dius curves on a test track. The counter-shaft drive rods to the front truck and between the second and third trucks are quite short, and can become disconnected in handling the locomotive if the trucks are allowed to swivel to their limits. It is not difficult to reconnect these shaft connections without having to remove the trucks. The Bachmann Class C Climax re- viewed came equipped with a dual- mode NMRA-compliant sound decoder with an eight-pin plug. In the analog d.c. mode, the locomotive woke up at about 5 volts d.c. with the yellowish di- rectional headlight on and air com- pressor sounds. Increasing the voltage to about 7.5 volts d.c. initiated chuffing sound effects, but the voltage had to be increased to about 8.5 volts d.c. before the motor would move the locomotive at
or backing. In addition, the decoder can be programmed to provide automatic grade crossing whistle signals, bell sig- nals, steam release on stopping, and brake squeal when slowing. In the DCC mode, the sound decoder provides a full range of operator controlled and auto- matically programmed sound effects, and CV-controlled adjustments. The de- coder includes a 1-watt audio amplifier, which at factory volume setting is good for hobby shop demonstrations but is a little loud for use on a layout with other sound equipped locomotives. Sound quality is very good. The chuff rate is programmed using the Soundtraxx Auto-Exhaust feature rather than a physical cam. At low speeds, the factory setting resulted in about 3½ chuffs per revolution of the crankshaft; that seems close enough for realistic chuff sounds.
Granite City Train Show Saturday, April 21st 2012 National Guard Armory 1710 Veteran’s Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303
Show Hours: 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
a steady 4¾ s.m.p.h.. This should im- prove with additional break-in of the drive train. At 12 volts d.c. current draw was 0.1 amp and the speed 10.7 s.m.p.h. Holding the coupler to cause wheel slip increased the current to just under 0.2 amp.
At 16 volts d.c. the speed was 20 s.m.p.h., a little above the typical maxi- mum for a Climax. In the DCC mode and using a Digitrax DCC system speed step 1 resulted in a smooth speed of un- der 0.9 s.m.p.h. (that’s 3¼ minutes to travel 12 actual inches)! Speed step 99 had a speed of 19.5 s.m.p.h. The model weighs 10.4 ounces and we measured a drawbar pull of 1.3 ounces.
The sample Climax came with a Soundtraxx Tsunami 16-bit sound de- coder. In the d.c. analog mode, the de- coder provides chuff sounds when mov- ing, air compressor sounds when stationary, and one, two or three short whistle blasts when stopping, starting RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN
At about speed step 40 and a track speed of about 10½ s.m.p.h. the individ- ual chuff sound transitioned into a con- tinuous “whoosh.”
This is a nicely proportioned, well- detailed, prototypically accurate, smooth running model with great sound features, especially when oper- ated in the DCC mode. The sound equipped Bachmann Class C Climax is currently being offered in the following versions priced at $535.00: painted, unlettered in black; painted, unlet- tered in black with red windows and white Stripes, Moore-Keppel & Co. No. 6; Cass Scenic RR No. 9; Clear Lake Lumber Co. No. 12; Climax No. 3 (demonstrator). The Class C Climax models are also available with a dual mode DCC decoder and are priced at $385.00. These have the same level of detail and similar operating character- istics as those models equipped with sound. —GARY QUALE
Buy, sell, trade or just view hundreds of trains under one roof. Vendors will be selling and buying trains, accessories, books, videos, railroad collectibles & mem- orabilia, antique trains & toys, hobby items and more!
Operating model and toy train displays. Kids can help build a wooden train layout and run a model train.
Register to win door prizes, including a LIONEL Train Set.
T
est track on site. Food & refreshments available. Wheelchair accessible.
Admission: $5.00. Kids 12 and under FREE.
For more information call 320-255-0033, email
edwardolson@cloudnet.com, or
visit
www.GraniteCityTrainShow.com. Map & Directions:
www.GraniteCityTrainShow.com/GCTS_map.pdf.
VENDORS:Cash door prizes for vendors and Early Bird Discount on vendor tables. Visit
www.GraniteCityTrainShow.comfor details and printable vendor registration form.
HOBBYISTS: If you wish to display a layout, please visit our web site for a printable layout display request form.
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