The new Vision Line Niagara #6013 is running smoothly after replacing the traction tire. All smoke features appear to be working as designed: Steam Whistle, Smoke Stack, Pop-off Valves, and Tender Water Fill Smoke.
The newest challenge is the sound in the tender is turning off when the tender runs over my Atlas #5 switches. Eventually the entire sound system shuts down. The 990 Remote "Reset" does not bring back the sound once it is totally off. To restore sound, the transformer has to be turned off, and then on.
The owner's manual makes no mention of a battery cable in the tender. Is there a device that can be added to power the tender sound system and keep it from shutting off when going over switches? The pick-up rollers are insufficient.
The pick-up rollers on the Niagara tender are very close together, creating a small footprint for such a large tender. I know the smoke units probably determined the placement of the rollers on the bottom of the tender. Unfortunately I lose the bass tender sound on every lap around my layout. I only have sound from the engine. Eventually this leads to the entire sound system shutting off.
What suggestions do you have? Some of my engines were aided by adding longer armed pick-ups on the tender to increase the footprint by a quarter inch.
I really like this engine and purchased it to run with my NYC Legacy Mohawk and two NYC ESE J3 steam engines.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
Note: The Owner's Manual on page two says I should receive the following: 1 - Vision Line Locomotive, 1 - Tender, 1 - Smoke fluid funnel, 1- WRENCH, 4 - Replacement traction tires, 1 - Niagara Owner's Manual, and 1 - Orange Programming Module. There was no wrench included with my engine.