If I did not mention it before, there is a HO Bachmann forum that is active with lots of good info about the 2-8-0 you will like. Happy users there of that loco.
The driver and tender pickups might be issues from a couple links I have read. Make sure both connectors between tender and loco are fully seated. If PC board still in place in tender, cut the caps. They will have a C prefix. If you see what looks like two green resistors, they are chokes. They might be wire wound chokes. Not a problem with no caps. Some 2-8-0's have wire wound chokes. I have seen the photos in a couple DCC installs. No idea what might be in the one you get.
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.
Since someone has mentioned a meter. No idea your level of experince. Just in case, a useful meter for model railroading. I have four of these for some years.
Mine read 13.6 VAC across the rails for my NCE Power Cab and have proved usefull. My Scopes say they are close enough. Within three percent.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_HF/index.htm
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_Workshop/index.htm
Go for it. I have purchased or acquired a fair number of used locomotives over the years. Taking them apart, cleaning them, lubing them is usually all they required to run quite well. I have an HO Spectrum 2-8-0 and it is a fine locomotive. From what you say, the locomotive runs, but is cranky. I would expect some attention to the electrical pickup, wiring, tender to loco connectors, wheel cleaning, would do the trick. A volt-ohm-meter might come in handy, but is not absolutely necessary.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Check the Bachmann site. They have a very good replacement policy. Many fail to do this.
Some years ago I picked up a two motor HO 44 ton for a few dollars. Converted it to DCC with a DZ125 decoder. Some months later it cracked a gear.
I put it back together as a DC model and shipped it to Bachmann with a check.
I received a single motor DCC ready 44 ton which I converted to DCC sound with LokSound Micro and speaker.
A few years ago, I purchased a Bachmann Spectrum steam locomotive on Ebay with several problems.
I sent it to Bachmann, and they replaced the entire locomotive with their lifetime warrantee.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
All that I have read in a few forums, including the Bachmann forums, the Bachmann HO 2-8-0 has good reviews. I have a link to one discussion about the driver pickups causing issues.
It could be dirty drivers also or dirty tender pickups or combo. Those cause issues also. I have some Bachmann steamers but not that one.
Many parts are still available at the Bachmann site. The site also shows all the parts, loco diagram, CV list if it is a DCC model, etc.
I would go take a look. The loco and tender are completely shown last I knew. Many users there love the loco.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H836-IS001.PDF
The onboard DCC is the EZ Command decoder, a low end decoder everyone replaces and they cut the capacitors on the PC board but no telleing what decoder is in this one so it will be a crap shoot.
I have been following the Bachmann forums for some years.
I have bought lots of used locos, so the price would be the determining factor.
Do some searching, and see what the same loco with DCC is going for.
I myself, wouldn't have a problem with how it runs, IF the price is right.
Mike.
My You Tube
The Spectrum 2-8-0s are very nice locomotives and generally smooth runners. Depending on what the seller is asking, it may be worth the gamble.
My ...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The hesitancy is almost certainly a problem with the pulley drive train. IMHO some of these locos were made "incorrectly" and the drive mechanism will have to be replaced...about $35 from Bachman. So figure that into your thinking. It's an easy fix.
Union Pacific 428 I am considering buying a used loco on eBay that is exactly what I'm looking for...but, the seller said that it "runs hesitantly and often has to be coaxed into starting".
I am considering buying a used loco on eBay that is exactly what I'm looking for...but, the seller said that it "runs hesitantly and often has to be coaxed into starting".
I am wondering if it is the driver wipers in the engine itself. Bachmann Spectrums have been known to use a poorly designed wiper system. I had serious problems on a 4-8-2.
Take a look at this thread on the Spectrum 2-8-0.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/162067.aspx
Alton Junction
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
The plugs between tender and locomotive can also be troublesome at times. Since I run DC, I replace them all with simpler and more reliable min-plugs.I have bought many steam locos secondhand, and have yet to come across one which couldn't be repaired, and in most cases, made even better than the "stock" versions, whether plastic or brass.
Wayne
Bachmann engines often have a apron that folds down from the cab that sits on the front of the deck of the tender (like real engines have, so the fireman can go from the cab to the tender for coal). If you're not familiar with that, it's easy to put the train on the track with the apron under the 'lip' at the front of the tender deck, raising the tender a bit...often just enough to cause pickup problems. Could be something as simple as that.
Otherwise, might be one of the wires from the tender truck pickup inside the tender has come loose, causing intermittent pickup of power.
BTW is it DCC or DC? If it's not DCC, just adding a decoder with 'keep alive' or something similar might resolve the problem (if nothing else does).
p.s. I've had a couple of Bachmann steam engines where the siderods got bent in a tiny bit during the long trip from China in the box, causing a slight 'hitch' every revolution. Bending the rods out slightly fixed the problem.
Well, I bought a loco where the seller said he tried to test run it and it did not run. However, if you looked carefully at the photos, there appeared to be a DCC decoder in the cab. Sure enough, when it arrived it had a decoder - set with analog mode disabled. So no, it would not run with DC power. Absolutely nothing wrong with the loco at all.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
SeeYou190I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 that is dead, and I know what killed it.
So, are you going to tell us, or do we need a subpoena and search warrant?
It sounds like a cleaning is in order.
.
I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 that is dead, and I know what killed it. Someday I am going to get it back to running. These are very good running engines, so if the price is right, and you think you can handle the repair, go for it.
It sounds like the symptoms of an easy fix, but you never know.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Well, speaking as someone who himself "runs hesitantly and often has to be coaxed into starting," I'd say it depends on how big a discount is being offered because the engine has this "defect." If the price is right an engine can be worth buying just for the tender and the boiler/cab casting after all.
In a sense the fact that Bachmann sells parts would make me more willing to take a flyer on a used Bachmann that has issues compared to a Walthers or other make.
Dave Nelson
LION has some very nice brass ALCO PA-1s. I bought them when I was in Japan (During the Vietnam war) so I suppose that they qualify as "old".
For whatever reason some sort of rubber bushing or something disintegrated leaving the trucks in contaact with the frame causing shorts and an inabillity to swivle.
Besides that, the foam packing material also disintegrated and is lodged in the drive train and around the coachwork.
Tender locing care, perhaps new trucks and motors could bring these things back to life.
But LION runs subway trains nad not 20th Century Streamliners.
I suppose that they will make a fine static display in Penn Station.
Poetic License allows me to move them there from GCT.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
It could be as simple as needing cleaning and lubrication. Maybe the seller just has dirty track.
Maybe there's a loose wire inside making intermittent contact, or something binding in the drive linkage.
You can't tell from the description. How much troubleshooting have you done?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi all,
I am considering buying a used loco on eBay that is exactly what I'm looking for...but, the seller said that it "runs hesitantly and often has to be coaxed into starting". The seller does not know what is wrong with it. Does this sound like a problem that could be fixed relatively easily, or something to be avoided at all costs? The loco in question is an HO Spectrum 2-8-0 w/ DCC. Thanks