Bachmann 4-8-4 Northerns

[Anonymous]

I have recently purchased two 4-8-4 Northern type locomotives from Bachmann affiliates. Brand new. Problem is, the pilots will not stay on the track and keep forcing derailments. I have oiled the pathways where the pilots and trailers are attached, I have checked track alignment and whether it is level or not, with virtually no success. I was told to try additional weight on teh pilot trucks, but am at a loss as to what to use and how to secure it on the locomotives (SP GS-4 "War Baby" and NYC "Niagara". Would appreciate any suggestions from cyberland.

Thanks.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I have recently purchased two 4-8-4 Northern type locomotives from Bachmann affiliates. Brand new. Problem is, the pilots will not stay on the track and keep forcing derailments. I have oiled the pathways where the pilots and trailers are attached, I have checked track alignment and whether it is level or not, with virtually no success. I was told to try additional weight on teh pilot trucks, but am at a loss as to what to use and how to secure it on the locomotives (SP GS-4 "War Baby" and NYC "Niagara". Would appreciate any suggestions from cyberland.

Thanks.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

i also have the 4-8-4 nothern nyc niagra...out of all of my steam power...this is the only beast that comes off of the track....only the pilots.....actually the pilots wheelsets come out on occasion....i am unable to figure it out.....i am with you lawman...i am not sure how to add any weight to the pilot...as i am sure that might cure the problem....it is a very well running loco for the price and looks good when weathered...i would also like any suggestions on this....thanks...tim

[Anonymous]

i also have the 4-8-4 nothern nyc niagra...out of all of my steam power...this is the only beast that comes off of the track....only the pilots.....actually the pilots wheelsets come out on occasion....i am unable to figure it out.....i am with you lawman...i am not sure how to add any weight to the pilot...as i am sure that might cure the problem....it is a very well running loco for the price and looks good when weathered...i would also like any suggestions on this....thanks...tim

[Wdlgln005]

You didn't say what scale these Northerns are. Sounds like they go back to the factory. I hear Bachmann does a good job at customer service. If these are N scale, and not Spectrum units, they are old production and may just wind up as a museum piece on your layout. Hope you didn't pay too much for these old beasts. Maybe they wil let you trade them in for a new Consol. Just be sure to run them before you buy them!

[Wdlgln005]

You didn't say what scale these Northerns are. Sounds like they go back to the factory. I hear Bachmann does a good job at customer service. If these are N scale, and not Spectrum units, they are old production and may just wind up as a museum piece on your layout. Hope you didn't pay too much for these old beasts. Maybe they wil let you trade them in for a new Consol. Just be sure to run them before you buy them!

[Anonymous]

Go to www.bachmanntrains.com , click on, United States, then click on ask the "BACH MAN"

[Anonymous]

Go to www.bachmanntrains.com , click on, United States, then click on ask the "BACH MAN"

[Anonymous]

Hello lawman;
What is the radius of your curves ? What is the frog # of your turnouts ?
( I am assuming most of the pilot truck derailments are happening on curves or going through turnouts....true ?)
These models as supplied, will have trouble on curves of less than 24"R, ( (regardless of what the maker claims), and on turnouts less than #6, especially if it's a crossover.
Weighting might help, and the best thing to try is thin pieces of steel or brass, temporarily put on with 2-sided tape, just to see if it helps, BUT, there's another common problem with the pilot wheels on these models, the wheels may be out of gauge.
Check them with an NMRA gauge. I would replace them with suitable metal wheels anyway, from Kadee, P2K, NWSL, Intermountain, or any good make.
good luck & regards \ Mike

[Anonymous]

