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Help with Bach Spec. 2-4-2 T

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Posted by vsmith on Friday, June 22, 2007 9:23 AM
 GearDrivenSteam wrote:

This one:

"...Bachmann wasnt happy with a well designed engine, so they made the 040 saddletanker, which was while well made, is marginal performance wise. They took away the equalized front axle to make room for electronic junk and as a result the little beasties stalled on almost every switch point on the market by jambing itself into the frog. I found that the engine nose was heavy as hell from the electronic crap and that adding weights to the inside of the firebox (or just behind the rear axle) equalized the weight and allowed it to pass over switches with only an audible "clunk" but at least it doesnt stall anymore. .."

With a little effort its a good little engine, but unless you have no switches, you'll need to add weight to the backend of it.

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Posted by jerryl on Friday, June 22, 2007 7:57 AM
Just to prove my point, there's one on ebay right now with a high bid of $1.00   Jerry
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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:28 PM
Can't open the link due to on-line blockers on my end. Have to give it a look later.Wink [;)]

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Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:23 PM

This one:

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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:37 AM

Depends on which version of the 040 your talking about, I cant open the link here, but in general, if the 040 is a sidetanker and has plastic drive rods, its Censored [censored], if its a side tanker with metal drive rods then its one of the best small engines out there, it has an equalized front axle that makes it one of the best tracking engines out there.

Bachmann wasnt happy with a well designed engine, so they made the 040 saddletanker, which was while well made, is marginal performance wise. They took away the equalized front axle to make room for electronic junk and as a result the little beasties stalled on almost every switch point on the market by jambing itself into the frog. I found that the engine nose was heavy as hell from the electronic crap and that adding weights to the inside of the firebox (or just behind the rear axle) equalized the weight and allowed it to pass over switches with only an audible "clunk" but at least it doesnt stall anymore. the new 1/20.3 sidetanker carries over this front axle but so far I havent read any complaints about the same stalling problems.

As for the 242Ts, any of the early "Lyn" versions are poop! However the later Coal Creek version is apparently very reliable from what I've read. Its kinda a crap shoot with these engines though.

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Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, June 21, 2007 1:52 AM

Thanks fellers. It looks kinda crappy, too. What about this little jewel? Are they any good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Spectrum-G-1-20-3-Undecorated-0-4-0-Steam-Loco_W0QQitemZ270050414330QQcmdZViewItem

 

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Posted by Snoq. Pass RR on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 11:09 PM

Here is a better picture:  "ANY Bachmann 2-4-2 (tank or tender) is crap as a hauler".  There are some factory Bach 2-4-2s out there that are actually good.  But a lot of them have been modified by previous owners to actually pull some cars.

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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 9:40 PM

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Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 8:17 PM
Will one of you fine gentlemen post a pic of this poor performing Bachmann loco so I will know for sure which one to avoid? Thanks.
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Posted by jerryl on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:39 PM
  I haven't taken it apart, but it's pretty heavy. I guess that's my next step.  They probably sent the good ones to NZ.   Jerry
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:19 PM

 

    Can't see why your 2-4-2T won't pull a half decent load. I have one here in NZ and it will quite easily pull 4 box cars and a Caboose up a 3% grade. Does it have the weights in the Water Tanks?

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Posted by Snoq. Pass RR on Monday, June 18, 2007 9:02 PM
"Metal cars"??????  No wonder the 2-4-2T can't pull.  Then again, it can't pull any cars to begin withSign - Dots [#dots].
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Posted by dwbeckett on Monday, June 18, 2007 10:46 AM

 jerryl wrote:
 .  If anyone would like pictures of my metal scratch built  cars & detailed locos contact me with your email adddess.  I've not figured out how to post pictures yet.   Jerry

Jerry, Check the top of the forum - rene locked a post of mine on how to post pictures it is easy and you can even COPY AND PASTE some

Dave 

The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.

