Bachmann Consolidation Loco

[dwbeckett]

kstrong

Look for my Garden Railways Basics column in the upcoming issue for tips and techniques on gear replacement in the event of a break. Swapping out the gear isn't really that big of a deal--you'll spend far more time taking the brake rigging and stuff off the bottom of the locomotive than you will actually switching out the gear.

I replaced the gear on my dad's B'mann 2-8-0 with Nowthwest Short Line's Delrin replacement gear, and hauled 6 cars and a caboose up his 5 - 8% grade without issue. That engine can haul a train.

Later,

K

K, I'm ready to do my two Connie's any way of getting a sneak peek at the above,

Thanks

Dave

[kstrong]

First question - whose J&S coaches? If it's Accucraft's, then 7's going to be quite a stretch even if you remove the power pick-ups on the truck. If it's the Bachmann J&S coaches, then 7 will not be much of an issue at all.

The main drive gear on the Bachmann 2-8-0 is decidedly a weak point, but when/if it breaks on you seems to be a matter of chance. Some people get years of faithful service without any trouble, others have the gear break pretty much straight out of the box.

Look for my Garden Railways Basics column in the upcoming issue for tips and techniques on gear replacement in the event of a break. Swapping out the gear isn't really that big of a deal--you'll spend far more time taking the brake rigging and stuff off the bottom of the locomotive than you will actually switching out the gear.

I replaced the gear on my dad's B'mann 2-8-0 with Nowthwest Short Line's Delrin replacement gear, and hauled 6 cars and a caboose up his 5 - 8% grade without issue. That engine can haul a train.

Later,

K

[cacole]

If your passenger cars have poor rolliing wheelsets that can put quite a strain on the motor, but the wheels should slip before damage occurs.

Investing in good quality ball bearing wheelsets can make a world of difference in rolling qualities.

[Curmudgeon]

Depends.

If you break a gear or some other such nonsense, according to on-line reports, someone in service will claim you overloaded it and voided your warranty.

Of course, there is no such restriction on grade and load.

 

We were limited to about 12 cars on a 4% grade with ours (wheel slip is and should always be the limiting factor.....never load the loco up with weight until the wheels don't spin, or you'll toast a motor), but with the new motor/gearbox combination, we are approaching 20 on the same track in dry weather (old aluminum rail, shiny blackened plating worn off drivers).

As with any product built to mass-produced specifications, trying to obtain maximum output and performance from off-the-shelf items will result in massive disappointment to the user.

Unless you are prepared to upgrade your drive as necessary, try to keep loads down to prolong the life of those inscrutable components.

On the passenger cars, I have, oh, 12 or 13 mixed manufacturers, haul them easily with one Bachmann 2-8-0 on our  small railroad with 4% ruling grades.

 

Make sure you check motor screws, if you have not, and if you haven't identified unit as a second run, and after every run check counterweight screws until you are certain they will not fall out.

[Rex in Pinetop]

Two Tone,

Mine pulls a battery loaded tender, 4 coaches and two box cars up a 300 ft 2% grade without any problem.  I did bust a gear when I first ran the Connie but that was due to a derailment.  I haven't had any problems for the last two years.  I think you're fine.

Rex

[two tone]

Hi Guys and Girls,         Info please ive just received my new J/S coach that makes seven. Question   Do you think this is the max a loco like mine can handle?, my track does not have much of a gradiant so the loco only needs the start load draw, so what do people think an I over loading the loco?