For people with Bachmann a question ?

[Anonymous]

how many that own bachmann people that own and run there stuff 12/7 and how does it hold up. with out the conversion? or added expense?

[tangerine-jack]

I run my B'mann stuff more or less stock ( I use Kadee couplers) and I don't have one bit of problem. I don't exactly run for hours on end all day long, but I do get a lot of hours logged in none the less.

I say use it out of the box, run it 'till it breaks, then upgrade or replace. You don't have to immediately upgrade and spend money on new B'mann products The conversions and upgrades are nice to do, but I haven't and after several years I've yet to have a problem.



[oX)]

[toenailridgesl]

Steve,
I've been running B/mann locos exclusivelly since '96, had to twice replace gears in old locos but nothing but good performance in all of the later models. Recommend them highly, you can't beat the detail on the Spectrum models & the cost leaves all of the competitors in the shade. Time was you bought (& boasted about...) buying LGB for the quality & the longevity. Bachmann has caught up in both spheres. Bit like Jap cars in the early 60s, they were a laughing stock, now they are the yardstick to which others aspire (& before the M-B & BMW pedants jump in here, talk to me about $1000 oil changes & special tools just to change filters....)

[cacole]

I don't run mine anywhere near 12/7, but I have ran my 1:20.3 Consolidation for two days during an open house from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. practically non-stop, pulling six pieces of rolling stock, with no problems at all.

I run on battery power with the AirWire900 wireless DCC system and a SoundTraxx Sierra sound system in the locomotive and tender. I have ball bearing wheelsets in all of my rolling stock, but there are some inclines, including a long 2 percent grade. The first boxcar behind the locomotive carries a 5Ah Gel-Cell battery, which is quite heavy.

[bman36]

Hi there,
The only Bachmann loco I own is my Shay. Absolutely love it. The detail is awesome not to mention the pulling power. I would not hesitate to recommend a Spectrum unit to anyone. I also maintain a Consolidation that runs in a grocery store layout. That train gets a regular workout. Two years now and nothing but lubrication. Runs great. Considering steam??? Give one a try. Later eh...Brian.

[ghelman]

I have a 2-4-2 Bachmann and a Big Hauler 4-6-0. I bought them because I was new to the hobby and they were very inexpensive. I ran the heck out of the 2-4-2. It worked very well on my small layout with tight turns. But, I did have a 2-3% grade that eventually took its toll. It has a broken axle and as suggested in another tread I will probably send it in for repair. The 4-6-0 still runs, but, de-rails a lot. I stoppped using it because of the de-railing. I am going to try some modifications that George Schreyer suggested. Along with that and enlarging my layout I hope to have better luck. I am satisfied with the Bachmann locos and feel I have gotten my monies worth. I actually got the Big Hauler as a set at Wal Mart for $40.00 US. I couldn't beleive it. It was on close out and I grabbed it up.

[kstrong]

I don't run mine much, but they run like swiss watches--provided the screws are tight. A little care and feeding is really all that's needed to keep them running smoothly.

We still have one of the original Big Haulers running on my dad's railroad, though I replaced the plastic wheels with metal ones. The gears are the original 1st generation spur gears. This loco is the "helper" on the 5% grade on my dad's railroad, and has performed admirably in that capacity since the day we got it. I think I've had to replace one or two gears in that loco over the years, but that's not bad considering it's 1st generation Bachmann.

Later,

K

[Karl Reichenbach]

I can't say anything but good about Bachman locomotives. I have 6 that get a lot of hours put on them. A Climax, Heisler, Shay, 2 Annies, and an 0-4-0. With proper maintance they just keep running great.
One thing for sure. With Bachman you get a lot of BANG for the buck. Try them, you might like them.
Karl

[Chompers]

i have a Backman Spectrum mogul and the tender cupler sherred off while pulling

[Curmudgeon]

Chompers- This the Centennial one?
Which part sheared off?
TOC

[Tom The Brat]

My Annie is quite a workhorse.

[Chompers]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

Chompers- This the Centennial one?
Which part sheared off?
TOC

What do you mean by "this the Centenial one"? [8)]
i'm only 14 no where near 100 years old.

any way [}:)]

the metal shaft that cupples the tender to the locamotive snapped off. (the part that drops into the locomotive metal cuppling hole)

[DannyS]

Value for money, you cannot better Bachmann, I have twelve Bachmann locomotives, never one complaint, all run perfectly, and as someone said earlier, the Spectrum range are equal to brass imports at one fifth the price!

[Anonymous]

Don't forget the rolling stock, especially the 20' cars. Bachmann is excellent value for money and I have nothing but praise for them.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Pagardener]

Nice to hear all of the good stuff about B'Mann. [8D] I have 2 Annies (D&RG) and 2 Indies..all still in the box as I am still laying track (almost done)[;)]. They will be going up a 4% grade for 1/2 the run but the passenger train will only have tender, 2 passenger cars and a caboose to pull. We plan to run 4 cars on the freight. The Indies will have 3 cars apiece + cabeese. The layout is set in the 1890s and from what I have read that is about all that was pulled in those days. May try 5 cars on the freight someday[:0]
Barb

[Anonymous]

Just added this baby to the fleet today, Gail said the steamers where just too black!! Runs great straight from the box, the instruction video is for HO/On30? the fireman doesn't have a shovel - then I realised it's a wood burner! Gave it a lube after a few circuits and it responds beautifully with the TE. The sound system seems to have indigestion because it 'burps' now and then, but I love it.





Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[CandCRR]

I read all the good things written about Bachman and I bought a Bachman Hand Car with Trailer. Opened the box Sunday, it ran for about two hours then stopped. I have not been able to get it going again. Everything else works on the same track and it did not seem to get hot and there is nothing I can see that is broken or bound up. Anyone else have experience with this product? Should I exchange it for another or put my money toward something else?

Thanks,

Jaime

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CandCRR

I read all the good things written about Bachman and I bought a Bachman Hand Car with Trailer. Opened the box Sunday, it ran for about two hours then stopped. I have not been able to get it going again. Everything else works on the same track and it did not seem to get hot and there is nothing I can see that is broken or bound up. Anyone else have experience with this product? Should I exchange it for another or put my money toward something else?

Thanks,

Jaime

Yes, take it back if you can, those things are junk. the gears split, wear, or just plain quit. Sorry but it is one of Bachmann's few lousy products, I really dont know why they continue to sell such a bad product, I scrapped mine.[V]