Thomas A&C out this evening...tried as shipped...Clarabel let go every time it came to the first Corner..(using all Bachmann track around the tree)...

switched to the “Garden Height” with provided mounts…

still WILL NOT NEGOTIATE the turn…headed out now to add some handy zip-ties to couple till we can gut him and get him outside…

total BUMMER!!! Like I don’t have enough to do tonight before Sun-up!!!

:frowning: >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

was this “anticipated”?

Merry Christmas!


Thats strange I have heard some people having the same issue and others not. So far mine has not had that issue but Im using my LGB R1 track. Ill have to try it on the Bachmann track. SO far Im happy with the set it seems very kid friendly but I also dont plan on doing anything with it except run it with the kids.

#13

still binds under speed…thinking of real chain when we get outdoors…

think I’ve figured out the problem----Track Power :smiley:

Merry Christmas To All!

Cale

#14

Gee, my Lionel “Thomas” survived two year old Balin, and still “keeps tickin’.” Why would I want to “upgrade?”

#15
C. Nelson said:
still binds under speed...thinking of real chain when we get outdoors....

think I’ve figured out the problem----Track Power :smiley:


Nahhhhhhh,
More likely operator error :wink:
Merry Christmas Cale.
Ralph

#16

No Surprise here (or there), but the Bachmann poster Child and Technical Consultant are posting pictures of their Forneys on the Bmann forum…funny, those 2 always get “it” first…must use the same “local dealer” that Miller brags about but will never disclose…won’t be getting my $600 on this one…

The audacity, like the rest of us peons are so ignorant we can’t see through it…

#17

Cale,
possibly they use the same Philly based dealer. I have noted that many dealers only ordered a few locomotives (or supply is rationed), as even at the cheapest price seen so far ($529.00) supply is exhausted. The penalty for using that Philly-based dealer is a little too difficult to swallow (I will await the closeout deals and keep my dignity and integrity intact!).