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494 Posts
When my Shay trucks started to break down, Dave Goodson showed me how to determine which run they were, and take advantage of the replacement program.
When my Shay caught fire, Dave Goodson replaced the wiring, installed Hillman Brass pickups in the trucks, and explained the current vs pickup problems that some sound and power systems could cause in these locomotives, even with the trucks that Bachmann sent everyone to replace the ones with plastic that crumbled ... another problem that Dave Goodson had discovered.
When my LHS dealer bought a 2-6-0 that wouldn't run because of the roller guides, Dave Goodson explained how to remove them so it would run, without any further problems.
When my 2-8-0 Consolidation arrived, Dave Goodson showed me how to fix the gearbox so that it wouldn't strip out the gears, and how to reinforce the tender trucks so they wouldn't break apart. He also removed the problematic electrical parts on the motor that caused problems for so many.
When my 45 Tonner(s) proved to be twitchy, and tried to run at two different speeds (one for each truck) Dave Goodson showed me how to remove and rewire the connections to the trucks so that it wouldn't do that anymore.
When my Railtruck stuttered and jerked like my Mom's Datsun did when I learned to drive a standard transmission car, Dave showed me how to correct the driveline and pickup problems, as well as a cost-free way to fix the gearbox so it wouldn't growl, grind, and ultimately strip.
When my long awaited K-27 was finally available, I had the dealer ship it directly to Dave Goodson, so that he could fix the counterweights, pinched wires, lights, sliding axles, and chuff timer, so that it would do what I wanted it to do, and run well.
Over the course of all of this, Dave Goodson has taught me more about how to build, wire, customize, detail, and run my trains than any ten people I have ever met in the hobby. He has been a source of oddball parts, track, resources, supplies, rolling stock, and equipment the likes of which no hobby shop could ever match (even ones that CAN afford to provide "local hobby shop service at internet discounter prices.") He has bailed me out of disasters caused by manufacturing problems and my own stupidity or ham handedness, and while they call him a "Curmudgeon" for a reason, he has been exceedingly patient and tolerant when I had "a better idea" that he ultimately had to either fix, or tell me how to fix.
If it's not abundantly clear from that, I got a good friend and mentor in the deal too.
Time was, if you posted a problem on the Bachmann board, someone from Bachmann would refer you to a solution that Dave Goodson had posted on how to fix it. There are examples of difficult cases referred to Dave Goodson by Bachmann's own service department, and of Bachmann implementing modifications sugested by Dave for their own service people to use.
It's a good thing. Had it not been for Dave Goodson, I would have stopped buying Bachmann locomotives at two, instead of the more than a dozen I now own and run. I would not have bought any 1:20.3 freight cars from them, and would probably not be as prone to spending all my "fun money" on my model train hobby.
So, Bachmann, if you're thinking that someone's giving you bad information, making your product look bad, turning people off to your trains, and model trains in general, serving their own commercial interests, being less than ethical or honest, and in general steering your ship toward perilous waters, I'm not saying you're wrong, in fact, there are a number of things, not the least of which is how you've treated Dave,that suggest (to me anyway)that might just be exactly what's going on .... but it sure isn't Dave Goodson who's your problem.
Matthew (OV)
When my Shay caught fire, Dave Goodson replaced the wiring, installed Hillman Brass pickups in the trucks, and explained the current vs pickup problems that some sound and power systems could cause in these locomotives, even with the trucks that Bachmann sent everyone to replace the ones with plastic that crumbled ... another problem that Dave Goodson had discovered.
When my LHS dealer bought a 2-6-0 that wouldn't run because of the roller guides, Dave Goodson explained how to remove them so it would run, without any further problems.
When my 2-8-0 Consolidation arrived, Dave Goodson showed me how to fix the gearbox so that it wouldn't strip out the gears, and how to reinforce the tender trucks so they wouldn't break apart. He also removed the problematic electrical parts on the motor that caused problems for so many.
When my 45 Tonner(s) proved to be twitchy, and tried to run at two different speeds (one for each truck) Dave Goodson showed me how to remove and rewire the connections to the trucks so that it wouldn't do that anymore.
When my Railtruck stuttered and jerked like my Mom's Datsun did when I learned to drive a standard transmission car, Dave showed me how to correct the driveline and pickup problems, as well as a cost-free way to fix the gearbox so it wouldn't growl, grind, and ultimately strip.
When my long awaited K-27 was finally available, I had the dealer ship it directly to Dave Goodson, so that he could fix the counterweights, pinched wires, lights, sliding axles, and chuff timer, so that it would do what I wanted it to do, and run well.
Over the course of all of this, Dave Goodson has taught me more about how to build, wire, customize, detail, and run my trains than any ten people I have ever met in the hobby. He has been a source of oddball parts, track, resources, supplies, rolling stock, and equipment the likes of which no hobby shop could ever match (even ones that CAN afford to provide "local hobby shop service at internet discounter prices.") He has bailed me out of disasters caused by manufacturing problems and my own stupidity or ham handedness, and while they call him a "Curmudgeon" for a reason, he has been exceedingly patient and tolerant when I had "a better idea" that he ultimately had to either fix, or tell me how to fix.
If it's not abundantly clear from that, I got a good friend and mentor in the deal too.
Time was, if you posted a problem on the Bachmann board, someone from Bachmann would refer you to a solution that Dave Goodson had posted on how to fix it. There are examples of difficult cases referred to Dave Goodson by Bachmann's own service department, and of Bachmann implementing modifications sugested by Dave for their own service people to use.
It's a good thing. Had it not been for Dave Goodson, I would have stopped buying Bachmann locomotives at two, instead of the more than a dozen I now own and run. I would not have bought any 1:20.3 freight cars from them, and would probably not be as prone to spending all my "fun money" on my model train hobby.
So, Bachmann, if you're thinking that someone's giving you bad information, making your product look bad, turning people off to your trains, and model trains in general, serving their own commercial interests, being less than ethical or honest, and in general steering your ship toward perilous waters, I'm not saying you're wrong, in fact, there are a number of things, not the least of which is how you've treated Dave,that suggest (to me anyway)that might just be exactly what's going on .... but it sure isn't Dave Goodson who's your problem.
Matthew (OV)
" border=0> My K is perfect with NO problems whatsoever that I have found and that's the way I first saw it! That's the way everybody should see their first K-27!! Thanks Dave!/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/satisfied.gif" border=0>
