[RkyGriz]

Hi,guys!
I finally got something to come on this forum and crow about.
I just bought the new Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0 "Flying Rio Grande" locomotive and matching tender.
It's slightly used (about 6 months according to the seller).
But it only cost me $458.47 with free shipping on Ebay.
Bachmann 91801 G Scale D&RGW #170 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive DCC & SOUND 22899918013 | eBay
And it comes with a Soundtraxx DCC system installed and ready to go!
Based upon the Soundtraxx website, this is their TSU-4400 that has been installed in the tender:
Soundtraxx Tsunami2 Digital Sound Decoder TSU-4400
My current DCC control system is an NCE Powercab starter set that is inadequate to control G Scale due to the power supply being limited to 1 amp.
Any recommendations for upgrading an NCE Powercab power supply for G Scale?
According to indormation I found on their website, a power booster can not be more than 3 amps,and 28 watts according to the NCE website.
Yet they make a Smart Booster 5 amp system to plug the controller into.

NCE #5240027 SB5 Power Cab DCC System Expansion Set SB5

NCE #5240027 SB5 Power Cab DCC System Expansion Set SB5

www.trainworld.com

Did I miss something on their website?
Or will I have to buy a completely new DCC controller for this lovely new locomotive?
Let me know what you guys think.
Later!
Andrew

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Actually your NCE PowerCab is 2 amps, but the voltage is too low.

You need a booster, and you can get/make one easily.

read this page: Portable DCC System

note you can get the DC power supply for almost nothing, 19v is a typical laptop voltage...

Greg

 

[RkyGriz]

Thanks,Greg!
What do you think about the "new" Bachmann 4-6-0?
I haven't received it quite yet, and I'm looking forward to running it once I get the DCC controller issue resolved.
Later !
Andrew

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Every few years they make improvements, and clearly the big one is the gearbox.

the new one has the socket also, which will help for people who want sound and/or DCC

The Bachmann forum is back, and the comments on the new one are there to read.

Greg

 

[RkyGriz]

Thanks, Greg.
I can't wait to try out the new loco with that TSU-4400.
It's my first DCC G Scale locomotive,and I'm quite excited about it!
The forum being certainly is good news!
Andrew

 

[Dachshund Tim]

They run well I have only run it on DC. I bought the undecorated one and decaled it to Southern Pacific, removed the coal load and built a removable oil bunker. Paint compatability was an issue with the paint Bachmann uses but got that figured out after a lot of research.

 

[Pete Thornton]

the big one is the gearbox

I read a review by Kevin Strong, maybe in Trains or MR, and it has ball bearings on the main axles. Plus better gears, as you say.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

The ball bearings on the axles is news to me... do you have a link/reference to this being stated?

 

[FatherMcD]

The ball bearings on the axles is news to me... do you have a link/reference to this being stated?

Kevin's review is in the Garden Railroading News #6 page 16 and specifically mentions the ball bearings on the locomotive axles along with a photo of them.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

That's great stuff, finally! No wonder the list price is so high, but it's their most popular loco.

Thanks!

 

[RkyGriz]

Hey, that is great news!
Job One when it arrives will be to take it partially apart so that I can lubricate the entire drive mechanism.
Even with the ball bearings added, it shouldn't be very different internally from previous versions.
I'll take ,and post,a few photos of the chassis with the plate removed for those who might be interested.
I use only Labelle products to lubricate all of the various locomotives, and rolling stock,of all the scales in my train collection.
I'll post next after the loco arrives ,which will likely be either much later in the week, or early next week, as the loco is still in Bogart , Georgia, according to the UPS tracking number at this time.

 

[Pete Thornton]

The ball bearings on the axles is news to me...

Oh ye of little faith . . .
(I'm actually amazed that it wasn't mentioned anywhere in Bachmann's release or the info on their forums.)

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Not faith, I did not know... was not keeping up... I don't run that scale or era

 

[Pete Thornton]

I did not know...

I didn't know until Kevin mentioned it. It is nowhere in the Bachmann literature.