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Posted by jerryl on Monday, June 18, 2007 9:26 AM
 Thanks for the reply, this is a little more than i planned to do right now.  I do have a Lehman porter that is probably the same as the german 0-4-0.  Will keep that conversion in mind... Thanks again.  If anyone would like pictures of my metal scratch built  cars & detailed locos contact me with your email adddess.  I've not figured out how to post pictures yet.   Jerry
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Posted by vsmith on Sunday, June 17, 2007 10:41 PM
 Curmudgeon wrote:

In the old days, some folks re-powered with an ex-lgb Stainz drive.

Someone HERE did this, its in the Scratchbuilding forum somewhere, Bob Grosh I think did it

Stainz/Lyn conversion, here it is...


http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/425185/ShowPost.aspx

 

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Posted by Curmudgeon on Sunday, June 17, 2007 10:36 PM

In the old days, some folks re-powered with an ex-lgb Stainz drive.

Another idea is a powered boxcar and yank the motor out of the engine (like a TYCO Chattanooga Choo-Choo).

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Posted by Rastun on Sunday, June 17, 2007 9:39 PM

You could use it to:

Model a wash track next to an eninge house.

Hold papers from flying around on your workbench. 

Model a train wreck at the base of a tall trestle.

Lots of ideas can be thought of. 

 

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Posted by jerryl on Sunday, June 17, 2007 9:06 PM
  Well, no good news yet .
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Posted by Snoq. Pass RR on Sunday, June 17, 2007 7:26 PM

The Bachmann Southern 2-4-2T was an early loco designed over in England.  It was part of the Spectrum line, but not Spectrum quality.  I heard somewhere that it was Silver line quality (if that ever even existed).  A very poor hauler.  The best it will probably do is to pull itself and one very light car up 1% grade.  2% just itself.  3% stall. 

The Bachmann Coal Creek 2-4-2T was a redesign here in America.  It is a little bit better, but not much, than the Southern 2-4-2T.

The Bachmann 2-4-2 with tender was a spin off from the Coal Creek version.  It is not any better than the other two.

While were here.  The Bachmann 2-6-0 Indy Mogel is just a 2-4-2 boiler/cab with new running gear.  It can't haul much either.

If you want a small Bachmann loco that can haul, a 0-4-0 Porter or 0-4-0 Tank would be your best choice.

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Posted by vsmith on Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:49 AM
Two Aristo drive blocks each w/ 2lbs of weight and add the boiler weight from the Columbia, so, yes, it will pull up a grade.

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Posted by jerryl on Saturday, June 16, 2007 9:21 AM
   Great looking Loco...but will it go up a grade?      Sounds like I'm stuck with a display model..Jerry
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Posted by vsmith on Friday, June 15, 2007 5:09 PM

I had the same problem with the 2-4-2 Columbia version, so this is what I did to mine...

Heres more on it: 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/873917/ShowPost.aspx

 

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Posted by Curmudgeon on Friday, June 15, 2007 4:09 PM

The 2-4-2T has been long out of production.

ZERO parts interchange with the 2-4-2 tender version.

Any weight and it's gears, then motor.

Just be careful.

TOC

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Posted by jerryl on Friday, June 15, 2007 3:19 PM
Thanks, I know what you mean about drive train problems. I had to pin the gear to the axle in my other 2 Bach. engines.   Thought I was gettiin some quality because it was in the Spectrum line.   Jerry
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Posted by Rastun on Friday, June 15, 2007 12:38 PM

Jerry,

As I recall the Bachmann 2-4-2 T has always been a very poor performer and was never in the Spectrum class of quality. I had purchased the tender version off ebay and all it's turned out to be is a small supply of parts for some other projects.  I think adding more weight to it may help but you have to be careful in the amounts since frim what I've seen of the drive system it's very weak and to much weight could cause it to destroy itself.  I'M sure some others with more hands on experience with this loco will also reply.

 Jack

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Help with Bach Spec. 2-4-2 T
Posted by jerryl on Friday, June 15, 2007 10:05 AM
  I bought this 2-4-2 T a few years ago & am very unhappy with its performance. It barely pulls itself up my 3% grade on my garden RR.  My Lehman Porter makes it up with no trouble with 3 all metal cars, as does my Hartford Mack switcher. Is there room inside for more weight or do I have a more serious problem?   I use a Star Tech Hogger & a MRC 20 which provide enough power. Any help will be appreciated.   Jerry

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