Bachmann Slam

[thomasjmdavis]

I do have a question on a recent Bachmann loco.  Apparently (per Spookshow's site) there were two runs of "light" mountain 4-8-2s, the first (2003) of which looked nice and couldn't pull itself (much less anything else) up a 2% grade.  The second (2012) looked nice, and while it won't ever pull a 100 car coal drag, was much better than the first in that regard.

a) is there any way to distinguish between the 2 runs with model numbers, road names or?

b) when I looked at the Bachmann site for info, there was only one "light mountain" diagram.  Are the two runs the same in terms of parts?  Has anyone tried to use 2012 parts with the 2003 model?

As you may have guessed, I have gotten "such a deal" on a second hand light mountain- not sure of the vintage (maybe will figure it out when it gets here).  It is planned for use as a stand in for GTW steam on a passenger train, until I come up with something better.  Any help/advise much appreciated.

[Dave V]

I think Bachmann's record of very spotty QC is well established.  It is a bit of a gamble each time you buy.  Could be a winner, could be a lemon...no way to predict from one individual to the next even in the same model run.

Got lucky with my K4s, although even then I had some pick-up issues with the 1361.

[seusscaboose]

tangent discussion... 

the cheap decoders they're using in their diesel's are so frustrating.

they don't take programming easily...  and the first thing that should be done is to replace them.

that being said... the K4's seem to be ok...

[Cajonpassfan]

Curious, what have you found wrong with Atlas?

....their steam?
Oh wait, they don't make any
Okay, the Shay and the 4-4-0, if you can find them and get them to run...
Or their old Rivarossi junk...
Or their Mallet which blew itself apart frequently...
I'm no Bmann defender, but at least they are trying.
Otto K.

[glakedylan]

this thread has reminded me of my former audiophile days
that was back in the tie when purists were talking about the lowest possible % of THD (distortion)
the slightest amount of grams the tone arm could track on
and the most powerful amps to get the best 3-way speaker response


it basically came down to, the more moving parts and the smaller the parts employed
would probably not only cost more, but would maybe provide better sound and would
also open up the option of mechanical compromise or failure


seems to apply here
n scale steam is really dead center in the world of intricacies
product costs increase with the intricacy
more need of QC necessary
more potential for compromise or failure of a part or the entire product


is there an easy answer?
no
is there a likely solution?
probably not
then what can we expect and do?
accept it for what it is or (in the way of a metaphor) go back to the AM car radio


it may be a crap shoot
but this hobby is not cheap
and our collective best efforts will always fall short
but, do we need a scapegoat?
reality is, you win some, you lose some
and in the end it usually evens out


my 1.5 cents fwiw
Gary

[Nato]

                There are threads on how to fix the first run Bachmann Light Mountain locomotives, a fairly simple fix with thin cardboard or paper shim I do not recall in which  driver frame slot it is inserted. Nate Goodman (Nato). 

[ntex]

I have Bachmann Connies, Lt Mountains and Heavy Mountains and they all are great running models. The Lt. Mountains dont pull as well as the others but really have not had any problems. Just waiting for the Berkshire tenders to be available seperately.

[Mike C]

I do have a question on a recent Bachmann loco.  Apparently (per Spookshow's site) there were two runs of "light" mountain 4-8-2s, the first (2003) of which looked nice and couldn't pull itself (much less anything else) up a 2% grade.  The second (2012) looked nice, and while it won't ever pull a 100 car coal drag, was much better than the first in that regard.

a) is there any way to distinguish between the 2 runs with model numbers, road names or?

b) when I looked at the Bachmann site for info, there was only one "light mountain" diagram.  Are the two runs the same in terms of parts?  Has anyone tried to use 2012 parts with the 2003 model?

As you may have guessed, I have gotten "such a deal" on a second hand light mountain- not sure of the vintage (maybe will figure it out when it gets here).  It is planned for use as a stand in for GTW steam on a passenger train, until I come up with something better.  Any help/advise much appreciated.

I seem to remember that the newer run has a DCC ready tender with wires between it and the loco .  Also the fix for poor pulling is very easy . All you need to do is put a shim made from scotch tape between the bearing block and loco frame on the traction tire driver . Pulls much better after that !

[peteski]

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.

True, but Kato came clean on those issues and issued retrofits or fixes for both GS-4 issues.  I don't recall Bachmann doing anything like that.

As far as FEF3 is concerned, let's not panic yet - we still don't know that the problem. even if the universal coupling is the problem, this is a single incident so far (at least what is reported here).

[Big Train]

Peteski, jdcolombo

I've seen more than a few modified steamers, kit-bashed or otherwise, that indicate to me there are still modellers out there. Guys that would convert Hudsons into Northerns before you could get a half decent Northern. We have seen a few here on TRW. I think that if you are capable of installing Micro Train couplers, then tinkering with valve gear really isn't much of a stretch.

As far as quartering is concerned, it's an acquired skill I'll admit, but not difficult. Several TRW listees have posted procedures for doing this. Most of the Kato steamers I've worked on have keyed drivers and keyed crank pins, so unless you are out a whole whopping 90 degrees, quartering is relatively easy to do and still ensure smooth running once the vale gear is installed. I'll be the first to admit if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if it needs to be fixed, don't be afraid to try. There is a lot of collected wisdom here on TRW. Just ask and the universe will supply.

Me? Installing hardwire DCC is more of a challenge and I will learn to get better at doing it.

Isn't that partly the enjoyment of a hobby: to learn, acquire and develop new skills?

[peteski]

Peteski, jdcolombo

I've seen more than a few modified steamers, kit-bashed or otherwise, that indicate to me there are still modellers out there. Guys that would convert Hudsons into Northerns before you could get a half decent Northern. We have seen a few here on TRW. I think that if you are capable of installing Micro Train couplers, then tinkering with valve gear really isn't much of a stretch.

Sure, we are out there, but numbering probably in hundreds, rather than in thousands. Or maybe even fewer of us - unlikely the number needed to make someone spend all the time to gather info about all the steam loco models out there and then deign and produce etchings of the drive train for all those models.  I know I wouldn't want to do it unless it was a labor of love (or something I needed for myself).

But if you think there are enough advanced modelers in N scale for you to make profit from such products then by all means start your business.   I'll most likely buy some of your products.

[Chris333]

I would much rather change out details and bodies instead of trying to get it to run first. I finally sold my $200 Bachmann Berkshire for $150 

[narrowminded]

I have come to call Bachmann locomotives "kits".  The parts are there but they may need to be reassembled and tweeked.  With that as an assumption going in my level of disappointment is lowered when it doesn't run properly out of the box.  I think there was a day when the components were suspect but these days, the basic components seem to be OK but the assembly?  It's a shame.  So much so right but ready to run is a crap shoot and most of what I find is actually very minor, mostly assembly issues, making the existence of the problem almost inexcusable.  That's based on about ten Bachmann locos, mostly steam, and only three of them running well as delivered.  The rest are running well but only after some fixing.

[Philip H]

ya know . . .
Having seen the new version of B'Mann SD45 on RL Smith's layout . . . I'm coming around.  They ran well, sounded good, and honestly, the hood width issues are not really noticeable.  Is it brass, or even Kato?  Not yet, but the strides are in the correct direction.

[garethashenden]

ya know . . .
Having seen the new version of B'Mann SD45 on RL Smith's layout . . . I'm coming around.  They ran well, sounded good, and honestly, the hood width issues are not really noticeable.  Is it brass, or even Kato?  Not yet, but the strides are in the correct direction.

I thought it was the Kato SD45 that had the hood width problems?