Experience With Bachmann "Class J" 3rd Release?

[tehachapifan]

Quite some time ago, prior to switching to DCC, I picked up what I believe is a 3rd release version of this loco (per info on Spookshow) for super cheap. It came in the Limited-Edition box and has the white gears, which I know have a long history of issues. The shell also sits awkwardly high. I recall test running it when the layout was still DC and it ran OK, although a bit noisy and it sort of shimmied its way, side to side, down the track. After that, I put it away for years but now have a renewed interest in getting it up and running on DCC. Anyone have this loco from the 3rd release? Thoughts on it? Anyone install DCC or try to lower the shell? How have the gears held up? Thanks!

[SkipGear]

Don't bother, find a recent release. I have a box of parts handed down to me from a N&W fan in our club that tried everything to make those older ones reliable. It's not worth the effort.

[peteski]

If I read Marks write-up correctly ( http://spookshow.net/loco/classj.html ), there are only 3 versions (3rd is the most recent).  Mark states that the newest one has plastic gears, but no color is mentioned.

I have the 2nd and 3rd versions.  I bought the 2nd version (611) when they were new (about 30 years ago).  I futzed around with the mechanism to make it a decent runner, but it is not a great runner.  I used to have it pull the Con-Cor N&W passenger car set on my NTRAK club's layout. Never converted it to DCC. It sits in a display case.  I bought the latest version several years ago (it came as a set with the aux. tender), but I have not done anything with it.  One of those projects waiting its turn on my workbench.

Some additional identifiers:

V3 has drivers with black centers.  V2 has black plastic spoke inserts with silver metal wheel back visible between spokes.
V3 has black plastic gears on 2nd and 3rd drivers. V2 uses white plastic gearing.
V3 loco has a diecast metal top half of the boiler. V2 has an all-plastic shell.
V3 has a speaker "grille" in the boiler floor. V2 does not.
V3 uses crank pins with flat heads. V2 uses Philips head screws as crank pins.

[tehachapifan]

Don't bother, find a recent release. I have a box of parts handed down to me from a N&W fan in our club that tried everything to make those older ones reliable. It's not worth the effort.

Ok, thanks! However, I'm not going to spring for a new release. Was hoping to mess around with this one and see if I can get it to run nicely/nicer.

If I read Marks write-up correctly ( http://spookshow.net/loco/classj.html ), there are only 3 versions (3rd is the most recent).  Mark states that the newest one has plastic gears, but no color is mentioned.

I have the 2nd and 3rd versions.  I bought the 2nd version (611) when they were new (about 30 years ago).  I futzed around with the mechanism to make it a decent runner, but it is not a great runner.  I used to have it pull the Con-Cor N&W passenger car set on my NTRAK club's layout. Never converted it to DCC. It sits in a display case.  I bought the latest version several years ago (it came as a set with the aux. tender), but I have not done anything with it.  One of those projects waiting its turn on my workbench.

Some additional identifiers:

V3 has drivers with black centers.  V2 has black plastic spoke inserts with silver metal wheel back visible between spokes.
V3 has black plastic gears on 2nd and 3rd drivers. V2 uses white plastic gearing.
V3 loco has a diecast metal top half of the boiler. V2 has an all-plastic shell.
V3 has a speaker "grille" in the boiler floor. V2 does not.
V3 uses crank pins with flat heads. V2 uses Philips head screws as crank pins.

I've found that the Spookshow page on the Class J's is a little confusing. It seems to indicate there have only been 3 versions of this loco but, if you read the section on the first version carefully, you'll see that there were actually 3 distinctly different incarnations of the first version. The chassis of mine looks the most similar to the pic depicting the 3rd incarnation of the first version. That said, I'll go look for the other identifiers you listed.

[peteski]

Ok, thanks! However, I'm not going to spring for a new release. Was hoping to mess around with this one and see if I can get it to run nicely/nicer.

I've found that the Spookshow page on the Class J's is a little confusing. It seems to indicate there have only been 3 versions of this loco but, if you read the section on the first version carefully, you'll see that there were actually 3 distinctly different incarnations of the first version. The chassis of mine looks the most similar to the pic depicting the 3rd incarnation of the first version. That said, I'll go look for the other identifiers you listed.

Link to Mark's review: http://spookshow.net/loco/classj.html
I see what you mean about the way he addressed the versions.
Confusing.  I also failed to  notice the 2020 DCC-sound  release which seems to be the 2006 model (which I have) with an on-board sound decoder.

Well, I could also be wrong. I just have 2 distinct versions of the loco, but I'm only assuming what versions they are.  Also the V3 I have has "Spectrum" logo embossed on the locos gear cover and on the tender underframe. The V2 does not have any such markings.
My V2 also came in a white cardboard box with Styrofoam cradle for the loco (same as the other Bachmann locos from that period).
The chassis of my V2 has 2 metal plates and plastic center where the gears are housed. Mark calls it the "2nd version".
The rear driver has traction tires, so that would imply "3rd version".  That would then make my newer model a V4.
Some of the identifiers I mentioned might also apply to the earlier versions. I simply noted the differences between my latest and oldest Class-J.

The problem with the Bachman locos using that design is that the drivers are both, driven by gears, and also coupled by siderods.  The slop of the gears (and also slop of the driver axle bearings) makes a smooth operation of the siderods almost impossible (especially in both forward and reverse direction).  That is why I would not recommend the older model for DCC conversion, unless there were some nostalgic reason.  It will probably run acceptably, but not as smooth as more modern design models.

[draskouasshat]

@tehachapifan, id be interested in buying it if you decide to sell it. Its the old one in the tan box correct?

[tehachapifan]

Yes, the yellowish, tan box that says "Limited Collector's Edition" on it. I'll let you know if I decide to part with it.

[draskouasshat]

Sounds good. I've been looking for one to try a build on. Any chance you could take a measurement of the driver diameter on the tire?

[peteski]

Sounds good. I've been looking for one to try a build on. Any chance you could take a measurement of the driver diameter on the tire?

The drivers are very toysh.  Not only the spokes are not see-through, but you can see the solid metal wheel back.  It is one of the wheels shown in the photo below.

[draskouasshat]

Pete, if the measurements are close to what i think it will be, it will get different drivers.