Hello lawman;
What is the radius of your curves ? What is the frog # of your turnouts ?
( I am assuming most of the pilot truck derailments are happening on curves or going through turnouts....true ?)
These models as supplied, will have trouble on curves of less than 24"R, ( (regardless of what the maker claims), and on turnouts less than #6, especially if it's a crossover.
Weighting might help, and the best thing to try is thin pieces of steel or brass, temporarily put on with 2-sided tape, just to see if it helps, BUT, there's another common problem with the pilot wheels on these models, the wheels may be out of gauge.
Check them with an NMRA gauge. I would replace them with suitable metal wheels anyway, from Kadee, P2K, NWSL, Intermountain, or any good make.
good luck & regards \ Mike

[Anonymous]

The leading trailing truck axle on my Bachmann GS-4 war Baby was riding up off the rail, with only the rear axle wheels staying on the rail, I flattened some Buckshot and Acc"ed it to the top of the trailing truck frame, directly over the axle, now it stays on the rail as it should, never had a problem with the pilot wheels though, but you might check the vertical travel, if the truck is derailing, and make necessary adjustments, and addational weight would probably help it stick to the rails, just as the shot did to the rear truck on my model, good luck.


Mac

[Anonymous]

The leading trailing truck axle on my Bachmann GS-4 war Baby was riding up off the rail, with only the rear axle wheels staying on the rail, I flattened some Buckshot and Acc"ed it to the top of the trailing truck frame, directly over the axle, now it stays on the rail as it should, never had a problem with the pilot wheels though, but you might check the vertical travel, if the truck is derailing, and make necessary adjustments, and addational weight would probably help it stick to the rails, just as the shot did to the rear truck on my model, good luck.


Mac

[Don Gibson]

If the pilot wheels are plastic with metal tires, sub with Jay Bee or NWSL wheels, making absolutely sure you match the Bachmann wheel size in duplicating it.

NWSL and JB are precision machined , non-magnetic brass, match NMRA specs, and will weigh more and track better than the Bachmann. These wheelsets have one 'hot' side. Make sure you match it to the chassis (emgineer's) hot side.

If you continue to have problems, it won't be your pilot trucks.

[Don Gibson]

If the pilot wheels are plastic with metal tires, sub with Jay Bee or NWSL wheels, making absolutely sure you match the Bachmann wheel size in duplicating it.

NWSL and JB are precision machined , non-magnetic brass, match NMRA specs, and will weigh more and track better than the Bachmann. These wheelsets have one 'hot' side. Make sure you match it to the chassis (emgineer's) hot side.

If you continue to have problems, it won't be your pilot trucks.

[AltonFan]

I vaguely remember reading that this problem may be a result of too much spring in the spring that keeps the pilot truck in contact with the rails. It was recommended that a few coils be removed removed from the spring, and the pilot will track better.

I don't remember where I read this, or whether it applied to either the N or HO models (I believe it was HO; I've not had this problem in N), but it seems a wothwhile line of investigation.

[AltonFan]

I vaguely remember reading that this problem may be a result of too much spring in the spring that keeps the pilot truck in contact with the rails. It was recommended that a few coils be removed removed from the spring, and the pilot will track better.

I don't remember where I read this, or whether it applied to either the N or HO models (I believe it was HO; I've not had this problem in N), but it seems a wothwhile line of investigation.

[Anonymous]

I added weight to the front pilot of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. I used maleable tungsten that you can buy in a fishing supply store. I think the name of the stuff is Loon. You just use a flat head screwdriver, pry some of the stuff out of the can and carefully spread it on top of the tender. It comes in black and kind of a bronze color. Once applied, it can be painted. Worked for me.

I also would recommend checking the wheel gauges. Bachmann is notorious for shipping stuff with wheels out of gauge. ...Tom

[Anonymous]

I added weight to the front pilot of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. I used maleable tungsten that you can buy in a fishing supply store. I think the name of the stuff is Loon. You just use a flat head screwdriver, pry some of the stuff out of the can and carefully spread it on top of the tender. It comes in black and kind of a bronze color. Once applied, it can be painted. Worked for me.

