Bachmann N Scale 2-6-6-2

[Anonymous]

Has any one had problems with drivers being undergauged on there units

[egmurphy]

There were a number of posts/threads on the Bachmann site, the Atlas N scale forum, and on the TrainBoard N scale forum regarding some people who did have problems with undergauged units. The number of people who posted problems were kind of similar to other complaints about recently released N scale steam locos. This might lead one to assume that they are generally okay, but with some problem units mixed in. Best advice would be to get one at your LHS where you can have them check the gauge before you leave the shop with your loco. Also note that slight undergauging of N scale steam is a common practice to help the units to get around sharp curves. Normally this isn't a problem with commercial code 80 track, but reportedly can show up as a problem if you are using code 55 or track constructed to tight tolerances.


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

I've wanted more people to comment on this locomotive. I hate to spend over $200 and regret it!

[egmurphy]

You may just need to go to a more N scale oriented site. The loco hasn't been out that long, so it could be that the few N scalers here (relatively speaking) don't have one. I know i don't.

As I suggested before, you may want to try TrainBoard or Atlas N scale forums. There were lots of comments there. There were also several threads on the Bachmann site.


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

Mr. E. G. Murphy I followed your advice and got my answer. The Bachman 2-6-6-2 has serious problems with it. It seems that the locos are considerably undergauged. When regauged they would lock up. So, unless $200.00 is pocket change for you, avoid this engine! Apparently there has been an avalanche of complaints about this. Good enough warning for me. Charles 5, take your 2-6-6-2 back and get a refund. This engine appears to have big problems.

[egmurphy]

WV,

I think you may be going a bit far in condemning the whole lot based on a series of posts on message boards. First off, people who are unhappy are more likely to post than those who are satisfied. Second, the "avalanche" numbers represent a small portion of the total units sold. Third, undergauging appears to be more of a problem on code 55 than on code 80. Fourth, the locking up problem appeared (at least in the posts I saw) to be from people who tried to widen the gauge themselves rather than returning the unit to Bachmann for service.

I still think it's not a problem to purchase one at a LHS where you can see it run, have the gauge checked, and return it for service if there is a problem. Buying one on the net or through ebay could be more risky.

Since Bachmann has such a good warranty and provides good service, it would hardly be in their own best interest to keep an engine on the market where they would expect a majority of the units to be returned for service and/or replaced.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

Ed, I may have overstaed the case. It was an emotional reaction and what you say does make some sense. Still, because for me, spending $200 for an engine is quite an investment, I have a very negative feeling ( perhaps exaggerated) about spending over $200 on an engine and having it unusable except as a static display. Still, from an emotional point of view, it looks like a landmine ready to cause a lot of greif to me and my railroad budget.

[Anonymous]

A few weeks ago I saw this locomotive running at a train show. Talked to a couple of Nscalers who have and like this loco. Also got to see a second one running and it was nice. Its proponents said that it has a lifetime warranty on it. So as I have learned more about this locomotive, I feel obligated to incude this new information. Apparently, some of these engines do have problems but also some seem to be nice locomotives. Depending upon if I could try the loco first and if I knew and trusted the LHS to "make it right" then it may be worth a try. So I think Ed was correct in saying that it is going a bit too far to condemn all of the 2-6-6-2s. A lot depends upon if you trust Bachmann. I haven't had any experience with sending them a defective product back under warranty so I don't know how good the lifetime warranty really is.

[Bikerdad]

I can't speak to the "lifetime" aspect of it, but a little over a week ago I contacted Bachmann via email requesting a replacement tender ladder for an N Scale Spectrum 2-8-0. The ladder was tweaked in the packaging, when I removed the loco the ladder broke the rest of the way. Friday I come home and there's a package from Bachmann waiting for me. A new tender, sans trucks! All I needed was the ladder, so they've definitely convinced me that they're serious about the warranty in the short term.