Bachmann Slam

[carlso]

About 3 years ago I purchased a new EM-1 to morph into a Superturbine AC-9. I did accomplish the task and it ran well for a few times, until it had eccentric crank problems. Mr. Magliaro fixed that for me and it has performed flawlessly ever since, knock on wood.

So, thinking B'mann had a pretty good product, I purchased a second new EM-1 with the intention of morphing it into an SP GS-1 using Superturbine castings. I cooled on that project, for now, and decided to run the EM-1. It ran flawlessly right out of the box for approx 30 minutes and bingo another crank problem. This time the crank on the rear engine, engineers side broke into 2 pieces. I have a perfect round washer on the driver rods where it used to be a crank. The crank broke off and left the eccentric rod dangling. I went ahead and removed the rod and the expansion link and the loco runs great, just not with all pieces. So being naive, I looked into B'mann web for parts. No such luck. Where else in this world would one find an n scale crank for the EM-1. I give up and will run it as is and most people seeing it will never realize the difference. But I quit on B'mann purchases for sure. Should have known better.

Carl

[Chris333]

But it has DDC installed, that should be enough...

[Kisatchie]

Hmm... I thought you
meant "slam" as in grand...
As in "Bachman hit a home
run"...

[peteski]

Carl just had a knee-jerk (or crank-pin-drop) reaction.   Bachmann makes excellent high-quality  products and we should do everything we can to support our N scale manufacturers. That way they will continue to (um) crank out new products for the hoards of N scalers ready to consume them!

Sorry to hear about this unfortunate event Carl. Disclaimer: In case there is any doubt, this is a tongue-in-cheek post.

[jdcolombo]

Hi Carl.

You might be able to get someone to etch that part for you from stainless steel.  Maybe post that question here.

The last time I checked, Bachmann also had no parts for the Berk

John C.

[Albert in N]

Carl, I agree with you.  I gave up on Bachmann products almost ten years ago.  Some have been traded off at fire sale value, others may meet the same fate or later be in my recycle bin at curbside.  Seems like prices went up after laying off any remaining quality control staff.

[nkalanaga]

The last working Bachmann locomotive I bought was in 1974? 75?, a GP40, with the early all-metal gears.  As far as I know it's still in the old house somewhere, unless the burglars got it, but it probably still runs.

Fortunately, they haven't made anything since then that I needed.

On the other hand, I bought several deceased 0-6-0 switchers, and used the shells for narrow gauge 2-8-2s.  Worked great for that!

[Big Train]

I'm surprised that, in the 30+ years of n scale model trains, that no one has manufactured valve gear components, like the aforementioned crank pin, as a third party detail parts. There all all sorts of detailing parts for superdetailing  diesel locomotives, but little for adding detail parts to steamers. I thought for sure valve gear components would have come up sooner or later.

Especially when you consider all the different types of valve gear used on steamers in the day, I thought a market would exist for converting from Walchaerts to Southern or Baker if that's what the prototype used. Or, upgrading the old Rivarossi  valve gear.

My Key SP GS-4 made in Japan by Endo in 1984 and hasn't run since then because of valve gear problems. It's been back to Key for repairs and still has problems. While I have been able to engineer a solution to keep the valve gear from fouling the drivers, the crank pin has broke. It's a shame really. Until the Kato GS4 appeared, the Endo was a phenomenal runner....when the valve gear worked. It now sits forlornly on the shelf watching the Katos do their thing.

The other thought I have is as long as use modellers demand highly detailed and accurate models, the manufacturers will give us that, but it may come at the expense of operational reliability. Some of this stuff is so finely detailed and delicate it's hard to remove some engines from the packaging without damaging something. And that something is usually a part of the running gear somehow.

But if crank pin separation is a problem, and it seems to be with some manufacturers, maybe it would be wise to find a better method to secure these in place instead of relying entirely on the interference fit and try an adhesive to prevent slippage.

[peteski]

I'm surprised that, in the 30+ years of n scale model trains, that no one has manufactured valve gear components, like the aforementioned crank pin, as a third party detail parts. There all all sorts of detailing parts for superdetailing  diesel locomotives, but little for adding detail parts to steamers. I thought for sure valve gear components would have come up sooner or later.

Especially when you consider all the different types of valve gear used on steamers in the day, I thought a market would exist for converting from Walchaerts to Southern or Baker if that's what the prototype used. Or, upgrading the old Rivarossi  valve gear.

