I was just browsing through Shapeways 3D prints and ran across this:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/PJUUQ9266/bachmann-ho-4-8-4-axle-centers?optionId=41598901&li=marketplace
These parts would replace the splitting axles and gear in all the HO Plus series 4-8-4s, and the standard line 4-8-4 after the Plus line was discontinued (but before the total redesign a few years back). I'd try them myself if I hadn't done a chassis replacement in my own 4-8-4, but for anyone else with a problem engine, it might be worth a shot!
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You're welcome! I'll be interested to know how they work for you. I've been wanting to get the GS4 or N&W J (or both), but always let them go because of the axle splitting issue.
Darth Santa Fe I was just browsing through Shapeways 3D prints and ran across this: https://www.shapeways.com/product/PJUUQ9266/bachmann-ho-4-8-4-axle-centers?optionId=41598901&li=marketplace These parts would replace the splitting axles and gear in all the HO Plus series 4-8-4s, and the standard line 4-8-4 after the Plus line was discontinued (but before the total redesign a few years back). I'd try them myself if I hadn't done a chassis replacement in my own 4-8-4, but for anyone else with a problem engine, it might be worth a shot!
Let me know how it goes. I've emailed that seller several times but never received a response.
Gary
how it goes? does it work?
hope Mel can answer this post. thanks
RR_Mel There in and working . . . but, I don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about the material. It doesn’t appear to be made out of strong enough material to with stand much abuse as it will get on my layouts 3½% grades. Only time will tell. The press fit isn’t as tight as the Bachmann replacements. I used a bit of CA to make up for the not so tight fit.
I am sure a few in the Bachmann HO forums might be interested also.
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.
Mel, now a year later, how've they been holding up?
For what it's worth...
Someone gave me a Bachmann Northern with busted gears and axles. The link above is for the square axle version, but mine is the round axle version. I emailed that seller several times to see if he could make one that would work, but he never replied.
While looking for a loco cab some time later, I chanced upon this:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/X5WKCT32Q/bachmann-ho-us-4-8-4-replacement-axles-gear?optionId=90353997&li=ostatus
I decided to give it a try. When my order arrived I pressed wheelsets on, quartered by eye, and checked with my NMRA gauge. They work, and I have to say I was impressed. I don't run the loco much, so I have no idea how durable the material is, but it's not a bad fix.
My goal is the Bowser replacement kit, but I've never been able to find one for a reasonable price.
Now all we need is a fix for their front truck. The one on my Bachmann Niagra flops around like a fish out of water. I've tried numerous adjustments and none have worked. It will not stay on the rails no matter what I do. Worst piece of junk I ever bought for my layout.
John-NYBW Now all we need is a fix for their front truck. The one on my Bachmann Niagra flops around like a fish out of water. I've tried numerous adjustments and none have worked. It will not stay on the rails no matter what I do. Worst piece of junk I ever bought for my layout.
Mine had that problem until I replaced the spring with a stronger one. No derailmants after that!
Any product that requires a fix when it is right out of the box is a piece of junk. Bachmann's Spectrum line was good quality but the standard line was bottom rung. In another thread Sheldon told me when they phased out the Spectrum line they upgraded their Standard line. I hope that's true but I'd have to think long and hard about buying from their Standard line again.
John-NYBW Any product that requires a fix when it is right out of the box is a piece of junk. Bachmann's Spectrum line was good quality but the standard line was bottom rung. In another thread Sheldon told me when they phased out the Spectrum line they upgraded their Standard line. I hope that's true but I'd have to think long and hard about buying from their Standard line again.
The 4-8-4 chassis with the cracked gear and axle problems was discontinued over 10 years ago, and the old pancake motor drives have been scrapped completely. As far as I know, the only one that hasn't seen improvement is the USRA 0-6-0, but everything else has seen a lot of improvement. My Bachmann standard line diesels are some of my best runners (I made a video putting a GP30 up against a Kato GP35, and the performance difference was slight at best).