I also would recommend checking the wheel gauges. Bachmann is notorious for shipping stuff with wheels out of gauge. ...Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan

I vaguely remember reading that this problem may be a result of too much spring in the spring that keeps the pilot truck in contact with the rails. It was recommended that a few coils be removed removed from the spring, and the pilot will track better.

I was going to suggest taking 1 or 2 coils off the spring and see if things improve. You only need enough tension to keep the pony truck on the tracks. If it's lifting the entire locomove off the tracks, you have too much spring in there and it needs to be shortened a bit at a time. All you're doing in the pony truck by adding weight is counteracting the spring.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan

I vaguely remember reading that this problem may be a result of too much spring in the spring that keeps the pilot truck in contact with the rails. It was recommended that a few coils be removed removed from the spring, and the pilot will track better.

I was going to suggest taking 1 or 2 coils off the spring and see if things improve. You only need enough tension to keep the pony truck on the tracks. If it's lifting the entire locomove off the tracks, you have too much spring in there and it needs to be shortened a bit at a time. All you're doing in the pony truck by adding weight is counteracting the spring.

[Anonymous]

I had a Bachmann K4 and it ran very very bad. It could not pull 4 cars

[Anonymous]

I had a Bachmann K4 and it ran very very bad. It could not pull 4 cars

[twhite]

Check the balance on your 4-8-4, I'll bet that you'll find it's weighted too far back toward the firebox and not enough toward the cylinders. I have two Bachmann 4-8-4's, a Daylight and a 'War Baby', and had the same trouble. I took some flat lead--the kind you can purchase at a hobby shop--and did a little weight adjustment inside the boiler, right over the cylinders (be sure you insulate between the boiler-weight and the lead), then cut off some little pieces and ACC'd them to the pilot truck frame, clearing the wheels. They run fine, now, but as with almost any non-Spectrum Bachmann loco, you almost have to double-head to pull a decent sized passenger train. Also, despite what the manufacturer says, these locos are really meant for a 24" MINIMUM radius, especially if your 4-8-4 is a Niagara or a Santa Fe prototype. Hope this helps.

[twhite]

Check the balance on your 4-8-4, I'll bet that you'll find it's weighted too far back toward the firebox and not enough toward the cylinders. I have two Bachmann 4-8-4's, a Daylight and a 'War Baby', and had the same trouble. I took some flat lead--the kind you can purchase at a hobby shop--and did a little weight adjustment inside the boiler, right over the cylinders (be sure you insulate between the boiler-weight and the lead), then cut off some little pieces and ACC'd them to the pilot truck frame, clearing the wheels. They run fine, now, but as with almost any non-Spectrum Bachmann loco, you almost have to double-head to pull a decent sized passenger train. Also, despite what the manufacturer says, these locos are really meant for a 24" MINIMUM radius, especially if your 4-8-4 is a Niagara or a Santa Fe prototype. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

I have several of the old Bachmann 4-8-4 Notherns that I have replaced the pilot truck wheels with 36" NWSL brass wheels and reduced the spring tension a couple of coils.These engines do require a 24"R minimum for good operation. This is due to the long rigid wheelbase of the drivers. Also I have replaced the pancake motor with a good can motor and gearbox. This is a major project for seasoned modelers. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

I have several of the old Bachmann 4-8-4 Notherns that I have replaced the pilot truck wheels with 36" NWSL brass wheels and reduced the spring tension a couple of coils.These engines do require a 24"R minimum for good operation. This is due to the long rigid wheelbase of the drivers. Also I have replaced the pancake motor with a good can motor and gearbox. This is a major project for seasoned modelers. Have fun.

[TrainFreak409]

I have the Bachmann 4-8-4 UP Overland Northern. It isn't a bad puller, and works pretty good on 18" radius. But, it is very sensitive to any imperfection in the track.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

[TrainFreak409]

I have the Bachmann 4-8-4 UP Overland Northern. It isn't a bad puller, and works pretty good on 18" radius. But, it is very sensitive to any imperfection in the track.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]