I'm not surprised at all.  Think about it - just how many modelers are capable or willing to perform those types of work on their very complicated, delicate, and tiny N scale stem loco models? Very small number I suspect.  So economically it makes no sense for any manufacturer to make dozens or even hundreds of those components (yes, even a same loco modeled by a different manufacturer will not have interchangeable valve gear).  The replacement or upgrade parts would have to be manufactured to fit every specific model (type and brand) of a steam engine. 

With the proliferation of models being produced (with more and more accuracy), more and more modelers just prefer to buy them and run.  Advanced modeling where people actually modify their models seems to be declining.  Yes, there is a very vocal and very small minority of modelers (like me) who don't even think twice of totally disassembling or repairing a model of a steam engine, we are a very tiny minority in the overall N scale marketplace.

[jdcolombo]

Agree with Peteski.   I consider myself pretty fearless on most modeling stuff, but even I hesitate when it comes to messing with steam loco valve gear.  I didn't try converting my LifeLike Berkshires to DCC until I found a way to do it that didn't require dropping the drivers, because the thought of trying to re-quarter them afterward was just too imposing.  Over time, I've gotten a little less timid about this stuff, but not MUCH less; I might be willing to drop the main rod to change a traction tire, but that's about it when it comes to messing with the valve gear.

N scale steam is still a delicate matter.  One slight misalignment and you've got a major problem with hitches in operation.  So I've stuck with the old "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mantra when it comes to steam, and only dive in when there is absolutely no other choice.

John C.

[Nato]

                    Small size N Scale steam drive rod parts seem to be a perennial problem. The old Rivarossi, later Con Cor  Rivarossi locos had crank pins that came out, small screws that loosened and had to be Loc Tited on. So far my two EM 1's have run flawlessly, but K4's that is another story, one repaired and returned, and one replaced with an entirely new locomotive, just before Bachmann said they had no more (have since been re run) and would offer a Berk to a Railwire member in exchange, just as they did for me when an SD45 with sound C****d out and I asked for an SP S2 switcher of lesser value. When Bachmann's products work great they are by now very nice, but Quality Control is still needed, and a huge stock of parts, whether from turned in bad locomotives or new fresh stock. Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah. 

[powersteamguy1790]

My two EM-1's are still in great operating condition. But due to QC issues with Bachmann products, spare parts must be made available to N scale modelers.


Bob.......

[C855B]

My two EM-1's are still in great operating condition. But due to QC issues with Bachmann products, spare parts must be made available to N scale modelers.

I'm far less concerned about the QC issues than I am about B'mann's drive to push prices up with ridiculous MSRPs. Products that cost that much should have full after-sales support, not just a barely one-year warranty, send-it-in-and-maybe-you'll-get-the-same-model-back.

[carlso]

Wow, I really kicked off a very good discussion here and I appreciate all of the responses and thoughts. John C. suggested finding someone to etch, in stainless steel, some cranks. There are many guys talented enough to do that, I am sure, but how do you ask someone for one crank. I would take a full sheet to be prepared for the 8 cranks on my two EM-1's.

I agree with all the comments made and let us say, honestly, that it is not just B'mann that has issues, they may be the most guilty. Let us not forget the KATO fiasco with the very 1st release of GS-4's and their shorting problem. How could a QC inspection not catch the problem before guys started putting good decoders into them. Also, how could they have screwed up the axle bearings and pocket on the drivers and not known so in advance. And now, I just read a thread here on TRW that someone is having, what I would call, major problem with their FEF. Seems the motor shaft may be spinning inside of the drive shaft connector that sits on the motor shaft. If so, a very weak situation, how many more have this developing. I shall pull mine apart and check that soon.

So, it is not just B'mann, or Atlas but most nearly all manufacturers. The BLI steamers have not been around long enough for issues to come to the forefront, but my guess is that something will show up in more than one locomotive as these units get worn in and used often. BTW, I think their sound in the M-1 A/B is the best that I have listened to, bar none.

Just my 2 cents worth and I will continue to purchase KATO, FVM, BLI but that is about the limit today. I will look at it as a large crap shoot as to what quality I may receive, especially in today's world of pre-order or miss out.

Carl

[Missaberoad]

@carlso
Curious, what have you found wrong with Atlas?