Fun fact, Bachmann's factory also owns the factories making trains for most other major brands including Athearn, BLI, Atlas, Walthers (Life-Like) Proto, Hornby and others.
Darth Santa Fe John-NYBW Any product that requires a fix when it is right out of the box is a piece of junk. Bachmann's Spectrum line was good quality but the standard line was bottom rung. In another thread Sheldon told me when they phased out the Spectrum line they upgraded their Standard line. I hope that's true but I'd have to think long and hard about buying from their Standard line again. The 4-8-4 chassis with the cracked gear and axle problems was discontinued over 10 years ago, and the old pancake motor drives have been scrapped completely. As far as I know, the only one that hasn't seen improvement is the USRA 0-6-0, but everything else has seen a lot of improvement. My Bachmann standard line diesels are some of my best runners (I made a video putting a GP30 up against a Kato GP35, and the performance difference was slight at best). Fun fact, Bachmann's factory also owns the factories making trains for most other major brands including Athearn, BLI, Atlas, Walthers (Life-Like) Proto, Hornby and others.
I'm also interested in hearing about the results of the gears made by 3D printers...
Simon
I believe the main drive gear (or a replacement) was available from NWSL when I checked a few years ago, but it was $18+ shipping, and I would still have had cracked axles. It may be worth buying just the axles from a 3D printer and replacing the drive gear with a NWSL one--I imagine the drive gear would get the most wear.
Hi, assuming split axles/gears is what you're having problem with(and not motor or etc), yes, this should work.
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
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Here's an alternative:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/X5WKCT32Q/bachmann-ho-us-4-8-4-replacement-axles-gear?optionId=90353997&li=related-items
This was mentioned in the middle of the thread but you might not have read down to it.
Sorry guys I missed this post earlier.The Shapeways gear gave it up rather quickly, it just sorta disintegrated. I can’t remember how long it hung in there, maybe four or five months. I replaced the disintegrated Shapeway gear with a Bachman and its still running OK.I’ve sorta replaced the Bachman GS4s with my Bowsers, much better than the Bachman. Also I don’t run the GS4s as much anymore since I found out the SP used Cab Forwards to pull the heavy weight Owl over the Tehachapi mountains. All my heavy weight cars are labeled Lark but I run them as the Owl through my mountains pulled by a Cab Forward. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thanks for the update on that gear! I wonder if it would've lasted longer if a different material option was available. The option given takes very well to fine details, but I guess it's not so great for moving parts under a lot of strain.
I’m not sure if a different material would make a difference. While I do have 3½% grades on my layout it is pretty small, 10’ x 14’ so all my consists are small too. A freight max is 20 cars and passenger service is 13 cars. Not much of a load on a 4-8-4. I have one newer Bachman GS4 that came with a sound decoder that has preformed very nice for going on 7 years.My Bowser GS4s are a much better operating locomotive so they get more run time than the Bachman. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_MelThe Shapeways gear gave it up rather quickly, it just sorta disintegrated. I can’t remember how long it hung in there, maybe four or five months. I replaced the disintegrated Shapeway gear with a Bachman and its still running OK.
Update: I found a NWSL gear made of delrin that should fit:
https://nwsl.com/products/spur-gear-0-5mod-x-24-teeth-x-13-0mm-od-x-0-060-face-x-2-0mm-bore-delrin-hubbed?_pos=1&_sid=b792ef9b2&_ss=r
Should last longer than the 3D printed version.
Oddly enough I haven’t had a Shapeways geared axle crack, the ones that crumble are the non gear axles.Might try cutting the gear off but that would pretty pricy, not sure if a Bachmann is worth a $50 repair. My Bowsers run great.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
I took a quick look at the materials the designers used for the 3D prints. They really are not for any kind of torque loading. Should have designated an abs or stronger parts production resin. Or one of the metals with a printer resin liner for insulation.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space