HO Bachmann Berkshire Issues

[slammer406]

Just got a Bachmann Berkshire(dcc/sound). Very disappointed in product. When first started it ran jerky. Closer exam it appeared it hesitated at the same point when the driver wheels hit the same point in their rotation. Thought it just needed breaking in but after 5 minutes of running it was the same in both directions. One time when starting from stop motor just hummed (again in both forward and reverse). A little push got it going. Also noticed that entire engine (boiler and cab) leans slightly to the right. Yes my track is clean. Have 5 other locos from MTH (light mikado), Athearn, Kato, Genesis(all desiels). All run great with never a problem. Wanted to add another steam to my roster. I don't follow prototype. I just like to model what looks good to me. Not sure if I should send it back and get replacement or I was looking at Broadway Limited T1 4-8-4 instead. Not any experience with that brand. I also have a Bachmann F7 but I had to send that back for exchange due to broken gear when I first got it so I was hesitant to try Bachmann again. I don't have much experience, but Bachmann doesn't seem to have the quality or run as smooth as the other brands I have do. Any comments on either would be appreciated. Yes I read the threads on maintenance problems with steam vs diesel. Just looking for comments from anyone that actually has either of these engines before I decide to opt for one.

[richhotrain]

Others may disagree, but I share your frustration with Bachmann steamers.  I have owned my share of them, but over time I have dumped most of them.  

I don't have the Bachmann Berkshire, but I do have three older Life Like Berkshires which run more reliably than my Bachmann steamers.

Look for a new Life Like Berkshire if you can find one and add sound yourself. Here is an unlettered LL Berkshire on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/L-L-Proto-2000-HO-UNLETTERED-NKP-PM-C-O-2-8-4-BERKSHIRE-DC-DCC-Ready-NEW-/331422300830?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4d2a4efa9e

BLI makes a great line of steam engines, and I have several of them. Very reliable and great customer service.  But, I don't think that BLI ever produced a Berkshire.

I do have a BLI 4-8-4 and it ranks among my favorite locos.  I call it The Beast.

Rich

[zstripe]

Slammer406,

If I were You....I would send it back. Sounds like warped frame/bent and drivers out of quarter, eccentric rod not set up properly. Evident by always doing it in same spot. Too much going on for a new engine.....must have slipped through QC.

Take Care! 

Frank

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/service.php

 

[slammer406]

Thanks so much for your responses.

Wishing you all a great new year

[peahrens]

I have Bachmann, BLI and Athearn Genesis steam locos and the Bachmanns are clearly at the bottom of that mix.  My grandson has a 4-8-4 from a train set.  His runs consistently but does not negotiate EZTrack turnouts reliably.  I have a 2-6-0 DCC with sound that is fine.  But with two DCC On Board (no sound) 2-8-0s that I got, there were a number of problems.  

Problems were mainly about quartering which caused lurching or binding to a stop.  Bachmann did ok with replacing with new models but one would not run right and when I sent it back their comment sheet indicated it had no lube whatsoever.  I'm not sure that was the problem and while it inferred they just lubed it and it ran fine I'm not certain they didn't just send a new replacement.  In the end I got two that run ok, like the 2-6-0.  I did convert the 2-8-0s to Tsunami motor/sound decider but that made little difference in the running.  

I did have problems with the BLI 2-8-2 with the chuff sensor, so had to send it in and they replaced that.  And with an earlier version, very lightly used 4-8-2, the guys at the LHS comented that batch originally had problems with the journals and springs that they had to correct, and it is finnicky about the rear driver climbing over the rail when backing on a curved turnout.  So not perfect experience. 

On three Athearns, I have a 4-8-4 that acted up and sent in and they replaced the decoder.  On the 4-6-6-4, it threw traction tires and I broke an eccentric rod when trying to replace it and had to fix that (they sent parts and advised how to do it myself if I desired).

All else being equal, I'd rank the Genesis at the top of my list but the BLIs a close second.  But since I have so few, that's a virtual tie.  The Bachmanns I'd rate lower (in reliability, running and detail) but I won't cross them off my list.  For instance, I wanted a couple UP 2-8-0s and that was about my only option, except to wait for a more expensive BLI to come out later (I would not have bought two).  And I had fun converting cheaper locos to sound.     

One consideration is how important future repair versus replacement is to you.  With BLI and Athearn, it is likely they will be able to fix your loco with parts they can at least cobble up if they have no new parts.  With Bachmann, I believe they really limit their repair work (many of the locos are very cheap) and lean more toward replacement, with an "equivalent" (close cousin) of what you had. That may or may not satisfy you.  Repair costs with Bachmann are limited after the warranty period; i.e., for $25 they will replace a DC loco, $35 for a DCC sound loco.   

[slammer406]

Thanks for the detailed info. Think I' going to replace the Bachmann with the BLI and keep my fingers crossed.

[richg1998]

Probably a moot point now but there is a Bachamnn website with forums for different scales. Bachmann reps are there also.

i have noticed many times some seem afraid to join more than one forum.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php

Rich

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Well, I will offer a different view here. I have five Bachmann Berkshires and they all run fine. One was a little "stiff" out of the box, but a few adjustments and it is fine.

I also have about 30 other Bachmann steamers, all nice locos.

That said, Bachmann has gone through some growing pains over the years and their "dud" rate may be a little higher than most. But they hand out free replacements without blinking and eye.

I have only had to have two replaced out of my fleet of 35, over a 15 year span.

Back to the Berk - if that model has any one flaw, it is a little too light, I added several ounces to each of mine and they pull much better.

I also converted them into freelanced Mikados, similar to, but larger than the Mikados used on the DT&I.

Here is a photo of one of the conversions before it went to the paint shop:

And the extra weight:

I have about 35 Bachmann steamers, 7 BLI steamers, 4 Proto steamers and a few others. No MTH, I run DC and MTH locos don't like DC.

Anyway I find them all to be about the same quality wise, with only the Proto having noticeable better running qualities.

I would send the loco to Bachmann and get it replaced. That model is currently in production and they should still have exact replacements available.

Sheldon

[slammer406]

Thanks for the info and pics. As I said in my post my F7 worked fine after the second try so I guess its just hit and miss with some of these.

[farrellaa]

I have to agree with the 'pro' Bachmann group, they do make nicely detailed and smooth running steam locos, with some infrequent issues. I had a K4 Pacific that had quartering issues (purchased on Ebay?) and Bachmann replaced it with a newer model, no questions asked. I have about 8 Bachmann steamers, including a Berkshire (I converted it to DCC/sound) which runs great, and 4 BLI's, 5 Proto 2k's and all are good running locos. I think the P2K steamers (2-8-8-2) are the smoothest running engines I have. I just ordered a Genesis 4-6-6-4 and hope it matches the performance/quality of my other locos.

   -Bob