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Hated Bachmann pancakes

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  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 16 posts
Posted by teedoff8659 on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 2:12 AM

ty for your help

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 10:13 PM

teedoff8659

I have a perfect like new HO 2-10-4 Bachmann that i want to upgrade motor & convert to DCC. Does anyone know of a replacement upgrade motor that can be used?  

 

Perfect like new sounds like it must run ok. lol

 If the motor is really a pancake, send it back to Bachmann with a check for $25.00 and they will send you a replacement which will be what is being sold now.

 I have done that with an older two motor 44 ton and got a single motor DCC ready a few years ago.

 From their service page.

 For items more than one year old, there is a nominal service charge for repair or replacement (prices subject to change - effective 3-11-13):

 $25.00 -

 All HO and N Scale standard non-DCC locos

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 16 posts
Posted by teedoff8659 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 5:26 PM
ty for your help
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 3:58 PM

How much time and $$$$$ are you willing to spend? Bachmann sells parts on their web site. They list a chassis with motor for the 2-10-4, but are sold out. They list a complete chassis with motor and running gear for $100.00. This is the new version that I believe is wired fo DCC and has the wiring harness on it. Check it out.   Joe 

Complete Loco Chassis (2-10-4) (HO Scale)

 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • 805 posts
Posted by narrow gauge nuclear on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:58 PM

I can't help you with a replacement on so specific a model.  Be inventive and cogitate on what might be possible if you want a can motor install.  Someone has got to be the pioneer and take the arrows in the back.

One would hope that like the old pittman motor of old, someone would standardized on a modern high magnetic energy, can motor, but that would be too much to ask, I suppose.  A manufacturer is usually working at a price point which is like having gun pointed at his head and so a cheap workable motor is usually the result.  I recently queried about an ancient Bachmann N&W J model a friend asked me to look at.  The motor was an all in one, molded, Hong Kong plastic motor and gear box of the 70's that was unrepairable.

Junk and disappointing motors are the norm in hitting a price point.

An amazing exception is the tiny can motors used in the chinese made Blackstone HOn3 models.  I have several of their D&RGW steamers and have never had a motor problem.  They crawl at super low speed, yet pull realistic loads.  I, just on a lark, used the contained parts list to price a can motor replacement and Blackstone came back with a list price under $15.00! 

Good luck on finding a conversion solution from the pancake to something more to your liking.

 

Richard

If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 16 posts
Hated Bachmann pancakes
Posted by teedoff8659 on Monday, June 16, 2014 11:57 PM

I have a perfect like new HO 2-10-4 Bachmann that i want to upgrade motor & convert to DCC. Does anyone know of a replacement upgrade motor that can be used?  

Tags: HO

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