Help with a Bachmann RC/battery train

[Anonymous]

I'm super new to this but I know I can find some help here.  A few years ago Grandpa bought my son a Bachman G scale  battery operated (7.2v?) train. It never ran great: the remote was unreliable, the engine hardly had enough power to pull a few cars etc. Well, I removed the small motor to take to Radio Shack to see if I can find something a bit more powerful maybe, but I lost the motor! So, is there a way to get this thing going adequately for not a WHOLE lot of money and maybe not really difficult either? Okay, I know that's a pretty tall order. I'm willing to learn and work at it but I don't know where to start? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[altterrain]

I have one in parts awaiting a future project. I'll take some measurements of it tomorrow. I don't think its a good idea to put in a more powerful motor as its usually the gears that are the weak point. Its 9 volts running off of 6 D cells but will run off of a 7.2 volt subC battery pack.

-Brian 

[kstrong]

Personally, my advice would be to shelve the train and buy a new one. That particular loco is--at best--a weak toy. The gears will split, and the plastic wheels aren't worth the plastic they're made of if anything beyond the occasional running is what you intend. And even then, its operation is so unreliable that it will be more frustration than enjoyment.

Bachmann's latest version of this locomotive has a FAR superior drive unit (they've revised it 5 times over the years) and much better detail. The result is a locomotive that looks good and runs very well. You can get a new set for around $200 - $300 without looking too hard. There are also starter sets from other manufacturers (AristoCraft, USA Trains, LGB) that be of interest, too. With these, you'll get an oval of track and a basic power supply to run the trains. No batteries and no darned unreliable controller. (There are people who are looking for those controllers, so if you shelve the loco, consider putting the controller on ebay.)

That may not be the answer you're looking for, but it's really the best course of action with that particular loco. I don't think you'll hurt Grandpa's feelings. If he's anything like mine was, he'd much rather see trains running and a smile on his grandson's face.

Later,

K

[JD Miller]

Kevin has given you good advice.

Don't waste your time with the battery RC Bachmann for all the reasons Kevin listed.  Something about silk purses and sow's ears!

Now, if you just have to get the locomotive running I have a motor.  It's in one of the battery Big Haulers that I've used for detail parts.  The motor runs just fine.  You can have the motor for the cost of shipping it by USPS.

If interested contact me off net with your mailing address and I'll get it sent right out.

Best bet is to put Grandpa's locomotive back together and place it on display.  That's where it belongs, if anyplace.

 

[izzy0855]

If you have space available, (1 3/4"W x 2 1/4D x 2 1/2"H) you may want to go with a 14.4V - 16.8V 4000 - 4500mah Nimh battery-pack.  These are the Sanyo 4/3A cells that are the best cells you can buy!  I purchased two 16.8V 4000mah from Cordless Renovations for $95.00ea. (alittle pricey, but they work great!) and it operates my Aristocarft train pulling 12-14 box cars at time with more then a 3% grade.  That day we had our annual train tour for 6 hours followed by our local club meeting here at the house and that battery was still running off and on for about 9 hours.