Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation

[cacole]

I have a replacement Bachmann Consolidation wheelset/axle/gear right here in front of me that I purchased from Bachmann last year.  Mine became stripped because I made the mistake of pushing on the locomotive to get it backed into a carrier, and the gear broke loose from the axle.  After that, the motor and gears would turn but the locomotive wouldn't budge.  The big problem with the Bachmann part is that the gear is nylon press-fit onto a metal axle that may not even be gnurled to give the gear more bite.  I'm still procrastinating on removing the side rods to replace the axle and gear assembly.

 

[two tone]

Hi Hocky, As you are in UK phone Bachmann on 01455 841 756  Ex 218  ask for Dave Smith I have always found him to be very helpful     Hope this helps  

[Curmudgeon]

Two causes, other than a mis-aligned gearbox, are dropping loc (or ramming it with another), and the brass axle bushings not inside the gearbox.

 

Your brass bushings inside the gearbox?

If the next gear is centerlined too far from the axle centerline, THAT is what I mean by mis-aligned.

Try a new gearbox from Bachmann.

 

[Hocky]

Never did tell me which gear.

 

Not sure how you determined they are correct mesh and alignment if the only way to do so is with the metal cover on.

 

Like I said, we haul 15 cars up 4% grades every other Friday, have for years, and still trying to kill the gears.

 

 

The main gear on the axle is the one that is shearing, sorry!

[Curmudgeon]

Never did tell me which gear.

 

Not sure how you determined they are correct mesh and alignment if the only way to do so is with the metal cover on.

 

Like I said, we haul 15 cars up 4% grades every other Friday, have for years, and still trying to kill the gears.

 

 

[Hocky]

Hi two tone, I am also in the UK and have emailed bachmann but have not had a response as yet.

My 2-8-0 is one of the early ones, if necessary as I have two i will strip one and get some gears made specifically for the loco's.

[Hocky]

Problem is the gears themselvse they are not man enough for the duty and should be brass or steel, the alignment seems to be Ok.

I seem to remember an artical on the web that delt with changing the bachmann gears for a new set from one of the railroad model parts suppliers but I cannot locate the artical.

So some one out there has the done the ideal gear change out.

[two tone]

Hi Hocky, I had the same problem last year my loco was in and out of Bachmanns work shop 4 times in less than 3 months.   Problem was loco would run on test forward and backward no prob when I got it back it stripped gears in less than 30 min running time. It did not like pulling 5 Jackson Sharo coaches Bachmann told me it should pull them no prob  but it diddent in the end I had a new one del. runs a treat Just but a pheonix sound card in tender. only prob with it is you can not use loco to give chuff sound it`s to erattic so I use axcil magnets.  If it helps email bachmann and ask for your email to be forwardes To Mr Lee Riley he`s the vice presedent of Bachmann.  I live in England Mr R is based in USA

[Curmudgeon]

Yeah, the same idea I've had all along.

 

I have two, others run here, we've been trying for several years to kill gears.

Can't.

 

The problem SEEMS to be folks who swap gears and only gears.

If you have a problem, with your gearbox, and keep plopping new gears in, and the problem persists, and others do not have any problem, we need to look at why.

What is the variable, what is the constant?

I am beginning to believe the problem is a mis-aligned gearbox, and if you change gears AND gearbox, see what happens.

 

Which gear?
And, you did Lock-Tite the motor screws, right?

TOC

[Hocky]

Help needed,

Gear replacement in brass as plastic ones keep destroying themselves. Anyone with any ideas.